If you have chronic arthritis, you understand what it feels like to deal with pain on a daily basis. Chronic arthritis, a condition that occurs when cartilage breaks down and joints become inflamed, commonly affects people who are overweight or those who sustain injury to one or more joints. If you have chronic arthritis, it is important to develop coping strategies to deal with the pain and stress associated with this condition.
Step 1
Assemble a team of supportive friends and loved ones to help you deal with your arthritis. Talk to people about your feelings, and ask for help when you need it. If you don't have close family or friends to talk to, find an arthritis support group in your area by contacting your local Arthritis Foundation office (see Resources). It may help you to connect with people who understand the challenges of living with a chronic disease.
Step 2
Learn to meditate to deal with the chronic pain of arthritis. Dr. David E. Yokum, the director of Tucson's Arizona Arthritis Center, says that meditation can help people increase pain tolerance. There are several different meditation techniques that may prove effective for people with arthritis, including using positive imagery to relax and focusing on the present moment. Transcendental meditation, a technique that requires you to meditate while sitting comfortably in a chair, may prove especially useful for people with arthritis.
Step 3
Give yourself a break when necessary to cope with your arthritis. Chronic pain takes its toll on even the most determined people. Get a massage, take a hot bath or take a nap when you feel overwhelmed.
Step 4
Stay as active as you can. The Arthritis Foundation says that regular exercise helps reduce inflammation, joint pain and stiffness. Exercise can also improve your sleep, help you maintain your weight and keep depression at bay. If pain makes the thought of exercising too daunting, try working out in the water. The low-impact nature of water aerobics will minimize stress on your body while helping you increase your range of motion and flexibility. Consult with your doctor to determine what exercise program is right for you.
Step 5
Get enough sleep to help you handle your arthritis. According to MedlinePlus, getting the proper amount of sleep will help your body recover faster when you experience arthritic flare-ups.
Step 6
Ask your doctor about taking an antidepressant to cope with chronic arthritis. Dr. Michael Clark of the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center says that antidepressants do more than help with depression -- they also work as painkillers. For people struggling to cope with chronic arthritis, an antidepressant could help alleviate depression and ease physical symptoms.
Tips and Warnings
- While there is no cure for arthritis, there are countless treatments, medications and lifestyle aids to help you function better on a daily basis. Keep abreast of new developments and be willing to try out new treatments -- you never know what might work for you. Take responsibility for your treatment. If you take an active role in your own treatment, you will require fewer doctor's visits and will find it easier to cope with your symptoms, says MayoClinic.com.
- Many people with arthritis experience excessive fatigue. While this is normal, it could indicate another underlying medical condition. If you feel tired all the time, talk to your doctor to rule out other health problems.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Arthritis Foundation: Arthritis Today: Meditation Techniques and Pain Management
- Save Your Joints: Coping with Arthritis
- Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center: Managing Chronic Pain, Depression & Antidepressants: Issues & Relationships
- Arthritis Foundation: Introduction to Exercise
- MedlinePlus: Arthritis
