Nearly 50 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with chronic arthritis. Also known as the ‘disease of the affluent society,’ this diagnosis is on the rise due to our increased lifespan and healthier lifestyles.
Despite the commonality of this diagnosis, it is incredibly debilitating. Pain and reduced mobility are just some of the side effects of arthritis. However, these symptoms can be managed and dealt with more easily when appropriate steps are taken.
Here are some tips to help you manage arthritis pain and continue living happy and healthy lives.
Consult Your Doctor
One of the most important things you can do is to talk to your pain management doctor. They can help you create a customized treatment plan that may include medication, physical therapy, or other interventions. Other tips include staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress.
Everyone experiences pain differently, so it’s important to experiment to find what works for you.
Over-The-Counter Medications
There are a few things that can help when it comes to managing arthritis pain with over-the-counter medications. First, it is important to understand which medications are best for the specific type of pain that is being experienced. It is also important to take these medications or drugs for arthritis at the recommended times to maximize their effectiveness.
Also, it is often helpful to combine different types of medication to provide the most relief possible.
Heat or Cold Therapy
There are a couple of different things you can do to help manage arthritis pain about the heat or cold therapy. If you tend to feel pain more in the morning, try a hot shower to help loosen up your muscles and joints. You can also try using a heating pad on a low setting for 20-30 minutes at a time.
If you find that your pain is worsened by heat, try using an ice pack for 15-20 minutes at a time.
Massage or Acupuncture
For more severe cases, however, massage or acupuncture may be recommended. These therapies can help to increase circulation and reduce inflammation, both of which can help to ease the pain. If you are considering massage or acupuncture for your arthritis pain, be sure to consult with your doctor first to ensure that it is safe for you to do so.
Massage can help to increase circulation and reduce inflammation, while acupuncture can help to relieve pain and improve the range of motion. Both of these modalities can be very helpful in the management of arthritis pain. Many things can be done to help manage arthritis pain, and massage or acupuncture are two of them. For more information on acupuncture head over to City Acupuncture.
Tips on How to Manage Arthritis Pain
There are many things you can do to help manage arthritis pain. Talk to your doctor about what treatments are right for you. You may need to try a few different treatments to find what works best for you.
You can also take steps to prevent pain, such as exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.
Looking for tips to live life to the fullest after arthritis? Check out our blog for lifestyle tips.