How you can nip arthritis pain in the bud!

Health Articles | November 19, 2006

Pain is the primary symptom of arthritis. While all types of arthritis cause pain, there are specific steps you can take that should help.

The following are some simple steps you can take to relieve the pain associated with arthritis…

First of all take the prescribed medication the proper way. Do not take more than the advised dosage. Ask your doctor about possible drug interactions. If the medicines don’t seem to be effective, you will probably need to try other types. Different medicines relieve pain via different pathways. Ask your doctor which pain medicine approach is best for your type of arthritis. The subject of medicines for pain can be found in another article.

Rest. Sometimes resting an inflamed joint will help relieve pain a lot.

Apply heat or ice. Depending on the problem, heat or ice may help. Heat is generally better for chronic muscle soreness and spasm whereas ice works better for acute muscle problems as well as primary joint complaints.

Weight loss is advised if weight-bearing joints are involved (low back, hips, knees) and you are overweight.

Exercise strengthens the muscles that protect the joints and improves range of motion. Exercise can also increase endorphin production by the brain and alleviate pain.

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation units (TENS) are small portable electrical devices that block pain signal transmission. These units are safe and easy to use.

Herbal supplements such as boswellia, turmeric, capsaicin, and nutraceuticals such as omega-3 oils and glucosamine/chondroitin may be every effective in relieving pain due to arthritis.

Acupuncture has been shown in multiple controlled studies to be effective for the pain related to osteoarthritis. It also is useful for fibromyalgia.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is another modality that is particularly helpful in fibromyalgia. This uses the power of the mind to help lead the patient to a more pain-free way of thinking. Closely related modalities such as meditation and self-hypnosis are also valuable.

Massage therapy can be useful in situations where there is a lot of muscle spasm and tension.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nathan Wei, MD, FACP, FACR is a rheumatologist and Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland (http://www.aocm.org). He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and consultant to the National Institutes of Health. For more info: Arthritis Pain Relief