Joint pain from rheumatoid arthritis can be irritating at best and debilitating at worst. If you’re dealing with joint pain on a daily basis, it can start to get in the way of you living your life by keeping you from performing tasks at work or limiting what activities you participate in. Here are a few easy tips and tricks to help you manage your joint pain and get back to life with less pain.

  1. Keep it moving: While it might seem a bit counter-intuitive, moving more can help keep your joints from getting stiff. It might be difficult at first, but exercising regularly will help strengthen your muscles to accommodate for your joint pain.
  2. Look for low-impact: Not all activity is created equal when it comes to protecting your joint health. Look for low-impact exercises that will be more forgiving on your joints, particularly if you suffer from knee pain or back pain. Experts estimate that 80% of the population will experience back pain in their lifetime.
  3. Don’t push too far: When you’re exercising to relieve your joint pain, be aware of where your limits are. It can be tempting to push yourself to get the most out of your workouts, but doing so puts you at risk of injuring your joints and causing worse pain.
  4. Watch your weight: Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce joint pain by reducing the amount of strain being put on them on a regular basis. Losing weight means less weight for your joints to carry, but talk to your doctor before trying any weight loss plans.
  5. Talk to a pain management doctor: Getting a professional involved in your pain management can help you find a joint pain plan that’s right for you. Every person is different, and not everyone will benefit from the same prevention techniques in the same way, so having a professional can be incredibly helpful.

Joint pain can be frustrating, especially if it’s causing regular problems in your daily life. However, these tips can help you reduce the amount that your joint pain impacts your life so you can get back to pain-free living.