What does arthritis feel like? If you have ever suffered with an aching back, throbbing knees, or painful joints, you have an idea of what the pain of arthritis feels like. At best, arthritis causes occasional problems for those who suffer from it; at worst, arthritis pain can affect the quality of someone’s life, and make their days very difficult.
There are many different ways to cope with the pain of arthritis. Here are a few that might help:
The best way to start is to avoid pain altogether. This can be done by exercising regularly, protecting your joints, and getting enough rest. Exercising might seem like the opposite of what you feel like doing, and it might seem that it could make your pain even worse; but exercising helps keep your joints loose and your muscles strong, and promotes flexibility, all of which can lessen arthritis pain.
Protect your joints by opting for low-impact exercises and everyday activities that make life easier on your joints. Use self-help devices, like long-distance reachers and easy-open can helpers, to make everyday items easier to handle. If you do start to hurt after doing something in particular, respect the pain and understand that you have done too much – it’s time to rest for a bit.
Getting enough rest matters. The rest will take stress off your joints and give inflammation time to go down. Don’t hesitate to take prescription medications or over the counter drugs as directed by your doctor; that’s what they are meant for. Plenty of sleep also reduces your stress levels, and that helps you handle pain.
When you do have pain, try hot and cold therapy to ease it. Take medications as directed. Always pay attention to the pain and take steps to combat it before it gets too severe. If you have a brace, wrap, or other device to wear that will help alleviate the pain, wear it! Consider massage for some types of arthritis, as well as relaxation therapy, acupressure, and acupuncture. Understand what causes the pain, and you might find that knowledge makes it all easier to handle.
Keep in mind that eventually, you might need surgical intervention. Don’t see this as a failure, but rather, as an opportunity to live your life without pain for at least a little while. Try all the other options first, however, and don’t expect miracles to happen – arthritis is a painful condition you will live with for the rest of your life, but there are certainly options that can make the situation easier.
