With so many treatment options and over-the-counter medications claiming to eliminate and cure arthritis, it can be very difficult to determine your best course of action for dealing with pain and inflammation. Luckily, the following suggestions can give you the information you need to make the best decision.

Be sure to get sufficient sleep whenever arthritis flares occur. Lack of sleep makes it impossible for the body to fight painful arthritis effects. Get at least 8 hours every night, and even more after a very stressful day. Your body will gain enormous benefits from sleep.

If you have arthritis, you should be very careful to wear good, supportive shoes, especially for exercise. Shoes that are at the end of their life cause your body weight to be distributed unevenly. They can potentially also create issues in your leg joints, such as your knees and ankles. It is important to regularly replace your shoes, especially if you discover uneven patterns of wear on the soles.

If you suffer the effects of arthritis, a great place to start for treatment is meditation or yoga. Such practices relax your body and mind, which has been shown to help minimize arthritis symptoms. Doing yoga or meditating 3 to 4 days a week will have the best effect.

Women who have arthritis should avoid wearing high heels. Even if you do not suffer from arthritis in your legs or feet, uncomfortable shoes are bad for your posture. Buy some comfortable tennis shoes that provide support instead.

Many low impact activities, such as swimming or walking, can be quite helpful in relieving some of the joint pain associated with arthritis. If you do have any reservations about starting a physical fitness regime, speak with a medical professional.

Relax in a chair and do some deep breathing exercises. Meditation will take your mind off the pain and refocus it on more positive thoughts.

Cutting back on stress and taking the time to relax can have a great positive effect on your arthritis. Stress can be a factor in how your arthritis develops and in how painful it can be. Try to come up with some good coping mechanisms to reduce your level of stress, such as taking a daily walk or meditating for a few minutes.

If you have arthritis, say “no” to high heels and “yes” to comfortable flat shoes. Shoes that you do not feel comfortable in will have you walking in an abnormal fashion and this can be bad for your arthritis. Instead, buy a pair of comfortable sneakers that will provide you with support.

You should only use pain medication when truly necessary. Many of the painkillers on the market are very addictive, and will only help temporarily relieve pain. Pain killers have their place, but make sure to only use them as prescribed by your doctor. Look for other methods that can help with pain without the use of medication.

It is important to plan ahead of time. Since arthritis pain can flare at any time, you want to be prepared to work around it. Dividing your work into separate parts will give you time to rest during the day. You should also be able to stop what you are doing right away if the pain becomes too great.

It is important to note that people who suffer from arthritis are able to get handicapped parking. This is not widely-known by those afflicted, suffering unnecessarily by not taking advantage of this helping hand.

Knee Brace

Get a knee brace if you suffer from arthritis in your legs. You can also get surgery if a brace is not enough. A knee brace can often reduce the pain and inflammation caused by your arthritis. Consider surgery only as a last resort. There are even knee braces available that you can wear while sleeping.

Consider the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as another way to treat your arthritis. Aromatherapy helps the body’s muscles and joints relax, according to medical studies, and this effect helps to alleviate many of the symptoms of chronic arthritis, including joint pain.

Make sure you sleep in a good bed. It is a good idea for people with arthritis to contact their doctor in order to find out exactly what type of bed should be used. Every condition is unique: you need to work with a professional to design the best plan possible depending on your personal situation.

You should know the symptoms to look for with arthritis. A great thing to do for your arthritis is diagnose it early, so you should learn all the symptoms and signs you will have. Contact your doctor as soon as you suspect you may be suffering from arthritis, so that you can discuss treatment and remedy options.

Talk with your doctor and see if joint surgery is an option for you if everything else fails. You can actually reverse arthritis effects and improve your health by going through a procedure like joint surgery.

Whether you decide to try surgery, dietary supplements or physical therapy, follow this article’s advice to help find relief from the pain caused as a result of your arthritis. When you gain more knowledge about your condition, you will be more prepared to make informed decisions about your treatment, and come up with a realistic action plan.