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There are over 100 forms of arthritis. Arthritis is a form of a joint disorder and is characterized by the inflammation of one or more joints. The major complaint of sufferers of this condition is joint pain that is often constant and localized around the affected joint. There are many things that a sufferer can do to alleviate the pain and to better live with the condition.

Even though arthritis cannot be cured, there are many things you can do to get your pain under control. Be sure to discuss alternative treatments with your doctor that will give you more control over your pain symptoms. A feeling of empowerment will help you get the most out of your arthritis therapy.

Yoga can be a huge help in getting arthritic joints moving again and "hot yoga" can provide an intense workout as well as make it easier for some arthritis sufferers to participate. Hot yoga is performed in a studio that is kept at a temperature of 105 degrees with 40% humidity. Movement is slower and many arthritic participants find the heat and humidity beneficial to loosening stiff muscles and joints to help make exercise easier.

Pay close attention to the strength of your muscles around the knees and the quadriceps. Spend time with a trainer to learn the safest ways for you to help work on these important muscle groups. Your hip and thigh are also a great area to work on as well.

Consider joining an arthritis support group. Friends and family members who don't suffer from arthritis may have a hard time understanding exactly what you are going through and how much it affects your life. Connecting with other arthritis sufferers in a supportive environment can make it easier to cope with the chronic , day to day pain and other difficulties associated with the disease.

If you have arthritis, you know how much your joints can ache and how stiff they can become. Even after exercise and hot/cold therapy, sometimes the pain, inflammation and stiffness associated with this disease is not greatly alleviated. An additional action you may want to consider is getting a medical massage. A massage can bring warmth and relaxation to the painful area and impart some relief.

If you want to minimize the pain of arthritis, avoid being over weight. Having just a few extra pounds on your body adds strain to joints and ligaments. It can increase the pain of arthritis, and keep your symptoms coming back again and again. Losing just ten pounds can make a big difference, so do it today.

People with arthritis are dealing with both chronic pain and chronic fatigue. Set priorities for your day and stick to them. There will only be so much you can accomplish on a bad day. Figure out what's most important and focus on getting that done, instead of trying to fight the pain and fatigue and do everything anyway.

Educating yourself about arthritis will keep you on the cutting-edge of receiving the best treatment for the illness. Search online for more information and subscribe to newsletters. Being active and informed about your treatment of arthritis is key to controlling the pain. Always describe to your doctor the information that you are reading to help manage arthritis pain.

People who suffer from one of the various forms of arthritis have great challenges in their lives. By adapting and applying the tips and principles in the above article it is possible to radically improve the quality of life for those who have arthritis. It is a difficult condition, but one that can handled and treated in order to better enjoy life.