Arthritis affects a lot of people who usually experience pain and difficulty moving. Arthritis affects your hips, knees, back, and hands, making it extremely painful to move sometimes. Those suffering from arthritis can benefit from using the ideas in this article.

Stay away from cigarette smoke, and quit if you do smoke. Nicotine slows blood flow and can exacerbate arthritis-related inflammation. In the long-term though, smoking will corrupt your joints and sharpen the pain that you feel from arthritis.

Do not skimp on sleep if you are suffering from arthritis. If you don’t sleep, your body’s defenses against arthritis are weakened. Get at least seven or eight hours of sleep a night. If you have had a bad day, try to get ten hours. You will feel a noticeable difference in your arthritis pain when you get enough sleep.

If you are suffering from arthritis, don’t exercise with old worn out sneakers. Shoes that are old and worn out will cause your weight to be distributed unevenly. This will put a lot of pressure on your knees and will make exercising painful. Buy new workout shoes when you notice the bottoms are wore out unevenly on your old pair.

Try some low impact exercises such as swimming, walking and cycling, which have been proven to ease the pain and stiffness in the joints of arthritis sufferers. You should seek the advice of a physician before you begin any exercise regimen.

Just sit back, relax and do a few deep breathing exercises. If having a bad time with your arthritis, you should try taking a break and just relax. This will help you mentally fight the pain.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, keep a journal. A journal is good for reminding you what exactly has been triggering your arthritis each time it flares up. You can figure out what works for you. Based on your findings, your doctor can then develop a treatment plan that will have the greatest effect on your symptoms. This makes a daily diary an essential tool.

Relax in a chair, shut your eyes, and try some deep breathing. If having a bad time with your arthritis, you should try taking a break and just relax. This will help you mentally fight the pain.

Be sure to get the proper type and amount of exercise every day. Exercise will increase the flexibility of your joints in addition to keeping you healthy and fit. Although low-impact routines can help to prevent or reduce inflammation, it is nonetheless important that you do not overdo it. When exercise begins to be painful, it is time to take a break.

People who drive with arthritis are able to park in handicap spots. Most people who suffer from arthritis are not aware of this fact. Therefore, they use regular parking spaces when they don’t have to, which can be particularly difficult for those who suffer from chronic pain.

Get the proper amount of exercise, and make sure it is the right kind. In addition to maintaining your flexibility, regular exercise ensures that your body stays in a healthy state. You can prevent joint inflammation with low-impact exercise, but don’t overdo it. If you start to feel pain, stop.

If you suffer from arthritis, both emotionally and physically, consider therapy. Arthritis takes a mental toll on a person. It limits their options in life, and therapy can help them realize that they are not alone and helpless. Depression is a common occurrence among arthritis sufferers. Attending therapy is a great way to deal with this concern and to talk to others who understand.

Stay at a healthy weight and you will reduce the stress on the various joints. When you are overweight, you put too much pressure on your joints, which can make arthritis symptoms worse. Rather than skipping meals or starving yourself to lose weight, follow a healthy diet that gives your body the nutrients that it needs.

Moist Heat

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 do use a prescription pain medication given by your doctor, don’t use more than the directions say to.

Moist heat from a heating pad can provide temporary relief. Investing in a heating pad that gives off moist heat is something to consider if your arthritis is affecting your daily life. Even though these pads provide relief from pain, you still need to speak with your physician.

Tell your loved ones about the pain that you are experiencing so they understand what you are going through. If your loved ones are made aware of what you are dealing with, they will better understand your needs and can in turn offer helpful support and aid. If others know that you are feeling stiff or in pain, they can help you by making allowances for you.

Create a stretching regimen. A common issue for those suffering from arthritis is a decrease in the flexibility of their joints. Stretching each muscle daily can help to prevent or delay this loss of mobility. Do your stretching head-to-toe in reverse, starting at the bottom and working your way up.

Be sure to have a good laugh every day. Share jokes with those around you, watch funny movies, enjoy time with your pets and your children to lower stress levels and bring a smile to your face. Laughing is a therapeutic aid to those suffering from arthritis so it is important to use it as much as possible.

Work with a trained physical therapist to design a workout program that can treat or alleviate your stiffness and other arthritis symptoms. If you learn what exercises are best for you, you can learn how to properly do them to avoid injuries. Exercising not only builds stamina and strength, but it can help range of motion with your ailing joints.

One supplement that many arthritis suffers recommend is fish oil. Medical research has confirmed that omega-3 fatty acids, which are in fish oil, will help to relieve the pain and inflammation found in the joints of arthritis sufferers. Many supermarkets, and any vitamin/supplement stores, will carry fish oil.

The information in the above article can help anyone manage the pain and other symptoms of his or her specific type of arthritis. While more help may be called for, this advice is an excellent beginning for anyone who hopes to learn about the nature and the many treatments for arthritis.