Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that usually affects the joints, causing pain and swelling. Arthritis can be debilitating for many people. However, there are some things you can do to help manage it at home. Learn more about what causes arthritis so you will know the best ways to manage your condition.
1. Wear Loose-Fitting clothing
Loose-fitting clothes are necessary because they won’t rub against your skin. Tight clothes can irritate the skin, especially if you have wounds or sores on your body which causes it to be even more sensitive than usual.
If possible, wear clothing with some stretch to it, so there is room for movement and natural stretching of your muscles.
Also, make sure you are wearing appropriate clothing for your activity level on a given day.
2. Use A Heating Pad on Areas of Discomfort
A heating pad provides relief from arthritis symptoms by allowing heat to penetrate the skin and muscles. It can help reduce stiffness, swelling, and pain in affected joints.
3.Invest in a Comfortable Chair for Sitting
Invest in a good chair for when you have to sit down and rest. A recliner or large armchair is usually best because the chair will allow your joints to relax. According to Joint Academy, muscle and joint relaxation ensure there’s no tension on them if you doze off during long periods of sitting. If this isn’t an option, consider adding some pillows behind the lower parts of your body. The pillows help support them and take pressure off the joints.
If you have an office job, then you must invest in some good ergonomic furniture. Ergonomic furniture ensures there are no added strains on any part of your body. It would be best if you also took regular breaks to stretch and walk around so that the muscles in your back and legs don’t get stiff from sitting for long periods.
4. Exercise Regularly
Exercise is important for reducing arthritis symptoms because it decreases stress on the joints and promotes better circulation. It also helps you maintain body weight, which reduces strain on your knees, hips, and spine.
Finger joints, the elbow and knees are some of the hinge joint examples and they can only be bent in the plane of motion
Start small by walking around the block or taking some yoga classes. Alternatively, you can exercise for at least 30 minutes every day to keep the muscles in your body strong and flexible enough to manage daily activities without putting any extra strain on joints or other parts of your body.
5. Hydrate
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps improve muscle function, which is essential for reducing stiffness.
6. Try out Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of needles into your skin at specific points to help restore balance in energy flow throughout your body. It can be beneficial for arthritis because it helps with pain management and reduces inflammation, making daily activities less difficult.
7. Be Careful With Your Diet
Make sure you eat a balanced diet which means eating lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts, and lean meats. It’s also good to avoid foods high in sugar because the inflammation they cause can make arthritis symptoms worse.
You should also limit your alcohol intake and caffeine consumption because these both have negative impacts on how joints work.
8. Schedule A massage
Massages are a great way to relieve stress and tension throughout the body while promoting better blood flow. They can be beneficial for arthritis because they improve flexibility, ease muscle stiffness and help with other related symptoms like headaches.
Taking some time out of your day every so often to put your body through some gentle massage can do wonders for your arthritis.
You should be worrying about managing arthritis at home if you’re living with this condition. You must take care of yourself and try to ease symptoms as much as possible.