BlogClassesEventsHelp Center

2 min read

DEAR VANESSA,

I’ve been diagnosed with arthritis. Besides taking medications, how do I manage my arthritis and

keep it from getting worse? I may be living with pain, but my goal is to continue to lead an active life.



Thank you.

-ALICEDEAR ALICE,

Most people with arthritis will experience pain and difficulty moving around. Try to maintain a healthy

weight through diet and exercise to reduce the strain on your weight-bearing joints. Even a small weight

loss can help. Eat a balanced diet to make sure that your body gets all the important nutrients to function.

Eat less fat, less sugar, more fruits and vegetables, more oily fish, and plenty of calcium and iron-rich

foods. Make sure that your body is fully hydrated, but drink tea and coffee in moderation. Recent studies

have shown that a Mediterranean diet is good for arthritis.

Regular and moderate exercise is important for people with arthritis. It helps limit pain, maintains

mobility, boosts energy, and keeps muscles strong to support joints. It also helps prevent disability. You

may consult with a physical therapist to find a form of exercise which is enjoyable, fun, and suits your

lifestyle. A good exercise program will include range-of-motion, strengthening, and aerobic exercise. Be

careful about the way you exercise. Your joints may hurt a little during exercise − that’s normal. But if

pain lasts more than 1-2 hours afterward, you’re probably pushing too hard. Listen to your body and

dont’ overdo it. Build up the routine gradually, and stay motivated and committed. You may also try

holistic yet gentle exercises: yoga, tai-chi, and pilates, but let the instructor know you have arthritis. You

can work exercise into your daily life by doing housework, doing the dishes, getting up to change the TV

channel, playing the piano, gardening, or using the stairs instead of taking elevators or escalators.

Balance exercise with rest. Get a good night’s sleep and follow these tips: don’t eat large meals before

bedtime; don’t rely on sleep medications; avoid caffeine at night; and set a regular bedtime. A word of

caution: don’t rest too much as your joints may become stiff. Acupuncture and massage may help ease

pain, as part of an overall treatment plan. Consult with your doctor first.

Protect your joints by maintaining correct posture. Check how good your posture is by looking in a

mirror. When it is good, the body feels more relaxed. Avoid slouching. Learn more about arthritis. Stay

positive and focus on what you can do.

-VANESSA

Recent Articles

JOIN the 34,000+
Care Indeed Community

Get the latest home care news, tips, and resources straight to your inbox.

We use cookies in this website. Other categories of cookies maybe used to personalize your experience, to distribute personalized commercial offers or to carry out analyses to optimize our offer. Your consent can be withdrawn at any time via the link in our data protection policy, Read our Privacy Policy.