5 Lifestyle Habits for Managing Your Arthritis

Aching, swollen, and stiff joints are a pain and a warning sign. If you treat uncomfortable arthritis symptoms early, you can ease the symptoms and avoid damage. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being improves the effectiveness of treatment and prevents further discomfort.

If you’re among the 24% of American adults living with chronic arthritis pain, we at the Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson can help. Our team offers swift and effective treatments for arthritis to relieve pain and keep you healthy and strong. 

We work with you to create a personalized plan that builds healthy lifestyle habits.

Lifestyle tips for managing arthritis pain

If you experience chronic joint pain from arthritis, you can make lifestyle changes to improve your quality of life and reduce discomfort.

Movement

Despite symptoms, arthritis patients shouldn’t rest the affected joint but use it regularly to help maintain mobility. 

When moving, your joint produces synovial fluid, which lubricates cartilage. It reduces friction and, like a shock absorber, absorbs fast movements. Well-trained muscles protect the joint from overload or incorrect movement.

Continuous regular movement supplies cartilage with nutrients, which counteracts degradation. To relieve joint pain, experts recommend activities that use the joints without overloading them. Regular, gentle exercises such as walking and swimming are ideal. 

Nutrition

A healthy diet can prevent or eliminate inflammatory processes in your body. In most cases, you can alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of arthritis with an anti-inflammatory diet. This includes avoiding high-fat animal foods and full-fat dairy products. 

Regularly consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These include mackerel, salmon, and herring as well as canola, soybean, walnut, and flaxseed oils. Finally, eat small portions of fruit or vegetables as often as possible. 

Only an expert who knows your personal medical history, your general state of health, and your eating habits can create a treatment plan for your arthritis diet.

Sleep

Sufficient healthy sleep is essential for managing arthritis pain. The sleep hormone melatonin has an antioxidant effect and supports your body in fighting or preventing inflammatory processes. 

There’s also a connection between sleep and physical activity. If you sleep well, you can move better the next day and complete a planned exercise program.

Maintaining a healthy weight

In overweight patients, losing weight can relieve painful damaged joints and slow down wear-and-tear. In this way, those affected can influence the course of arthritis through their diet. 

If you want to lose weight, speak with one of our experts to discuss optimal weight loss plans.

Physical therapy

You can manage arthritis with physical therapy at Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson. Pain and joint stiffness only worsen without movement, so it’s beneficial to have the help of an expert to teach you how to reduce stiffness without causing further distress.

A physical therapist can show you exercises and movement that reduce strain on your joints and how to modify your work or home environment to reduce aggravating motions. 

Your therapist may also recommend splints or other assistive devices to help with routine tasks like dressing and driving.

Arthritis treatment options

We work with you to choose the best course of treatment for managing your arthritis. Depending on the severity and type of your arthritis, treatment may include:

• Viscosupplementation 
• Joint preservation 
• Joint replacement
• Therapeutic injections 

Although arthritis is a chronic condition, some treatments, like joint injections, can provide extended relief from painful inflammation without relying on pain-relieving medications. 

For comprehensive arthritis care, call us at our Henderson, Nevada, office today to schedule a consultation.