And the most frustrating part about arthritis is that there’s no cure.
However, that doesn’t mean that you have to be in debilitating chronic pain for the rest of your life. There are several ways to help minimize your pain so that you can take your life back and enjoy it to the fullest.
Below are five ways that you can manage pain caused by arthritis as well as some information about additional interventional steps that you can take.
1. Medication
There’s a list of different medications that can help you control your arthritis pain. For some people, over-the-counter medications can help relieve the pain, while others with more advanced cases of arthritis need stronger medication.
Here are some options:
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as Ibuprofen, naproxen, or diclofenac
Counterirritants, like menthol and capsaicin
Corticosteroids (steroids), like prednisone
DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs), such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and azathioprine
For any medication to be effective, its dosage must be adhered to, meaning that you need to take your medication as scheduled.Do not attempt any form of medication treatment without first consulting your doctor.
2. Healthy Diet
We have all heard about the importance of a healthy and balanced diet, but the reality is that your diet plays a major role in the way your body functions. Depending on what you eat, you could be helping or hurting your arthritis pain.
It is important that you are getting a steady amount of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc, which makes the following good choices to eat:
Olive oil
Oily fish
Vegetables, like kale, spinach, broccoli, and collard greens
Nuts
Dairy products
Conversely, you want to make sure that you are severely limiting the amount of processed foods, sugar, saturated fats, and refined carbs that you are eating.
3. Regular and Smart Exercise
Exercising is one of the best ways to get and stay in shape. As you exercise, you burn calories while strengthening your joints and muscles, all of which can be helpful if you struggle with arthritis pain.
However, it is important that you are smart when you exercise.
You don’t want to overdo it and push your body too much, since that can lead to more pain. So, instead of trying to sprint marathons, make sure that you are exercising the right way.
Here are some suggestions of good exercises to help manage arthritis pain:
Walking
Water exercises, including swimming and water aerobics
Stretching, including yoga
Pilates
Cycling
4. Rest and Recovery
Whether it be after exercise or just in general, making sure that you are allowing your joints and muscles the chance to recover is important.
Life can be hectic and can pull you in multiple different directions (sometimes at the same time). If you are constantly on the go, then you are only putting more stress on your body. This can mean increased arthritis pain. So, make sure that you give yourself time to rest and relax. It will help your body, and it will help your mind.
5. Emotional Wellbeing
Suffering from arthritis pain takes a toll on you physically; however, there is also mental and emotional pain associated with chronic pain. It’s no secret that our mental and emotional wellbeing are connected to our physical activity, so make sure that you are looking after yourself completely.
Some ways to help improve your emotional wellbeing include spending time with family and friends and staying active, through exercise or simple activities
What Are Some Other Ways to Limit Arthritis Pain?
In addition to the list above, there are other ways that arthritis pain can be managed. These options include non-invasive or minimally invasive non-surgical treatments.
At Advanced Relief Institute, Dr. Amin is proud to offer some of the most effective treatments to help you feel better so that you can start living your best life.
If you're ready to elevate your practice and unlock new opportunities, join Advanced Relief MSO. Let us take care of the details so you can focus on what you do best—caring for your patients.
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