Podcast Script: People affected by arthritis often find it difficult to complete everyday activities. Though exercise can help treat symptoms of arthritis, it is the daily routine movements that can often cause flare-ups or discomfort. Today, Jen Vido will provide pointers on simple adjustments you can make to be good to your joints beyond exercise.

Speaker: Hello. It can be difficult to live life with arthritis on a daily basis. Taking out the trash, driving to the store, and even walking around the house can be huge hurdles when dealing with this chronic condition. There are ways to protect your joints in almost every life situation. Simple adjustments can ease the stress and stiffness of your joints, making it easier to get through your day. As an arthritis sufferer for years, I recommend the following tips and advice for everyday living:

1. When driving, you can’t take the pain out of paying for gas, but you can make it less painful to pump it. Keep a disk-shaped, rubber jar opener in the car, then use it to twist off the gas cap.
2. Cleaning the house is always a chore. Make dusting easier by giving up that hard-to-grip dust rag. Instead, wear an old pair of gloves or socks on your hands to get the job done. Also stash a set of cleaning tools – including separate vacuum cleaners – on each floor or each side of your house. That way, you’ll always have supplies handy and won’t have to carry heavy equipment up and down stairs or across the house. 
3. Go for function, not fashion. Shoesshouldn't just look good; they should work well too. Look for flexible, supportive shoes that are squared or rounded at the toe so your toes can move around. A shoe with a rubber sole also will give you more cushion to the ball of your foot.
4. Work smarter. The majority of our work today is done on the computer, which can cause neck pains. In order to prevent neck pain, your upper body should be spaced 20 to 26 inches from your computer monitor, and make sure to keep the top of your computer level with the top of your head when it is in a neutral position. Have your arms hang comfortably at your sides, with elbows at a right angle, and your wrists relaxed while typing.
5. Try and lose weight. You won't just look better - you'll feel better, too. Every extra pound you gain puts four times the stress on your knees. Research has shown that losing as little as 11 pounds may cut your risk of osteoarthritis of the knee by 50 percent.
6. Make healthier food choices. One of the ways to do this is to boost your calcium intake, because a diet rich in calcium helps to keep your bones sturdy and can lower your risk of osteoporosis. There are plenty of calcium sources besides milk, including yogurt, broccoli, kale, figs, salmon and calcium supplements.
7. Try massages, ice, and heat. Massages are a great way to relieve tense muscles and reduce fatigue.  You can even use anti-inflammatory creams on occasion when your joints are sore. To alleviate pain and swelling, apply ice packs or cold compresses to the joints. Heat is best for alleviating pain and stiffness; try a warm bath or a microwaveable heat pack to help the joints.
8. Keep moving. Do your best not to live a sedentary lifestyle. Walking is a great way to get started. It is a low impact activity, and just 30 minutes a day can lead to better overall health. Not only will walking benefit your joints, but it also burns calories, strengthen your muscles, and builds stamina and bones.

These are just a few tips that can help you adjust your lifestyle to live a better life with your arthritis. For more ways to move visit www.letsmovetogether.org!

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