Forms Of Arthritis Pain Relief Toledo

By Jocelyn Davidson


Arthritis is the term use to describe inflammation in the joints. The major symptoms are stiffness and joint pain and they get worse as one becomes older. Treatment mode chosen will be dependent on the type of condition. The various forms of treatment are aimed at minimizing symptoms and enabling those affected to lead better lives. When considering arthritis pain relief Toledo residents have many options to consider.

There are times when one may have to try a number of treatment options or combinations of methods to get the best results. The use of medications is common and there are many drugs in use. Analgesics are prescribed to reduce ache but never deal with the inflammation. To achieve pain and inflammation relief, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, are used. Some drugs in this category are only gotten through prescription. The oral NSAIDs bring about stomach irritation or increase the risk of stroke. The drugs are also available as creams and gels.

Counter-irritants are creams that have the components capsaicin and menthol. The former is the substance used to make hot peppers spicy. When they are rubbed on the skin, these preparations ensure there is no transmission of pain signals from joints. Rheumatoid arthritis gets treated using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. These drugs stop the immune system from attacking joints.

There are conditions that will require physical therapy. When one does exercises, their range of motion is improved and muscles that surround the joints strengthened. At certain times, braces and splints are used. When the conservative measures have failed to be effective, surgery may be the next option, with two main types of surgery used.

Joint replacement involves removal of the damaged joints and replacing them with artificial ones. Knees and hips are the commonly replaced joints. For smaller joints, joint fusion surgery is used. Such joints include those in the ankle, fingers and wrists. Besides surgery and the use of medications, there is the use of lifestyle and home remedies. For instance, those that are obese should lose weight to reduce the stress on joints that bear the weight. Mobility will be improved and future joint injury limited.

Regular exercising will help in keeping joints flexible. Among the best choices of exercises are water aerobics and swimming. This is because the buoyancy of water minimizes stress on joints that bear weight. Heating pads and ice packs are also a good option to use. People can also consider the use of assistive devices such as canes, walkers and raised toilet seats.

The use of alternative medicine is yet to undergo full testing for its credibility but is still one of the used options. Acupuncture is one such option. In this, needles are inserted on the skin at specific points. This will lead to reduction of pain.

Yoga and massage are also effective. The slow and stretching movements of yoga improve flexibility of joints and the range of motion in those affected. Massage increases blood flow. The affected joints are warmed, relieving pain temporarily. The therapist should know the affected joints.




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