While we may all be staying home due to COVID-19, there are still many ways to alleviate arthritis pain while social distancing. Incorporating specific activities and hobbies into your daily routine can not only help with arthritis pain but also improve your overall joint health. If arthritis is causing you trouble while doing everyday things, you should eventually book an appointment for arthritis treatment at OrthoManhattan – but in the meantime, here are a few of our recommended activities for alleviating arthritis pain while staying at home.
Exercise + Stretching
Low-impact exercise can help improve your pain levels and protect your joints. If you have access to water during quarantine, swimming and aerobic exercise is a great low-impact activity to do. Since a lot of us may not have access to water at the moment, other low-impact exercises you can do include weight training, yoga, walking, biking, and range-of-motion exercises like rolling your shoulders to focus on strengthening your joints. The most important thing to remember is to do a good warm-up before exercising and to stretch thoroughly after exercise every time – not doing so may exacerbate the underlying cause.
Gardening
Gardening is a relaxing activity that can be enjoyed by those of all ages. Keeping your arthritis in mind, a couple of specific adaptations such as gardening tools with large handles, cushions for kneeling, and gripped gloves can help alleviate any pain that may have been caused. This is the perfect way to pass time while social distancing and can help keep your joints healthy and engaged until you can seek an arthritis treatment sometime in the future.
Cooking
Cooking can help your arthritis in a multitude of ways. From the types of food you eat to the motions of stirring, mixing, and measuring ingredients throughout the process. You can create your own mini arthritis treatment by introducing foods with omega-3 fatty acids, like fish, which is beneficial for your joints as it can help lower inflammation and reduce your pain. Other foods like dairy, leafy greens, and almonds that are high in calcium can help keep your bones strong. The actual activity of cooking can help improve your flexibility and strengthen your hands and wrists. If cooking causes you pain, we recommend using kitchen utensils with wide, cushy grips or asking someone to help you with the more pain-inducing parts such as carrying the groceries or chopping the vegetables.
Arts and Crafts
Many arts and crafts activities are a great way to pass time and combat arthritis while social distancing. Some of these activities include but are not limited to knitting, crocheting, painting, coloring, and scrapbooking. Since arthritis can often cause pain in the hands, fingers, and wrists, doing these arts and crafts activities can help improve dexterity and strengthen your joints. There are many adapted tools to help those with arthritis, such as specialized knitting needles, pencils, and comfort-grip paintbrushes. Not only will these activities help your arthritis, but they’re also a great way to pass the time and ease boredom while social distancing!
We know arthritis is painful and can have a major impact on your daily life. While you wait for restrictions to be lifted, follow these tips to alleviate pain and help increase range of motion. If your pain becomes unmanageable or is holding you back in your daily life, reach out to OrthoManhattan for arthritis treatment. We can get a telemedicine appointment scheduled for you with one of NYC’s top orthopedic surgeons. To get an appointment on the books, all you have to do is click here or submit a contact form on the right side of this page.