5 tips to help alleviate arthritic pain

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as one out of four Americans live with arthritis. For many seniors, the condition makes everyday activities difficult. Here are five tips to help manage the pain.

1. Use medication
Acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve certain types of arthritic pain. Talk to your doctor about which over-the-counter drugs might help you and make sure to closely follow your physician’s recommendations. Be sure to also let your doctor know about any other health issues you have. If you’re planning on doing something that might cause pain, take a dose 30 minutes before starting.

2. Maintain a healthy weight
The more weight your hips, ankles, knees and feet support, the more likely they are to hurt. Maintaining a lower weight can help relieve pressure on your joints.

3. Mind your diet
A healthy diet can help mitigate arthritic pain. Probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to alleviate inflammation, while red meat, sugar and foods high in fat can make it worse.

4. Exercise
Physical activity releases endorphins, which can help alleviate pain. Moreover, regular exercise reduces joint stiffness. While working out, however, be mindful of your pain and heed any signals telling you to stop.

5. Try supplements
Taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may help those with moderate to severe arthritic pain lessen their discomfort. While the effectiveness of using them hasn’t been substantiated, if they seem to work for you, they pose no long-term health risks. Talk to your doctor about which brand to use.

While there’s no way to entirely eliminate arthritic pain, these strategies can help reduce it both in the short term and the long term. With a little patience, you’ll discover what works best for you.