Arthritis is one of the most common health conditions in the world, affecting tens of millions of Americans each and every day. Trying to treat arthritis can be very frustrating, because unlike a broken bone that will eventually heal like new, your body doesn’t regenerate cartilage in your joints, so movement will not feel as free and comfortable as it did decades ago.
But while you can’t reverse the damage done by arthritis, that doesn’t mean treatment is doomed to be a losing battle. Treating arthritis is key to preventing and slowing down progression of the disease, which goes a long way in helping you live a life free from chronic arthritis pain. In today’s blog, we share five tips that can help you manage your arthritis condition.
Preventing and Managing Arthritis
Here are some physical therapist recommended tips for managing your arthritis.
- Stay Active – Arthritis pain can make movement difficult, and lack of movement can worsen arthritis, so it’s easy to see how the two factors can be self-fulfilling. It’s important that you work to push through mild or moderate arthritis discomfort and stay active. Activity will help to strengthen muscles and take pressure off your joints, and it will work to preserve key range of motion in the joint. If certain activities are painful, try some less physical activities, like water-based yoga or walking.
- Know That You’re Not Alone – As we mentioned in the intro, millions of people are fighting their own battle with arthritis, so know that you’re not alone in your quest to find pain relief. Talk with friends or family members who are dealing with arthritis, find an online support group that’s dealing with your specific arthritic condition, or better yet, reach out to a medical specialist like a doctor or physical therapist who can give you a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. Knowing that you have supporters in your corner can help you keep a positive mindset about your condition.
- Learn About Your Joints – Ask your physical therapist for information about your specific type of arthritis as well as how it affects your joints. Management of arthritis of the wrist will be different than management of knee arthritis, so learning more about your specific condition can help you develop a healthy treatment routine and avoid activities that could negatively affect your joints.
- Form A Healthy Diet – Developing and sticking to a healthy diet can go a long way in helping prevent symptoms and progression of arthritis. Your body derives key vitamins and nutrients from your diet, so consuming a range of healthy foods can ensure your body is getting the things it needs to promote healthy tissue growth. Moreover, a poor diet can lead to weight gain, and excess weight puts added stress on our body. This increased stress will speed up the progression of knee arthritis, so manage your arthritis by managing your weight.
- Sync Up With A Specialist – Finally, if you really want to do everything in your power to help calm symptoms and prevent the progression of arthritis, meet with a physical therapist in person. That way we’ll be able to see first-hand your strengths, limitations and what types of therapy exercises would be most beneficial for you. Using exercises you find online is a great start, but none of these generic routines will be tailored to your specific needs, so they can only provide so much benefit. Also, a physical therapist can adjust your therapy routine based on your progression and goals, making it easier for you to continue to see physical improvements.
So if you’re stuck battling arthritis and want to find ways to make life more enjoyable, consider the five tips above and reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
