Arthritis affects millions of people, causing stiffness, joint pain and reduced motion. It can affect your joints and make them tough to flex. The tips in the following article will help people suffering with arthritis combat their disease.

In order to ensure your joints remain as strong as possible, try to have good posture. It can help to alleviate your arthritis pain. Stand up straight and tall when you’re on your feet, and avoid slumping or slouching when you sit down. Don’t favor one leg when sitting or standing. Your joints and spine can strengthen, while your arthritis symptoms can diminish.

Ask your doctor about any changes you want to make. Medications react to change differently and stopping a medicine suddenly can potentially have serious health risks.

Though it may be a challenge, you really do need to exercise as much as you can if you deal with arthritis. If you do not exercise your joints a lot, they will become fatigued, and that will only make your arthritis worse. Those afflicted with arthritis can really benefit from exercises meant to increase flexibility, as they work to improve range of motion.

Educate yourself regarding arthritis so that you will be ready to combat it on every front. There are numerous resources available for arthritis sufferers where you can find helpful tips on nutrition, exercise and pain management. If you take time to research arthritis, you’ll find all kinds of new ways to reduce pain, as well as new therapies and foods that may help you.

If you have arthritis, working out in new, fresh shoes is especially important. This will make you unevenly distributed in terms of weight. They may also cause other problems, especially to your leg joints. Replace your workout shoes often for best results, and especially when you notice uneven wear on the bottoms of your soles.

Acupuncture can be very effective for chronic arthritis. For thousands of years, acupuncture has been an alternative treatment for pain, and it might just help you with arthritis-related pain. If you opt to utilize this technique, you must do it consistently. One treatment will not help you long-term.

It is important to attend your therapy sessions. It is hard being on your own when you have arthritis, so by attending therapy you can receive a positive reminder that you’re not utterly helpless. Depression can be an issue for arthritis sufferers, and individual or group therapy can help alleviate those concerns.

Many low impact activities, such as swimming or walking, can be quite helpful in relieving some of the joint pain associated with arthritis. You should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss any fitness routine before starting one.

Although it should only be considered as a last resort in the more extreme cases, if you are at your wits end when it comes to the pain of your arthritis, talk to your doctor about the possibilities of surgery. This surgery can reverse what arthritis has done to your body and potentially can improve some mobility and increase flexibility in your joints. It is effective in a large percentage of patients.

It is crucial that you watch what you are eating. Some arthritis sufferers can have sensitivities to foods or substances that they are not aware of. Keep tabs on the food that you consume, and remember the times you experience flare-ups in your symptoms. This could help you discover food triggers.

If you have arthritis and exercise is difficult, try aquatic activities and exercise programs. These are great for stretching your muscles and joints and also for soothing relief. You can also try to join a swim class.

Try using a cane for some support. Many people with arthritis will not use a cane, since they think it signifies a type of disability. If you have less pain when you use a cane you should do it. Choose a cane that fits your personality to feel more comfortable using it.

Use assistant devices to help you to engage in difficult activities. When you’re dealing with arthritis, your joints are especially susceptible to the kind of strain that long periods of standing or heavy lifting places on them. Take steps to protect yourself in these situations. Joint damage can cause a lot of pain and the best way to deal with the pain is avoiding strenuous things.

If you can get by without taking painkillers to deal with your arthritis, that would be best. Some pain medications can be addictive and only work temporarily. If you are prescribed pain killers, use them only as prescribed.

Watch out for new medical treatments. Doctors often shy away from new treatments when the current one is being effective. If you read or hear about a treatment that might help your condition, speak with your doctor. You may need to taper off your current medication before trying something new.

To better cope with the pain and discomfort of arthritis, use the advice in the preceding article. Although you may need more information, this advice is a great beginning to becoming knowledgeable about treating arthritis.

Establsih a regular stretching routine. One of the main problems a sufferer of arthritis has to go through is losing how flexible they are. A daily regimen of stretching the entire body will keep muscles and joints more supple. You can maintain flexibility with the proper stretching. Begin by stretching your feet. Slowly stretch each area of your body, moving up the body from your feet, until you reach your head.