Arthritis pain can impact every facet of your life. It can keep you from doing day-to-day tasks, including daily hygiene and housekeeping. If you have suffered from arthritis pain for months, there are ways you can manage the symptoms so that you can get your life back.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Weight can cause your condition to worsen in several ways. The added weight puts pressure on your joints, which can lead to inflammation and increased pain. Over time, this results in increased wear and tear on the joints. Without proper weight loss intervention, you could end up needing a more invasive medical procedure to treat your condition.

To prevent this from happening, you need to determine what is a healthy weight for you and work to maintain it. You can work with a dietician to create a healthy diet. The dietician can also help identify the number of calories you need and plan a menu for you to follow. 

Get Physically Active

Part of maintaining a healthy weight is getting physically active. You do not need to run a marathon to get the exercise you need. You can start with water-based activities and work your way to more physical activities, such as walking and jogging. 

By getting active, you are not only keeping your weight in control, but helping in the release of endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that work by releasing opiate receptors that offer natural pain relief. They also help to alleviate your mood, which is important because arthritis pain can have a negative impact on a person's mental health.

Talk to Your Doctor About Pain Management Therapy

If you cannot find relief between lifestyle changes and using over-the-counter medications, it is time to talk to your doctor. He or she can recommend a number of prescription strength medications that can help you cope with the arthritis pain.  The medications are not just limited to oral medications. There are some topical analgesics that can be applied to provide temporary relief from the pain. 

In addition to medication, your doctor might also recommend focusing on other natural ways to manage the pain. For instance, physical therapy is often a part of pain management for arthritis. During therapy, the therapist will focus on improving mobility and flexibility. Both are important in preventing inflammation and pain. Read more here for information and tips on pain management.

It is important that you work with a medical care provider to create the best treatment plan for your pain.