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Step 1
Visit your doctor. Before you start exercising, make sure you talk to your doctor about your plans and get his/her approval.
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Step 2
Stretch. Regular stretching helps your muscles and joints stay flexible. (See "How to Stretch Before and After a Run," under Related eHow's).
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Step 3
Go for a walk at least once a week. Walking burns calories and increases strength and bone density without hurting your joints. It is a perfect form of exercise for anyone with arthritis.
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Step 4
Go for a swim. Any form of water exercise--water walking or running or swimming--is an excellent way to increase your strength and range of motion. The water's buoyancy helps support your weight and decreases the wear and tear on your joints.
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Step 5
Make exercise fun. Find an activity you enjoy. Whether it's bowling, gardening, or martial arts, any form of exercise is good for combating the pain of arthritis and for enjoying your life to the fullest.
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Step 1
Add vitamin C and calcium to your diet every day. Peel an orange, and pour a glass of milk. Oranges are good sources of vitamin C and other antioxidants and work to prevent osteoarthritis and slow its progression. Calcium helps build bone and so decreases your risk of developing osteoarthritis.
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Step 2
Eat breakfast. A healthy breakfast includes fruit, fiber and a glass of milk, water, or juice. Adding breakfast to your day will increase your stamina and help you to cope with your arthritis.
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Step 3
Use adaptive devices. Reachers and grabbers, adaptive kitchen utensils, sock aids, door knob attachments and even touch lamps can make life much easier when you are living with arthritis.
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Step 4
Contact your local Center for Independent Living. Local centers can be found in the telephone book under disability services, medical devices or medical technology services. There you can talk to someone trained to assess your disability and suggest helpful devices.
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Step 1
Turn on some music. Listening to your favorite band can cheer you up and may help you forget your pain for a while.
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Step 2
Rent a funny movie. Research has shown that laughter is the best medicine. It can lower your stress, relax your muscles and help relieve your arthritis pain.
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Step 3
Write it down. Keeping track of how you feel and what works effectively for your arthritis is a good way to manage your condition. Writing also lets you vent your anger and frustration with the disease.
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Step 4
Soak your blues away. Take a warm bath before you go to bed to relieve your sore muscles and ease your aching joints. A relaxing bath can also help you get a good night's sleep and feel better in the morning.
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Step 5
Take your medicine. Keeping your pain under control is more effective than trying to delay taking any medication. Stick to the regimen your doctor has prescribed.
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Step 6
Attend a pain clinic. Pain clinics are staffed with physicians, psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, exercise physiologists and nurses who are all trained to help you manage your pain more effectively.
