Arthritis pain relief -
But these drugs have side effects, mainly when used in high doses for long periods. Side effects include ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, reduced clotting, kidney function troubles, and allergic reactions.
Tylenol acetaminophen is another OTC pain-relief medication to manage arthritis. It works by reducing how the brain perceives pain. It does not decrease inflammation but can be an option for people who cannot use NSAIDs. Acetaminophen can cause side effects, including skin reactions and liver damage, if taken in large doses over prolonged periods or when used with too much alcohol.
Topical pain relievers are applied directly to the skin to dull joint pain. They can sometimes make skin feel hot or cold. Because they do not affect the whole body, they have fewer side effects than oral pain relievers.
Your OTC topical pain relief options include:. Read the product labeling for OTC pain relievers carefully and measure doses according to those directions. A healthcare provider can also prescribe stronger versions of available OTC topicals if needed to manage your joint pain.
Pain and inflammation can be managed using NSAIDs. But these medicines, especially when taken in high doses and for long periods, can eventually lead to liver and kidney problems, heart attacks, strokes, gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and other serious health issues.
Alternative therapies, including topical pain relievers, complementary remedies, herbs, and supplements, can help you avoid these risks. Complementary arthritis remedies are healthcare practices that are not part of traditional medicine. Many of these have evidence and safety studies behind them and are sometimes combined with conventional therapies.
This ancient Chinese medical practice uses thin needles inserted at specific points in the body. Research shows it offers short-term relief for people with arthritis.
While there is little evidence of its long-term benefits, the risk of harm with acupuncture is low. Omega-3 fatty acids are known for reducing inflammation, and an increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids might reduce your pain and stiffness.
They may even protect your joints from damage. The most common sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish oil and flaxseed. You can get your omega-3 fatty acids from your diet or supplements.
Some herbal or dietary supplements might reduce joint pain, but there is not enough research evidence on which supplements best treat arthritis pain or inflammation.
Herbal and dietary supplement options that might reduce arthritis pain include:. The Food and Drug Administration FDA does not monitor herbal and dietary supplements for quality and safety, so buying your supplements from a reputable source is important.
Talk to your healthcare provider before you try a new supplement, as some can cause serious side effects or adverse drug reactions.
The research on massage shows some evidence that massage is superior to nonactive therapies for reducing pain and improving function. Your options for massage include going to a day spa, getting a massage as part of physical therapy, and using handheld devices or massage chairs.
Research on mindfulness meditation , biofeedback , and relaxation training shows these therapies can improve function and offer higher pain tolerance in people with arthritis. These therapies are designed to bring about relaxation or mindful responses, resulting in a reduced negative response, slower breathing, reduced heart rate, and lower blood pressure , which is the opposite of a stress response.
You can learn about mindfulness meditation, biofeedback, or relaxation techniques through educational videos and websites or from a mental health professional. The symptoms of anxiety and depression are common in American adults with arthritis, says the CDC.
These symptoms can lead to reduced treatment responses and a poor quality of life. But improving your mental health and treating mood disorders might lead to less joint pain. Let your healthcare provider know if you experience symptoms of anxiety or depression or seek out treatment or referrals to therapists or other mental health services.
Tai chi is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and uses movements and positions to slow down the body and mind. Some studies have found it to help reduce pain and stiffness and improve physical function in people with arthritis.
You can learn about tai chi by taking a class or locating educational videos online. Like tai chi, yoga is an ancient practice that brings together the mind and body through breathing exercises, meditation, and poses that encourage relaxation and stress reduction. Regular yoga training has been found to help reduce arthritis symptoms, promote physical function, and improve general well-being.
Studies have also found some benefits for reducing RA pain and inflammation. Cannabidiol CBD products, including CBD oil, might help relieve arthritis pain and inflammation, improve sleep, and reduce anxiety. CBD oil contains extracts from cannabis plants, and many people use it to manage chronic pain conditions.
Unfortunately, there has been a lack of scientific evidence to date proving CBD can be an effective arthritis treatment for humans. If you want CBD to manage your pain, being cautious and educating yourself on the risks is crucial.
Inform your healthcare provider so they can monitor you and ensure you are not at risk for adverse drug interactions. Inflammatory arthritis conditions, like RA, psoriatic arthritis , and ankylosing spondylitis , are treated with prescription medicines.
