Osteoarthritis affects millions of people and is the most common form of arthritis in the United States. Osteoarthritis can severely limit a person’s ability to perform routine daily activities and tasks. The disease is detrimental to one’s enjoyment of life and can cause further complications such as weight gain and depression.
People who have osteoarthritis have limited movement, joint stiffness and pain because the cartilage in their joints begins to erode and eventually wears completely away. Once the cartilage is gone, there is nothing to protect the bones from rubbing together. This friction will cause increased pain and a reduction in range of movement. As the bones continue to rub together, bone spurs (osteophytes) build up which leads to more severe pain, greater stiffness, and a further decrease in range of motion. According to Web MD, the chance of developing the disease increases with age and most people over 60 have some level of the disease. Unfortunately there is no known cure for osteoarthritis; sufferers can only hope to manage the pain and slow the progression of the disease.
The principle symptoms of osteoarthritis are:
- Joint discomfort and pain
- Limited range of motion in the joints
- Swelling in the joints
- The formation of osteophytes (bone spurs)
- Increased pain and stiffness upon waking
- Joint stiffness
Treatments to Manage Osteoarthritis Pain
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) offers guidelines for the treatment of osteoarthritis which include pharmacologic (drug) and non-pharmacologic treatments. They specify 16 non-drug treatments to help control the pain from osteoarthritis.
Non-Drug Treatments
- Weight reduction and control
- Stretching and range of motion exercises
- Exercise - both cardio and strength training
- Hot and cold therapies
- Stress reduction and control
- Acupuncture
Drug Treatments
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc)
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)
- COX-2 inhibitor (Celebrex, etc)
- Over-the-counter topical gels and creams
- Injections into the affected joint (corticosteroids, etc.)
Attempting non-drug therapy first is advisable due to the potential for side effects with any medication. A few of the more common non-drug treatments are exercise, weight reduction and control, hot and cold therapy, and stress control.
Exercise and Weight Reduction For Osteoarthritis
Being overweight, even moderately, can have severe consequences for the weight-bearing joints and can contribute to the pain and progression of osteoarthritis. Dr. Jason Theodosakis, author of The Arthritis Cure, says that “The more weight you're carrying, the more force you'll put on your joints.” Dr. Theodosakis also warns that “there is also a metabolic factor in overweight people that causes destruction of cartilage in non-weight bearing joints.” Losing weight is one of the best therapies for osteoarthritis and a weight loss program should be started immediately after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
Exercise should be an integral part of any weight-loss regimen. Daily exercise helps shed excess weight, helps to maintain a range of motion in the joints, and is essential in keeping the muscles strong. Walking, bicycling, yoga, and swimming are all excellent forms of exercise for someone who is suffering from the pain of osteoarthritis. Both strength and cardio exercises should be included in any good workout program. A proper fitness program will also include stretching. Stretching will help increase and maintain range of motion in the joints and reduce overall stiffness. Before beginning any exercise program it is advisable to check with a doctor first. It can also be helpful to work with a personal trainer or physical therapist in the beginning; these exercise experts can help design and implement an appropriate fitness program that may help relieve the pain of osteoarthritis.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy is often useful in a pain management program. Some people respond better to cold therapy while others experience more relief with heat therapy. Cold therapy can be used to reduce inflammation and decrease the pain in a stiff joint. Heat is often utilized to encourage blood flood to tendons and ligaments, relax muscles, and decrease pain prior to exercise.
How to Use Heat Therapy
How to Use Cold Therapy
Heating pads or hot packs can be placed over painful joints
Heat should always be applied at a comfortable temperature
Ice and cold packs should never be applied directly on the skin
Ice or cold packs should not be used for more than 20 minutes at a time
Ice or any type of reusable cold packs can be applied directly to the painful area
Stress Control
Emotional anxiety and stress generally cause more problems with rheumatoid arthritis, but controlling stress can still have positive benefits for those people who suffer from osteoarthritis. Repeated stress from money issues, family problems, work hassles, and other stressful events or activities can contribute to an increase in joint pain and reduction of the positive effects of pain management efforts.
The following techniques will help reduce the impact of stress:
- Time management
- Exercise
- Journaling
- Learn coping skills and assertiveness training
- Social support with family and friends
- Self-hypnosisBreath control and breathing exercisesMuscle relaxation
Acupuncture
Though some people are horrified at the mere thought of needles being stuck into their bodies, there is some evidence that acupuncture can help reduce the level of chronic pain. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), there is some evidence that acupuncture is efficacious in alleviating chronic low-back pain and the pain from osteoarthritis of the knee.
The Bottom Line on Treating Osteoarthritis
According to the Arthritis Foundation is it important to get osteoarthritis diagnosed as early as possible. Once diagnosed, treatment should begin as quickly as possible. It is best to do research about each type of non-drug treatment and consult with a doctor or therapist to determine which treatment offers the highest chance for success. Before attempting to manage chronic pain with drugs or surgery, non-drug treatments should always be considered.
Warm towels, baths, showers, hot tubs or other moist heat can help relieve pain
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