How to take charge of arthritis pain

The chronic nature of a disease like arthritis means that a cure probably isn't possible: In all likelihood, you will have arthritis for the rest of your life, so you will have to manage the problem one way or another. Just how you will do this is up to you.

• One unfortunate but all-too-common reaction to a chronic disease like arthritis is simply resigning oneself to it.
• This is a condition psychologists refer to as "learned helplessness." A somewhat better management style is to just do whatever your doctor tells you to do.
• But the best approach of all — the one most likely to ease your pain, improve your mobility and allow you to live life to the fullest — is to manage your arthritis in a positive way: in short, to take charge of it and choose the life you want to live, rather than the one you might think arthritis will let you have.

• Taking charge of your arthritis is not all that different from being a manager in the business world.
• For example, top managers rely on consultants when making certain decisions. In your case, those consultants include family members, friends and, of course, health care professionals like your doctor, pharmacist or physiotherapist.
• But ultimately, all they can really offer you is advice. Since you are the manager of your arthritis, it's up to you to put their recommendations into action.

• Arthritis self-help courses available in your community are often useful but they're not for everyone.
• You may not want to follow the programs offered.
• But even if you're not a program person, you may find that pursuing just a few of the steps — getting to know your problem, for example, or thinking about your long-term goals — can make an important difference in the way you feel.