When it comes to exercise, medication and stress reduction, you are the only one who knows what works best for you to help with your arthritis pain. To help you figure this out, here are a few dos and don’ts to go by.
The Dos and Don’ts of Arthritis Pain
Whatever your condition, you’ll have an easier time staying ahead of your pain if you:
- Talk to your doctor about all your symptoms, whether they’re arthritis related or not. You never know, these problems might be connected.
- Give your doctor complete information about all of your medical conditions, not just arthritis.
- Ask your doctor for a thorough definition of the type of arthritis you have.
- Figure out if any of your joints are already damaged.
Everyday routines
Do some gentle exercise in the afternoon so that you’ll feel less stiff in the morning. While just watching TV or sitting at your desk, be sure to:
- Adjust your position frequently.
- Tilt your neck from side to side every now and then, change the position of your hands, and stretch your legs
- Pace yourself. Take breaks so that you don’t end up overusing a joint and cause more pain.
Exercise – What to do
- Choose activities that will build the muscles around your joints without damaging the joints themselves.
- You should focus on stretching, range of motion exercises and gradual progressive strength training.
- Try to include low-impact aerobic exercises, such as walking, cycling or water exercises, to help control your weight and improve your mood.
Exercise – What to avoid
- Running
- Jumping
- Tennis
- High-impact aerobics
- Repeating the same movement, such as a tennis serve, over and over again
- Inactivity – this can lead to muscle atrophy and further decrease joint stability.
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