If you, or someone you know, has arthritis, then you already know how painful and challenging it can be to deal with. Treating arthritis, however, is easier if you know what to do. This article discusses the information you need and some suggestions on treating arthritis.
Combination hot/cold packs can be used to alleviate joint pain. For optimal results, alternate between cold and heat. Of course, always consult your doctor when treating arthritis pain.
Yoga and meditation are great arthritis remedies. These relaxation techniques will calm your body and mind, reducing the severity of arthritis symptoms. In order for these techniques to be effective, it is important that you practice them 3 or 4 times a week.
If you are remodeling or designing a home and suffer from arthritis, consider asking about customizations to enhance your quality of life. Discuss how your arthritis limits you in a home setting with your contractor, so they can help make suggestions for possible modifications to help make life easier for you. The proper adjustments will help you to live a more normal life. They can also relieve pain caused by reaching and stretching already painful joints.
Switch off between a hot and a cold treatment. If your joints are stressed from overworking, switch back and forth between hot packs and cold packs to alleviate the pain and help reduce swelling. Be careful not to overdo it with icing or heating — use moderation in applying these treatments. Try to do it just twice per day.
During strenuous activities you want to use assistant devices. If you are on your feet for long periods or lifting heavy objects, using protection and assist devices help to protect you from damaging fragile joints. Avoiding these difficult tasks can mean avoiding joint damage and pain, so keep yourself safe.
Avoid utilizing pain killers for relief of arthritis pain unless absolutely necessary. Narcotic painkillers have addictive properties and only mask the pain temporarily. Take prescription medication according to your doctor’s instructions, and be sure to ask about any issues with your medication.
Create a stretching regimen. A lack of flexibility is a huge problem for people suffering from arthritis. Having a consistent routine where you stretch your muscles can help slow down or prevent flexibility loss. Start your stretches with your feet, then move up your body until you get to your neck and head.
Whatever direction you choose to take, the advice in this article should have helped to clarify some of the options for arthritis pain relief. Figuring out how you want to treat your arthritis and how you will live with it is a lot easier once you educate yourself about the details of the affliction and its potential treatments.