Tips to Keep Arthritis from Slowing You Down

Arthritis is a term that refers to a group of diseases that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling of your joints. Symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe and may come and go, but generally worsen over time causing immobility and restrict your ability to perform activities of daily living.

With May being National Arthritis Awareness Month, let’s look at some tips to keep arthritis from slowing you down:

• Maintain healthy body weight: Being overweight or obese can put significant stress on your joints and exacerbate symptoms of arthritis. A combination of healthy eating along with regular exercise will help you achieve a healthy body weight.
• Protect yourself from injury: Injured bones and joints are susceptible to posttraumatic arthritis. Always warm up thoroughly and take the necessary safety precautions before undergoing any vigorous physical activity or sport.
• Quit smoking: Research studies have suggested a link between smoking and worsening symptoms of arthritis. Talk to your doctor about the use of nicotine patches, gums, or medications that might help you quit.
• Gentle stretching: Performing regular stretching exercises without straining too much will help improve range of motion of your joints and slowdown progression of arthritic symptoms.
• Strengthen your muscles: Bodyweight exercises, weight training, or using resistance bands can help tone up and strengthen the muscles that surround and support your joints and relieve pain caused by arthritis.
• Low-impact aerobics: Brisk walking, cycling and swimming are good examples of low-impact aerobics that improves your stamina and helps you stay active while protecting your joints.
• Keep Moving: The human body was not designed to stay in one position for a long time. The simple act of getting up from your chair and walking around every 30 minutes will produce a noticeable improvement in the pain and stiffness caused by arthritis.
• Consult your doctor: If you suspect you have arthritis, an evaluation by your doctor will help identify the type of arthritis. Early detection along with following your doctor’s recommendation will help lessen the impact of the disease.

The physicians at Carrell Clinic are committed to providing the highest standards of excellence in orthopedic care. Book an appointment with us today for an in-depth evaluation of your symptoms and a personalized treatment plan.