Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and occurs when the cartilage in your joints wears down over time. This condition can be very painful, even debilitating for some, which is why finding osteoarthritis pain relief is such an important part of learning to manage this condition. There are many paths to osteoarthritis pain relief today, but not all of them work the same way for every person. The process of finding your best treatment options is often a matter of trial and error until you land on the method of osteoarthritis pain relief that works most effectively for you. Partnering with your doctor will help get you on the right path faster, but collecting information about your condition is another important step in the process.
Lifestyle Changes
Some people find that when osteoarthritis strikes, a few simple lifestyle changes can help to get them on the path of osteoarthritis pain relief. These might include a regular exercise routine if you don’t have one in place already. While exercise may seem like the last thing you want to do when your joints are stiff and sore, some light activity can help loosen those joints and keep further damage at bay. Try some light walking, stretching or range of motion exercises that can get those joints moving again and provide osteoarthritis pain relief. The regular exercise can also help you drop a pound or two, which may be another effective method of osteoarthritis pain relief if extra weight is putting additional strain on already stressed joints. Exercise is also a good option for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief.
Other possibilities for osteoarthritis pain relief including hot and cold packs administered to the area. You can apply heat or cold several times a day, depending on which one works best for you. Heat will tend to relieve the stiffness while cold works well on inflammation. Be sure that you limit sessions with your packs to no more than 20 minutes and never apply hot or cold directly to the skin. Another possibility in osteoarthritis pain relief is over the counter medications like anti-inflammatory pain medicines or topical creams that will provide immediate, albeit temporary, relief. It is usually best to use these methods of osteoarthritis pain relief at the first sign of pain to ensure you get maximum effectiveness from them.
Arthritis can be painful, but there are choices to help you manage the pain. If none of these home remedies work for you, talk to your doctor about options in prescription medication. Help for your painful arthritis symptoms is on the way.