Facts On 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.

When exercising is done regularly, joints are kept flexible. Swimming and water aerobics are among the best choices for exercising because water buoyancy reduces stress on weight-bearing joints. Ice packs and heating pads are effective methods too when it comes to reducing ache. Canes, raised toilets and walkers are among the assistive devices that may be used.

The credibility of alternative medicine is yet to be fully ascertained but they are used widely as well. Acupuncture is one such option. Needles are inserted at particular points of the skin. This is believed to help in minimizing pain.

Also effective is the use of yoga and massage. Yoga involves slow and stretching movements that enhance how flexible the joints are and improve movement. Massage on the other hand improves blood flow. Affected joints are warmed and thus pain is relieved for some time. Therapists should know the affected joints prior to massage.




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