These include:. Assistive devices can make tasks easier on your joints. These products keep joints in the best position for functioning so you can avoid injury and extend your range of motion without pain.
Simple devices, such as jar openers, reachers, zipper pulls, and easy-grip utensils, are available to purchase online and can make your life with arthritis a lot easier.
If you have mobility troubles, a therapist, such as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or orthotist, can recommend mobility devices and aids can help you determine what might best help you. Mobility devices and aids that can be helpful for people with arthritis include:. If arthritis leads to severe joint damage, you may need surgery to fix or replace damaged joints, reduce pain, and improve joint function.
Surgical options for people with arthritis include:. Surgery is considered when all other options for treating arthritis pain have failed or joints no longer work because they are too damaged. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two common types of arthritis.
If left untreated, arthritis can lead to joint damage and mobility and function troubles. Fortunately, you have plenty of pain relief options. Some are available over the counter as oral medicines and topical therapies.
Others require a prescription and are available as pills, topical medicines, injections, and IV treatments. Physical activity and physical therapy are safe and easy options to manage arthritis and reduce pain and stiffness. Your healthcare provider might also recommend natural options for managing pain, from ice and heat therapy to supplements and herbs, massage, acupuncture, mindful meditation, yoga, and more.
It is also vital to protect your joints by using assistive devices and mobility aids. Surgery might be considered for damaged joints, especially when all other therapies have failed. Discuss all your treatment options with your healthcare provider. Talk to your healthcare provider before trying natural remedies because some of these may pose harm or affect how prescription treatments work.
Lindler BN, Long KE, Taylor NA, Lei W. Use of herbal medications for treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. National Institute on Aging. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rheumatoid arthritis.
Exercise to ease arthritis pain. Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J. Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury. Postgrad Med. Osteoarthritis: care and management. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence NICE ; Dec NICE Clinical Guidelines, No.
Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al. Arthritis Care Res Hoboken. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Arthritis and complementary health approaches: what the science says.
Khanna S, Jaiswal KS, Gupta B. Managing rheumatoid arthritis with dietary interventions. Front Nutr. Chen L, Michalsen A. However, many facilities offer out-of-hours access on a paid basis — contact your local hospital for details.
Local swimming pools tend to be cooler than aquatic therapy pools, but exercise classes such as aqua-aerobics provide a safe and fun way of exercising. Alternatively, local hotels with spa or aquatic therapy facilities may provide swimming or aqua classes.
An occupational therapist OT may also suggest wearing a splint. They can be ready-made from soft, flexible material such as neoprene, or tailor-made by the OT from a type of plastic to specifically fit your joints. Splints may be suggested for various reasons, such as to rest the joint and reduce pain or to correctly position the joints to prevent deformity and improve function.
The OT will recommend when you should wear the splint and how long for. Overuse of splints can lead to muscle loss due to lack of use. You should also take it off regularly to allow your skin to breathe. Cognitive behavioural therapies CBT is a term used for a wide range of psychological approaches designed either:.
CBT includes assessing and understanding these connections and then finding ways to modify them to tackle the problem. For example, if fear of pain is causing you to avoid physical activity, then these methods can help in facing those fears.
It aims to help focus your attention on present-moment experiences rather than on the thoughts you may hold about those experiences. There are many psychologists and other professionals who provide training in mindfulness. You might find you feel more focused and your mind seems less busy after doing this exercise.
This exercise is based on one described by a physician and therapist called Russ Harris. Russ and other professionals, including Tobias Lundgren, JoAnne Dahl and Steve Hayes, have written a number or books and workbooks you might find useful.
Long-term pain can greatly affect your ability to carry out daily activities. You may find certain movements are particularly painful so you avoid them altogether. And trying some of the ideas below may help to minimise the pain relief medicines you need to take.
Long-term pain affects the way you move your body. You may stop using specific joints as you normally would, or you might reduce your level of activity overall. And by trying to protect the painful area you may put strain on other parts of the body, resulting in secondary pain.
Increasing your physical activity and maintaining a good posture can help you cope more effectively with pain by:. Simple things like aiming to walk a little more each day will lead to gradual but important improvements in your physical fitness.
But more structured forms of physical activity will increase the benefit. Community activity or exercise groups are an excellent way of increasing physical activity and have the added benefit of meeting other people. Leisure or community centres, libraries and GP surgeries often hold details of local activities.
