The pain and discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis can become a regular part of life. While medications and treatments can have a significant effect on reducing these symptoms, there is unfortunately no cure for the condition and the pain may not always vanish for good. In these cases, lifestyle and outlook can play crucial roles when you need self-management of your rheumatoid arthritis.
Apply Some Self-Therapy – Cold, heat, and gentle massage can help reduce the pain of an arthritic flare. Cold tends to be best for inflammation and heat best for stiffness, but always use whichever yields the best results for you.
Move in Ways You Love – Exercise can often improve the feeling in your joints. Even with pain, we can help you find some exercises you can perform. It should be something you enjoy doing, though; there’s no sense trying to fight pain with misery.
Rearrange Your House for Ease – The more time that is spent around the house, the more important it is to create an environment that is easy to move around in. This may involve clearing floors, creating wide areas of walking, and moving your bedroom downstairs, among other tasks.
Do Not Be Afraid to Seek Support – Nobody should feel forced to endure pain alone. Along with our professional medical support, it can also be highly beneficial for your mental health to speak with others who know what you are going through. If your pain starts to affect your emotional outlook on a regular basis, please talk about it with us or a trusted counselor.
Rheumatoid arthritis in your feet and ankles does not have to rob the enjoyment from your life. We can help you find the best ways to relieve your symptoms and get the most out of your lifestyle, such as reconstructive surgery. Call the office of Dr. Kevin Powers at (812) 333-4422 to schedule an appointment with us in Bloomington.
