Due to chronic pain, the daily challenges for arthritis sufferers include even simple tasks such as opening a jar. You are encouraged to read on if you have dealt with that nightmare or know those who have. This article has useful tips on how to better manage your condition so that you can live easier.

Watch your posture to help your joints. Good posture can decrease arthritis pain. Always stand straight, and try not to slump when you sit. Keep the weight on your legs evenly distributed. Your joints and spine can feel much stronger, and perhaps your arthritis symptoms could diminish.

Stay away from cigarette smoke, whether you smoke yourself or not. Reduced blood flow is a direct result of the nicotine released into your system from smoking cigarettes, and this can increase arthritis inflammation. The reduction in blood flow, however, has a negative effect on joint health, which will increase the severity of arthritis over time.

Getting enough sleep is very important for arthritis sufferers. Without enough sleep, your body will be unable to combat arthritis and its pain. Adults need an average of eight hours of sleep, but more may be necessary when you are stressed. Good sleep is one of the best things you can give your body.

Aquatic activities and water aerobics are ideal exercises for arthritis sufferers. You will stretch your whole body and the warmth of the water will take the pain away. Join a swimming class or an aerobics one.

If you’re a woman with arthritis, you may not want to wear high heels. They may seem to be attractive, but they’re not good for your feet. High heels can make you off-balanced and bring about torque, which will aggravate arthritis. Wear shoes you feel comfortable in and your legs should feel better. Your body will thank you.

Avoid wearing high heels and shoes that are not comfortable if you are one of the many that suffers from arthritis. Even if your arthritis is not in your feet, the unusual gait that such shoes encourage can cause the arthritis to flare up more frequently. Get yourself a comfortable, supportive pair of sneakers instead, and empower yourself against arthritis with every step.

Always keep your joints in mind. Arthritis can make the smallest job difficult or painful. If you have trouble lifting items, slide them on the floor or ask for help. Protection against irritation and inflammation greatly reduces pain and distress; it also helps joints stay flexible.

Yoga might be a good way to alleviate your arthritis symptoms. Evidence indicates that practicing these techniques aids in relaxing the body, and that helps control arthritis symptoms. Ideal practice time for these techniques is three or four times a week.

Prescription Pain Killers

Try to avoid prescription pain killers when dealing with arthritis pain. Many pain killers can be addictive and only mask the pain, keeping you from successfully treating your arthritis. If you have prescription pain killers, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

A warm salt bath for relaxation and a cold pack to numb localized pain might make it easier for you to fall asleep at night. This will relax the joints and muscles, and relieve any other pressures of the day. It may not entirely relieve the pain, but it should help you sleep better.

Start a stretching routine that you do daily. A huge problem for people who suffer from arthritis is the lack of flexibility. Establishing a stretching routine can stop you from losing your flexibility or at least slow it down. Start with your feet, and move upwards across your body all the way to your head.

Many people report advantages in alleviating arthritic symptoms when incorporating fish oil into their diet. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids which have been scientifically proven to reduce inflammation and pain in the joints. Fish oil supplements are readily available at most supermarkets and drugstores.

If you have arthritis you should avoid wearing high heels or any shoes that are not comfortable. The wrong kind of shoes will affect many parts of your body, causing abnormal walking patterns that exacerbate pain. This is why you should purchase comfortable shoes that will give you needed support.

Seek the advice, and treatment, of a medical professional as soon as possible. By seeking treatment early on, you may be able to decrease the damaging effects of arthritis on your joints. Your best bet is to get specialized advice and start a treatment program as soon as you receive a diagnosis.

Strenuous Activity

It’s important to work on preventative measures for arthritis. One great technique to use is to practice proper typing habits. Make sure that your hands and keyboards are on the same level with your mouse slightly raised with a mouse pad. This will prevent your hands from developing repetitive stress injuries as you get older.

If you are participating in a strenuous activity, use assistant devices. If you are going to lift anything heavy or need to stand for an extended period of time, protect yourself and your joints from damage. Further joint damage gives you severe pain, so the best thing that you can do is to avoid the pressures associated to strenuous activity.

Water, water, water! You should drink when you are thirsty, and always remember water is definitely the best fluid for you. Coffee and similar drinks will cause you to get dehydrated.

To minimize the stress felt by your joints, stay at a healthy weight. The excess weight that you are carrying could put unnecessary additional pressure on your joints and this will make your arthritis symptoms worse. However, as with any weight loss, it is important that the weight loss is done in a healthy way so that your body still receives the nutrients it requires, and not by missing out on meals.

If you’re a chronic arthritis sufferer who experiences problems like those described in the beginning of this article, you know how debilitating your disorder is. We hope you’ve learned something from this article that you can apply to become a happier, healthier person who has an easier time living.