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Arthritis is a common condition affecting adults as early as middle age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 25.9% of the population will sustain the condition by 2040. While there's currently no cure for the disease, its symptoms can be managed. By engaging in or disengaging from certain activities, you can relieve the strain placed on your joints. 

Ignoring Your Discomfort 

Joint discomfort is a common arthritis symptom, so many people attempt to wait-out the aches rather than seek medical attention. However, discomfort lasting for more than a week can indicate an issue. Most likely, the condition isn't being properly managed. In other cases, joints could be damaged. Consult a physician who can assist in relieving the distress. 

Repetitive Physical Activities

Minor but repetitive daily tasks can cause inflammation or exacerbate current symptoms. The twisting of doorknobs, for instance, places strain on the wrist. Invest in lever handles, which require less dexterity to operate, instead. Additionally, using assistive appliances, including electric can openers, adaptive utensils, and jar openers, will make you more self-sufficient throughout the day. 

Using Electronics

ArthritisMore people are using e-readers and tablets for entertainment. While they're convenient, grasping them in a vertical position causes the two tendons that run between the thumb and the wrist to inflame. Individuals may experience a flare-up in arthritis symptoms or develop De Quervain's tendinitis. Stands for these devices are affordable, convenient, and will reduce strain on the joints.

Texting places stress on the hands, especially the thumbs, and given that the majority of hand functions rely on the thumbs, they're already prone to strain. While people use the tips of their thumbs to text, the pressure is actually on the joints. The motions also put them in uncomfortable and hyperextended positions that irritate the tendons. 

Alter your text habits by changing orientations frequently. Go from your standard text posture to placing the phone on a flat surface. It rests the hands and allows you to switch the fingers you use for typing. You can also use a stylus for texting or use the speech-to-text function on the phone. Call instead of texting whenever possible. To give your hands enough rest, switch to a headset if the conversations last more than five minutes. 

But, texting involves more than the hands. People often hunch over their phones, stressing the spine and shoulders. Bending the neck forward so that the chin touches the chest is also common when checking a cellphone. However, it places undue pressure on the neck, straining tendons. 

Limit the stress of head-forward positions by taking frequent breaks from the phone. Keep handheld devices at eye level to prevent the head from tilting forward. Be mindful of your posture. Tuck your chin, and keep your shoulders pulled back. The orientation keeps the body in an aligned and neutral position, which is healthy for the shoulders and spine. 

Cooking

ArthritisFood preparation also demands repetitive motions that can cause a flare-up. Chopping and cutting will put your hands in a stationary and uncomfortable posture often and for long periods. Pressure on the cutting hand will also increase if the food is dense or tough. 

Buy a right-angle carving knife to decrease the stress of repetitive motions. The blade itself is lightweight but still effective. Its hilt is made of soft and contoured plastic for increased comfort. By placing the hilt at a 90-degree angle, the wrist is kept in a natural position while cutting. People with arthritis will be less prone to discomfort and flare-ups in the long-term. 

Not Exercising Enough 

Many individuals with arthritis lead a sedentary life since movement can exacerbate symptoms, but physical exercise is a beneficial treatment method. When underutilized, joints become stiffer and have less dexterity. Exercise strengthens muscles and improves overall functioning. Joints will stabilize, and tendons and ligaments will be more flexible. 

People with arthritis need to be careful about overexertion, as well. A flare-up can damage weight-bearing joints in the knees. If someone jogs or takes long walks while the condition is active, they can cause further damage. It's best to consult a physician about exercising during or shortly after a flare-up. 

When the condition is inactive, your doctor will likely recommend low-impact exercises, like walking, water aerobics, or swimming. During a flare-up, take a step back from those activities, and you may be able to engage in passive range-of-motion (PROM) stretches and exercises until the symptoms subside. 

 

With proper habits and medical support, you'll enjoy a better quality of life now and in the long-term. Urgent & Primary Care has treated individuals with joint inflammation in Albany, NY, and its surrounding communities for 20 years. Knowing that symptoms can develop suddenly, they encourage walk-ins to ensure that their patients are quickly relieved of their discomfort. For more information on their medical services, visit their website. To schedule an appointment, call them at (518) 463-8262.

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