Pain Relief

Arthritis Pain Relief Methods

2006-10-19T23:27:00.000-04:00

Arthritis pain relief methods vary, but are well known.

The known methods of arthritis pain relief help stop pain for short periods of time. This temporary relief can make it easier for people who have arthritis to exercise. The doctor or physical therapist can suggest a method that is best for each patient. The following methods have worked for many people:

Moist heat supplied by warm towels, hot packs, a bath, or a shower can be used at home for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day to relieve symptoms. A health professional can use short waves, microwaves, and ultrasound to deliver deep heat to noninflamed joint areas. Deep heat is not recommended for patients with acutely inflamed joints. Deep heat is often used around the shoulder to relax tight tendons prior to stretching exercises.
Cold supplied by a bag of ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel helps to stop pain and reduce swelling when used for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. It is often used for acutely inflamed joints. People who have Raynaud's phenomenon should not use this method.
Hydrotherapy (water therapy) can decrease pain and stiffness. Exercising in a large pool may be easier because water takes some weight off painful joints. Community centers, YMCAs, and YWCAs have water exercise classes developed for people with arthritis. Some patients also find relief from the heat and movement provided by a whirlpool.
Mobilization therapies include traction (gentle, steady pulling), massage, and manipulation (using the hands to restore normal movement to stiff joints). When done by a trained professional, these methods can help control pain and increase joint motion and muscle and tendon flexibility.
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) and biofeedback are two additional methods that may provide some pain relief, but many patients find that they cost too much money and take too much time. In TENS, an electrical shock is transmitted through electrodes placed on the skin's surface. TENS machines cost between $80 and $800. The inexpensive units are fine. Patients can wear them during the day and turn them off and on as needed for pain control.
Relaxation therapy also helps reduce pain. Patients can learn to release the tension in their muscles to relieve pain. Physical therapists may be able to teach relaxation techniques. The Arthritis Foundation has a self-help course that includes relaxation therapy. Health spas and vacation resorts sometimes have special relaxation courses.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method of pain relief. A medically qualified acupuncturist places needles in certain sites. Researchers believe that the needles stimulate deep sensory nerves that tell the brain to release natural painkillers (endorphins). Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but pressure is applied to the acupuncture sites instead of using needles.

Arthritis

2006-10-18T21:48:00.000-04:00

Arthritis

Arthritis literally means joint inflammation, and it can affect joints in any part of the body. Joints are places in the body where two bones meet.

The term arthritis is often used to refer to rheumatic diseases; however, different kinds of arthritis comprise just a portion of the rheumatic diseases.

Arthritis is often a chronic disease, which means that it affects a person over a long period of time. Many forms of arthritis cause redness, swelling, heat, and pain, as well as deterioration of joints over time.

The following are Technorati tags related to arthritis, which can lead you to additional information: Arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Olive Oil, Fish Oil Helped

2006-10-18T01:13:00.000-04:00

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Olive Oil, Fish Oil Helped

"A recent study evaluated whether supplementation with olive oil could improve clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity in patients who had rheumatoid arthritis and were using fish oil supplements.

The study concluded: "Ingestion of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids relieved several clinical parameters [joint pain intensity, right and left handgrip strength after 12 and 24 weeks, duration of morning stiffness, onset of fatigue, ... ability to bend down to pick up clothing from the floor, and getting in and out of a car after 24 weeks] used in the present study.

"However, patients showed a more precocious and accentuated improvement when fish oil supplements were used in combination with olive oil." -- Source: "Supplementation of fish oil and olive oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis," www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=15723739&dopt=Citation

rheumatoid arthritis olive fish oil

Arthritis and Arthritis Pain

2006-10-17T23:54:00.000-04:00

About arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis pain, arthritis treatments.

arthritis pain