Arthritis is a serious condition that not only causes aches and pains, but prevents the sufferer from moving his limbs to their full extent. Arthritis affects your back, hip, knees and hands, which makes it extremely painful to move around and be flexible. The advice and tips in this article will help people with arthritis cope with this condition.

Reconsider your use of high heeled shoes if you suffer from arthritis. While stylish, high heels can cause a great deal of pain and damage to your feet. They make your knees rotate more often, which causes arthritis to flare up. Stick to comfortable shoes and your arthritis pain will likely diminish. You feet and joints will thank you.

To cut your fingernails using a toenail clipper, lay the clipper down onto your thigh and press down using the palm of your hand. Manipulating small gadgets such as nail clippers is extremely difficult for those who suffer from arthritis.

Unlike many medical issues, moderate alcohol consumption has been shown in studies to not worsen the condition. On the contrary, some research suggests that moderate consumption of alcohol may even reduce some arthritis symptoms.

When you smoke, you will have less flexibility, and more chances for arthritis pain. Although it’s hard to quit smoking, it may help to think about how it negatively impacts your arthritis.

Learn as much as possible about arthritis so that you can have an active role when it comes to managing your disease. There is a vast library of information available to those with arthritis which gives information on managing pain, effective exercises and dietary do’s and don’ts. 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.

You don’t need to take a pain killer on a day your symptoms aren’t too bad. They are only a short-term solution to the problem, and can also be addictive if not used carefully. Use painkillers only as directed and only under a doctor’s care.

Create a routine of stretching every single day. One of the main problems arthritis causes is not only a loss of flexibility, but a pain when trying to be flexible with your body. If you have a daily exercise routine that involves stretching your muscles it will help to improve flexibility. Start at your feet, move up your body, and go the all the way up to your head.

Keep in mind that your joints are fragile. Arthritis flares can make insignificant jobs seem insurmountable due to the pain they cause. Instead of lifting items, slide them across floors or counters, or find help. Take regular breaks to rest your joints and help decrease inflammation.

Be sure to eat a healthful amount of protein. People with arthritis actually need more protein in order to keep symptoms at a minimum. Getting enough protein will help you fight inflammation and painful attacks. If you’re committed to a vegetarian diet, find those meat-free alternatives that still give you the protein you need.

Take the time to think about the amount of sun exposure that you get. Unfortunately, those afflicted with arthritis are also more likely to contract other conditions, such as Lupus. Make sure you cover up and take extra care of yourself while in the sun. You don’t want to come up with any more illnesses in the near future when you have enough of a hard time dealing with arthritis.

Some people have used aromatherapy to reduce arthritis symptoms. Research has proven that aromatherapy can help relax your joints and muscles, allowing your symptoms to subside.

Let other people know! Let them know about your arthritis symptoms and the effects it has on you. There will be moments when dealing with this disease that your life will appear incredibly negative and tiresome. This change can affect your personality, which will be noticed by those around you. Help them understand the cause so that you can get support to relieve some stress!

The information in the above article can help anyone manage the pain and other symptoms of his or her specific type of arthritis. Our tips give you guidance for working on alleviating arthritis with its painful symptoms. Once you begin, you will constantly learn more specific information and new treatment options.

After you have exhausted all methods of arthritis treatment without success, it is time to discuss joint surgery with your physician. Having surgery on your joint has the ability to repair the damage done, which will increase your range of motion and mobility a great deal if it is successful. Be sure to ask your doctor if this might be for you.