What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a term used to describe over 100 medical conditions that affect the joints, surrounding tissues, and other connective tissues in the body. The condition can cause pain and inflammation in one or more joints, ranging from mild to severe. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. 

Arthritis affects people of all ages and can be managed with help from a joint specialist, medications, and lifestyle modifications such as physical activity and diet changes. If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis and are looking for some advice on how to care for your joints and what not to do, the team at Joint Relief Associates of New York is here to help:   

Arthritis Pain: Do’s and Don’ts: 

1. Do stay active

Regular exercise can help you manage arthritis pain by strengthening the muscles around the affected joints, improving flexibility, and reducing inflammation. Low-impact activities such as swimming, walking, and cycling are recommended for people with arthritis. However, it’s essential to consult your doctor before starting any exercise program and to start slowly until you build up your strength.

2. Don’t engage in high-impact activities

Exercises such as running, jumping, or high-intensity sports can cause more damage to your joints and worsen arthritis pain. Instead, focus on low-impact activities that are gentle on your joints.

3. Do maintain a healthy weight

Excess pounds put extra pressure on your joints and can exacerbate arthritis pain. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the strain on your joints and improve your mobility. A healthy diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D can also help you manage arthritis pain.

4. Don’t smoke

Smoking has been linked to the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis. It can also worsen existing arthritis symptoms by increasing inflammation in the body. If you have arthritis, quitting smoking can help reduce inflammation, improve lung function, and prevent further damage to your joints.

5. Do listen to your body

If you have arthritis, listening to your body and avoiding activities that cause pain is essential. If any movements or exercises cause discomfort, take a break and rest until the pain subsides. Overworking your joints can cause more damage and increase arthritis pain and inflammation.

6. Don’t Wait to Seek Help

If you’re struggling to manage your arthritis, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor — they can help you find a new solution to your joint pain and discomfort to help improve your quality of life and minimize your symptoms. 

For expert joint health care in New York, contact our team today!

Here at Joint Relief Associates of New York, we specialize in joint pain relief for all areas of the body to help you work toward a better quality of life. We take great pride in offering the finest services geared towards alleviating joint pain and providing the best experience for our patients at every step of the recovery process.

Call our office today at 516-590-7410 or visit our website to schedule an appointment for your FREE initial consultation. We are looking forward to hearing from you!