Regardless of which version or arthritis you may be afflicted with, you can guarantee that pain is a common denominator of them all. Arthritis pain can interfere with many aspects of your life. Luckily, there are a number of ways to soothe the pain. These are good tips to have when dealing with arthritis.

Pay attention to the signals your body is giving you. Arthritis may give you chronic pains, but normal pain is usually an indicator of potential damage to your body.

Do not carry so much. Women who carry large purses often have joint inflammation in their shoulders. Neck and shoulders can become inflamed and swollen when messenger bags or heavy shoulder bags are toted. If carrying a bag is a must, try and make it as light as possible.

If you have been wearing your faithful old runners or walking shoes for a year, then it is probably time to toss them. By wearing old shoes, you increase the amount of pressure on your joints, as such giving you little support and comfort. When this is the case, it is time for new shoes.

Don't let others or yourself get you down. Arthritis may keep you from performing specific types of tasks. If you feel guilty or pressured it will only worsen the situation. Remind yourself that arthritis and its effects are not your fault. Giving certain things up isn't a reason to feel down.

Strength training has been proven to increase, or simply maintain muscle strength. Having more strength can help your arthritis pain. By performing strength training exercises that are moderate to high in intensity, you can improve yourself physically and emotionally in the long run. You can't expect this to quickly cure all problems, but over the long run, it really helps.

It is vital to have a good support system in place when you have arthritis. There will be things you can not manage by yourself, and times when you'll need either emotional or physical support. Also, you should try to find a support group you can hook up with to talk to others who are experiencing the same issues as you.

Cutting back on stress and taking the time to relax can have a great positive effect on your arthritis. Stress causes the body to release certain chemicals that cause inflammation and increased sensitivity to pain. These exacerbate arthritis symptoms. Getting a little regular exercise or scheduling more thoroughly (to eliminate the unexpected) can reduce the level of stress you experience and keep your arthritis at bay.

As the above article has stated, arthritis is a difficult condition that plagues many people. If you know the right way to treat your arthritis, it becomes much easier to handle and deal with.