Have you recently developed arthritis in certain parts of your body, such as the hands or legs? Up to 40 million Americans deal with this chronic inflammation. If the inflammation is making it difficult for you to complete different tasks and enjoy your life the way you did before, you might want to know how to get some relief from the discomfort. There are quite a few different treatment options to consider, but it will all depend on your pain tolerance as well as the severity of the arthritis.

Use a Portable Heating Pad

Gone are the days of sitting still in one spot near the closest outlet to get your heating pad to turn on and get hot. There are tons of different portable heating pads that you can use to get some relief from the pain. The heat will help reduce some of the pain by allowing your muscles to relax a bit. You can use a heating pad while you are resting in bed, sitting on the couch, or even trying to get some of your work done at the office.

Avoid Foods That Can Contribute to the Discomfort

If you are dealing with inflammation, eating certain foods could make it even worse. Consider avoiding processed foods, such as microwave-ready meals, hot dogs, and chips because they are considered inflammatory foods. If you are eating inflammatory foods, the joint inflammation could begin to get worse.

After giving up on the unhealthy items, try to consume several anti-inflammatory foods. Some of the best options include fresh tomatoes, salmon, blueberries and spinach. You should refrain from frying your food, too. It is better to bake or grill meat and fish instead of throwing it into an excessive amount of oil.

Start an Exercise Routine

It may sound counterproductive to exercise when you are dealing with joint pain, but staying active could benefit you in more than one way. Exercising is a great way to stay fit and maintain a healthy weight, but it could potentially help you keep your pain at a minimum. Because you are likely feeling uncomfortable each day, trying to do vigorous routines is not a great idea. Instead, you should try going for a brisk walk or swimming. It is often easier to move around freely in a heated pool because the warm water will relax your muscles as you exercise.

See an Orthopedic Physician

Although you can attempt to treat the discomfort at home with a portable heating pad, dietary changes and a new exercise routine, it is still best to visit an orthopedic physician. There are several treatment options offered to patients who suffer from arthritis, and learning about them may be beneficial for you before you decide what you want to do to treat the discomfort.

The orthopedic physician may prescribe a medication designed to control the pain so that you can get back to your regular activities without feeling too uncomfortable. If you are not interested in taking medication, however, you will still have options. In fact, the physician may suggest hydrotherapy. During a hydrotherapy session, you would complete assorted exercises inside of a pool with help from a therapist. The therapist could show you which movements are best for you to do.

You can even talk to the physician about acupuncture. Although it may not be a traditional treatment option, it is still one that many people believe in and use regularly. Learning more about what you can do to reduce inflammation and improve the way you feel is important, which is why it is crucial to make an appointment with an orthopedic physician who will try their hardest to help you.

Reduce your arthritis pain with home remedies and various treatment options recommended by the orthopedic physician. Even though it may not be possible to avoid arthritis completely, there are still many ways to get relief from the discomfort it commonly causes.