Beat Arthritis Without Medication

Arthritis is a painful condition. It can interfere with your daily activities. If you’re suffering from such painful circumstance, you can take steps to manage the pain brought about by arthritis by protecting your joints, reducing pain, and improving mobility. Live with it. Things can still be enjoyable. You can beat arthritis even without taking any medicine.

5 simple things you can do for yourself if you have arthritis (Harvard Health Newsletter HEALTHbeat, December 23, 2017)

1. Keep moving. Avoid holding one position for too long. When working at a desk, for example, get up and stretch every 15 minutes. Do the same while sitting at home reading or watching television.

2. Discover your strength. Put your strongest joints and muscles to work. To protect finger and wrist joints, push open heavy doors with the side of your arm or shoulder. To reduce hip or knee stress on stairs, let the strong leg lead going up and the weaker leg lead going down.

3. Plan ahead. Simplify and organize your routines so you minimize movements that are difficult or painful. Keep items you need for cooking, cleaning, or hobbies near where they are needed (even if that means multiple sets of cleaning supplies, one for your kitchen and each bathroom, for example).

4. Take advantage of laborsaving devices and adaptive aids. Simple gadgets and devices can make it easier to perform daily activities such as cooking, gardening, or even getting dressed. Long-handled grippers, for example, are designed to grasp and retrieve out-of-reach objects. Rubber grips can help you get a better handle on faucets, pens, toothbrushes, and silverware. Pharmacies, medical supply stores, and online vendors stock a variety of aids for people with arthritis.

5. Ask for help. People with arthritis often worry about the possibility of growing dependent on others. But only a very small percentage of people with arthritis become severely disabled. Still, the emotional burdens of managing arthritis can be considerable. Educate family members and friends about how arthritis affects you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION recommends the following activities to help you beat the pain without medication: Golf, biking, hiking, lap swimming, running, tennis, walking, martial arts, aerobics, ballroom dancing, pilates, tai chi, and yoga.