You probably think of arthritis as a problem that only affects older adults. But the truth is that people of all ages can get it. Sometimes it happens due to an illness; it could happen to athletes because they have worked a joint too hard, or on rare occasions, it has to do with the immune system. But if you happen to have arthritis, you should know that it doesn’t mean you have to put your life on hold.
Here are some tips that you can use to manage pain from arthritis.
Keep a Pain Diary
One of the best things that you can do is to keep a written record. A pain diary will help you with figuring out what might trigger your symptoms. Some foods can cause inflammation, tomatoes being one of the most prominent because they are part of the nightshade family. A pain diary can help you identify what happened during the days when your pain is at its worst, such as the weather, what you ate, and what specific activities you did.
Eat Healthy & Maintain a Healthy Weight
When you don’t keep weight at a healthy level, the extra pounds strain the joints that are already hurting due to arthritis. Now, if you are already at a good weight, it’s still important to eat a healthy diet. Cooking food yourself rather than eating processed food can help you prevent pain because processed food has many preservatives that can wreak havoc on your body.
Try Gentle Exercise
Exercise is always easier said than done, but some good gentle exercise will help keep moving without putting too much stress on your joints. If you have access to a swimming pool, that is one of the best ways to exercise without stressing your joints. Or you could also try some yoga or tai chi to get yourself moving and help maintain your range of motion.
Try to Reduce Emotional Stress
Finally, you want to keep your stress down when possible. Getting a good night’s sleep each night, getting a massage, and learning meditation can help you relax. Listening to music, reading a book, or even enjoying a hot bath, could help you unwind, preventing arthritis pain.
Now you are familiar with four ways you can use to reduce arthritis pain. If you live in the Bethlehem, PA, area and want to find arthritis treatment, please visit Dr. Kothari.
He can help ease your pain so you can feel much better. Book an appointment here! Or call (570) 420-6000
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