Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Osteoarthritis Solutions - 7 Tips To Coping With Arthritis


Coping with arthritis is a massive challenge for several million people every day. Making changes in your daily life can offer new hope when you have been given few treatment options. Finding alternative methods gives you a choice from the selection offered by the medical system, and may help you to avoid the harmful effects of NSAIDs. Following a comprehensive plan is effective and will help.

1. Meeting with Your Physician for an Accurate Diagnosis

Several conditions mimic the symptoms of osteoarthritis and because of this many people misdiagnose their pain, living with a correctable problem for years. Joint pains can come from several different sources, and there are instances where cancer o r a serious joint infection can be the result of chronic pain. It may be necessary to see a specialist physician for an evaluation as they spend more time studying osteoarthritis and therefore have more experience in this field.

2. Improving Your Biomechanics to Reduce Stress on Your Joints

Having a biomechanical evaluation will indicate how you are using your joints, the stress they are subjected to and whether there is something you are doing that may contribute to developing arthritis, or worsen an existing condition. Correcting your alignment or finding potential problem areas can change the way you are using your joints and make a drastic difference to your condition as well as reduce your pain.

3. Eating a Healthy Diet to Support Your Joints

In order to maintain a good standard of health it is extremely important to consume a variety of nutrients that are found in a selection of foods, which will help to reduce inflammation. Foods that are filled with antioxidants and contain bioflavonoid are important. In addition, a healthy diet will help you to maintain a balanced weight thus reducing strain from your joints and making it easier to follow an exercise program.

4. Taking Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is critical for your long term health and is now known to be an important contribution to keeping your joints healthy, as well as nourishing and keeping your cartilage moist. Reducing your exercise can drastically increase your symptoms and create a loss of muscle strength, tone and flexibility. The correct choice of exercise may help to reduce pain and increase mobility. Regular exercise will also help you to maintain a balanced weight.

5. Maintaining Your Ideal Weight

Carrying excess weight places a great deal of stress on your hips and knees, with studies linking excess weight to osteoarthritis, as the increased load can cause cartilage break down. Combining a daily exercise plan with a healthy diet will help you to lose and maintain your ideal weight. It is important to develop a program which is suited to your level of health and fitness.

6. Researching Alternative Treatments

As long term use of chemical medicines, and complicated interaction with other drugs, can cause terrible side effects for patients, more consumers and scientists are turning back to look at traditional and often natural therapies. Fortunately there are many effective, natural alternatives to drugs and surgery that are backed up by breakthrough clinical studies.

7. Maintaining a Positive Attitude

It is very easy to become depressed when experiencing constant pain. However, a positive attitude can make a dramatic difference to your health, with studies showing that negative and positive thoughts affect your immune system and other areas of the body. Getting support from your family and friends or connecting with your community will help you to remain positive. Joining a class designed for your condition will help to motivate you and put you in contact with others who are facing a similar experience.

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