Arthritis Pain

Recommended Tips

• Maintain a healthy weight: reducing excess strain on your joints can make a surprisingly big difference to your mobility.
• Low-impact aerobic exercise (such as walking, swimming or stationary bicycling) helps to lessen symptoms and improve strength, flexibility and overall well-being.
• Specific stretching and strengthening exercises can help to maintain healthier joints and surrounding muscles.
• Balance exercise with rest in moderation: immobilizing a joint is likely to make osteoarthritis worse.
• Consider nonmedical treatments such as hydrotherapy, heat and cold treatments, ultrasound deep heating, progressive relaxation or massage.
• Try to keep your spirits up: staying positive (and keeping up your normal work and home routines) will help to keep you active.
• If daily tasks have become difficult, look for special easy-to-grip cooking and eating utensils, combs, toothbrushes and similar items. Buy toothpaste, soap and shampoo in pump containers, and wear easy-on clothes that use Velcro instead of buttons, snaps or zippers. Prepare for morning tasks the night before, when you feel less stiff. For information on daily living aids available, go to The Arthritis Society Store www.arthritis.ca/storefront
• Athletic shoes are particularly good for people with arthritis, since they are light, cushioned and provide good ankle and foot support.
• Avoid very soft chairs, recliners, mattresses or car seats, which can make symptoms worse.
• Good-quality sleep can help to keep pain under control: consider using a pillow with neck support or an electric blanket to help you sleep.