Problem: Article: Some people have luck with taking fish oil supplements, particularly those with EPA and DHA, which are omega-3 fatty acids. The idea is that the Western diet is low in omega-3 fatty acids. These acids may have anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, a supplement may help with tenderness and stiffness, particularly in the morning. Choose a supplement with at least 1,000 mg of combined EPA and DHA. However, take fish oil with caution, as it can decrease your blood's ability to clot. You can also increase your intake of these acids from natural sources, such as flax seed and algae. Some evidence shows GLA (another omega-3 fatty acid) may also be helpful. Borage, evening primrose, and black currant seeds all contain GLA, which you can take in a supplement form. However, be aware that these can interact with other medications you may be on. For instance, evening primrose may interact with psychiatric drugs, while borage can increase your risk of liver damage. Try 2.8 grams a day of borage oil, 10.5 grams a day of black currant seed oil, or 6 grams a day of evening primrose. Curcumin the active ingredient found in the spice turmeric, said to be anti-inflammatory. You can curcumin directly from eating turmeric, or you can take it as a supplement. Some people who take a supplement of curcumin find they have less swelling and stiffness. Some also find they can walk farther. Take 500 mg of curcumin 2 times per day. Always be sure to check with your doctor before you begin taking curcumin or turmeric for RA. Cat's claw, also known as uncaria tomentosa, can help with inflammation. In fact, there is some evidence it works like prescription rheumatoid arthritis drugs. Some people who take this supplement notice less joint swelling. It may also help with the pain. You can take 250-350 mg daily. You shouldn't take cat's claw if you have tuberculosis, low blood pressure, or if you're on a blood-thinning or immune-suppressant medication. Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis take a supplement of feverfew. They believe it helps with grip strength. You can take this supplement in powder form, as much as 70 to 86 milligrams of the powder daily. This supplement, sometimes called Thunder God Vine, has been used in China for hundreds of years to treat joint pain. It also may help with stiffness, grip strength, and swelling. You can take 60 milligrams a day. This herb is highly controversial, as it has been known to have serious side effects ranging from infertility to death. Only use TWH with extreme caution, and always consult your doctor before starting a TWH treatment.
Summary: Try fish oil to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. Use curcumin for swelling and stiffness. Use cat's claw to help with swelling and pain. Take feverfew to improve your grip. Take Tripterygium wilfordii hook F (TWH) to treat joint pain.

Problem: Article: When it finally comes time to lay your carpet runner, it's best to start at the very top and work your way down. That way, you'll have gravity on your side, and it'll be much easier to cut any runoff carpet at the end. If you traced the carpet outline at the beginning of the project, it should be an easy matter of getting the carpet situation between the two as close as you can. Take care to press the carpet under the nose and tug the rest out to make sure you're getting just as much carpet as you need. Work down to the last step; when you're done, the carpet should be covering the expected ground, but the outline of the steps may not be fully visible. Make sure each step is as good as it can get before you move down to the next-- any mistake will cause a load of undue strain later on once the project is supposedly complete. A carpet knee-kicker will get the carpet planted firmly in areas that may be otherwise difficult to reach. Place the front edge of your carpet knee-kicker on center of the runner about two inches from the riser and apply pressure until the carpet is locked in. They can be remarkably satisfying to use, and will give your stairs a much tighter look than if done without. Lean on the front knob of the kicker with one hand, and use the other hand to keep the kicker's shaft level. You can also use a carpet chisel. The dull edge helps tighten up corners and is easier to use on stairs or in tight quarters. As with previous steps, the last part of using the knee-kicker should be making sure you got the job done to your satisfaction. Without kicking in properly, you may have too much carpet or too little, and it'll require uprooting or even destroying the progress you've made. Before you move on, you should ensure that the carpet is being snagged by the tackless strip at the far end of the tread. If the tackless strips aren't properly clinging to the carpet, it could result in the carpet getting bumpy a few years down the road. Using a chisel or other thin tool, press the angle between the step's height and tread to make sure it's getting hooked in. At the bottom, there should be a little bit of runoff. From here, it's just a simple matter of cutting the excess carpet away with a carpet knife. Feel free to do what you will with the remainder of the carpet. Some people are quick to throw them out, while others like to find practical uses for them. Having a powerful stapler designed for home improvement is necessary to finish things off and get your carpet snug and perfect. When stapling, push stapler through the carpet pile and against the backing before pulling the trigger. Staple on the underside of the step noses, and nearest the angle between the tread and height. Staple at three inch intervals for optimal stability. Alternatively, you can use carpet glue instead of staples. Make absolutely certain that the carpet is exactly where you want it to be before you staple. After you staple, it will be next to impossible to correct any mistakes.
Summary:
Start at the top of the staircase. Place runner between layout pencil marks. Press your carpet into the outline of the steps with a carpet knee-kicker. Verify the kicking is complete once you're done. Verify your work is correct. Carefully cut any excess carpet at the bottom of the steps. Staple each step through to the wood.