How to Prevent Arthritis Progression

Arthritis can be a painful and difficult medical condition, and it is not possible to prevent it. It's also not exactly clear what can cause the various forms of arthritis to occur in the first place.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} However, there are some things you can do to reduce the symptoms of arthritis, which can help make your life easier and less painful.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Caring for Your Body

If you have arthritis, then you will need to speak with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to provide treatment options and targeted lifestyle advice. Early detection is the best way to learn how to manage your condition and lessen its impact on your life.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
2
Maintain a healthy weight. One way to help ease the symptoms of arthritis, is to maintain a healthy body weight throughout your life. Being overweight or obese may be connected with the development and advancement of arthritis. Try to maintain a weight that is healthy for you in order to help reduce the symptoms of your arthritis.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceArthritis FoundationMain organization devoted to arthritis support and educationGo to source}^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- Talk with your doctor to learn more about your ideal weight.
- Ask your doctor about exercise and diet to help manage your weight.
Advertisement
3
Try to prevent injuries. Areas of the body that have sustained injuries will have a greater chance of developing post-traumatic arthritis. Getting injuries to areas that already have arthritis can worsen existing symptoms. Because of this, it's a good idea to treat your body well and avoid any activities that could result in serious injuries. If you do sustain an injury, make sure you do everything you can to help it heal properly.^{[6]XResearch source}^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- Try to avoid any dangerous sports or hobbies if possible.
- If you do engage in physically dangerous activities, always take safety precautions seriously.
4
Avoid smoking. Smoking can make arthritis pain worse, so it is a good idea to quit smoking if you are a smoker. Ending a smoking habit can also provide many additional health benefits. If you are a smoker, then quit smoking to help cut down the risk of worsening your arthritis symptoms.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceArthritis FoundationMain organization devoted to arthritis support and educationGo to source}^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- There are many aids such as nicotine patches and gums to help you quit smoking.
- Ask your doctor about other medications that can help reduce the cravings for nicotine while you quit smoking.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Exercising to Ease Arthritis Symptoms

1
Improve range of motion. Maintaining your range of motion and flexibility is a great way to keep your joints healthy and reduce symptoms. Make sure that you include regular stretching and flexibility training in your daily exercise routines.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- Try to focus on areas of your body that already have symptoms or arthritis.
- Always gently stretch any area of your body to avoid injury.
2
Build a strong body. Maintaining and building muscular strength can be a simple way to help lower the risk of worsening arthritis symptoms. There are many simple exercises you can do to enhance and build your levels of strength. Include regular strength training in your workout routine to help keep your body strong and lessen arthritis symptoms.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Lifting weights is an ideal way to build strength.
- You could use stretchable resistance bands to build muscular strength.
- Doing push-ups or squats can use your own bodyweight to build strength.
3
Get in some aerobic exercise. Exercising your heart and cardiovascular system can help to keep you healthy and it may also help to ease your arthritis symptoms. You might try going for a walk, a bike ride, a swim, or another cardiovascular exercise to help keep your heart healthy.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- Anything that slightly increases heart-rate or breathing rate could be considered moderate exercise.
- Try walking, playing tennis or dancing to get in some aerobic exercise.
4
Keep moving. Moving your joints on a regular basis may help to ease your symptoms. If you find yourself without the time to get in a workout, try moving throughout the day. Even standing up every fifteen minutes or going for a brief walk can help keep you active. Make sure you stay moving throughout the day to stay healthy.^{[17]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}^{[18]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- Get in as much physical activity as you are able.
- It's recommended that you have at around 150 minutes of moderately difficult physical activity a week.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Joints Safe

1
Avoid high impact exercise or motions. Arthritis is often agitated by any motions or exercises that have high levels of impact on joints. To avoid making the symptoms of arthritis worse, you should always opt for low-impact forms of exercise. Using low-impact exercises will help reduce the stress on your joints and help keep you free from pain caused by arthritis. ^{[19]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}^{[20]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- Try walking, swimming or bicycling for low impact activities.
- Even some everyday activities such as gardening or yard work could count as low-impact exercise.
2
Apply heat to your joints. Before you exercise or do any heavy physical activity, it can be a good idea to apply heat to warm up your joints and muscles. Warming the areas affected by arthritis will help keep them from developing the usual pain and stiffness that can accompany heavy physical activity. Try to apply gentle heat to any areas that you have arthritis to prevent it from worsening.^{[21]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- You can use a warm towel to apply heat.
- Taking a warm shower can help prepare your joints for activity.
- Don't use anything that is painfully hot.
- You can apply heat for about 20 minutes.
3
Move slowly and gently. Moving to quickly or vigorously during your day or a workout can worsen the effects of arthritis. It can be helpful to keep any motions gentle, smooth and slow to avoid triggering the painful symptoms that arthritis can bring. Always take care with your movement to help limit the effects arthritis has on your life.^{[22]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Always warm up before a workout.
- Try gently moving for at least 10 minutes before exercise.
- Use your full range of motion when warming up.
4
Don't overdo exercises. Overexertion can bring out the symptoms of arthritis and may even cause it to develop further. If you suffer from arthritis, it's a good idea to avoid getting more physical exertion than you feel capable of. Taking it easy and getting in a break when you feel tired or sore can be good ideas when trying to limit the severity of your arthritis symptoms. ^{[23]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Stop if you feel any pain.^{[24]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- Swelling and redness can be signs that you need to take a break or stop for the day.
5
Apply ice after exercise. After heavy physical activity, it can be a good idea to apply ice to any areas that you notice symptoms of arthritis. Applying ice can help prevent inflammation and stiffness in the areas you have arthritis, reducing the symptoms that it would have otherwise. Always apply ice after heavy physical labor or exercise to help manage your arthritis symptoms and prevent them from worsening. ^{[25]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Try applying ice directly to areas that you have arthritis symptoms.
- Never apply ice directly to the skin. Always wrap ice up in a cloth before using it on your joints.
- Try to ice affected areas for around 20 minutes.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Early detection is the best method of preventing arthritis from worsening.
Thanks
Helpful3 Not Helpful0
Talk with your doctor to learn more about how you can prevent or manage your arthritis.
Thanks
Helpful1 Not Helpful3

Warnings

Always warm up before doing any physical labor or heavy exercise.
Thanks
Helpful3 Not Helpful0
Stop if you feel any pain during exercise.
Thanks
Helpful2 Not Helpful1