Treatments For Osteoarthritis Pain

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis that affects more than 30 million people. This occurs when the cartilage breaks down in our set. Without this cartilage, bones rub together, causing pain and decreased mobility. The amount of pain varies with each individual. Some people who have an advanced case of the disease experience little or no pain, while others have a milder case experience severe pain.
Any treatment plan must be tailored to the individual. A plan that works for one person does not necessarily work well for another, even if it affects the same joint. The goal of any treatment plan is threefold: firstly to relieve pain, secondly to increase joint mobility and, finally, to minimize any further joint damage.
The weight is a risk factor for osteoarthritis. If you are overweight, this puts additional stress on weight bearing joints like the hips and knees. If you are overweight at a young age that this will increase your chances of getting the disease later in life. It has been shown that if you have osteoarthritis even a small reduction in weight can significantly reduce the pain associated with it.
Exercise can increase joint mobility and strengthen the muscles around the prevention of further damage. This is why your doctor wants you on a regular exercise program. Exercise in water has been used successfully in people with hip or knee arthritis. These people also should avoid activities like running or jogging, which increase the pressure on the joints. Treatment usually includes a combination of stretching, aerobic and isometric exercises, each provides a different benefit. You should always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.
Although only a temporary solution, treatment with hot or cold compresses may relieve pain, swelling and stiffness. Some cases will benefit most from the heat treatments, while others respond better to cold. It is dependent on the individual situation.
There are a variety of pain medications. Some are over the counter, while others require a prescription from your doctor. People unexpected severe pain will be better served by these drugs, whereas people with other chronic pain treatments may be in order. We must remember that there are side effects to all medications. Some patients have reported positive results with a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin, which is a more natural remedy. This has been shown to help rebuild cartilage over time.
Stress can amplify the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Prolonged stress depletes your body of vitamins and nutrients. There are a number of things we can do to ease the stress of everyday life. Try techniques like yoga, meditation or deep breathing exercises and see what works best for you.
Remember that treatment of this disease is a matter of trial and error to see what works best in your particular situation. Explore these treatment methods with the advice of your doctor. In some cases where none of these treatments are successful he or she may suggest injections or surgery.