Arthritis pain relief -
Some ways to help manage arthritis flare-ups may include resting your joints, using heat and ice treatments, and using OTC pain relievers and NSAIDs.
Arthritis refers to a group of conditions that may cause stiffness, inflammation, and pain in your joints. A treatment plan may help provide pain relief, slow disease progression, and improve your quality of life.
Speak with a healthcare professional if arthritis is impacting your daily functions. I broke 3 of my fingers 10 years ago and have been experiencing arthritis pain ever since. The only thing that really works for me is massaging them, thankfully it really only happens when the seasons get cold.
I can't really imagine taking pain meds for it yet since it's just my hands and not terrible. We encourage our readers to share their unique experiences to create a helpful and informative community here on Healthline.
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How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Natural Relief from Arthritis Pain. Medically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD — By Mary Ellen Ellis — Updated on January 24, Weight management Exercise Heat and cold Acupuncture Meditation Diet Turmeric Massage Herbs FAQ Takeaway Comments Staying active, managing your weight, and making changes to your diet are a few natural ways to ease arthritis pain.
Share on Pinterest. Manage your weight. Get enough exercise. Use hot and cold therapy. Try acupuncture. Use meditation to cope with pain. Follow a healthy diet. Add turmeric to dishes. Get a massage. Consider herbal supplements. Frequently asked questions.
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Jan 24, Written By Mary Ellen Ellis. Feb 9, Written By Mary Ellen Ellis. Share this article. Discuss any new exercise plan with your GP or physiotherapist before you start.
They can help you plan a suitable exercise programme for you. Your GP and practice nurse can also advise about how to lose weight slowly and safely. Find out more about managing your weight. Your doctor will talk to you about medicines to relieve pain from osteoarthritis. Sometimes a combination of therapies, such as painkillers, exercise and assistive devices or surgery, may be needed to help control your pain.
The type of painkiller a GP may recommend for you will depend on the severity of your pain and other conditions or health problems you have. The main medications used are below.
If you have pain caused by osteroarthritis, your GP might suggest you consider taking paracetamol for short-term pain relief. You can buy paracetamol at supermarkets or pharmacies. However, many people find that it doesn't work very well, and it is only normally tried if you can't take other medicines.
When taking paracetamol, always use the dose a GP recommends and do not exceed the maximum dose stated on the pack. Find out more about paracetamol. A GP may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID.
These are painkillers that work by reducing inflammation. Some NSAIDs are available as creams topical NSAIDs that you apply directly to the affected joints. Some topical NSAIDs are available without a prescription. They can be particularly effective if you have osteoarthritis in your knees or hands.
As well as helping to ease pain, they can also help reduce any swelling in your joints. Your doctor will discuss with you the type of NSAID you should take and the benefits and risks associated with it.
NSAID tablets may be needed if topical NSAIDs are not easing the pain. They may not be suitable for people with certain conditions, such as asthma , a stomach ulcer or angina , or if you have had a heart attack or stroke. If you're taking low-dose aspirin , ask your GP whether you should use a NSAID.
If your GP recommends or prescribes an NSAID to be taken by mouth, they'll usually also prescribe a medicine called a proton pump inhibitor PPI to take at the same time.
NSAIDs can break down the lining in your stomach that protects it against stomach acid. PPIs reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach, reducing the risk of damage to your stomach lining. Opioids, such as codeine, are another type of painkiller that may help relieve severe pain.
GPs will only usually prescribe opioids on a short-term basis because of side effects such as drowsiness, nausea and constipation.
You may be prescribed a laxative to take alongside it to prevent constipation. You may be prescribed capsaicin cream if you have osteoarthritis in your hands or knees and topical NSAIDs have not been effective in easing your pain. Capsaicin cream works by blocking the nerves that send pain messages in the treated area.
You may have to use it for a while before it has an effect. You should experience some pain relief within the first 2 weeks of using the cream, but it may take up to a month for the treatment to be fully effective. Apply a pea-size amount of capsaicin cream to your affected joints up to 4 times a day, but not more often than every 4 hours.
Do not use capsaicin cream on broken or inflamed skin and always wash your hands after applying it. Be careful not to get any capsaicin cream on delicate areas, such as your eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. Capsaicin is made from chillies, so if you get it on sensitive areas of your body, it's likely to be very painful for a few hours.
However, it will not cause any damage. You may notice a burning sensation on your skin after applying capsaicin cream. This is nothing to worry about, and the more you use it, the less it should happen.
But avoid using too much cream or having a hot bath or shower before or after applying it, because it can make the burning sensation worse. There are currently supply problems with capsaicin cream. If it is not available, talk to your doctor about other treatments that may help you.
Steroids are a type of medication that contain manmade versions of the hormone cortisol, and are sometimes used to treat particularly painful musculoskeletal problems. Some people with osteoarthritis may be offered steroid injections when other treatments haven't worked.
The injection will be made directly into the affected area. You may be given a local anaesthetic first to numb the area and reduce the pain. Steroid injections work quickly and can ease pain for several weeks or months. In addition to lifestyle changes and medicines, you may benefit from a number of supportive treatments that can help reduce your pain and make everyday tasks easier.
Applying hot or cold packs to the joints can relieve the pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis in some people. A hot-water bottle filled with either hot or cold water and applied to the affected area can be very effective in reducing pain. Special hot and cold packs that can either be cooled in the freezer or heated in a microwave are also available, and work in a similar way.
If osteoarthritis is causing mobility problems or making it difficult to do everyday tasks, several devices could help. Your GP may refer you to a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist for specialist help and advice.
If you have osteoarthritis in your lower limbs, such as your hips, knees or feet, your physiotherapist or occupational therapist may suggest special footwear or insoles for your shoes. Footwear with shock-absorbing soles can help relieve some of the pressure on the joints in your legs as you walk.
Special insoles may help spread your weight more evenly. Leg braces and supports also work in the same way. If you have osteoarthritis in your hip or knee that affects your mobility, you may need to use a walking aid, such as a stick or cane.
Hold it on the opposite side of your body to your affected leg so that it takes some of your weight. A splint a piece of rigid material used to provide support to a joint or bone can also be useful if you need to rest a painful joint.
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