Managing Arthritis Pain

If you have arthritis, you know how painful it can be. You can go along for months at a time without out problems or pain—then suddenly the arthritis pain is a constant on-going problem for weeks or months on end. There are many ways to manage and to help control the pain. Many of these are highly recommended by the medical community while others are controversial.

You should first obtain the help of a specialist in diagnosing your condition and to obtain help in controlling the arthritis pain. Some of the most common ways to help reduce or eliminate the pain include:

Medication may be used to reduce the inflammation and relieve pain. These can include over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs or a special prescription for medication.

Massage therapy can bring warmth and relaxation to the painful area. You may massage your own muscles and joints or ask your doctor to recommend a professional who is trained to give massages.   (It should be noted that a regular relaxation massage is not the same as a therapeutic massage.)

A new practice gaining credibility in the United States is acupuncture as an arthritis treatment therapy. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice of inserting small, thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. The needles may stimulate nerves to block the pain signal and this procedure is generally safe and has few side effects. Acupuncture may reduce moderate pain for some people while other people will find no relief with this process. If you decide to try acupuncture, make sure that you find a qualified professional.

Physical therapy can be used to help you learn how to correctly move your joints and to keep them from getting too stiff. One method used is ultrasound therapy. It uses high-energy sound waves to help the painful joints and muscles.

Think that arthritis and exercise do not mix? If so, you are wrong. Many years ago, it was though that people with arthritis should not exercise because it would further damage the joints. Research has now shown that an exercise regiment is an important part in managing your arthritis pain.
Regular, moderate exercise offers many benefits to people with arthritis pain. The most important benefit is that regular exercise greatly reduces joint pain and stiffness by building strong muscle around the joints, and it increases flexibility and stamina.   An exercise program can include anything from riding your exercise bike, participating in a swimming class, walking around the block, or taking a yoga class.

The management of your arthritis pain depending on you. The more proactive you become in your medical treatment and by exercising on a daily basis, the better your quality of life will be. It will not be easy, but consider the option of not being able to walk and becoming totally disabled.   Your arthritis pain may never go completely away, but you can help control it. It is all up to you.

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Managing Arthritis Pain

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