There are millions of people worldwide who suffer from arthritis. Arthritis can hurt a lot, but there are things you can do and treatments you can learn about to ease the pain. This article is filled with a variety of tips and tricks that will make you more knowledgeable about arthritis.

If you happen to be a nicotine user, put those cigarettes down. The nicotine in cigarettes can reduce blood flow to your extremities, which may reduce inflammation in the short term. In addition, your joints can also suffer longer term damage from a decreased flow of blood.

Make sure you have good posture so as to keep the joints strong and healthy. Doing so can keep arthritis pain to a minimum. Refrain from slouching in your chair and stand up straight when you are walking and exercising. Keep the weight on your legs evenly distributed. Your spine and joints will feel stronger and your arthritis symptoms might soon diminish.

Use heating pads or ice packs to help relieve some of the pain in your joints. For maximum effectiveness, alternate between hot and cold applications. The heat will improve circulation to the area while relaxing muscles.

Sit on your thighs and use your hands to push down. This method of minimizing finger use will save you pain, and make the process a lot less awkward.

If you have arthritis, you should be very careful to wear good, supportive shoes, especially for exercise. Shoes that are old and worn out will cause your weight to be distributed unevenly. As a result, you will feel more pain in your legs. Buy new workout shoes when you notice the bottoms are wore out unevenly on your old pair.

Put more vegetables and less meat on your plate. Vegetarian diets have been proven to be much better for arthritis sufferers than eating a diet with meat. If meat is too good for you to resist, at least fill your plate up with half veggies, half meat so that you are getting some of the good benefits from the vegetables.

A cane is worth considering if your arthritis leaves you in need of extra support. Often arthritis sufferers are reluctant to use canes, because they feel it indicates they are disabled or infirm. If a cane lessens the pain, then you are not as disabled as you think without a cane. Look for a cane that can be adjusted to your height so it is comfortable for you to use.

Try to participate in aquatic activities if you suffer from arthritis. 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 are afflicted by osteoarthritis in either or both knees, electrical stimulation might be the solution you need. Consult your doctor about it. It has been proven that this kind of treatment is very effective in reducing swelling of the knees from arthritis, while reducing arthritis pain at the same time.

Talk to your doctor and make sure you get the treatment you need right away. By beginning treatment at the onset of arthritis, you can lessen the amount of damage done to your joints by this disease. The best thing to do is get the advice of your doctor and start treatment immediately following your diagnosis.

Take an active role in managing your arthritis by learning as much as you can about the disease. Exercise, proper nutrition, weight loss and pain management are a variety of methods used for treating inflammation of the joints. As long as you seek out the information, you are likely to find many treatments and techniques to keep pain under control.

Ask you doctor to check you regularly for deficiencies. When you’re low on specific nutrients, like B-12 or iron, your arthritis can flare up and could cause more pain more. If you regularly have your blood work checked for deficiencies, you can manage your levels and reduce the amount of pain and inflammation associated with your condition.

Try doing castor oil massages on your stiff and painful joints. The oil has therapeutic properties, and the act of massage also helps. The act of massaging increases circulation in the area and will work to reduce swelling, and the oil will get to work on your stiffness.

Perform the proper types of exercise for the right amount of time. You can stay healthy and fit and increase your body’s flexibility. If you engage in low-impact exercise it can help to reduce joint inflammation, but take it slowly and don’t overdo it. Stop doing it if you begin to feel any pain.

If you are suffering from arthritis, you are probably looking for new techniques to alleviate your pain and treat your condition. Prior to using a new technique, use a personal rating system as a way to remember the amount of pain you are feeling. This helps to give you an idea of how effective the treatment really is to you.

As mentioned at the start of this article, arthritis is a condition that is suffered by millions of people around the world. Learn the symptoms and treatments for your form of arthritis. Check out these tips and advice for arthritis sufferers. It can help make dealing with it easier.

Moist heat from a heating pad can provide temporary relief. If you are in serious pain that prevents you from functioning at a normal level, moist heating pads can be a wise investment. This method will take the pain away, but it can’t replace going to see your doctor.