TIP! Do not wear old shoes while exercising. An old pair of exercise shoes will cause your weight to be distributed unevenly.

There are a few arthritis types, but they all have pain as a common factor. Arthritis pain can interfere with many aspects of your life. Luckily, there are ways to ease the pain. Here are some great arthritis tips.

Never eliminate or change a medication without talking to your doctor first. Changing medications can cause adverse effects, such as rebounding or a lack of tolerance.

TIP! Sleep is vital! Your body can’t properly heal or fight off pain and inflammation if you don’t get enough sleep. The optimum amount of sleep is eight hours per night, and up to ten hours if your stress level is high.

Heating or icing painful joints can relieve pain. Alternating back and forth, between hot and cold, may provide the best relief. Ask your doctor about what he recommends when you use cold and heat to soothe your pain.

TIP! Women who have arthritis should avoid wearing high heels. Irregardless of the location or severity of the arthritis afflicting your body, walking in any manner not conducive to the health and functioning of your skeletal system will aggravate arthritis, possibly severely.

Although it may seem difficult, it is vital to keep exercising when you have arthritis. Joints which are not exercised get fatigued easier, making your arthritis worse. Take part in exercises that encourage flexibility, as this will help in the range of motion your body can achieve.

TIP! Try and reduce the stress in your life as a means of reducing your arthritis. Part of your body’s chemical reaction to stress is the release of hormones and other agents that can cause inflammation and arthritis flare-ups.

Go to therapy. Therapy can help an arthritis sufferer to relieve their feelings of helplessness. People with arthritis often suffer from comorbid conditions like depression, and any type of therapy is likely to help with this.

TIP! Seek therapy if you are having a hard time coping with your condition. Therapy can help an arthritis sufferer to relieve their feelings of helplessness.

If you can get by without taking painkillers to deal with your arthritis, that would be best. They are at best a temporary fix and can lead to addiction. Only use pain medications as prescribed, and under the supervision of your doctor.

TIP! No arthritis treatment program is complete without physical therapy. A professional can establish an efficient workout routine to help you deal with pain on a daily basis and reduce the swelling.

Eat less meat and more vegetables. Research has found that a significant reduction in arthritis symptoms can be the result of a vegetarian diet. If you simply cannot bear to cut meat from your diet, compromise and fill half of each meal with nutritious vegetable sides.

TIP! Get plenty of protein. Eating adequate protein is important to arthritis sufferers because your body uses it more than someone who doesn’t have the condition.

Always closely monitor your diet and food intake. If you have arthritis, you may be allergic to food but not know it. Keep a food journal, and mark in any times when your arthritis symptoms flare-up. You may find that you discover which particular food item is bothering you.

TIP! Let your doctor check for deficiencies. A deficiency in certain nutrients, including iron and vitamin B-12, can cause painful arthritis flare-ups.

Always be prepared. It is almost impossible to predict a flare-up, which makes it especially important to have a backup plan. Make arrangements that allow you to rest between strenuous tasks, and always have an alternative available in case you are unable to complete an activity.

TIP! Pay close attention to your body. Every person who suffers from arthritis is different, and you are the only person who knows how your unique condition is affecting you.

Treat fatigue-causing pain with heat. While it is common for this type of pain to be treated with a cold pack, that method may not be the best for an arthritis sufferer. Heat treatments help build your energy level as well as reducing your arthritis pain.

TIP! Find out from your doctor what pain reduction options may work best for you. You can deal efficiently with arthritis by slowing down the progression of your condition, and finding ways to get rid of the pain.

As soon as possible, make an appointment with a doctor and begin treatment quickly. The sooner you treat arthritis, the better you can prevent against some of the damage and other effects to your joints. Start getting the treatment you need as soon as you find out from your doctor what your issues are.

TIP! By reducing the amount you smoke, you can help to minimize a small amount of pain and swelling caused by arthritis. Through studies it has been found that not smoking creates fewer issues with arthritis and swollen joints.

With the information provided in this article you have found new tips for dealing with your arthritis pain. Experiment with some of these tips, and figure out which ones are most effective for you.