STARTING A TOTAL WELLNESS PLAN

The best treatment plan for arthritis is to use every therapeutic tool available to you.  Check out the list below and incorporate as many components as possible to give yourself the best chance to successfully manage your arthritis.

1. Your medications are a critical component of your care. For autoimmune arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or lupus, medications are the only interventions available that can decrease or stop disease activity.  This can protect your joints and prevent permanent damage.  Meanwhile, anti-inflammatory medications can reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling during flare-ups. 
2. Physical therapy to improve strength, stability, motion and balance has been shown to reduce pain and improve function to keep arthritic joints healthier.  
3. Your diet should be as nutritious as possible to help your body heal and recover day to day.  A healthy diet can keep inflammation in your body low.  Meanwhile, there are unhealthy foods to avoid because they can make arthritis feel worse by causing excess inflammation.
4. Lifestyle changes like smoking cessation and avoidance of alcohol may help prevent reduce symptoms.
5. Maintain hobbies and light exercise to keep your mind stimulated and your body moving.
6. Make rest a priority as much as possible. This is a day and night effort.  Get 7+ hours of high quality sleep every day.  Avoid overuse in your daily activities. Take breaks through the day and keep your schedule of chores and tasks light. 
7. Alternative treatments may help ease pain and improve function by bringing out the best from within your body without medications.