Effects On Your Daily Life
- See a doctor or other relevant healthcare professional if youre unable to do everyday tasks due to joint or muscle pain.
- If youve lifted something heavy and hurt your back, for example, take some painkillers, apply some heat and try to stay active. If the pain doesnt ease after a couple of weeks or so, see a doctor.
Its important to see a doctor if you get any new symptoms or if you have any trouble with drugs youre taking.
If you have an appointment with a doctor, to help make sure you get the most out of it, you could take a list of questions with you and tick them off as they are discussed.
You could also keep a symptoms diary with details of how youre feeling in between appointments. Some people find that taking a friend or relative with them to an appointment can provide support and ensure that all important points are discussed.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation uses a machine that sends electrical impulses through sticky patches, called electrodes, attached to the skin. This may help ease the pain caused by your osteoarthritis by numbing the nerve endings in your spinal cord which control pain.
Treatment with TENS is usually arranged by a physiotherapist or doctor, who can advise you on the strength of the pulses and how long your treatment should last.
Emotional And Social Effects On Arthritis Pain
Your fears about pain, previous experiences with pain and your attitude about your condition can affect how you react to pain and how much pain you feel. Your cultural and religious background and the way people around you react to pain may also affect how you react to pain.
In addition, the emotional ups and downs of arthritis may affect your pain. If you feel depressed and stressed, your pain may seem worse. You may get caught in a cycle of pain, depression and stress that makes everything seem harder to handle.
Also Check: What Causes Arthritis Flare Ups In Hands
Berries Apples And Pomegranates
Berries are rich in antioxidants and the Arthritis Foundation notes that blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and boysenberries all provide arthritis-fighting power. Youll get health benefits no matter if you eat them frozen, fresh or dehydrated , so be sure to eat a variety of berries throughout the week.
Apples are also high in antioxidants and a good source of fiber. Plus, they provide crunch and can help curb your appetite for unhealthy snacks, Dunn says.
Pomegranates, which are classified as berry fruits, are rich in tannins which can fight the inflammation of arthritis. Add these to a salad or stir into plain yogurt for some added benefits.
Physical And Occupational Therapy
Physical therapy helps you to restore joint function through specific exercise. This can help alleviate pain for many patients. Activities like cooking and bathing can sometimes be difficult to perform and may cause pain. Occupational therapy will help you to learn how to change some of your daily behaviors so they arent painful.
Other professional therapy services that can help alleviate pain include massage therapy and acupuncture.
Read Also: Does Arthritis Cause Skin Discoloration
Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Management
While the overall goal of rheumatoid arthritis therapy is to prevent disease progression and further joint damage, pain management is a necessary daily practice for patients, in order to maximize their quality of life. Chronic pain can adversely affect a patients ability to work, participate in physical and social activities, and can generally interrupt day-to-day life.
Despite medications and aggressive forms of treatment, many rheumatoid arthritis patients experience ongoing pain and stiffness. The reality is, it may never completely go away. But there are specific things patients can do to manage pain and limit its impact on their lives.
When To Use Cold Therapy
Degenerative arthritis tends to respond well to cold therapy, which decreases blood flow by constricting vessels and can numb the pain, Dr. Koval says.
An easy way to find relief with cold therapy is to apply a gel ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables on the affected area until symptoms improve, explains Dr. Kyriacou.
“The recommended time frame to keep this compress on is usually 20 minutes with the cold compress on and 10 minutes off. Make sure to have a cloth between the ice pack and your skin as you never want it directly touching your skin,” she says.
You May Like: Is Collagen Good For Arthritis
Antidepressants For Osteoarthritis Pain
Your doctor may recommend the use of antidepressant medication to help treat chronic OA pain even if you donât have depression. Itâs not clear how it works, but brain chemicals affected by antidepressant medications may play a role.
One antidepressant, duloxetine , is FDA-approved for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain, including chronic osteoarthritis pain. Common side effects include nausea, dry mouth, sleepiness, and constipation.
Doctors sometimes prescribe a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline, desipramine , and nortriptyline for chronic pain. These are most often taken near bedtime because they can make you sleepy. Other side effects include dry mouth, nausea, weight change, and constipation.
All antidepressant drugs carry a boxed warning of higher risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults. Anyone starting antidepressant drugs should be monitored closely for any unusual behavioral changes, suicidal thinking and behavior, or worsening of a psychiatric disorder.
