Whether you’re dealing with the discomfort of osteoarthritis or another type of arthritis, there are several lifestyle changes that may help manage the pain and improve your overall quality of life
Small lifestyle adjustments can help manage arthritis(Image: Olga Pankova via Getty Images)
Arthritis, an umbrella term covering conditions that affect joints and surrounding tissues, impacts hundreds of thousands of people across the UK, with osteoarthritis being the most prevalent form. The symptoms of osteoarthritis can range from mild to severe, affecting sufferers in different ways and potentially disrupting everyday activities.
According to the NHS, for some people, symptoms “can be mild and may come and go”, while others may endure more persistent and serious problems that make carrying out routine tasks a struggle. Even small lifestyle adjustments can help manage arthritis and boost quality of life.
One such change could be incorporating tart cherry juice into your diet. A study published in the peer-reviewed journal Arthritis and Rheumatism suggests that a glass or two might ease joint pain caused by knee osteoarthritis.
Participants who consumed two bottles of tart cherry juice daily for six weeks showed reduced pain scores compared to those given a placebo. Each bottle contained the equivalent of 45 tart cherries alongside a considerable amount of sugar – 31 grams, reports RSVP Live.
In a separate study, researchers discovered that 20 women with osteoarthritis experienced lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) – a substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation – after drinking two bottles of tart cherry juice daily for 21 days.
Reduced CRP levels are linked to decreased inflammation. If home remedies aren’t doing the trick, your GP may recommend taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to relieve the pain and reduce inflammation for arthritis sufferers. Some NSAIDs are available in cream form (topical NSAIDs) that you apply directly onto those painful joints.
The NHS has explained: “They can be particularly effective if you have osteoarthritis in your knees or hands. As well as helping to ease pain, they can also help reduce any swelling in your joints.”
Exercise isn’t just beneficial for your mental wellbeing – it’s an excellent treatment for anyone with osteoarthritis, regardless of their age or fitness level. It may seem like the last thing you fancy doing when you’re stiff and uncomfortable, but getting muscles active and strengthening those joints typically delivers significant relief from symptoms.
Additionally, exercise is brilliant for losing weight, improving posture, and relieving stress, all of which can help reduce your discomfort.
The NHS advises: “Your GP, or possibly a physiotherapist, will discuss the benefits you can expect from an exercise programme and can give you an exercise plan to follow at home.”
Curious about which type of workout works best for osteoarthritis?
There’s no need for expensive equipment or gym memberships – straightforward exercises are often the answer, according to Bupa.
The healthcare provider states: “Exercise can help to keep your joints working well and reduce your pain.
“It will also help to build up your muscle strength and improve your fitness. Keeping active can help to boost your mood too.”
Bupa recommends taking part in the following activities:
- Strengthening exercises: you can use light weights, a resistance band, or your own body weight;
- Aerobic exercises to increase your heart rate and make you breathe faster. Examples include swimming, cycling or walking;
- Flexibility and stretching exercises to help improve the range of movement of your joints.
