You’re one of those people driven by passion to make the most of every day. Arthritis pain might slow some people down, but you’re determined that won’t be you. These habits help you live your best life day after day.
Stay Physically Active
You engage in joint-friendly physical activity consistently. Low-impact activities – walking, biking, swimming, water aerobics, and light gardening – put less stress on the body and reduce the risk of injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend adults with arthritis aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise, like cycling at 10 mph or faster. Aim also for at least two days a week of muscle-strengthening activities, including movements to improve balance – like tai chi classes.
Practice Good Posture
Proper posture puts less pressure on your joints and can help prevent pain. Harvard Medical School points out increasing core strength and flexibility with balance-specific workouts can help improve your posture in just a few weeks. Posture checks in the mirror can remind you to follow the timeless adage, “Stand up straight!” Good posture means your chin is parallel to the floor, shoulders and hips are even, abdominal muscles are braced. Your spine is neutral (no flexing or arching), weight is distributed evenly, and knees point straight ahead.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight can contribute to pain and increase the risk of complications from arthritis. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, being 10 pounds overweight increases the force on the knees by 30 to 60 pounds with every step. If you’re overweight or obese, talk to your healthcare provider about the right weight loss approach for you. Or, check out the Mediterranean Diet, recommended by the Arthritis Foundation. Emphasizing whole foods – fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and beans – the diet may help you shed pounds and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Monitor Your Pain and Treat It as Needed
Everyone’s arthritis journey is unique. To better understand why your symptoms vary day to day, track your pain in a journal. Note contributors to deeper discomfort – overexertion, stress, certain foods, weather, lack of sleep. Instead of ignoring your pain, try holistic ways to treat it, such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, or applying heat or cold to an aching joint.
For fast, lasting relief of joint and arthritis pains, consider Aspercreme Original or Aspercreme Arthritis. For fast, targeted relief of everyday pains, try Aspercreme Pain Relief Roll-On with Lidocaine. The convenient roll on is free of that medicinal pain medication smell, is non-greasy and contains the maximum-strength lidocaine available without a prescription*. Designed to soothe aggravated nerves, it targets pain. And, unlike some other solutions, you can use Aspercreme right before bed. There is even an Aspercreme Lidocaine Pain Relief Roll-On with calming lavender scent, perfect for before bedtime.
Arthritis pain doesn’t have to get in the way of living your best life. You can live life to its fullest day after day with regular exercise, attention to your posture, shedding excess pounds, and relieving arthritis pain when it begins with the fast-acting power of Aspercreme® Arthritis Pain Reliever or Aspercreme Original Pain Relief Cream.
Live your best life without worrying about arthritis pain getting in the way.
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*among OTC topical analgesics for the indicated Use(s)
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