Top Tips to Limit Arthritis Pain When Using Your Joints

There are many sufferers of Arthritis around the world. Together with Acorn Stairlifts, we provide some top tips for dealing with the pain associated with the condition.  

Although it comes in many forms, arthritis is broadly defined as a condition which causes inflammation and pain in one or several of the body’s joints.

The condition is usually age-related, it can affect people of all ages. By far the most common type is osteoarthritis, sometimes called ‘wear and tear arthritis’ because it usually develops in older people whose joints have done more work. It most often affects the hips, knees, hands, and spine.

There are various medications, treatments and complementary therapies which can help people with arthritis, but for most people living with the condition, pain management is an important part of their everyday lives.

By taking care of how you move and carry out everyday tasks and perhaps finding new ways to do things, you can reduce the stress on arthritic joints and minimize the pain they cause. As part of the booklet, Arthritis Care, a charity focused on helping suffers, lists seven top tips for using your joints well:

1. Respect pain. If you have increased pain lasting at least a couple of hours after you’ve completed a task, try to do a little less next time, or go about it in a way that takes less effort. 
2. Become aware of your body positions. It’s good to avoid being in one position for a long time, or any posture that makes you feel stiff. It can help to avoid activities that need a tight grip or put too much pressure on your fingers. Try using equipment that helps to reduce stress on joints, such as easy-turn taps, a pick-up reacher, and raised seats.
3. Try to maintain a healthy weight, as this helps to reduce stress on weight-bearing joints. It can lessen joint pain and helps to avoid joint damage. 
4. Use your largest and strongest joints and muscles for daily tasks wherever possible. For example, use a bag with a shoulder strap across your back, rather than holding it in one hand.
5. Try to balance rest with activity. Striking a good balance takes practice: take breaks as and when you need them, but avoid resting for too long as this can cause muscle stiffness.
6. Simplify your work. Plan ahead, organize and create shortcuts. At work, for example, try to make good use of break times to change your position, move around and relax. 
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Take responsibility for yourself and ask for assistance when you need it.

One activity which can cause significant arthritic pain, especially if the condition affects weight-bearing joints in your hips, knees or ankles, is going up and down the stairs in your home. As well as causing pain and discomfort, it can also be dangerous if you no longer have full confidence in your joints and are concerned about falling. Consider investing in a stairlift, it will allow you to go up and down stairs in comfort and safety as often as you like, minimizing the stress on arthritic joints and the pain it can cause.