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Three Lifestyle Changes That Will Help Ease Arthritis Pain

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Whether you suffer from arthritis in your hands, feet, hips, or elsewhere, it is important to see your doctor for treatment. They may recommend either prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers to keep you more comfortable. But there are some lifestyle changes you can make, in addition to taking the pain relievers, that will help ease your discomfort even further.

Eat more omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fatty acid that are known for their ability to decrease inflammation throughout the body. They may also encourage your body to make more of the lubricants that keep your joints bending smoothly. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods like fatty fish, flax seeds, and chia seeds. Incorporating more of these foods into your diet may help ease your arthritis pain. If you really can't stand these foods, you may wish to take fish oil or flax oil supplements instead. Talk to your doctor to determine the best dose for your needs.

Stay active.

When your joints ache, you may be tempted to spend all day on the couch. But in the long run, the best thing for you is often to stay active. You don't have to go run a 5k, but do get in some walking to loosen up your joints and get your blood pumping. Movement helps move fluid off of your joints, decreasing the inflammation that's responsible for some of your arthritis pain. Wear well-padded shoes and stay on soft surfaces when you exercise -- particularly if the arthritis is in your feet or legs.

Staying active also helps you maintain a healthy weight, and this eases the tension on your joints to further relieve arthritis pain.

Take Epsom salt soaks.

Make a habit of filling up the bathtub with Epsom salts and water, and taking a soak at the end of each day. Epsom salts penetrate your skin and help relax the muscles. Though they won't cure your arthritis, they will help ease the pain in muscles that are put under extra strain because of the aches and inflammation you have in your joints. Soaking for 20 minutes at a time is sufficient, but longer won't hurt you!

If you continue to struggle with arthritis pain in spite of following the tips above, contact an arthritis services medical center.  They can discuss other options or medication changes that can improve your comfort level and make it easier to live your day-to-day life.


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