Arthritis can be painful, debilitating, and disruptive. It can prevent you from doing what you love, and even force you to alter your daily routines.
Almost a quarter of all Americans – some 55.4 million people – have been diagnosed with arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. It is likely the actual number of arthritis sufferers is much larger, to account for all the undiagnosed cases.
So, what treatment methods can relieve arthritis pain? And for how long?
Medication, both over-the-counter and prescription-based, offers only temporary relief. While our first instinct may be to reach into the medicine cabinet to soothe our chronic joint pain, it is not an adequate or effective long-term strategy for those with arthritis.
Many doctors recommend that patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis first try other methods to quell the inflammation and joint pain they’re experiencing.
The good news is that there are a number of alternative, noninvasive treatment options to help relieve arthritis symptoms, such as:
- Hot and cold therapy: Use both heat and ice in the area, alternating the two. The cold will help with pain relief and swelling, while the heat can help with blood flow and reducing inflammation.
- Topical treatments: Topical creams, gels, and patches use sodium channel blockers that numb nerve endings close to the skin, helping to relieve pain.
- Diet and exercise: Eating a healthy diet and regular exercise is very beneficial for those with arthritis. Keeping joints in motion can help reduce swelling and flexibility – helping to keep the joints from stiffening up. Be sure to eat plenty of omega-3s and vitamin C.
To learn more about how you can manage your arthritis pain without taking medications, call Orthopaedic Associates at (440) 892-1440 to request an appointment.