Arthritis is not only painful, the limitations that it places on your life can be very frustrating. This article will provide you a jumping off point for you to use to get control of your arthritis.

Arthritis joint pain can be relieved simply by doing low impact exercises, such as swimming, walking or cycling. It is always a good idea to check with your doctor before making any big changes to your exercise program.

Alcohol can exasperate many medical conditions, but this is not the case when it comes to arthritis. In fact, some researchers say that consuming alcohol in small quantities can actually help reduce the symptoms a bit.

Consider acupuncture for dealing with the symptoms of chronic arthritis. Acupuncture has been proven to reduce some arthritis pain. If this method is something you want to try, make sure to do so regularly, because isolated events will not provide lasting results.

An often overlooked, but possibly very helpful, measure to take against the nagging pain of arthritis is aromatherapy. The relaxation brought by aromatherapy has been scientifically proven to be beneficial to any chronic condition. When you use aromatherapy to relax, the whole body relaxes – including arthritic joints.

Avoid taking pain killers if the pain from your arthritis isn’t very bad. Pain killers can be dangerous. You can develop a physical addiction and experience greater pain along with other symptoms if you stop using the drugs. In addition, medication doesn’t permanently relieve pain, so you may feel a need to keep taking the pain killers. Talk to your doctor about pain killers, and do not take more than you should.

Talk with your doctor and see if joint surgery is an option for you if everything else fails. Surgery on the joints can be effective to help reverse the mobility and flexibility limitations that arthritis can cause.

Moist Heating Pads

Try regular sauna visits to treat ongoing arthritis problems. The inflammation of arthritis can be relieved by the moist heat a sauna provides, which will help reduce the pain. Visiting the sauna regularly is the key to effectiveness.

Moist heating pads are great for temporary pain 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.

Make sure you are consuming your protein. Protein is important for everyone who has arthritis as your body needs it more than normal. If meat is not typically in your diet, then make an extra effort to compensate for the lack of good protein, in order to avoid inflammatory and painful flare-ups or arthritis.

You will have to become accustomed to establishing and reinforcing boundaries for your limitations. If you suffer from arthritis, you may lose the ability do do certain things. Guilt and pressure from others will make you feel even worse, so don’t let others get you down. Passing on specific tasks is not a good reason to knock yourself around emotionally.

Ask your doctor about your pain relief options. Look for ways to avoid causing further damage to your joints, and inquire about treatments for chronic pain. Talk with your physician about both prescription and alternative treatments for arthritis pain.

Stay on the lookout for new arthritis treatments. Many times, doctors will not try something new with a patient unless the current program is ineffective. Remember that you have the final say over the treatment of your body, so don’t hesitate to bring up new treatments you are interested in trying with your doctor.

If you have symptoms of arthritis in the knees, before opting for surgery, see if a knee brace helps to reduce the discomfort. A knee brace will reduce the pain and the swelling efficiently. Braces can even be worn while sleeping.

Adding additional weight by carrying heavy bags puts unnecessary pressure on your joints. Women who carry large purses often have joint inflammation in their shoulders. Carrying around heavy shoulder bags can wear on your shoulders after a while, causing injury to your neck and shoulders. Carry a bag which only has items you can’t go out without, and take it off your shoulder as often as possible.

Maintain a journal. If you keep a journal everyday of your activities and pain levels, you can spot trends that will shed some light on what the possible triggers are. Record everything, especially the location, what you have eaten, and how much pain you’re in to make better connections.

Seek the advice, and treatment, of a medical professional as soon as possible. By starting your treatment early, you reduce joint damage caused by arthritis. Once you get advice from a professional, you can start treatment shortly after, and the condition should start improving because you’ll now know what you’re treating.

There are three common types of arthritis: Psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Each type requires its’ own special treatment and accommodating lifestyle.

Black Cohosh

Try to minimize your stress levels. In most cases, stress can be a trigger for painful inflammation and swelling. Find ways to reduce the stress in your life, and implement these tactics whenever you can.

Black Cohosh is one naturally occurring supplement that effectively reduces the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. This ingredient has proven useful for reducing inflammation and offering some relief from neurological discomfort. If you are experiencing painful symptoms of arthritis, you can feel confident giving Black Cohosh a try.

When you have arthritis, your diet is something you should worry about. A controlled trial demonstrated that people who ate diets that included lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, olive oil, and beans over a 90-day period functioned better and had higher vitality levels. Vegetables and fruits are central to a healthy diet.

Take the time to think about the amount of sun exposure that you get. Some medications for arthritis symptoms can cause sensitivity to the sun and increase the risk of sunburn and rashes. You can prevent this by applying sun block and wearing sunglasses when you go outside, even if it is not summertime.

Many people who suffer from arthritis have been able to incorporate the tips and strategies suggested in this article into their daily lives, with noticeable results. The good news is that by taking action you can control your pain and reduce your arthritis-related symptoms.