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If you have recently been diagnosed with arthritis, coping with the pain and the physical limitations that might unravel in the future might emotionally wear you down. However, this reality might be untrue if you take charge of your life. You don’t want to wallow in pain for the rest of your life, and thus, staying ahead of your pain is where you start.
You need to be up-to-date with the type of arthritis you suffer from and how much damage it has done to the joints. As such, your doctor might enlist you for an arthritis Rockville check-up to help keep the disease under control, manage the pain, and improve your quality of life. Some of the practices that your healthcare providers might recommend to ease the pain encompass;
- Everyday Routines
It is important that you incorporate a daily routine that will see you do some gentle stretches that move your joints to their full-length motion. While doing this, you must pay attention to your posture and know your limits. With the help of a physical therapist, you will learn how to sit, stand, conduct your stretches, and move correctly. You don’t have to overdo it, be gentle to yourself and understand that balance is key.
- Exercise
Engaging in simple and effective exercises helps alleviate joint pain and stiffness, improves your range of motion, and builds endurance. With the help of a physical therapist, you can focus on exercises that will help protect your joints. Moreover, low-impact exercises such as cycling, walking, and swimming will help improve your mood and manage your weight, which will help ward off life-threatening diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
- Physical and emotional integration
While daily physical activities may leave you feeling drained, it is important to incorporate emotional therapy to keep you motivated. Your doctor may recommend that you partake in sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy, which will help keep you focused on the goal by breaking the cycles of self-doubt.
Relaxation therapy is also well-suited for arthritis patients as it helps them ease the pain through yoga, meditation, being in nature, and doing whatever makes them acquire a state of relaxation. After a strenuous exercise, you can use hot and cold pads to help soothe sore muscles and relieve the pain. You might also have thought of a massage session to ease your pain. Well, a good massage session will improve your mood, ease joint pain and stiffness, and induce a feeling of relaxation.
- Use of Medication
Anxiety, stress, and depression are common complications in people suffering from arthritis. As such, plenty of OTC medications will offer relief from arthritis pain and its symptoms. These may include acetaminophen or naproxen. Also, capsaicin is a topical ointment that will soothe and relieve joint pain.
However, it is important that you are in touch with your healthcare provider to get a useful alternative if OTC medications do not work. You are also not allowed to self-diagnose, which could result in overtreatment or undertreatment. Instead, a strong collaboration with your doctor will ensure that the disease is successfully managed.
Arthritis can make it hard for you to carry out your day-to-day activities. Coming to terms with such a diagnosis can give you the fear of the unknown, and you may feel more inclined to give up. However, with the above-mentioned ways, you can manage the situation and conduct a quality life.
