Arthritis is one of those never-ending, painful experiences. It can completely rob you of your way of life, especially when you consider that arthritis typically shows up in joints that are used often. What does this mean? Only that doing the very things that you loved may actually end up hurting you in the long run. It’s not fair, but there is hope.
While the medical community works on developing increasingly effective methods to help ease the pain (and ideally get rid of it completely), you can use these holistic and practical methods to help now.
Use Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy works in two ways. One, it works to help ease issues like inflammation in the joints. It also works to increase blood flow to the area, which in turn means more white blood cells where you need them most.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be instrumental in helping you manage your arthritis and feel better on a regular basis. You can book physical therapy in Waldwick, and use those sessions to help build up your strength and flexibility. Improving your flexibility can boost your joint’s mobility, and building up strength can help add stability and even acts as a shock absorber.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is another great way to help treat the pain of arthritis. Massages work to stimulate blood flow and ease muscle contractions. While massages won’t help with the joints themselves, they can ease some side effects. For example, when you are in pain, you may notice that you tense more frequently. This can lead to tension and muscle knots – two things that massages can absolutely handle.
Add Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Your Diet
There are many anti-inflammatory foods that you can add to your diet that can help minimize flare-ups. Green tea, for example, is a great drink to pick up. Other items include dark leafy greens like spinach or chard, which are full of antioxidants. Ginger and turmeric are another pair that work great to decrease inflammation in the body. Fatty fish, beans, and nuts are also great options.
With so many different foods you can enjoy, all that matters is that you’re more mindful of what you put in your meals to take advantage of the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients found in nature.
Stay Active (But Don’t Overdo It)
A body in motion stays in motion. This is true, but there is a limit. For example, you don’t want to over-exert yourself, as this can result in more pain and mobility limitations. What you do what to do instead is choose a low-impact exercise, and slowly build your way up. Any water-based exercise is great for the body since it’s kind to your joints and helps muscle and cardiovascular health.
Walking and hiking are other great options for those who want something low-impact that helps the mind and body. When out for long periods, remember to rest regularly and keep an eye out on your body’s response so that you can keep it within your limits.
