When you, or someone you know, have been diagnosed with arthritis, you will soon find out that it can be the cause of great pain and very difficult to manage. Painful as it is, arthritis is much easier to deal with when you have the right information. This article has some tips for effectively treating arthritis.

Keep joints strong by keeping your posture good. This will really go a long way in helping to manage arthritis pain. Keep you body straight when you are standing up, and do not slouch when you sit. Make sure that your weight is distributed evenly across both of your legs. You will strengthen your joints and spine, which can minimize your arthritis symptoms.

Combination hot/cold packs can be used to alleviate joint pain. Alternating back and forth, between hot and cold, may provide the best relief. Talking to your doctor will help you learn how to properly use the heating pad and ice packs.

If you have arthritis, make sure to get a good nights sleep. Your body can’t properly heal or fight off pain and inflammation if you don’t get enough sleep. It is important to sleep a minimum of eight hours each night; ten hours is good if you had an exceptionally stressful day. You will feel a noticeable difference in your arthritis pain when you get enough sleep.

Consider starting a program of aquatic activity if you experience arthritis. Aquatic exercises gently stretch the muscles and joints, which is especially beneficial for chronic arthritis sufferers. You may consider enrolling in swimming lessons.

Try water activities if you’re an arthritis sufferer. These activities will stretch your muscles and joints. In addition, warm water is known to alleviate chronic arthritis pain. If you don’t feel comfortable in the water, consider taking a swimming class.

If you have arthritis you should avoid wearing high heels or any shoes that are not comfortable. It doesn’t matter which part of your body is affected by arthritis, uncomfortable shoes and heels will cause you walk in an abnormal manner, which can negatively affect your joints and muscles. So, it is important to get a pair of gym shoes that will give you proper support and keep you comfortable.

Sit back in your chair, let your eyes gently close, and breathe deeply over and over again. Doing this will help you focus on something else and feel less pain.

If you are not able to sleep well due to arthritis pain, try a warm bath with bath salts before bed. This will help relax your body and ease the pain from your arthritis, which in turn will help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer.

Be proactive by doing whatever it takes to become more informed about your condition. 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. By thoroughly researching your arthritis, you can learn some new treatments, and be introduced to some exercises and foods that can help reduce some of your pain.

Narcotic pain relievers should not be the first line of treatment for arthritis pain. They are at best a temporary fix and can lead to addiction. If you and your doctor feel that you should take them, it is vital that you always follow the instructions for administering the pills.

Switch between cold and hot treatments. By switching between heat and cold, you encourage blood circulation which helps ease the pain of arthritis. However, avoid over-using these treatments, as applying too much heat or cold to your joints can cause further problems. Do not do this more than twice a day.

Pay attention to what you eat. Arthritis is often unknowingly triggered by food sensitivities. Keep a journal of the food that you are consuming, and take note of when you feel your symptoms flare-up. This will have you to discover the foods responsible for the flare-ups.

Always be prepared. You cannot know which days your arthritis is going to bother you again. If you have everything you need at home, you will be able to relieve the pain quickly. Try to plan your jobs to be performed in sections so you can rest when you need to, and also be able to walk away any time.

Be sure to get the proper type and amount of exercise every day. Exercise not only increases general fitness, but also flexibility, a key sticking point for a lot of arthritis sufferers. Exercises that are low impact will help your joints, but never go overboard. Stop if you can’t catch your breath or you feel pain.

In conclusion, arthritis sufferers have to endure a lot of pain. Once you are aware of how to treat the symptoms of arthritis, you will be better equipped to deal with it and find some relief.