Are you or a loved one suffering from arthritis pain? We’ve put together this blog post to share some helpful tips. Let’s get into some important arthritis facts generated by ClearCareOnline.com:
- Arthritis: is used to describe joint pain and joint disease, arthritis comes in many forms. Some of the most common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis. Seniors often develop osteoarthritis.
- Osteoarthritis: is a form of arthritis which occurs when the cartilage breaks down. Cartilage is the tissue that covers the ends of bones at joints. Cartilage is found largely in joints like the knees, hips, and shoulders. When the cartilage breaks down, the bones can rub against each other, wearing away at the bones, reducing mobility, and causing both stiffness and pain.
- Osteoarthritis Affect the following people: Typically, osteoarthritis occurs in older adults. It tends to occur as a part of aging since the cartilage is worn down over time and with extensive use.
- Preventing Osteoarthritis: Although osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear, it is preventable to a certain degree. Adults should take care to stretch and to use their joints safely by bending to lift properly. This may reduce or delay osteoarthritis if a person is prone to the condition.
TIP #1 Wear Comfortable Shoes
If you have arthritis, avoid wearing high heels and other shoes that are uncomfortable. Shoes that do not fit well or that you do not feel comfortable wearing will have you walking in an abnormal fashion and this can be bad for your arthritis. Get some comfortable shoes that offer good support to your feet.
TIP #2 Wear Loose/Comfortable Clothing
It’s important to stay away from wearing clothing that is too tight against your skin. Tight clothing puts more pressure on your joints, which in turn, increase your pain. Instead, you can opt to wear clothes that are not too form fitting,or clothing made with good breathable fabric, so that you feel more comfortable throughout the day.
TIP #3 Practice Breathing Techniques
If you’re having a bad time with your arthritis pain, you can try taking a break to just relax. This can also help you fight arthritis pain mentally as well. There are many breathing exercises that you can implement if you search online or on YouTube. However, one simple method that can help is to sit back and relax in a chair, and close your eyes while taking some deep, calming breaths.
TIP #4 Use Handicap Parking Spaces
A lot of people may not be aware of this, but if you suffer from arthritis you can take advantage of handicap parking. Doing this will help to limit your physical exertion when you need to go shopping, to doctor’s visits or any other outing. Most people suffering from arthritis don’t take advantage of this, because they aren’t aware of it.
TIP #5 Stay Active/Stretch Daily
Stretching should be a daily activity to help keep your arthritis symptoms under control. By spending just 10 minutes a day stretching all of your major muscle groups, you can prevent injuries to your body. These stretches warm up your muscles and tendons making them less likely to sustain an injury.
With that being said, be sure to establish a regular stretching routine. One of the most common problems for people with arthritis is that they lose flexibility. If you have a daily exercise routine that involves stretching your muscles it will help to improve flexibility. Begin by stretching your feet, and slowly moving all the way up to your neck muscles.
Another great way to stay active is to start doing water aerobics. Water aerobics is a great low impact exercise for arthritis sufferers, because not only does it put minimal strain on joints, it also provides resistance for strengthening. If you are uncomfortable with doing these in large groups, learn a few moves and take it to the pool. This will help you to become more comfortable doing the activities.
Always don’t forget to use proper form when you are exercising. Having an improper grip or stance can put a lot of unnecessary stress on your joints. This is why you should always try to begin exercising at a gym or therapist’s office. These professionals can correct the way you are exercising, and guide you so as to prevent unnecessary injuries.
TIP #6 Stay Hydrated
It is very important that you stay hydrated. If you suffer from chronic arthritis you should remember to drink a lot of water and stay away from sugary drinks. Water helps to improve muscle & joint strength, while sugary drinks like soda make you gain weight, which causes more pressure to be put on your joints.
As we close off this post, remember to set goals for yourself or your loved one. By creating a plan for your days & weeks ahead, it will help to keep you motivated. Knowing the steps you need to take in order to combat your arthritis pain will enable you to live each day with intention and with peace of mind. Before you do anything be sure to speak with your doctor about what you want to accomplish within the next few months or year, in order to work out a safe plan that will help you do it.
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