Millions of people annually discover that they now have to learn to manage their arthritis. Symptoms of arthritis can be very overwhelming, these tips can give you some suggestions on how you can live with arthritis.

Water sports are great for those who suffer from arthritis. Not only are aquatic activities good for stretching out your joints and muscles, but the water is also soothing for someone who suffers from chronic arthritis, especially if the water is warm. Try joining a swimming class if you do not know how to swim.

Talk to your physician prior to altering your medication schedule. You may have to give your medication a little bit longer to work optimally, or it may cause problems if you abruptly stop taking it.

Try doing meditation or yoga if you have chronic arthritis. These relaxation techniques will calm your body and mind, reducing the severity of arthritis symptoms. For these techniques to be effective, practice them three to four times per week.

It can be very helpful to treat your arthritis. Make sure you use good typing habits to prevent arthritis. When typing, keep your hands parallel to the keyboard, and put a raised pad underneath your mouse. This will reduce the strain put on your hands, which will help keep you from developing any problems later on in life.

Arthritis differs from some other medical conditions in that studies have not shown any negative link between moderate alcohol consumption and increased arthritis trouble. Surprisingly, these studies instead came to the conclusion that drinking moderately could reduce the intensity of symptoms.

Listening to calming music, can actually help relieve some arthritis symptoms. This type of music relaxes your body, which helps lessen arthritis aches and pains. Listen to music to help you go to sleep when you are kept up by arthritis pain.

Try to apply heat for any pain that makes you tired. While you can treat some pain with cold packs, arthritis needs heat. Pain that tires you out should be relieved with warm packs, since it will give you energy and reduce pain.

If you have arthritis, do not wear high heels or poor-fitting shoes. It doesn’t matter where your arthritis affects you, uncomfortable shoes can make the problem worse. This is why you should purchase comfortable shoes that will give you needed support.

If you have arthritis, it is important that you keep your sense of humor and laugh as much as possible. When you have a fun time with loved ones, your mood will increase while your stress decreases. Laughter really is the best medicine for arthritis, so use it as directed.

Your diet has a huge influence on your arthritis. Research shows that those who eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, beans and include olive oil in their cooking will have improved physical functioning and greater vitality after three months. A diet containing natural fruit products and vegetables is undeniably good for your health.

If you have chronic arthritis, you might want to do acupuncture. Many studies have shown that acupuncture works wonders to reduce arthritis pain. This method should not be considered a one time deal, as consistency is needed to show true benefits.

It was widely believed in the past that you should not consume alcohol if you have arthritis. Studies have shown that arthritis sufferers do not experience any harm from drinking moderate amounts of alcohol. Some research has even suggested that people who have arthritis may actually have reduced symptoms from alcohol consumption.

Consider trying out cognitive behavioral theraoy. This form of therapy can help you review your thinking and change negative patterns to more positive ones. Since having a life-long illness can often cause stress for the sufferer, therapy can lead to an improved quality of life.

If you have exhausted all the arthritis treatments available with no relief, it may be time to ask your doctor about the possibility of joint surgery. Joint surgery can reverse the negative effects of arthritis like mobility and flexibility, and works for a great number of people.

Don’t overwork yourself doing daily chores. You may even need to restrict yourself. Even your daily house cleaning should be kept to one big job per day.

While it is important to exercise, it is equally important not to overdo it. Some exercises will be more detrimental than helpful for your arthritis. Select a sport like swimming, cycling, or walking, and steer clear of any sports which require a lot of hand usage, such as tennis.

Physical therapy is recommend to anyone suffering with arthritis. If arthritis pain or inflammation is interrupting your daily life, a physical therapist will be able to work with you to find a workout routine that will bring back your flexibility and lessen swelling. Consistently follow the recommendations, so you can turn your life around.

As stated earlier, those afflicted with arthritis come from all walks of life. Once you know more about arthritis and its symptoms, you will find that it is easier to manage. Use the knowledge you have gained here to lessen the pain.