Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorders in humans affecting nearly 21 million Americans, and is by the far the most common type of arthritis. For people suffering from osteoarthritis, arthritis pain relief can be a treasured goal. Since osteoarthritis is progressive, however, it usually becomes more and more painful as the cartilage between bones breaks down, causing the bones to rub over each other. There are, however, a number of steps specifically focused for osteoarthritis sufferers that one can take to reduce this progression, from lifestyle changes to medicinal, all in the name of finding arthritis pain relief.

1. Physical Therapy

Osteoarthritis sufferers often suffer stiffness around their affected joints. Physical therapy can help improve joint mobility, as well as build muscle in an area prone to damage. Physical therapy does not work for everyone, and likely will prove itself useful or worthless within 3 to 6 weeks, but for those that it does help, the arthritis pain relief as a result is invaluable.

2. Joint Support

Joint support for arthritis pain relief can come in the form of braces or splints. These braces will help support the weak joint, or limit the range of motion for some joints, if necessary. Braces and splints should be used only upon a doctor’s orders as many of them may stop joint movement, which can cause stiffness or further damage in some joints. Properly used braces, however, can help reduce the spread of osteoarthritis and provide arthritis pain relief.

3. Living a Healthy Lifestyle

This point is key to both preventing further damage as a result of osteoarthritis and providing arthritis pain relief. For people who are overweight, reducing that weight can be vital to lessening the amount of stress on a joint. Getting proper rest and eating a healthy diet, while generally good for health, can also help with arthritis pain relief as one’s body becomes more capable of caring for itself. Good exercise is also key. Though many exercises may be painful as a result of osteoarthritis, water exercises can be especially beneficial while reducing much of the joint strain associated with exercise, thus providing some arthritis pain relief.

4. Surgery

Surgery is perhaps the most serious option for arthritis pain relief. Surgery often involves working to improve or replace the cartilage between affected joints. For osteoarthritis in particular, this can include injecting new cartilage between joints, though this injection usually only lasts about six months, realigning bones so that they don’t rub as much, restoring cartilage where it can be restored, or trimming down torn cartilage. All of these are more serious options for arthritis pain relief, and should be thoroughly discussed with a doctor before they become “the” solution to one’s osteoarthritis.