Show Sources
Motrin Arthritis Pain Relief Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel 1% Anti
- Motrin Arthritis Pain Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel 1% is not for immediate relief and may take up to 7 days for effective pain relief. Motrin Arthritis Pain can be used up to 4 times per day do not use on more than 2 body areas at the same time
- 1.76- ounce tube of Motrin Arthritis Pain Relief Diclofenac Sodium Gel, a gel made with 1% diclofenac sodium, to relieve pain due to arthritis in the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, feet and ankles
- Motrin Arthritis Pain is a fragrance-free topical gel is made with 1% diclofenac sodium, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug , to relieve pain caused by arthritis. It can only be used on the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, feet and ankles
- To use, squeeze Motrin Arthritis Pain topical gel from tube and apply to affected area. Use 2 grams of gel for each upper body area and use 4 grams for each lower body area
- Motrin Arthritis Pain Relief is a fragrance-free Anti-Inflammatory Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel that relieves arthritis pain and works to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, improves mobility, and reduce joint stiffness
Also Check: Does Rain Make Rheumatoid Arthritis Worse
Natural Remedies For Arthritis Pain Relief
Pain from arthritis can be unpleasant to say the least, but there are a number of natural and over-the-counter home remedies for arthritis that can offer some relief and make everyday activities more manageable.
Video of the Day
Arthritis statistics show more than 23 percent of adults in the U.S. have the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . And while symptoms vary across the different types , the most common markers include pain, redness, stiffness and swelling in the joints.
While there is no permanent cure for arthritis, you can take steps to manage your symptoms.
“Improving one’s arthritis pain can and will be a lifelong journey,” , a primary care sports medicine physician at Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute in South Florida, tells LIVESTRONG.com. “There will be both good and bad days. However, the goal is to minimize the frequency of your bad days.”
Here are some expert-approved home remedies for arthritis pain relief.
Surgery For Spinal Arthritis
Surgery may be recommended for spinal arthritis if other treatments dont sufficiently relieve pain. The goals of the surgery may include:
-
Stabilizing the spine by fusing several segments together in a procedure called spinal fusion
These surgeries can be performed as open procedures or with a minimally invasive approach. There are pros and cons to each method. The surgeon will review and discuss the options before the operation.
Don’t Miss: What Medication Works Best For Psoriatic Arthritis
Apply Heat And Cold Therapy
Ever notice how a warm shower loosens up your joints and muscles in the morning? If you have arthritis, your answer is probably yes. Did you know you can use both heat and ice to treat your arthritis? Heatsuch as from a shower, bath, electric blanket or heating padhelps relieve stiffness and gets blood flowing to the muscles so you feel able to move again. Ice reduces joint pain and swelling. If your arthritic knee hurts after youve been standing or walking all day, apply an ice pack to the painful or swollen area for no more than 20 minutes. Rest a bit, then move around again to keep from getting stiff.
Gout And Calcium Crystal Diseases
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause painful swelling in joints. It typically affects the big toe, but it can also affect other joints in the body.
Joints affected by gout can become red and hot. The skin may also look shiny and can peel.
Its caused by having too much urate, otherwise known as uric acid, in the body. We all have a certain amount of urate in our body.
However, being overweight or eating and drinking too much of certain types of food and alcoholic drinks can cause some people to have more urate in their bodies. The genes you inherit can make you more likely to develop gout.
If it reaches a high level, urate can form into crystals that remain in and around the joint. They can be there for a while without causing any problems and even without the person realising they are there.
A knock to a part of the body or having a fever can lead to the crystals falling into the soft part of the joint. This will cause pain and swelling.
There are drugs that can reduce the amount of urate in the body and prevent gout attacks. Examples are allopurinol and . If youre having a gout attack, youll also need short-term pain relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as paracetamol can be good drugs to try first.
Men can get gout from their mid-20s, and in women its more common after the menopause. Taking water tablets can increase the risk of gout.
There are also conditions that cause calcium crystals to form in and around joints.
You May Like: What Drugs Are Used To Treat Psoriatic Arthritis
The Most Important Piece Of The Puzzle
If youre overweight or obese, the most effective treatment is weight loss. This isnt surprising. Every extra pound of weight adds two to four pounds of excess pressure on your knees.
Losing weight is probably the most difficult part of the treatment puzzle, but its also the most important, says Dr. Day.
A weight loss program should include both diet and exercise. Some people have difficulty exercising to lose weight because their knees hurt. But any type of exercise can help, even strengthening the upper body.
Why Do People With Rheumatoid Arthritis Get Pain
- Active inflammation in a joint
- Usage-related joint pain due to muscle weakness
- Secondary osteoarthritis
This is why it is unusual to find that just one therapy is completely effective at relieving any one persons pain. It is also important to realise that the cause of pain may differ between joints within an individual patient.
Recommended Reading: Does High Humidity Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis
These Arthritis Home Remedies May Be Worth A Try As Part Of Your Overall Doctor
While medication is a cornerstone and critical part of managing arthritis, home remedies and lifestyle changes can be important in your arthritis treatment plan too, says Susan Blum, MD, MPH, chronic disease specialist, assistant clinical professor in the department of preventive medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and author of Healing Arthritis: The 3-Step Guide To Conquering Arthritis Naturally.
