It’s a common question for people who have been diagnosed with arthritis: Can arthritis be cured? While the short answer to that question is no, there are many steps you can take to find relief from the uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating effects of arthritis. With the right management and self-care, living with arthritis may look more vibrant than you currently feel.
After an arthritis diagnosis, your doctor can help you find an effective strategy to reduce joint pain and other symptoms. Because there are many kinds of arthritis and the disease affects every person differently, it may take some trial and error to find the right blend of treatments and at-home care to manage your condition.
When you meet with a Summit Orthopedics arthritis specialist, you’ll receive a personalized arthritis management plan based on your specific needs. While you may eventually require surgery, there are many nonsurgical treatment options you can try first.
Some basic steps can help as you’re learning to live with the condition. Keep reading for tips that may help people with arthritis.
How to Make Living With Arthritis Easier
If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, have hope. Each day, researchers learn more about ways we can manage and treat the varieties of arthritis. In fact, there are now more treatment options than ever before. We also know that making tweaks to your lifestyle can have a big impact on how you feel.
Dealing with a new diagnosis and wondering where to begin? These five tips are a good starting point:
- Commit to moving your body. While exercise may be the last thing on your mind when you’re dealing with the discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, daily activity can do your body a world of good. Being physically active can help you lose weight if needed, and it helps relieve pain in your joints. A regular exercise program can also improve your flexibility, help with your balance and strengthen your muscles, all of which can take stress off your joints.
- Eat a joint-friendly diet. While there’s no single arthritis diet, eating a healthy diet can offer some relief from joint pain. The Mediterranean diet, modeled after the diet of those living near the Mediterranean Sea, may be particularly helpful in reducing the inflammation that causes arthritis symptoms to flare up. Fill your plate with fatty fish, nuts and seeds, beans, whole grains, and fruits and veggies.
- Get to—and maintain—a healthy weight. Even a small amount of weight loss can make a big impact on your health. When you’re carrying excess weight on your body, it puts extra pressure on your joints. This can damage them over time, leading to pain. Talk with a medical provider about what a healthy weight looks like for you and what you can do to lose weight.
- Minimize stress on your joints. By now, you probably have a good understanding of which joints cause you trouble. Do what you can to limit the stress you’re placing on those joints by avoiding certain movements or positions. You may find it helpful to adapt activities or use aids and devices that make routine tasks easier.
- Practice good posture. Slumping down or slouching can put pressure on your joints. When you’re standing, keep your shoulders back and your weight on the balls of your feet. Let your arms fall naturally at your side. When you’re seated, such as at a desk, keep your feet on the floor, your back against the chair and your shoulders relaxed. It’s also a good idea to switch your position often and to get up and walk around regularly.
Arthritis Can’t Be Cured—But It Can Be Treated
In addition to these lifestyle habits, it may be helpful to work with a rehabilitation specialist. A physical therapist can help you build up strength and improve your range of motion, which can reduce stress on your joints. An occupational therapist can help you find ways to adapt your activities and modify your surroundings to minimize symptoms and avoid straining.
Taking these steps and carefully following your treatment plan, including taking any necessary medications, can help you continue working, participating in activities you enjoy and maintaining a good quality of life. While there may be no cure for arthritis, there are ways to find relief.
Looking for guidance about living with arthritis? Find an arthritis expert or request an appointment online to schedule a consultation.
Our patients often ask what options there are to manage arthritis symptoms. The good news is that there are many treatments available to consider, and the vast majority are non-surgical. Listen to Summit Orthopedics’ experts share the insights they’ve gained in their years caring for those struggling with arthritis symptoms. Featuring arthritis specialists, Dane Hansen, D.O., and Kristoffer Breien, M.D.
