Inflammation in your body will promote and/or enhance the effects of arthritis. Luckily, there are steps you can take to reduce inflammation and keep arthritis away. The following tips may help reduce the pain – try to implement as many of them as you can in your daily activities! Weight Loss If you are overweight, dropping pounds to stay at a healthy weight will place less pressure on your joints, leading to less pain and can keep arthritis away. Exercise Weight bearing exercises can help build muscle and stabilize joints. This can lead to decreased pain in the long term. If you have any questions, or want a consultation with a professional, feel free to call, or schedule an appointment online at any of our Bergen County or Passaic County offices in New Jersey. Choose from Glen Rock, Franklin Lakes, Fair Lawn, Ridgewood/Ho-Ho-Kus, and/or Clifton – we make it possible for you to visit any of our offices at your convenience. Massage Tight muscles will place strain on joints. Getting massages regularly can decrease tension and provide relief. Meditate Meditation has several great benefits. It has been shown to decrease inflammation in the body, in addition to providing benefits to your mental health. If you struggle, try apps such as HeadSpace or 10% Happier. Sleep More High stress will cause increased inflammation and pain. Limit or eliminate the things in your life that cause the most stress. One simple way to do this is by making sleep a priority and aiming for no less than 6 hours per night. Keep Arthritis Away by Modifying Diet While research is still being done, there are certain links between dietary habits and inflammation. Avoiding or limiting the following foods can help decrease inflammation: Sugary foods White flour Wheat Soy Alcohol Processed, packaged, or prepared food Trans Fat Fried Foods There are also foods that have been shown to help decrease inflammation. Add these into your diet: Turmeric Ginger Garlic Onion Olive Oil Berries Green Tea Fatty Fish Dark Leafy Greens such as Spinach and Kale Beets Supplements Some of the above mentioned foods can be taken in supplemental form (such as turmeric or garlic). There are also other supplements such as Glucosamine, Vitamin C, and Omega 3 Fatty acids that have shown anti-inflammatory properties. Ask your physician before you start supplementing.
