Having to deal with arthritis can be stressful, so you do not want the process of finding relief to simply add more stress. The tips and suggestions here are a wonderful way to change up your routine and provide you with new information that can reduce your stress levels.

Any woman suffering with arthritis should think twice before donning those high heels. They may seem to be attractive, but they’re not good for your feet. They make your knees rotate more often, which causes arthritis to flare up. Wearing comfortable shoes can probably cut down on your arthritic pain. Your body will certainly notice the difference.

If you happen to be a nicotine user, put those cigarettes down. Nicotine reduces the blood flow to the extremities which can reduce inflammation short term. However, the reduced blood flow can also damage your joints, meaning that your arthritis will be more severe, more quickly, than if you did not smoke.

It may seem hard sometimes, but you need to get regular exercise to properly manage your arthritis. Exercise can lubricate the joints and help to prevent the stiffness which causes pain. You should also perform flexibility exercises, as it will increase your ability to flex your muscles.

Don’t limit your sleep if you’re an arthritis sufferer. It gives your body a fighting chance against the pain of arthritis. Make an effort to enjoy at least eight full hours of sleep per night; add a few more hours at the end of a particularly exhausting day. Getting good quality sleep will benefit your health in many ways.

Women with arthritis should avoid high heels. High heels might look nice, but they can cause a lot of damage to your feet and legs. High heels can make you off-balanced and bring about torque, which will aggravate arthritis. Wearing comfortable shoes can probably cut down on your arthritic pain. Do it for your body.

Keep a daily journal if you are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis in your daily life. Keeping track of your daily activities in a diary will help you remember what triggers flare ups. It will be able to help you understand what will work. You can share this information with your doctor to help him best prescribe treatment options. It’s a helpful habit to stick with.

Acupuncture may be a way to help you manage your arthritis. Many studies have shown that acupuncture works wonders to reduce arthritis pain. If you decide to use this technique, be sure that you keep it up, as doing it one time will not help in the long run.

Smoking cigarettes is associated with a loss of flexibility, and an increase in arthritis flare-ups. Giving up smoking for good may be very difficult, but when you see how much it exacerbates your arthritis symptoms, the trade-off may be worth it.

Participate in therapy. Arthritis takes a mental toll on a person. It limits their options in life, and therapy can help them realize that they are not alone and helpless. People who have arthritis are prone to developing other ailments, such as depression, so participating in therapy can help deal with these important issues.

Pain Killers

Start a stretching workout. People suffering from arthritis commonly battle decreased flexibility as well. Stretching each muscle daily can help to prevent or delay this loss of mobility. To make sure you stretch all your muscles, start at your feet and work your way up.

Pain killers are not the best solution. Too many are addictive and may only provide temporary relief. If you are prescribed pain killers, use them only as prescribed.

Maintaining a healthy weight will help reduce the stress on joints. Carrying extra pounds puts added stress on the joints, making your arthritis symptoms worse. You don’t have to starve yourself or follow any unhealthy diet plans, just know how to practice proper nutrition and your body will benefit from this by losing weight.

It is essential that you talk to a physician when your symptoms start appearing and that you begin treatment right away if you need it. Failure to address the symptoms of arthritis could lead to more damage to joints and increased pain. Take the pro’s advice early and begin treatment immediately following the diagnosis.

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. Supermarkets and health food stores carry a variety of fish oil supplements.

Purchase quality equipment to help with your arthritis symptoms. If you are equipped with the right tools, you can do anything. There are plenty of products on the market specifically designed to help arthritis sufferers: zippers, shoe horns, pens and can openers, to name but a few. Spend a little on these things to make the life of the arthritis sufferer a bit more tolerable.

Build a strong support system if you deal with arthritis. Have a team made up of doctors, friends and family around you so that they can help you deal with what you are going through. You should join a support group to interact with other people who are dealing with the same issues.

Surprisingly, one way to alleviate arthritis pain is to develop your abdominal muscles. Medical research has proven that the muscles in the abs help to improve posture, which in turn helps prevent joint damage. Know your limitations and avoid overdoing it with your workouts.

As is evident from the tips presented above, there are several ways in which you can manage your arthritis symptoms. Knowing how to deal with any symptoms and discomfort is an important factor, but it is also important that you have the dedication to use the information presented to you. You can live an enjoyable life with arthritis if you learn ways to cope and live smart.

Ask your doctor which pain relief options are available to you. In many cases, preventing further damage and treating pain in a safe and effective way is the best thing to do for arthritis. The best way to do this is by consulting your physician with regards to possible FDA approved treatment options that are available to you.