Arthritis affects people of all ages. More than 300,000 children suffer from some form of arthritis and over 50 million adults deal with this joint pain. It’s not one singular disease, but rather, arthritis encompasses more than 100 different types of related joint pain conditions. It often occurs as people age and can result in swelling, stiffness, and a decreased range of motion.
Those who experience any form of arthritis know all too well the pain and discomfort associated with it. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep symptoms at bay and ease your joints to get through the day-to-day.
Get Plenty of Exercise
When you are inactive for long periods of time or don’t stretch frequently, your body may feel stiff, whether you have arthritis or not. Think about how sore you feel after sitting for hours, or the pain you might experience in your legs or knees when you walk a longer distance than usual. Your bones and muscles need movement to stay limber and healthy. By exercising on a daily basis, you can reduce arthritis symptoms from settling in.
Use Hydrotherapy
Nothing feels quite as nice as a hot bath at the end of a long day. It gives your muscles a chance to relax and helps work out knots that have built up throughout the day. An American Standard walk-in tub provides extra benefits when taking a bath, increasing your comfort on a therapeutic level. Our walk-in tub comes equipped with our exclusive RevitaJet Hydrotherapy system, which includes 44 air and water jets to help create a soothing, therapeutic bathing experience. In fact, our walk-in tubs have been tested and commended by the Arthritis Foundation for Ease of Use.
Pay Attention to Your Diet
It may not seem like your diet would have a direct correlation with arthritis symptoms, but any extra weight you carry can be tough on your joints and can cause swelling and pain. Losing weight may help you become more agile and can prevent further stress and damage to your body. A healthy diet is a crucial part of a long-term strategy for good health; the fact it helps alleviate arthritic pain is a bonus.
Add Turmeric
Speaking of diet, adding turmeric to your dishes may help with joint inflammation. This popular yellow Indian spice adds flavor to meats and veggies, but also helps with pain and discomfort from arthritis. There are other herbs that may prove helpful as well. Ask for recommendations from your doctor or an herbalist to figure out what mix might work best for you.
Try Alternative Therapies
There are several types of arthritis, and some people may feel the side effects more severely than others. In certain cases, medication may be prescribed. But there are holistic therapies available as well, such as acupuncture or meditation. Both of these remedies focus on relaxation and overall well-being. Additionally, acupuncture pinpoints specific areas of the body that hold tension or pain to help reduce discomfort.
Surgery
Surgery is usually a last resort option. An invasive procedure isn’t ideal, especially if there are therapies that may help ease the pain just as well. If arthritis worsens over time or leads to requiring a knee or hip replacement, a doctor can recommend a favored course of treatment, but most likely will offer more non-invasive solutions first.
It’s easy to take mobility for granted, especially if you’re suddenly faced with challenges that affect it. There are ways to help manage arthritis pain and discomfort so it doesn’t slow you down. What therapies have you found work best for you?
