Arthritis is a condition in which your joints are damaged. It affects various joints, including your hands, knees, hips and back, making movement extremely painful. For some helpful advice on dealing with the symptoms of arthritis, see the tips in this article.

If you are a woman suffering from arthritis, make the commitment to not wear heels. High heels may seem attractive, however, the damage they do to your feet and body is not. This will damage your knee and make arthritis even worse. Comfortable, flat-soled shoes with good arch support will alleviate some of your arthritis pain. Your feet, knees and ankles will appreciate it.

Good posture will help strengthen your joints. Practicing your posture and maintaining correct posture can reduce the pain associated with arthritis. Make sure you stand up straight, and avoid slouching whenever you are seated. Distribute your weight equally to both of your legs and avoid standing too stiffly, as this can produce back tension. This will help to strengthen your spine and keep pressure off your joints, minimizing your arthritis symptoms along the way.

Do not wear badly worn shoes to workout if you have arthritis. Shoes that are at the end of their life cause your body weight to be distributed unevenly. As a result, you will feel more pain in your legs. Exchange your exercise shoes for new ones regularly. Inspect your soles for wear, and immediately replace shoes if you find a pattern of uneven wear.

Be careful not to deprive your body of the sleep it needs to rejuvenate, if you have arthritis. Your body cannot fight arthritis without it. Try to get eight hours of sleep everyday at the very least, or ten hours on more stressful days. Your body’s own healing powers improve substantially with good sleep.

Sit back, close your eyes, relax and take a couple deep breaths. This provides a much-needed distraction from the pain and allows you to focus on more pleasant thoughts.

Newly constructed homes can be modified to make living with your arthritis more manageable. Sit and speak with your builder to create a list. These modifications can stretch the sore joints and lessen your pain to make daily life easier.

The earlier you can halt arthritis, the better. For instance, learn how to type properly. Concentrate on keeping your hands level to your keyboard and place a raised pad beneath your mouse. This way you can reduce the strain on your hands and keep yourself from developing problems later in life.

Be proactive with your arthritis management by educating yourself about the condition. You will find a host of resources online that offer strategies to help you improve the quality of your life through diet, exercise and management of pain. The more you study arthritis, the greater understanding you will have. This will give you a good chance at finding just the right combination of remedies to ease your pain.

If you’re a chronic sufferer of arthritis and you drive, you should know that you can get handicap parking. Most arthritis sufferers don’t take advantage of this, because they aren’t aware.

Consider acupuncture for dealing with the symptoms of chronic arthritis. Studies have proven that acupuncture can bring relief to people suffering from arthritis. Using this technique is a long-term commitment, as one treatment will not provide lasting relief.

Smoking cigarettes can cause a decrease in flexibility, and makes arthritis symptoms worse. Though breaking the smoking habit can be challenging, knowing that it will improve your arthritis may be just the incentive you have been looking for.

If you are completely at your wits end when it comes to finding relief from your arthritis pain, joint surgery may be an option you wish to discuss with your doctor. Surgery to decrease the severity of arthritis symptoms may give you back some flexibility and maneuverability, as well as finally offering some relief from the excruciating pain.

You might not have thought of this, but you can help out with arthritis pains simply through calming music. Listening to soothing music will help you relax, which can provide relief from arthritis pain. If your arthritis keeps you from falling asleep at night, the soothing sound of relaxing music can enable you nod off to sleep more easily.

Increase your intake of vegetables, and cut back on the amount of meats in your diet. There are cases where people with arthritis who are vegetarian do not experience as much pain as other arthritis sufferers do. If you love meat, fill at least one half of your plate with a salad or vegetables so you don’t eat too much meat and still get most of the benefits that vegetable provide.

Be sure to pay close attention to your diet. Some people who experience arthritis tend to be sensitive to some types of food, but fail to realize it. Keep a journal of the food that you are consuming, and take note of when you feel your symptoms flare-up. By careful observation, you will probably be able to decipher what foods cause flare-ups.

Don’t be too proud to use a cane. Many arthritis patients refuse using a cane, thinking it makes them look disabled. If a cane makes you feel better, use it. You will be better able to do the things you want. When choosing a cane opt for one that matches your personality and activity level.

One of the oddest remedies for arthritis is actually soothing music. The music allows your body to feel relaxed, which eases some of the pain caused by arthritis. Soothing music can also help you go to sleep if you have been unable to due to your arthritis.

Abdominal Muscles

A little known fact is that having strong abdominal muscles can assist you in improving the pain your joints feel. Studies have shown that the improved posture created by stronger abdominal muscles prevents joint damage. Just remember that you don’t have to exercise like crazy to get the results in question.

If you suffer from Psoriatic Arthritis, don’t feel like you have to do everything you used to. Your energy levels are not the same as they used to be. Don’t pretend they are, as it can make your symptoms worse. Prioritize your life and focus on the people and activities which are closest to your heart. Do not fall into the false belief that you must do all of the activities which you once did.

To better cope with the pain and discomfort of arthritis, use the advice in the preceding article. Think of these new habits as a starting point in adapting to your condition. Go see a doctor if you need further help.