Arthritis occurs when the cartilage between your bones begins to deteriorate. Without this cartilage, your bones grind together causing the symptoms of arthritis. Read this article for some great advice for proper arthritis management.

Getting enough sleep is important for dealing with arthritis. Your body cannot fight arthritis without it. Adults need an average of eight hours of sleep, but more may be necessary when you are stressed. Your body will benefit greatly from sleep.

If you have arthritis you should avoid wearing high heels or any shoes that are not comfortable. Shoes that you do not feel comfortable in will have you walking in an abnormal fashion and this can be bad for your arthritis. What you should do it to purchase sneakers that are comfortable and which can give you support.

Think about using aromatherapy to ease your arthritis pain. Research has proven that aromatherapy aids in the relaxation of muscles and joints thus decreasing the pain of chronic conditions such as arthritis.

Relaxing your body and eliminating stress can help to control your arthritis symptoms. Stress can be a factor in how your arthritis develops and in how painful it can be. To reduce your overall stress level, organize your day better and get at least 20 minutes of exercise five days a week.

If you have been diagnosed with chronic arthritis, think about giving acupuncture a try. Studies have indicated that acupuncture can help minimize pain and other symptoms of arthritis. Acupuncture has a cumulative effect, so you should continue treatments to reap the full benefits of the procedure.

If you have osteoarthritis in your knee(s), you might want to ask your doctor about trying electrical stimulation treatments. This method of treatment has been shown to effectively reduce inflammation in the knees due to arthritis, which can reduce pain.

Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Each individual with arthritis is unique, so only you understand what and how you are feeling. Listen to the signals that are coming from your body. If you're weary, stop to rest.

Use disability aids to help you perform tasks that could cause a flare-up. If you intend to lift 50 lb. boxes or stand for several hours, you need to take proactive steps to stop further joint damage. If your joints sustain more damages, your pain will worsen. Make sure you do not apply too much pressure on your joints while performing physical tasks.

Shed extra pounds. Arthritis inflammation and swelling are worse for those who carry extra pounds. Too much weight adds strain to the joints, instigating these problems. A reduction in your body weight can reduce the quantity and the intensity of arthritic pain; avoid unnecessary complications and trips to the doctor by dropping those extra pounds.

Try to laugh a lot. Find a friend who makes you laugh, spend time with your family or watch a funny movie to forget about your stress. Laughter is an amazing medicine, so make sure that you use it often as a key part of your pain-relief program for arthritis.

As you know, if you're a chronic arthritis sufferer and from reading the beginning of this article, arthritis can make it difficult to go about daily tasks. If you are an arthritis sufferer, hopefully this article has shown you something you can try to manage your condition and start living better.