Over 50 million American adults have arthritis, and at least half of them have pain levels that limit their ability to move around and negatively impact their quality of life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Drugs and painkillers are just one of many alternatives for treating arthritic pain. Drug-free pain management techniques may be quite successful, depending on the severity of joint damage and the intensity of pain.
We can assist you if you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from pain, stiffness, and mobility issues brought on by arthritis. At Specialty Care Clinics, our team of medical professionals offers a variety of drug-free treatment choices.
THE THREE MOST COMMON ARTHRITIS TYPES
A wide range of painful joint disorders is referred to as “arthritis.” It may seem like a painful case of gout in a toe joint in certain people due to a bacterial joint infection. However, the three painful disorders listed below are what the bulk of arthritis sufferers deal with :
- Osteoarthritis:– The cartilage layer in healthy joints acts as a shock absorber, an anti-friction material, and a lubricant to keep the bone ends moving freely. As the production of this lubricating fluid dries up over time, the cartilage may get thinner and more worn until it entirely disintegrates. When you try to move or put weight on the joint, the pain, stiffness, and inflammation are frequently exacerbated.
- Rheumatoid arthritis:– is brought on by a disorder or auto-immune condition. The same defensive mechanisms that often fight disease-causing microorganisms instead choose to attack and treat your joints as the enemy. Joint swelling and deformity are brought on by this extreme inflammation, which may come and go.
- Metabolic Arthritis:- Gout, a disorder brought on by uric acid crystals accumulating in the joints of the extremities, especially the feet, is the most prevalent form of metabolic arthritis. Reduced renal function is usually the cause of this. Physical therapy can assist gout sufferers in regaining their range of motion in the affected area and even aid to lessen the accumulation of acidic crystals that gather in the joints.
HOW TO CONTROL ARTHRITIC PAIN WITHOUT MEDICATION?
Arthritis comes in many different forms. The most prevalent type is osteoarthritis (OA), which appears when the cartilage protecting the joint deteriorates over time, frequently leading to chronic joint damage. When there is friction between the bones in the joints, pain and inflammation can develop.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another prevalent type (RA). Rheumatoid arthritis, in contrast to osteoarthritis (OA), is an autoimmune illness that happens when the immune system unintentionally targets healthy tissue.
The Arthritis Foundation suggests a number of drug-free techniques in addition to medicine to treat arthritis pain, including :
- Acupuncture.
- Relaxing massage.
- Yoga and stretching drills.
- Diet and exercise are necessary to keep a healthy weight.
- Physical exercise.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device.
Arthritis pain can range in intensity from minor to severe, and it is experienced differently by each individual. The majority of people react to a mix of therapies and dietary changes that are intended to improve the health of the muscles that support the joints and reduce unneeded stress on the joints.
WHEN SHOULD I GET THERAPY FOR MY ARTHRITIS PAIN?
The capacity to work, exercise, and live a healthy lifestyle can all be negatively impacted by even mild forms of arthritis pain over time. The majority of kinds of arthritis, including OA, are degenerative, meaning they will worsen over time and may cause irreversible joint damage.
If your joint pain does not go away on its own or with self-care within a few days or if you have several flare-ups within a month, you should seek therapy. Among the other indications that you should consult our medical staff are :
- Angiogenesis and inflammation
- Red or warm joints
- Limited mobility and stiffness
- Having trouble getting through your regular tasks
Call our pain management experts at Specialty Care Clinics at (469) 545-9983 if your current course of treatment for your arthritis pain isn’t working.