Arthritis Pain Relief
If you or your loved ones are living with arthritis pain then you are not alone! There are more than 40 million Americans suffering from arthritis right now. Arthritis comes in many forms affecting the various joints including your knees, hips, shoulders, fingers, etc. With over 100 different types, it can be important to ensure the arthritis is correctly diagnosed in order to get the best care.
Arthritis can cause ordinary tasks to become incredibly difficult. This is due to the swelling and pain associated with movement. Certain forms can also affect the heart, lungs, eyes, etc. making it even more important for regular visits to your primary care. Because there is no cure, many individuals get frustrated with the regular pain and swelling. However, there ARE ways to reduce flare-ups and reduce inflammation.
Getting Ahead of the Issues
Regular MD appointments are the first step towards managing and living a better life with arthritis. In these appointments you will be able to note your pains and discomforts. MDs can provide many different treatment options for the aches and pains that come along with inflammation or swelling of your joints.
The next step of arthritis management is regular exercise. A regular exercise routine is essential in order to prevent joint destruction and maintain current functions. The many benefits of regular exercise can also be found here. Essentially, the key is to keep your body moving and active. This is because certain types of arthritis (including rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis) can leave permanent deformities.
Exercise for Arthritis Pain
Individuals with all forms of arthritis often avoid regular exercise due to fear of pain. However, regular exercise is key in overall joint health. Your MD can often prescribe visits with a therapist, which will help you get started. Therapists can provide modifications and modalities to assist in pain reduction in addition to regular exercises to complete. Insurance coverage varies for frequency and number of visits. But don’t be afraid to call your insurance company if you need further treatment.
It is important to complete regular stretching and exercises daily. Since there is no cure for arthritis, eventually joint destruction may occur. The key is to incorporate regular exercise as soon as possible. Even adding only a few exercises can provide increase in range of motion and strength in the muscles. This will assist with preventing inflammation and ultimately reduce pain.
Exercise also contributes to weight loss, which can be a huge factor in significant joint pain of the hips or knees. Excess weight means excess strain on joints. I know, I know, it sounds like we’re focusing a lot on exercise, but honestly it plays a huge part in overall health.
Compression Gloves for Swelling
For individuals with arthritis in the hand (as well as rheumatoid arthritis or forms of psoriatic arthritis) it may be beneficial to use compression gloves. Compression gloves offer pain relief and comfort when the joints become inflamed. They assist with circulation, protection of the joint, and ultimately assist with reduction in swelling and inflammation. Compression gloves can be purchased relatively inexpensively and worn as tolerated or as the individual finds comfort or relief.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Certain foods have anti-inflammatory effects and have been found to also reduce risk of infection. Chronic inflammation has also been linked to diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and diabetes to name a few. Therefore lowering your chronic inflammation can have more positive health benefits than simply decreased pain. The anti-inflammatory diet is a fairly simple concept, cut out foods that increase inflammation and increase foods that reduce inflammation.
Treatment Options
Most treatment options for the many forms of arthritis involve differing medications and modalities. Medications vary from over the counter NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to medicines simply focused on pain relief, such as tramadol or acetaminophen. Although we are typically more focused on the pain from arthritis as it can limit activities. What you should also be thinking about, is the actual underlying issue with arthritis, which is the inflammation. Simply addressing the pain is not enough.
Another option is adding more turmeric to your diet. Turmeric has been used for arthritis for many years due to its anti-inflammatory properties derived from the curcumin in turmeric. If taking turmeric in capsule form the Arthritis Foundation suggests 400mg to 600mg 3x a day.
Other ways to reduce inflammation include cold packs, for when the joint is most inflamed. The use of heat can also aid in keeping the joints loose and mobile. Having a compress pack that can handle both hot and cold is the most beneficial item to have for joint pain and inflammation. You can find them all over the internet, at drug stores and some grocery stores, but our personal favorite can be found here. It comes with two gel packs that can be used for both hot and cold as well as a wrap to attach it to the affected area. And even better, it stay in place when you wrap it to the joint!
Last Resort
In some cases the joint is too damaged to be repaired and other options need to be considered. Sometimes, the joint can be surgically repaired or adjusted through a small incision for a minor surgery. Other times, the joint is far too damaged to be saved and must be replaced. Replacements are most commonly performed on larger joints like hips and knees, but in some specific cases can be performed on shoulders and elbows. When making decisions on joint replacement, be sure you’ve attempted many other alternatives prior to surgery. This is because joint replacement does not guarantee decreased pain. Although many people do find relief after joint replacement, it is not guaranteed and is not an option for everyone.
Ultimately there are many ways to combat arthritis pain but the best is to seek out professional help from your PCP. There are many remedies and we hope atleast one of these can offer you some relief from your arthritis pain.
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