TIP! Getting enough sleep is very important for arthritis sufferers. Without enough sleep, your body will be unable to combat arthritis and its pain.

While arthritis takes many forms, it has one common component–chronic pain. Even the strongest of people can be broken down by the day to day pain of arthritis. Fortunately, you can reduce your pain with a variety of methods, techniques, remedies and medications. Read this article to learn a few tricks to help you live better while having arthritis.

TIP! Keep a diary about the progress of your condition. The information in your journal can help you determine if there is a pattern to your flare-ups.

Joint pain can be relieved through the use of both hot and cold packs. For optimal results, alternate between cold and heat. You should consult with your doctor for the best way to use heat and cold for soothing your pain.

TIP! Sit back in your chair, let your eyes gently close, and breathe deeply over and over again. A restful moment may be enough to let you put your pain behind you and focus yourself on what you want to be doing.

If you suffer from arthritis, make sure you wear good quality shoes when exercising. Your weight is not distributed evenly if you wear worn out shoes. This will put a lot of pressure on your knees and will make exercising painful. Workout shoes should be replaced very often for arthritis sufferers. Look on the soles for signs of uneven wear.

TIP! Make sure that you take advantage of the handicap parking, which will limit your physical exertion. Most arthritis sufferers don’t take advantage of this, because they aren’t aware.

If you are building a new house and you are living with arthritis, see if you can change the building plans to accommodate your condition. Have a meeting with your builder to come up with a list of things that can be done to make your home more livable for you. These simple modifications will allow you to perform daily tasks with greater ease and less pain.

TIP! Find a good physical therapist. For those who suffer from debilitating arthritis, physical therapists can help you become more flexible by developing a workout routine designed for you.

Lie back, close your eyes and practice some deep breathing exercises. By doing this, you can get your mind to focus on happier things instead of the pain that you are feeling.

TIP! Always be prepared. Maintain a solid plan and understand what you need to do in the event of a flare-up.

You can gain better control over arthritis by looking for ways to relax, as well as eliminating excess stress. Chronic stress causes your body to release chemicals like cortisol, which increases inflammation and arthritis pain. Getting a little regular exercise or scheduling more thoroughly (to eliminate the unexpected) can reduce the level of stress you experience and keep your arthritis at bay.

TIP! Surprisingly, developing a strong core will help with joint pain. Medical research has shown that having muscles in your abs helps improve your posture, which helps to prevent damage to the joints.

With the information provided in this article you have found new tips for dealing with your arthritis pain. Give some of them a try, and see which ones are the most effective for you and your pain.