When it comes to managing your arthritis, do not do it by yourself. Talking to others in the same boat, and reading tips from fellow sufferers, goes a long way to help deal with it. The tips in this article will help you to better manage your arthritis.
Give yoga a try. Studies have proven that the relaxation and exercise offered from yoga can ease pain in the joints caused by arthritis.
Always get enough sleep if you have arthritis. Lack of sleep makes it impossible for the body to fight painful arthritis effects. Make sure to get in your eight hours per day if at all possible. If you feel you need more, you probably do. There is a great benefit to getting quality sleep on a regular basis.
Take a warm bath and use bath salts in it before bed to soothe aching joints and sleep better. This helps relax your body, along with soothing your arthritis pain so you can fall aleep and stay asleep for a longer period of time.
Seek therapy if you are having a hard time coping with your condition. Arthritis sufferers sometimes find it difficult being alone, so therapy can help to keep you from feeling like a helpless victim. Those who suffer from arthritis are also likely to become depressed, or develop other conditions. Therefore, group or individual therapy can help address anything other conditions related to arthritis.
If you have tried all arthritis treatments and all else falls, you may want to consider talking with your doctor about getting joint surgery. Surgery can reverse the effects of arthritis on your joints. It is extremely effective for most people.
Don’t try to do more than you are able if your condition is psoriatic arthritis. You may experience a depletion of your energy reserves. Living in the “ignorance of bliss” mode can actually make your symptoms get worse. Concentrate your energy only on the areas that mean the most to you. Remember, nobody expects you to do everything all the time.
You should always make use of a cane so that you have proper support. Many arthritis sufferers choose not to use a cane, because they believe it signifies a disability. But, if pain can be reduced by the support of a cane, then you will be more disabled without using one. Look for a cane that can be adjusted to your height so it is comfortable for you to use.
Get a checkup from your doctor and have him check your blood for any deficiencies. Your arthritis is likely to cause more pain, or flare up, if you are low on such nutrients as B-12 or iron. Having this checked on a regular basis can help lessen the risk of pain, because you’ll be able to maintain healthy levels.
Tell your family and friends just what it’s like to live with arthritis. If they understand what you have to live with, it will help them to know to offer you assistance and insight. If they know you feel stiff or are in pain, they may make allowances for you.
If excess weight and poor physical fitness are things that you struggle with, then deal with these things immediately. Weight can sometimes be a factor that affects your arthritis. By losing a little weight, your arthritis symptoms could be alleviated. Even losing a moderate amount of weight can provide significant relief.
Take a walk after dinner. A regular post-dinner stroll will leave you feeling relaxed but energetic. Even taking a short walk accompanied by a family member or friend can be helpful; in addition, it allows you to spend quality time with someone that you care about.
Reduce the amount of weight you carry around with you on a daily basis. Having arthritis in the shoulders is more common than you think, especially in women. Carrying around heavy shoulder bags can wear on your shoulders after a while, causing injury to your neck and shoulders. If need need to carry a bag around, keep it light with only the items you need.
Having the right knowledge is important in keeping arthritis from taking control of your world. Your life will be much more enjoyable when you learn practical methods for reducing your arthritis symptoms and slowing the condition’s progression. Use these tips as the first step, in a series of steps, to learn how to get a handle on your arthritis.