Walking is particularly good for your health. Walks are designed for all abilities. Yoga has been shown to be helpful for low back pain, reducing pain and helping people to perform everyday activities more comfortably.
Whatever type of physical activity you prefer, check that your instructor is properly qualified. Take some time to speak to them about your specific needs before starting an activity.
Increasing your general level of activity is the best long-term strategy to manage and cope with persistent pain. Your physiotherapist will assess your difficulties before showing you specific exercises to move your joints, strengthen your muscles and improve your coordination and balance.
An occupational therapist OT will be able to offer further advice on joint protection techniques. Your OT will be able to advise you on the gadgets available and may also make suggestions on how to reorganise your home or work environment to reduce unnecessary strain. If you have long-term pain then you may also experience extreme tiredness fatigue.
A key aspect in managing pain and fatigue is finding the right balance between activity and rest, otherwise known as pacing. Too much rest is likely to increase stiffness and over time can result in the muscles weakening, so that getting active again becomes harder than ever.
Try taking short breaks of 3—5 minutes every 30—45 minutes to sit and rest your joints. Or you might find that even shorter breaks of 30 seconds every 5—10 minutes might suit your lifestyle better.
Try also to switch between jobs that you find tiring and those you find easier or more enjoyable. Finding time for the things you enjoy in between the things you need to do will be good for your mental wellbeing.
Your occupational therapist , physiotherapist or psychologist can offer further advice on pacing your activities. You may find it helpful to make a note of your daily activities and highlight times when pain or fatigue caused difficulties.
This will help you to spot any patterns and may suggest possible solutions. Many people find that learning relaxation techniques can help in managing pain and reducing stress. There are a number of options available.
Some approaches take you off on a scenic journey describing restful locations this is known as guided imagery , while others focus on tensing and relaxing various parts of your body progressive muscle relaxation. You may need to attend a class to learn some of the techniques, but regular practice will increase the effectiveness of relaxation.
Often brief spells of relaxation that you can incorporate into your activities work best. Longer relaxation exercises that act as a form of escape from reality are perhaps less useful, though you may want to try them occasionally.
Pain may make it difficult to get to sleep or it may wake you from your sleep. If you often lose sleep this can make the pain seem worse, which in turn can disturb your sleep even more. Establishing a regular bedtime routine may help to break this cycle. You might want to try a warm bath, calming music or relaxation techniques before going to bed.
A supportive pillow, and avoiding caffeine or watching TV close to bedtime may also help. Your occupational therapist can help you to identify other things that might help to improve your sleep. However, there are very effective psychological methods for improving sleep.
It can be challenging to remain in work if you have long-term pain. Learning practical things that you can do to help manage the pain, such as joint protection, pacing, exercise and relaxation, will help. If your company has an occupational health advisor, you may want to discuss this with them.
Occupational therapists can help by assessing work tasks in order to modify and reduce the effort required. They may recommend changes to your physical working environment and can provide support by liaising with your employer.
Some may carry out workplace assessments with you. These techniques are often helpful after an injury and for sudden flare-ups of arthritis or back pain. A useful first step in forming a pain management plan is to think about how your pain affects your life.
There may be other things on your list as well. Weigh up the benefit you got from each method against the time and energy you put into it. Use this to decide:. When we have problems, we automatically try to work them out.
Telief Arthritis pain relief have arthritis, making certain erlief to your diet and lifestyle can Arthritis pain relief a big releif to your joint pain. Try one or more of Arrhritis strategies to help you relieve achy joints and stay active. What you eat may have a direct connection with inflammatory flares or pain relief in your joints. Research suggests following an anti-inflammatory, plant-based diet that emphasizes unprocessed, whole foods may help relieve arthritis joint inflammation, thereby reducing stiffness and pain. Musculoskeletal system. Back to Osteoarthritis. There's no cure Hypertension risk factors osteoarthritis, but reelief condition pqin not necessarily get any Arthritis pain relief over time. There are a Repief of Aryhritis to help relieve the symptoms. In a few cases, where other treatments have not been helpful, surgery to repair, strengthen or replace damaged joints may also be considered. Exercise is one of the most important treatments for people with osteoarthritis, whatever your age or level of fitness.
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