Did you know that staying active can help ease arthritis symptoms? In addition to taking CELEBREX, there are other things you can do in the new year that may help you keep moving. Click on the boxes to learn more about an all-around approach to managing arthritis pain.
Practical Tips That May Help You Keep Moving
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†Terms and conditions apply.
Arthritis pain can make moving difficult. Stretching and physical activities like strength training and low-impact aerobic exercise may help loosen your joints and keep you moving in the new year. Be sure to check with your doctor to see if this physical activity is right for you.
If physical activity is right for you, it may be a good idea to stretch. Warm up by walking slowly and gently swinging your arms for a few minutes.
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org.
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org.
Adapted from National Institute on Aging Web site. www.nia.nih.gov
"How to Improve Your Flexibility"
"How to Improve Your Flexibility"
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org.
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org.
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org.
These exercises may help you build strong muscles that help support and protect your joints. Weight training is an example of a strengthening exercise that may help you maintain your current muscle strength or increase it.
Be sure to check with your doctor to see if this physical activity is right for you.
Adapted from the MayoClinic.com article, "Exercise Helps Ease Arthritis Pain and Stiffness" (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/arthritis/AR00009)
Aerobic exercises can help with your overall fitness. They can improve your health, help you control your weight and give you more stamina. That way you may have more energy to get through your day. Examples of low-impact aerobic exercises that may be easier on your joints include:
- Walking
- Riding a bike
- Swimming
Adapted from the MayoClinic.com article, "Exercise Helps Ease Arthritis Pain and Stiffness" (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/arthritis/AR00009)
Did you know that for every pound lost, 4 pounds of stress is removed from the knees? Maintaining a healthy weight can make managing your arthritis easier.
You probably remember the old food pyramid. It's now been changed to a more representative graphic — a plate that shows how to proportion your fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy. Maintaining a healthy weight begins with a healthy understanding of what you should be eating.
All foods made from meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, processed soy products, nuts, and seeds are considered part of the Protein Foods Group. Beans and peas are also part of the Vegetable Group.
Any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice counts as a member of the Vegetable Group. Vegetables may be raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; and may be whole, cut up, or mashed.
Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the Fruit Group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.
Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, tortillas, and grits are examples of grain products.
All fluid milk products and many foods made from milk are considered part of this food group. Most Dairy Group choices should be fat free or low fat. Foods made from milk that retain their calcium content are part of the group. Foods made from milk that have little to no calcium, such as cream cheese, cream, and butter, are not. Calcium-fortified soymilk (soy beverage) is also part of the Dairy Group.
Preparing a healthy, nutritious meal is important, but cooking can be daunting when your knees are aching or your fingers are stiff. Try these shortcuts to help make cooking with arthritis easier.
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org.
Prepare 2 or more chicken breasts at a time and refrigerate the leftovers to use in salads or sandwiches the next day.
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org.
Place meat or poultry, pre-sliced vegetables, spices, and liquid in a slow cooker, turn it on and hours later enjoy a hot, cooked meal. And there's only 1 pot to wash.
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org.
Microwave frozen vegetables or leftovers quickly, without adding fats or depleting nutrients. Using a microwave oven on the countertop eliminates stretching or stooping to cook.
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org.
Use kitchen or cooking utensils with padded handles or grips.
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org.
Instead of standing at your counter or stovetop, pull up a high barstool and sit down to chop, mix, or stir.
Copyright © 2011 Arthritis Foundation. All rights reserved. For more information on this topic, visit www.arthritistoday.org.
Losing weight is one of the best ways to relieve the stress on your joints that can lead to arthritis pain. Depending on your age, weight, sex, and activity level, there are a multitude of weight loss programs available to
you — everything from plans that closely monitor calories, to plans that focus on certain foods or food groups, to plans that offer prepared foods and meal plans. Before you choose, it's very important to talk to your doctor about the one that may be right for you.
