If you’re living with knee pain, it’s important to find the right treatment as soon as possible. There are a number of different options available, so it’s important to work with your doctor to find the one that’s right for you. Don’t let knee pain keep you from living your life to the fullest.
Try different treatments with hot and cold packs to see what works for you. Different patients have different success with hot or cold compresses. Generally, chronic pain responds well to heat, while sudden onset pain responds best to cold packs. Everyone is different, however, and your initial treatment attempts may not bring immediate relief.
If swollen knee wants to minimize the pain of arthritis, avoid being overweight. Having just a few extra pounds on your body adds strain to joints and ligaments. It can increase the pain of arthritis, and keep your symptoms coming back again and again. Losing just ten pounds can make a big difference, so do it today.
If you have chronic arthritis, you should practice meditation or yoga. Both yoga and meditation are good at relaxing tension in your body, resulting in less pain and inflammation. Stick with this approach. For yoga to be effective it should be practiced about 4 times each week.
Do not try to hide your condition from your children. Having a family member with rheumatoid arthritis affects everyone in the household even if they can’t understand exactly what’s going on. Teach younger children on a level they can understand. Just make sure that you keep them involved in what is going on with you.
Get educated about your unique condition. There are over a hundred different types of arthritis, and learning about yours will only help you be able to manage it more effectively. Get a diagnosis from a doctor, and then do your own research to find out what to expect and how to deal with it.
Don’t become disheartened if the first arthritis therapy you try does not work. Sometimes it takes quite a bit of hit-and-miss before you finally settle on something that really works for you. Be sure to give each type of arthritis pain therapy that you try enough of a chance to have an effect. However, remember there are always more kinds of therapy to try if one just doesn’t work out.
Try eating foods that have omega-three acids which can fight inflammation. Salmon and other fish can be high in these acids which is a natural way to fight inflammation. Inflammation is the greatest cause of pain from arthritis and when your body has natural substances to use such as omega-three, it can work against the inflammation while you are eating nutritiously.
Be sure to get regular exercise as part of your arthritis therapy. Avoid exercise that stresses your joints, such as aerobics, running, and possibly, bicycling. Instead, try water aerobics, swimming, and possibly, yoga. These forms of exercise minimize pressure on the joints and maximize flexibility. Remember not to overdo exercise. Give your body ample time to rest and recover.
Occupational therapy has been known to help people who suffer from arthritis. Sometimes this kind of therapy is covered by many health insurance plans. Occupational therapy will help identify problem areas in your lifestyle and work with you to find ways to eliminate them or help you work with them to lead a more pain-free life.
If you suffer from arthritis, do your best to use a diet and moderate exercise to lose any unnecessary weight you are carrying. Excess weight puts more stress on bones and joints and causes them to wear out more quickly. Losing weight will not only lessen the stress on your back, hips, and knees but also make it easier to engage in more physical exercise.
Suffering from arthritis pain is no way to live, but millions of people do it every day. Don’t let yourself be in pain when there are things you can do to avoid pain, stop the pain, and even avoid further joint damage that can cause the pain to grow in intensity over the years. Stop fighting and start winning the battle against arthritis with these tips in tow.