Joint Health
Millions of Americans suffer varying degrees of pain and loss of mobility due to joint pain and chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis. Baby boomers are now at prime risk. More than half those affected are under age 65.

Helpful Tips: Do you think there’s nothing you can do about arthritis pain? You are not alone. Most people (half of all Americans) afflicted with arthritis don’t think anything can be done to help them. But there is great news! You can take action right now. Some of the health tips here are simple, but if overlooked can lead you to suffer with unnecessary pain. Other health tips are first steps toward longer-term wellness goals. These tips can directly or indirectly improve your health, outlook or pain level, and can generally make life with arthritis a little easier.

1. Develop a pain management system— Work with your health-care team to create your own pain management plan based on the model provided below. Include plenty of space for your written responses. Post your plan where you will see it and be reminded to use it often.
   • Natural Remedies: Types of remedies, when I take them, how much to take. Don’t forget to rub on FlexCore every morning and before I go to bed!
   • Medications: Types of medications I take, when I take them, how much I take
   • Exercise: Type of exercises I'll do, when I'll do them, how often I'll do them
   • Rest: When I'll completely rest, when I'll rest specific joints, when I'll wear my splint
   • Heat, cold and/or massage treatment: What I'll do, when I'll do it
   • Relaxation: Forms of relaxation I'll practice, how often I'll practice
   • Other Healthy Habits: Some healthy habits I will practice
   • Questions for my health-care team
   • Resources and services I can rely on for assistance
   • Local Arthritis Foundation address and phone number
   • Doctor's name, address and phone number
   • Physical and/or occupational therapist's name, address and phone number
   • Pharmacist's name, address and phone number
   • Other members of my health-care team
   • Other resources that can help me.
2. Tune in— Listening to your favorite music can lighten your mood and may even help you to forget your pain – at least for a little while. Make a tape of your favorite upbeat tunes and listen to it when you need a lift.
3. Face facts— Learn something new about arthritis. Building an understanding of your disease is an important step in managing it.
4. Play in the dirt— Buy the seeds for three of your favorite veggies or flowers and plant a garden. Digging in the dirt can be therapeutic for sore hands and can yield beautiful and fragrant – or delicious and nutritious – results.
5. Have a good laugh— Read a book of jokes, rent a funny movie or watch your favorite sit-com or stand-up comedian. Laughing – even when you feel like crying from agony – can relax muscles, relieve pain and even boost your immune system.
6. Do Tell— Take an opportunity to tell someone — co-worker, friend, and family member — about arthritis. Start with an interesting fact: “Did you know that arthritis affects 66 million people?” Then go from there. They’ll understand you – and the way arthritis affects your life – a little better.
7. Resolve to reduce— Lose weight. You won’t just look better, you’ll feel better, too. Why? Every extra pound you carry around translates to added stress to your knees and hips. Excess weight can mean more pain, no matter which form of arthritis you have.
8. Sit, soak and soothe— A warm bath before bed can relieve muscle tension, ease aching joints and help you get a good night’s sleep.
9. Treat your muscles— Find a certified massage therapist and treat yourself to a good rub down. The benefits vary from person to person but may include decreased pain and increased circulation, energy and flexibility. And besides, it just feels good.
10. Work smarter— Do something that will make your job easier — check into working flex hours, telecommuting or working part-time. No matter where or when you work, take frequent breaks to stretch stiff joints and sore muscles.
11. Make a pack— When joints are hot and inflamed, applying something cold can decrease pain and swelling by constricting blood vessels and preventing fluids from leaking into surrounding tissues. A homemade ice pack: a bag of frozen peas or corn that can be molded to the shape of your body. 

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