Arthritis Pain Management

Arthritis pain management is a constant routine for those who suffer from Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis, commonly known as arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis. The condition unfortunately is degenerative, meaning it continues to worsen over time and normally begins during middle age. The condition causes inflammation, which in turn causes the joint to swell, with pain and limited movement.

The pain can be quite severe especially the weight bearing joints such as the hips and knees. Joints that have arthritis seem to react negatively to extreme cold temperatures and rainy weather. Those with arthritis say their joints ache and hurt more. Arthritis pain management is often a process, because simply taking prescription pain medication, long-term, is never a good idea due to the side effects and addiction potential.

Since long-term use of prescription drugs and over the counter drugs is not the best option, a person with this condition must find daily ways in which to control their arthritis pain.

Diet, Herbs, and Exercise

It is no secret that the food we eat impacts our health. This has been scientifically proven, so it makes sense that the foods you consume could greatly reduce overall pain. This includes a well-balanced diet:

- High fiber foods, because this helps reduce inflammation, which is what normally causes the pain in the first place.

- Eat food such as fish or salmon because they contain omega fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and pain. If you do not like fish, you can take gel caps, but make sure they are a single source such as salmon oil or flaxseed oil.

- Reducing the amount of saturated fat and sugars keeps the body from gaining weight, and additional weight can make the pain worse especially if your arthritis is in your hips or knees.

- Cold and heat packs work well to decrease the swelling, which lowers the pain. Alternate between heat and cold applications for the best outcome

- Take ginger extract because it contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help keep the pain at bay.

- Glucosamine is also a wonderful product to take for controlling pain by increasing the ability to move the joint more freely.

- Exercise such as waking, yoga, stretching, and biking are all very good activities to engage in to reduce the pain long-term.

Other ways to manage the pain of arthritis includes keeping stress at a minimal level. Everyone has stress, but extreme stress can cause the arthritic joints to hurt more because stress naturally depletes the body of nutrients and in turn pain increases.

Final Thoughts

You may have daily pain from arthritis, but it is possible to manage the pain through exercise, diet, reducing stress, and adding useful herbs. Many people that have an arthritic joint assume it is best to keep it still and not move it, however, this is incorrect. If you do not move the joint, it continues to swell and then makes movement quite difficult. Keeping the joint moving helps the blood circulate and helps to reduce pain.