Don’t deal with arthritis alone. By getting tips from others, you may learn how to better deal with your arthritis. Keep your arthritis in check by using the tips laid out in this article.

Always talk to your physician before you begin any new medication regimen. There are some medications that need more time to work in your body before they start working, and some can cause bad effects if stopped suddenly.

If no treatment has been effective for your arthritis, it may be time to consider joint surgery. Surgery helps reverse the damage caused by arthritis, improving flexibility and mobility.

Be proactive, and educate yourself about your symptoms and the best ways to treat them. Resource websites, books, CDs, videos and publications of all sorts abound for people with arthritis. You can learn a great deal about day-to-day treatment and management of pain. If you do your homework on arthritis, you can find new ways to treat yourself, or exercises you can do to reduce pain.

If you suffer with chronic arthritis, you can find relief with acupuncture. Studies have indicated that acupuncture can help minimize pain and other symptoms of arthritis. If you go in this direction, keep it up, and it will not help to just give it a small try.

Avoid taking prescription pain medication for your arthritis unless it is absolutely essential. Prescriptions pain pills are often addictive and are used to temporarily treat your pain. If they were prescribed to you, be sure to follow your doctor’s advice.

Some people have used aromatherapy to reduce arthritis symptoms. Research has indicated that aromatherapy can relax your body, it can also help your pain cause by arthritis.

Stretch everyday. A decrease in flexibility is a common complaint with arthritis. Your routine stretching exercises will preserve flexibility as long as possible. Begin at the bottom, with the feet, and slowly make your way up your body to give yourself a total stretch.

Relaxing music has actually been shown to help deal with arthritis symptoms. This type of music relaxes your body, and therefore eases aches and pains arthritis can cause. In addition, music can lull you into sleep at night if you have trouble sleeping.

Fish Oil

A relatively unknown solution for arthritis, is fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have been proven to be beneficial in reducing pain and joint inflammation. Vitamin and health food stores have many quality brands of fish oil and it is becoming more readily available in grocery stores as well.

A heating pad, especially a moist pad, is very effective at relieving the pain of arthritis. The moist heating pad provides comfort for arthritic pain that is debilitating or chronic. Although these pads can give you quick relief, you should always consult with your doctor about treatment.

Play close attention to the food you are consuming. If you have arthritis, you may be allergic to food but not know it. Keep detailed notes about the foods that you eat and what symptoms you experience. Note what foods make your symptoms worse. By careful observation, you will probably be able to decipher what foods cause flare-ups.

Don’t let other people or yourself get down on yourself. When you are suffering from arthritis, there will be some tasks that you do not feel comfortable doing. Do not allow others to pressure you into doing more than you can handle. Furthermore, never blame yourself for your condition or limitations. Don’t beat yourself up because you have to ask for help or give up on a few tasks!

One supplement that many arthritis suffers recommend is fish oil. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids, which are in fish oil, help minimize pain and joint inflammation. Vitamin and health food stores have many quality brands of fish oil and it is becoming more readily available in grocery stores as well.

Knee Brace

For an arthritic knee, see how a knee brace works for you before opting for surgery. You generally only want to resort to surgery if this is the only option left, and the knee brace is well known for reducing the swelling. You are also able to wear one while sleeping.

Increasing your water intake will help with your arthritis. Anytime you feel thirsty, drink water. Don’t drink dehydrating liquids, like those with caffeine.

The more you know, the more you can take charge of your arthritis. If you can decrease the severity of your symptoms, or even totally eliminate them, your life will instantly change for the better. The tips laid out here can act as stepping stones to even more education and resources so that coping with arthritis is easier.