Common Mistakes to Avoid in Arthritis Pain Management

When it comes to managing arthritis pain, many people make silly mistakes that make it difficult to manage their arthritis pain properly. What are the mistakes and how should you avoid them? Learn the 7 common mistakes you should avoid in arthritis pain management in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.

 

7 Mistakes to Avoid in Arthritis Pain Management

There are several mistakes you should avoid while managing your arthritis pain:

  1. Ignoring the pain:

Most people make this crucial mistake when it comes to pain management: ignoring the pain altogether, in the hope it will eventually disappear on its own. It can be true for some people with acute pain, but not for people who struggle with chronic pain. If you don’t do anything to improve your situation, it will get worse. If you push yourself through pain, it increases pain and may increase the risk of joint damage. That’s why you should not ignore your pain whether acute or chronic, seek professional pain management care help to manage pain, and understand your physical limitations don’t push them.

 

  1. Having a poor diet:

Your diet may not help you cure your arthritis pain; however, it can help you keep your symptoms from getting worse. If you consume a bad diet, it can cause inflammation in the body which leads to chronic pain symptoms. A healthy diet also helps you maintain a healthy body weight, lower the risk of certain chronic diseases, and support overall health. Your body weight plays an essential role in osteoarthritis because more body weight can add stress to your weight-bearing joints like hips and knees. So, you should try to limit foods that are high in refined carbs, sugars, saturated and trans fats, and salt, instead add more fruits, veggies, and whole grains to ensure your body gets the right nutrients and vitamins to manage chronic pain symptoms.

 

  1. Little/No exercise:

Many people with arthritis are afraid to be physically active due to pain so, they avoid exercise completely. But what they don’t realize about arthritis is that inactivity can lead to pain and disability over time, only regular exercise keeps joints moving and prevents stiffness, strengthens the muscles around the joints, and improves overall mobility.

That’s why you should not quit exercising. While you shouldn’t overexert your body, practicing consistent exercise with guidance is the key to maintaining good physical health and strength, without worsening the current arthritis symptoms. You can get help from a physical therapist to create a gentle, joint-friendly exercise plan that works best for you.

 

  1. Leading a sedentary lifestyle:

Some people with arthritis think they need to rest a lot, so they stop exercising and start following a sedentary life. While rest is important, it doesn’t mean becoming idle for long because it can increase pain, and fatigue, and make stiffness worse. You should stop working out when you feel pain and give it rest. But you should try to keep yourself active with gentle flexibility exercises. You can even do it by brisk walking and swimming as you like. When your strength improves over time, you can add strength training to strengthen the muscles around the joints. You should do cardio for your heart, bones, and mood. To create the best workout plan, you can consult with a physical or occupational therapist to learn the best exercises for you.

 

  1. Not taking medications as prescribed:

Many arthritis patients either skip their medications when they start feeling better or avoid painkillers because they are afraid of addiction or severe side effects. However, you should not do that because healthcare providers would not prescribe something that might be harmful to you or make you dependent (if you use them as directed).

If you skip medication too often its effects start to wear off, which is required to manage your symptoms and slow the arthritis progression. That’s why you should take medicine as prescribed. It’s normal to forget a dose once in a while, but you should take it as soon as you remember. However, don’t take it too close to the next dose without discussing it with the doctor first.

 

  1. Not handling your mood:

While stress is inevitable, arthritis pain can make it more challenging. Many people start feeling depressed and stop enjoying things they used to like. This will not only affect your mental well-being but also make your chronic pain symptoms worse. So, you must develop healthy coping strategies to manage your stress or depressed mood with meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, etc. In case you can’t handle your stress, then seek a counselor or mental health professional help to learn how to manage your mood properly.

 

  1. Unrealistic expectations:

Many forms of arthritis are not curable, and while it is tough to accept this, it is the truth. You can’t get rid of arthritis, but you can manage it well with the help of lifestyle changes and treatment. Treatment can reduce your pain, improve your range of motion, and prevent further damage. So, you should see a healthcare provider as soon as you notice your symptoms and start your treatment quickly. Be realistic about arthritis from the beginning and understand the condition won’t go away, but you can make decisions that keep you as healthy and active as possible.

 

Arthritis is a difficult condition to manage in daily life. However, you can handle it well, if you avoid the common mistakes of arthritis pain management that are mentioned above. And properly follow your treatment and lifestyle changes to keep yourself as healthy and active as possible.

 

Need help with arthritis pain, visit our pain management center in Brooklyn to get professional medical help where experts provide personal guidance on how to deal with pain in different life situations while keeping yourself healthy and active. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!

Your pain needs professional assistance, visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn today or call to get a consultation. The location at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 is well-served by public transportation, including many bus routes, and the subway line. Visit our website at http://www.painmanagementbrooklyn.com/ or contact us on +1-347-384-5690 for additional details.