If you’ve been diagnosed with any type of arthritis, you have a chronic condition that causes inflammation and pain. Arthritis pain can be debilitating and make it hard to go about your usual routine.
But there’s good news. For many people with arthritis, straightforward lifestyle changes are all that’s necessary to dramatically lower pain levels. Arthritis specialist Thomas Nguyen, MD, at Nguyen Medical Group in Boynton Beach, Florida, recommends the following lifestyle changes to alleviate your pain.
The right exercise routine keeps your joints loose and helps alleviate the pain caused by arthritis. Low-impact exercise, like swimming, cycling, walking, and yoga, prevents strain on your joints while keeping them active.
Stretching and strength training help your muscles and ligaments stay strong and limber to support your joints. Our team can also refer you to physical therapy to help keep you strong and flexible.
You’re more likely to develop arthritis and experience worse pain if you’re overweight or obese. This is because any extra weight increases the strain on your joints.
The most effective way to lose weight is by following a plan that has you reduce calories, eat healthy foods, and get or stay active. Losing just 5% of your body weight is enough to decrease arthritis pain.
Arthritis is caused by inflammation in the impacted joints. Eating foods that lower inflammation can help with pain and boost the immune system.
Eat a diet rich in foods that include:
In general, a Mediterranean diet high in fruit, vegetables, and healthy fats helps inflammation, while foods with high levels of added sugars, salts, and gluten can increase inflammation.
Smoking and drinking both can irritate your joints and connective tissues. If you smoke or have high alcohol consumption, quitting smoking and drinking in moderation helps reduce arthritis pain.
Staying active is important, but you also need to know your limits. If you’re tired or your joints are especially sore, take a break and enjoy a rest day.
If you’re new to exercise, gradually increasing your activity levels helps avoid pain from overuse. Try not to increase activity levels by more than 10-15% a week.
Having arthritis increases your risk of experiencing a lowered mood and clinical depression. Learning coping techniques you can integrate into your day helps you develop a positive outlook and feel less physical pain.
Attending talk therapy, practicing mindfulness, and learning techniques that help you relax can help you cope with arthritis. They can also help you celebrate small lifestyle changes that gradually produce significant results.
To further reduce pain, you can combine changing your lifestyle with other conservative measures. Our team recommends:
A conservative treatment routine, combined with an arthritis-friendly lifestyle, often means you can reduce the risk of further joint degeneration while avoiding surgery and living with less pain. For assistance managing your arthritis, contact us to make an appointment.