- Just one 200mg CELEBREX a day can provide 24-hour relief for many with arthritis pain and inflammation.*
- In clinical studies with OA patients, CELEBREX is proven to improve daily physical function, so moving is easier.
- CELEBREX is not a narcotic.
When it comes to relieving your arthritis pain, you and your doctor need to balance the benefits with the risks. Ask your doctor if CELEBREX is right for you.
*Individual results may vary. This dosing is for osteoarthritis.
The more you know about arthritis, the more you can do to try to manage it. Explore some of the facts about joint pain and learn what you can do to help relieve it.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the U.S. Approximately 27 million adults have reported being diagnosed with OA by their doctor. While the cause of OA is unknown, it occurs when cartilage in joints breaks down over time.
- One in 2 people in the U.S. will experience some form of OA in their lifetime.
- OA is much more common in women than men.
- OA accounts for more than 50% of arthritis cases in the U.S. (nearly 27 million of the 46 million adults who have reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis).
The most noticeable symptom of OA is a feeling of pain in or around the joint. Other symptoms include:
- Tenderness and stiffness in the joint
- Loss of flexibility or range of motion
- Grating sensation or sound in the joint, also known as crepitus
Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is when the body's defense system malfunctions and begins to mistakenly attack itself.
- Typically, RA affects the smaller joints first, such as the ones in your hands and feet, and then may move on to other joints.
- RA is 2 to 3 times more common in women than in men and can start developing as early as age 20.
- In addition to symptoms of swelling and pain, RA can cause fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
Like OA, the primary symptom of RA is pain felt in and around the joints. In addition to pain, other symptoms of RA found in joints may include:
- Swelling of joints
- Joints that are tender to the touch
- Red and puffy joints
- Morning joint stiffness that lasts at least 30 minutes but can continue for hours
Arthritis symptoms may be physical, but for some, they can be frustrating, as well. Here are a few things that may help you release tension and create a "Zen Zone" in your own home. Be sure to check with your doctor to see if this physical activity is right for you.
For a person in pain, the typical worries of daily life can become much more difficult, often turning common hassles into major obstacles. Here are a few daily solutions that may help you stay relaxed.
Adapted from the MayoClinic.com article,
"Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques"
(http://www.mayoclinic.org/pain-rehabilitation-center-rst/stressmanagementtechniques.html)
Visualize calming images of relaxing places and situations to cope with emotions, feelings, or circumstances.
Adapted from the MayoClinic.com article,
"Stress Management"
(http://www.mayoclinic.org/stress-management/types.html)
Repeatedly flex and relax the muscle groups throughout your body. It can enhance body awareness and help to identify and reduce muscle tension.
Adapted from the MayoClinic.com article,
"Stress Management"
(http://www.mayoclinic.org/stress-management/types.html)
*Be sure to check with your doctor to see if this physical activity is right for you.
Rub, stroke and knead the body's soft tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and skin). If you are considering massage therapy, find a qualified practitioner. Check credentials, and discuss the number of treatments and the cost involved.
Adapted from the MayoClinic.com article,
"Stress Management"
(http://www.mayoclinic.org/stress-management/types.html)
*Be sure to check with your doctor to see if this physical activity is right for you.
Yoga can provide a great way to relax the mind and body and increase flexibility. There are a variety of yoga styles or ways you can practice it. So find the one that's right for you and consider signing up for a class.
Adapted from the MayoClinic.com article,
"Stress Management"
(http://www.mayoclinic.org/stress-management/types.html)
*Be sure to check with your doctor to see if this physical activity is right for you.
You could find a peaceful place to meditate. Or you can make one depending on what you like.
The first step in creating your Zen Zone is figuring out the location. The room or area should be quiet, with little or no distractions.
The temperature in your Zen Zone should be warm — never too hot or too cold.
Meditating requires a softly lit environment. Candles or gentle lighting is recommended.
Make sure you're wearing clothes made of soft materials that fit loosely and comfortably.
Soft music or nature sounds like flowing water or gentle winds can help clear your mind.
