Effective Solutions To Help You Cope With Arthritis
It is a common misconception that one cannot develop rheumatoid arthritis until they are old and have lived a physically demanding lifestyle. The truth is, RA can begin to appear in nearly anyone that does not practice a healthy routine and take care of the joints they use on a daily basis.
Whenever you dwell on something, you just make it worse. It is important in your healing process not to dwell on the bad things but instead dwell on the good things. Remember things that are important to you that you want to focus on, and take your mind off of the pain.
A great way to soothe the pain of arthritis symptoms is to get a massage. If the pain is not too severe, massages are a great way to help with pain as long as your muscles are not too tender. Massage helps release tension associated with joint stress. Try to find a massage therapist who is familiar with patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
Just because there is no cure for arthritis doesn’t mean you can’t find relief from the pain. Be sure to pay close attention to your doctor’s advice regarding diet, exercise, supplements and pain relievers. By remaining pro-active in your treatment plan you can overcome a great deal of the pain and debilitation of arthritis.
If you are planning on traveling and have arthritis, please be sure to get a good night of sleep the night before your trip. If you are well rested, it will allow your bones and joints to work more smoothly and allow for an easier trip. You won’t notice the pain as much if your body has had a well rested night of sleep.
In order to prevent joint stiffness, incorporate low-impact exercises into your day-to-day routine. Doing too much exercise can cause arthritis to flare up. However, light-to-moderate low-impact exercise can help to keep your joints from stiffening up, giving you more freedom of movement. Some exercises you can do to stay limber include walking, swimming, or bicycling.
Smoking can increase your risk for different forms of arthritis which means you should cut back or quit altogether. The health benefits of quitting smoking are important overall of course, however, the prevention of potential joint damage or other more severe symptoms associated with arthritis are good reasons to drop the habit.
Rearrange the furniture in your home. You want to be able to walk a straight line from one room to another. The fewer turns you have to make, the less stress you will place on your weight-bearing joints, especially your hips. You should enlist the help of a friend to move your furniture, of course.
Do aquatic exercises which allow you to exercise without subjecting your joints to harsh treatment. Working out in a pool provides the same benefits as other activities such as running but it is much gentler on the joints and will not aggravate your arthritis. The water helps take the weight off of your joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis may be able to effect nearly anyone, but it can also be fought by those same people. All it takes is a determined spirit and some simple guidelines, such as those mentioned above. Take them to heart and watch each day as life gets just a little bit better.