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Arthritis Pain Relief Overview
In order to relieve arthritis pain, it is important to determine the appropriate arthritis pain treatment. Through pain management, coping with a chronic illness can make it easier to deal with arthritis pain and the affect it has on your life.
In order to determine the arthritis pain treatment that is right for you, you must first diagnose the type of arthritis you are suffering from. Due to the vast number of types of arthritis one can suffer from, there are a number of tests and exercises your doctor will perform to assist in the diagnosis as well as to rule out any other condition that may be the cause of your illness.
Treatment plans vary from one patient to the next and before finding the right arthritis pain treatment, you may have to try a few before finding the one for you. Lifestyle, occupation, medical history and body weight will be deciding factors in treatment for your arthritis pain.
What is Arthritis and What Causes Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints, though not only the joints may be affected. Often, other parts of the body such as muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and some internal organs may be affected by arthritis.
When the joints become inflamed, there may be swelling, heat or redness or damage to the joint. Depending on the cause of your arthritis will often dictate when you experience arthritis pain. For example, some may experience pain when they first get out of bed after not having had movement for an extended period of time. Others may experience pain after prolonged use of the affected joint.
Everyone has a different level of pain tolerance and there are a number of factors that attribute to your tolerance. These factors are both physical and emotional.
Treatment for Arthritis Pain
Once your doctor has determined the type of arthritis you are suffering from, they will work with you to design an Arthritis Pain Treatment Plan that will allow you to experience relief from your arthritis pain.
The treatment will minimize your arthritis pain and will improve the function of your joints that will be both short and long term.
Short term arthritis pain treatment
Medication - depending on the type of arthritis, you may be instructed to take acetaminophen (for those who have little to no inflammation, or aspirin or an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen for those who have inflammation.
Heat/Cold therapy - warm bath or showers or a heating pad may offer arthritis pain relief. An ice pack wrapped in a towel will usually reduce swelling. Your doctor will advise you as part of your treatment plan depending on the type of arthritis you are suffering from and based on your medical history/condition.
Splint/Brace - depending on your level of activity and lifestyle, your doctor may recommend the use of a splint or brace to rest the joint and protect the joint from further injury.
Massage therapy - your doctor may recommend that you see a massage therapist as massage increases blood flow and can offer pain relief from the affected area. It is important to advise your massage therapist of the problems you are experiencing as well as informing them of the type of condition you suffer from to prevent further damage.
Long Term Arthritis Pain Relief
Medication - Anti-inflammatory such as aspirin or ibuprofen. There are other drugs that may be used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that influence and correct abnormalities of the immune system. Corticosteroids may also be administered and may be taken orally or by injection.
Weight Loss - If you are overweight, your doctor may recommend that you reduce your weight due to the fact that excess pounds place stress on certain joints.
Exercise - your doctor may recommend that you meet with a physical therapist to work with you to plan an exercise program that will have low impact and flexibility exercises reducing joint pain and stiffness.
Surgery - depending on the type of arthritis you are suffering from, it may be necessary to undergo surgery. If the joints are extremely damaged, you may need to have joint replacement.