How to Reduce Arthritis Pain in Four Everyday Activities

By WLUK

As an adult, there are several activities we all have to do on a daily basis like cooking, cleaning and going to work. An arthritis diagnosis, and the increasing joint pain and swelling that comes with it, can significantly impact your ability to do these activities.
The good news is that joint pain and swelling can be reduced - and sometimes even prevented - by simply modifying the way you complete certain tasks.
Here are tips for easing and preventing arthritis pain in four common daily activities.

1. Walking
At work, at home, at the store, no matter where we are, walking is our natural way of getting from point A to point B. It is also one of the best forms of exercise for people living with arthritis. However, the symptoms of arthritis can make it painful, a burden, and unenjoyable. To reduce these feelings:

• Wear shoes that have flexible soles, good support, adequate cushioning and a proper fit.
• Use an assistive device such as a cane when walking on uneven ground challenges your balance.
• Don't walk too fast. This could put extra stress on joints.
• If walking for exercise, don't go too far or walk for too long. Pace yourself and build up to longer distances.

2. Cooking
When arthritis affects your hands, chopping up vegetables for dinner or hand mixing cookie dough with your grandkids can easily result in pain, stiffness and swelling. Knee or hip arthritis can make standing over the sink to clean up dinner dishes unbearable.
To prevent pain and relieve pressure on the finger joints use electric mixers and other small appliances. Additionally, foils, nonstick sprays and disposable pans can simplify cleanup.
Other tips:

• Sit on a high stool while cooking or doing dishes.
• Use kitchen tools that have larger handles and soft grips.
• Try soft-handled pliers to help open tabs and seals on jars or cans.

3. Cleaning
From laundry to sweeping, mopping and dusting, most household chores require the movement of multiple joints. Therefore, it's a good idea to plan for one major task a day, and use these tips to manage any arthritis pain:

• On laundry day, sit down while sorting, folding and ironing.
• When cleaning the bathroom, use a kneeling pad while working close to the ground and avoid unnecessary bending and stooping.
• For sweeping, mopping and dusting use long-handled tools.
• Store cleaning supplies in the rooms they are most often used in.

4. Personal Care
The bathroom is a room we all visit multiple times a day, so don't let arthritis make it a painful place.

• Install bars near the tub and toilet to help you stand up and balance.
• Put non-slip mats in the tub and/or shower.
• Add a bath stool to the shower.
• Make sure faucets are easy to use and don't require a tight grip to operate.

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