Regaining Control Of Your Own Health And Comfort. With more than one in five American adults currently diagnosed with the condition, arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States today. But joint and arthritic pain don't have to bring your life to a standstill.
In addition to the treatments recommended by your doctor — which commonly include dieting and exercising — there are several short-term measures you can take to manage pain, reduce inflammation and slow down joint damage. Here are six self-help tips to aid you in regaining control of your own health and comfort.
Take a warm shower
The humidity, heat and soothing flow of water on the body can relieve stiffness and encourage more comfortable movement of your joints. Experts often recommend a warm shower in the morning for arthritis patients, since the body may feel particularly inflexible after remaining still over the course of a night's sleep.
Get in the pool!
Exercises such as jogging and even isometrics are usually not recommended since they increase impact and pressure on painful joints. Swimming, however, can be excellent for those with knee and hip disease. The body's natural buoyancy leaves no weight on the joints, and your motion in the pool is facilitated by the water's gentle assistance.
Stretch while seated
Periods of inactivity, such as being seated for a long performance or an extended family meal, can lead to uncomfortable stiffness. Adjust your position often: Shift your weight, turn your head from side to side, allow your legs to bend and stretch. Gentle stretches can relieve soreness and help prevent that rigid feeling in your joints.
Use heat or cold treatments
If you're wondering whether heat or cold is good for addressing arthritic pain, the answer is that both can be effective. Warming treatments can relax your muscles; you can use either dry or moist heat. One nice trick is to warm up clothes in a dryer before putting them on. Cold treatments, such as applying a cold pack or a bag of frozen vegetables to a sore area, can bring relief by numbing the area and reducing the swelling caused by a flare-up.
Incidentally, some topical creams known by physicians as counterirritants contain ingredients like menthol and eucalyptus oil, which make the skin feel hot or cold. They don't actually do anything to help your joints, but the temperature change on your skin can temporarily distract you from arthritic pain.
Brace against pain with a splint
Ask your doctor about using a splint to support painful joints. Like a cast around a broken bone, temporary splints can give swollen joints a rest so that inflammation can subside. Splints for the wrist and hand are common, but they're also available for ankles and feet.
Turn pain relief into a social activity
Health experts have found that arthritis sufferers who add an enjoyable social component to their self-help regimens are more likely to maintain good habits for a longer time. There are some 46 million Americans currently diagnosed with arthritis — including half the population aged 65 or older — so you're not alone! One option is to find a local chapter of the Arthritis Foundationand join a self-help program. Also, ask your physician how getting your spouse involved can help you improve muscle strength and keep pain in check. [ focusonfeelingbetter ]
In addition to the treatments recommended by your doctor — which commonly include dieting and exercising — there are several short-term measures you can take to manage pain, reduce inflammation and slow down joint damage. Here are six self-help tips to aid you in regaining control of your own health and comfort.
Take a warm shower
The humidity, heat and soothing flow of water on the body can relieve stiffness and encourage more comfortable movement of your joints. Experts often recommend a warm shower in the morning for arthritis patients, since the body may feel particularly inflexible after remaining still over the course of a night's sleep.
Get in the pool!
Exercises such as jogging and even isometrics are usually not recommended since they increase impact and pressure on painful joints. Swimming, however, can be excellent for those with knee and hip disease. The body's natural buoyancy leaves no weight on the joints, and your motion in the pool is facilitated by the water's gentle assistance.
Stretch while seated
Periods of inactivity, such as being seated for a long performance or an extended family meal, can lead to uncomfortable stiffness. Adjust your position often: Shift your weight, turn your head from side to side, allow your legs to bend and stretch. Gentle stretches can relieve soreness and help prevent that rigid feeling in your joints.
Use heat or cold treatments
If you're wondering whether heat or cold is good for addressing arthritic pain, the answer is that both can be effective. Warming treatments can relax your muscles; you can use either dry or moist heat. One nice trick is to warm up clothes in a dryer before putting them on. Cold treatments, such as applying a cold pack or a bag of frozen vegetables to a sore area, can bring relief by numbing the area and reducing the swelling caused by a flare-up.
Incidentally, some topical creams known by physicians as counterirritants contain ingredients like menthol and eucalyptus oil, which make the skin feel hot or cold. They don't actually do anything to help your joints, but the temperature change on your skin can temporarily distract you from arthritic pain.
Brace against pain with a splint
Ask your doctor about using a splint to support painful joints. Like a cast around a broken bone, temporary splints can give swollen joints a rest so that inflammation can subside. Splints for the wrist and hand are common, but they're also available for ankles and feet.
Turn pain relief into a social activity
Health experts have found that arthritis sufferers who add an enjoyable social component to their self-help regimens are more likely to maintain good habits for a longer time. There are some 46 million Americans currently diagnosed with arthritis — including half the population aged 65 or older — so you're not alone! One option is to find a local chapter of the Arthritis Foundationand join a self-help program. Also, ask your physician how getting your spouse involved can help you improve muscle strength and keep pain in check. [ focusonfeelingbetter ]
" Consult your doctor before making any changes to diet or exercise "
No comments:
Post a Comment