You need to treat arthritis from a whole body perspective, not simply a medical one, which means incorporating all facets of wellness, including what you do at home, she says. She knows firsthand of what she speaks, noting that she uses home remedies to help her own arthritis and autoimmune disorder. She swears by a daily meditation, green smoothies, gardening, and walking outdoors.
However, its important to note that home remedies should not replace medication. And you need a healthy amount of skepticism when deciding which ones to try and implement, says Don R. Martin, MD, a rheumatologist with Sentara RMH Rheumatology in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Many natural remedies arent backed by science or the research is very limited or weak. And even for therapies that have shown to be effective, supplements and natural therapies are not regulated the same way prescription medications are, so the purity and quality can vary widely, he adds.
What Can Be Done For Ra Pain
It should be stressed that adequate suppression of inflammation is the first step in managing RA pain. However, since the pain in RA may have multiple causes, a combination of treatments is often required. Most patients who have RA will be familiar with many of the treatments listed below:
A. Non-drug therapy for pain
B. Drug therapy for RA pain
The usual drugs used for treating the inflammation of RA are:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen
- disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs , including methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine or sulfasalazine the biologics including anti-TNF or anti-interleukin 6 therapies, rituximab and abatacept and JAK inhibitors
- corticosteroids .
Most studies of RA focus on anti-inflammation therapies, and in large studies, it is not always practical to work out how much of an individuals pain is due to tendon and osteoarthritis pain.
It is uncommon to find one drug that relieves all arthritis pain for any one person. The medications commonly used to treat musculoskeletal pain, including that associated with RA, are:
PARACETAMOL
This is commonly used for joint pains, although it seems to have only mild joint pain-relieving effects. It is generally safe in doses up to 2 grams daily. Very high doses or high regular use together with heavy alcohol intake can lead to liver damage.
NSAIDS
CORTICOSTEROIDS
OPIOID ANALGESICS
OTHER MEDICATION OPTIONS
You May Like: How Do You Spell Psoriatic Arthritis
Increase Physical Activity For Good Joint Health
People used to think that exercise actually made arthritis symptoms worse. It is now known that the opposite is true. Physical activity keeps the joints and their surrounding tissues and muscles strong. Everyone who has arthritis should be getting exercise in some form. Whether it’s walking around your house or spending time at a local fitness center, physical activity is a must.
Ideally, exercise for arthritis should include some type of aerobic activity such as walking, as well as strengthening exercises such as isometric and isotonic exercises.
Arthritis Pain Gets Better With Support
Many assistive devices exist to help alleviate arthritis pain. Canes, shoe inserts, splints, and braces all help provide support for weak and painful joints. They redistribute your body weight and take the pressure off your arthritic joints. They can be very beneficial in conducting your day-to-day activities.
Arthritis is a common disease that affects millions of people. There is no cure for it once it strikes, but many natural remedies exist to help alleviate the symptoms. The list above suggests several ways you can treat your arthritis pain without chemicals or surgery. Use one method or combine several to find the best relief for your arthritis pain. If you have questions about any of these suggestions, contact your doctor to discuss your pain relief options.
For more healthy living tips and information, sign up for our monthly eNewsletter.
Recommended Reading: Does Warm Weather Help Rheumatoid Arthritis
Get To A Healthy Weight
Dr. Kulcsar recommends weight loss for anyone with arthritis who has overweight. Losing weight can help, he says, because it takes pressure off the large weight-bearing joints of the hips, knees and spine, which are often affected by the condition.
“A significant amount of pressure and ultimately pain can be relieved by weight loss,” he says, noting that 1 pound of excess body weight puts 4 additional pounds of pressure on the joints. “If a person loses 10 percent of their body weight, they can take a significant amount of pressure off of their joints.”
Having overweight can also make inflammatory types of arthritis harder to control, he says. People with overweight tend to respond more poorly to immune-modulating therapies, especially in psoriatic arthritis .
Talk to your doctor before starting a weight-loss program, and remember that slow and steady is the healthiest way to drop pounds âaim to lose no more than 1 to 2 pounds a week, per the CDC.
Ready to Lose Weight?
Set yourself up for success with LIVESTRONG.com’s Weight-Loss Kickstart program.
Can Arthritis Pain Be Controlled
There are many things you can do to help control your arthritis pain. The goals of these methods are to control pain by:
- learning new ways to reduce pain
- taking as few pain medicines as possible
- changing pain habits that disrupt your normal lifestyle
- increasing your physical and social activity so you can return to an active life as much as possible
The methods listed here will work differently for different people. So some methods may work for you but some may not. Some methods are things you can do for yourself. Others require help from your doctor or other health professionals. Talk to your doctor about these methods. With a little practice you will find the right ones for you.
Read Also: Is Garlic Bad For Arthritis