Did you know that the only condition that causes people to miss work more than heart problems is arthritis? No matter if you are at arthritis risk or you just want to find out more information about it, this article is perfect for you. Read on and find some of the best advice around.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight causes stress on the joints especially in the knees and hips. This added stress leads to flare-ups of arthritis. This is in addition to the well-known health dangers of being overweight and the detrimental effects it has on your mood and energy levels. Speak with your doctor about a safe weight loss plan.
Thinking positive thoughts can help you to cope with arthritis pain. It might sound silly, but a strong mind/body connection does exist. If your mind thinks positive, it is difficult for your body to feel negative. Fill your life with happiness and you might just find that your pain quickly diminishes.
Stretch your symptom-free joints every day. A warm shower followed by a gentle stretching routine will cause you to feel looser for the rest of the day. Warm, loose muscles will cause less stress on your joints, which means that you will suffer from fewer flare-ups and less pain throughout your day.
Be sure to move throughout the day. Remaining in the same position for a long time puts more stress on your joints than if you shift positions. Be sure to take regular breaks to stand and stretch and make sure that your work environment is set up to allow you to protect your joints.
Try doing meditation or yoga if you have chronic arthritis. It is a proven fact that these techniques help to relax your body, which also reduces the symptoms of arthritis. You should do these exercises to alleviate your arthritis symptoms around 3 days a week.
If you’re a chronic sufferer of arthritis and you drive, you should know that you can get handicap parking. A lot of people that suffer from arthritis are not in the know about this, and they park far away; this can deter them from going anywhere.
Use light exercises and stretching to prevent further joint damage and pain from arthritis. light exercise avoids excess strain on the joints and you will find that it creates more limber and flexible joints that are conditioned for healthier activity. With stretching, you are giving yourself more flexibility for common activities you will encounter without causing pain from inflamed joints.
Building a support system can help with many ailments, including arthritis. Surround yourself with supportive family members, companions and professional experts in order to combat the effects of your condition. Support groups are also very helpful. It will give you the chance to talk to others who are also coping with arthritis, and probably dealing with the same things that you are.
Consider getting some therapy to help with the emotional issues you might have dealing with arthritis. Chronic pain from any illness or condition, including arthritis, is very stressful emotionally as well as physically. Your doctor and counselor are well-equipped to help you manage your emotions surrounding the symptoms of arthritis.
The pain of arthritis will cause you to seek new ways of treating the pain and complications that come with it. Before trying something new, write down your pain level on a scale from one to ten. Then after the treatment, rate it again to see if your pain is improved.
When you are diagnosed with arthritis, your doctor will give you a treatment plan which will incorporate many different things, including diet and exercise. It is important to familiarize yourself with this plan and implement it daily. As you do, there will be things you will add to the plan or things that will change according to what your body needs.
In conclusion, you know that arthritis is bad enough that only heart disease beats it out for the number one reason why people miss work. Hopefully you will not have to endure this condition, but if you do you will be more prepared than someone who has not given themselves a good background on the topic.
