Arthritis pain management is a multifaceted and individual process. By that I mean, what works for some may not work for others and there is no one miracle cure. That being said there are a number of arthritis pain management techniques that, when used in conjunction with one another, can be very effective for most people. A large part of managing arthritis is about managing inflammation that causes pain. In the months leading up to my surgery I have been fine tuning my arthritis pain management strategy and have come up with a number of suggestions that are worth a try:
1) Stay active: living with chronic pain can easily lead to inactivity; however, this can be counterproductive. Finding an activity that works within your limitations can help to maintain strength and mobility in the joint.
2) Maintain a healthy weight: This is of vital importance to prevent additional strain on the joint. Researchers at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina found that a one pound reduction in weight resulted in a 4 pound reduction on pressure put on the knee. This is only compounded more for the hip. So developing a weight management strategy is very important for people living with arthritis.
3) Diet: Many foods are said to have anti-inflammatory properties. Consumption of anti-inflammatory foods on a regular basis can help manage inflammation, thus regulating pain. Some of these foods include: Tumeric, wild salmon, green tea, papaya, and sweet potato.
4) Proper nutrition: In addition to weight-management and consuming foods with anti-inflammatory properties, maintaining a balanced diet is essential for improving health and managing arthritis. In the months leading up to my surgery I have been advised to ensure I am getting enough calcium and vitamin D, as well as, fibre in my diet.
4) Ice the joint: this is especially important after exercise. Icing the joint helps keep inflammation down and manages pain.
5) Topical cream: The use of topical pain management or anti- inflammatory creams is great because they really do work and they are easier on your body then taking anti-inflammatory medication. There are a variety of topical creams for arthritis pain management out there, and while they act differently on the body, many can give almost instant relief. Some of these include: capsicum cream, tiger balm or any over the counter anti-inflammatory cream.
6) Heat for the muscles: A significant amount of my own pain does not come directly from the joint but from the muscles around it. While some of this can be managed through regular exercise and stretching, there is nothing like a hot soak in the tub with bath salts or a hot water bottle to ease the tension.
7) Know your limit: Regular exercise and daily activity are very important, however, not when it is causing more damage. My dance teacher used to tell me to listen to my body. Some aches and pains are obviously normal but when it starts to feel like to much strain on the joint it is time to stop. As I have already said, arthritis pain management is a very individual process so it is very important you are honest with yourself about your limitations.
Seek out Support: dealing with chronic pain can be emotionally taxing which further exacerbates the pain. Finding support from like-minded individuals, especially those who are also living with arthritis, is a very effective arthritis pain management strategy. Contact the Arthritis Society or get involved in an online forum like Arthritis Care for ideas on how you can get more support.
9) Supplements: there are a number of supplements and homeopathic remedies that can help manage pain and even strengthen cartilage. I have tried a number of them with some success and encourage you to explore options to find one that meets your needs.
10) Anti-inflammatory drugs: When all else fails I rely on drugs to helps me manage the pain. Before my arthritis was severe I used over the counter anti-inflammatory's such as Advil. I now take prescription strength anti-inflammatory's but make sure I use all of the above techniques so that I do not have to rely too heavily on them.
credit to source
