Since osteoarthritis is a chronic disease, patients must learn how to best manage the condition. From your own experience, what advice can you offer newly-diagnosed osteoarthritis patients?
Without discussing specific medications, since everyone is different, please answer more generally. Does being compliant with your medication regimen help? What else works well -- diet and exercise, getting good sleep, lower stress levels, distraction? Those are just ideas to jump start your thinking.
What single thing (or a few things) had the most positive impact on managing osteoarthritis, such that you would advise others to do the same? What's the Best Bit of Osteoarthritis Advice You Can Offer?
Related Resources:
- Coping Tips for Osteoarthritis Patients
- 10 Ways to Manage Osteoarthritis Pain
- Reasons to Stay Active With Osteoarthritis
- Made Changes and Adjustments to Help Manage Osteoarthritis?
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Photo by Alexander Raths (iStockphoto)
I agree that diet and exercise are big factors in helping manage osteoarthritis. Resting and strengthening the affected areas are equally important. I also recommend looking into some of the natural medicines, acupuncture and massage therapy. I’ve also written a blog post about it here: bodyworkprofessionals.com/articles/osteoarthritiscomplimentarymethods. – Nick Pavoldi, Bodywork Professionals