7. Viewing Surgery as a Quick Fix
Some people explore surgical options to treat their arthritis pain. While surgery undoubtedly has its place in joint replacement, research shows that surgical attempts to repair arthritic joints are mostly ineffective (19).
Arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder, which means that the body will continue to attack soft tissue (and bone) after surgical intervention. In instances where the diagnosis occurs after an injury or illness, surgery may only worsen your condition.
In any case, surgery is not a quick fix. It is invasive and aggressive, and should only be a last resort. Even if the surgery itself goes well, there are multiple complications that can occur during the healing process (20).
8. Underestimating the Importance of Good Sleep
Sleep is the body’s way of repairing itself: fighting inflammation, reducing swelling (21). Believe it or not, individuals with arthritis actually need more sleep than those without arthritis (22).
Unfortunately, loss of sleep or difficulty sleeping can be easily dismissed as a side effect of arthritis pain and, as a result, isn’t addressed.
The fact of the matter is that getting enough sleep is just as important as any other form of active arthritis management. In fact. lack of sleep can (and will) make the pain and inflammation worse (23).
Full-blown insomnia is not unusual in arthritis patients, so be sure to discuss lack of sleep with your doctor and explore natural remedies to address the issue.