Desperately Seeking Arthritis Pain Relief

Unfortunately arthritis pain is something that most people will have to go through at some point in their life. It’s estimated one third of all adults have arthritis. Arthritis pain is even one of the leading causes of disabilities. There are many different types of arthritis but they all have in common the need to find arthritis pain relief.

Arthritis causes tissues to swell and joints to be inflamed and painful. Cold weather can increase pain symptoms. Because of this, many people have discovered they can find arthritis pain relief by using heat on the affected area. Warm packs, electric heating pads, warm towels or blankets and even creams and gels that have a warming action can be used directly to the affected area to provide pain relief.

For some this isn’t enough. Anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to reduce the inflammation. There are steroids that will give this type of relief as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) that can be purchased by prescription and over the counter. Herbal remedies with anti-inflammatory properties can also be used for arthritis pain relief. It’s important to discuss these with your doctor or a pharmacist to make sure there won’t be any drug reactions with other medications you are taking.

In most cases of arthritis there is a lack of glucosamine in the body. Your body needs glucosamine to protect the joints. Chondroiton is also naturally produced by the body and needed for healthy bones tendons and other tissues. When these two substances are taken together in a supplement they produce anti-inflammatory effect without unwanted side effects. This gives arthritis pain relief and helps to rebuild cartilage in affected joints.

Arthritis pain relief can also be achieved through massage. There are several different massage techniques. Reflexology massage is done at pressure points to help different areas in the body while Swedish tile massage is used to relax the affected area and stimulate blood flow to that area. This helps to relax the tissues directly involved and give pain relief. Deep tissue massage is done deeper to reach the muscles and joints to increase movement and decrease pain. It is believed that massage, done on a regular basis, helps to rid the body of any toxins that may be in the system to help reduce swelling as well as pain and stiffness.

Nutrition also plays an important part in arthritis pain control. Increasing foods that have omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce inflammation. Eating fresh vegetables grains and legumes and only a small amount of meat has also been shown to be beneficial.

Regular exercise can also give arthritis pain relief. Arthritic joints that are not moved on a regular basis can stiffen up and lose mobility. It’s important to use what mobility you have and two range of motion exercises to continue with motion that you have and increase mobility where mobility has been lost.

Acupuncture can also be used for arthritis pain. Many people find acupuncture highly effective in treating arthritis pain. Given the fact that acupuncture does not have side effects and doesn’t add medications that are unnatural or contain toxins to the body it is a first choice for many people.

Each person has slightly different symptoms with their arthritis and each case should be treated on an individual basis. Arthritis can be very debilitating. Once you find what works for you stick with it. People who find it difficult to achieve arthritis pain relief can discus taking stronger medications with their Physician.