Relieve Arthritis Pain—Today and Every Day

Don’t let pain keep you from doing the things you love.

TylenolPhoto: Shutterstock

If you live with arthritis, you know that it affects more than just your joints. The pain goes beyond the morning stiffness, the swelling, the tenderness that can last for days on end. Pain hits you emotionally, be it by reducing your desire to socialize or by affecting your mood. Arthritis can limit your quality of life and stop you from pursuing what you love—hobbies, travel, enjoying time with family and friends—in order to avoid the pain.

You are not alone: according to the Arthritis Society, 1 in 5 Canadians live with arthritis*. While there is no cure, there are ways to relieve and prevent arthritis pain. Here are some tips for pain management to help you take back your day—and your life.

NATURAL REMEDIES
For natural ways to relieve pain in the short term, think heat and cold. Heat methods, such as hot baths and showers, electric blankets and mitts, or heating pads can help relax tight, aching muscles. Cold methods, such as compresses, cold packs, or even bags of frozen vegetables can help numb the area to reduce pain. Remember to be gentle: don’t use heat or cold methods for longer than 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

TOP TIPS:
• For relief from pain and stiffness, time your use of heat or cold strategically, like after you wake up in the morning and before exercising.

OVER-THE-COUNTER (“OTC”) MEDICATIONS
When considering OTC options, look for a medication that is fast-acting. TYLENOL® Arthritis Pain is a good choice—thanks to the patented bi-layer caplet, the first layer starts working fast, and the second gives you extended relief—for up to 8 hours. Plus, it’s gentle on the stomach lining. It’s no wonder that TYLENOL® Arthritis was voted Canada’s Most Trusted Brand of arthritis pain reliever for five years in a row**.

TOP TIPS:
• Try TYLENOL® Muscle Aches & Body Pain to help with your tough muscle, body, and joint pain. It provides relief that lasts for up to 8 hours. (To be sure any medication is right for you, always read and follow the label.)

PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES
Regular exercise is a great way to prevent arthritis pain; it helps by strengthening your muscles, increasing flexibility and reducing swelling. It can also give you more energy, which goes a long way to helping you make it through the day. Exercise is a long-term pain management strategy, so find a sport or workout you love and get to it! Be sure to consult with your doctor before beginning an exercise program and start slowly—overdoing it can lead to more pain, not less.

TOP TIPS:
• Always warm up before and cool down after physical activity. For some easy back, knee, hip and hand exercises, visit www.Tylenol.ca.

TYLENOL® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson
* The Arthritis Society. http://www.arthritis.ca (accessed May 15, 2018)
** 2018 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Survey
Trusted Brand is a registered trademark of Reader’s Digest