Arthritis Pain Relief

Posts Tagged ‘Strengthening Exercises’

Exercise For People With Arthritis

Thinking about exercise and arthritis? It is not uncommon for people to show their horror at this thought. For many years it was believed that arthritis and exercise doesnt go hand in hand. However a recent study has revealed that exercise can in fact help people with arthritis. Additionally exercise is becoming a vital tool in managing arthritis. Regular exercise helps in improving the flexibility of the joints, decreasing pain and rigidity in the joints. It also helps in improving the general muscular structure of the body. Besides it brings extra benefits as well which includes, better overall fitness, more self-esteem and lower levels of depression. This article aims to deal with several exercise approaches that can be used by arthritis patients to get pain relief and manage arthritis more effectively.

Range of motion exercises involves trying to move the joints in all possible directions. It is more of a gentle exercise. It needs to be carried out on a regular basis in order to decrease the rigidity of the joints and avoid deformities. This exercise becomes more important for arthritis patients who tend to avoid much joint movement due to high inflammatory pain. It is believed by some people that normal day activities like dressing, bathing, housework are a substitute for ROM exercises; however this is not the case.

Strengthening exercises are used in everyday life to improve the muscular structure of the body, which allows the body to withstand pain more easily. Similar arthritis patients can use this exercise to help build strong muscles, which will lead to more stable joints and less pain. This type of exercise comes in two packages, which includes isotonic and isometric. Isometric exercises are used in conditions where the joint motion is impaired. It involves tightening the muscles without moving the joints. Isotonic on the other hand, involves tightening the muscles in coordination with joint movements.

Endurance exercises involve bringing the heart beat level of your heart to an optimal level for a short period of time. This optimal level of heart performance is acquired on the basis of the patients age and physical condition using computer. It helps in improving the cardiovascular fitness. In order to increase the effectiveness of these exercises, these shall be undertaken around 3 times a week. Carrying out theses exercises helps patients achieve better physical strength and improve mental attitude.

There are several exercises that be can undertaken by an arthritis patient. Walking is an ideal choice. It helps in building strength and improves mobility of the joints. It is also helpful for maintaining bone health. Similarly running can bring about pain relief to arthritis patients. Research has shown that running on soft surfaces doesnt cause osteoarthritis. This is a good option for people suffering from less extreme version of arthritis.

Yoga has long been an ultimate exercise for arthritis patients. Yoga can help bring relief to joints, decrease pain and relax muscles. It is also a good range-of-motion exercise as it includes controlled movements, maintaining pressures, and deep breathing relaxation. However this exercise must be carefully used if the condition is getting worse rapidly and try not to put pressure on the inflamed joints. Cycling can be used as a low level exercise option. This exercise can be carried in either position; freestanding or stationary. Additionally, cycling equipment can be fixed and altered according to the condition of the patient, in order to make the experience easier and less physically imposing.

The aforementioned exercises give an insight into possible ways of improving the health of patients suffering from arthritis. In order to effectives of each technique it is essential to be consistent. The exercise shall be started on a low note and then build up gradually in order to allow the body to adjust to the outside pressure. Also it is important to keep in mind, that each exercise shall be carried within its own limit. Excess exercise during flare-ups can worsen symptoms.

However before the exercise is undertaken, it is important to contact your nearest doctor and seek professional advice as each case of arthritis shall be dealt on an individual basis. This can be help in seeking a more effective approach to this condition.

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by Ken Lund

What You Can Do To Make Your Knee Pain Disappear Without Taking Drugs Or Injections

Knee pain is one of the most common maladies that brings patients into an arthritis specialist’s office. While there are many causes, the most common in people over the age of 35 is osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

The treatment for osteoarthritis involves a comprehensive approach employing patient education, maintenance of ideal weight, strengthening exercises for the quadriceps muscles (muscles in the front of the thigh) as well as the hamstring muscles (muscles in the back of the thigh.

Avoidance or reduction of activities that aggravate knee pain may also be required. For example, an auto mechanic who spends a lot of time in a crouched position or a carpet layer who kneels a lot may need to modify what they do. Another example may be to have a person who enjoys long distance running reduce the amount of training they do or cross train using other activities such as cycling or using an elliptical trainer.

While anti-inflammatory medications can help, many people are either sensitive to these drugs or simply don’t want to take them. So what else can be done?

Many people aren’t aware that something as simple as an ice pack applied to the knee for 10-15 minutes twice a day can dramatically reduce pain and inflammation due to OA. This should be done routinely, not just occasionally.

Also there are topical agents that can be used. For example, rubs, ointments, and creams that contain capsaicin often can relieve discomfort. Capsaicin works by irritating nerve endings and possibly by altering the production and effects of Substance P, a chemical messenger responsible for the perception of pain.

A preparation called Myorx, which contains Omega-3 fatty acids and menthol along with capsaicin may also be every effective in providing soothing relief. We use this preparation for our patients and get rave reviews.

The FDA recently approved Novartis’s Voltaren (diclofenac) topical 1% gel as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescription treatment for pain associated with osteoarthritis. It is the first prescription NSAID that can be applied directly to the site of OA pain. It is the first topical treatment for OA that has demonstrated effectiveness in the hands and knees in clinical trials.

The gel was studied among more than 900 patients with OA of the hand or knee. FDA approval was supported by the results of 2 randomized controlled studies. In one six-week trial, the gel led to a 46% reduction in pain levels in patients with hand OA. In a 12 week study, the gel reduced OA-related knee pain by 51%. Systemic absorption of Voltaren gel is 94% lower than that of oral diclofenac.

Another treatment that can be used with some effectiveness are patches. One example is the Thermocare heat wrap designed to help manage arthritis flare-ups with 12 hours of heat. Heat discs in the Thermocare contain a mixture of iron, charcoal, salt, and water, which when exposed to air, gives off consistent heat for 12 hours. The heat increases local blood circulation delivering oxygen and nutrients to the knee and promotes healing. These wraps have been compared with ibuprofen and acetaminophen in clinical trials. Thermocare provided 38% more pain relief than acetaminophen and significantly improved ranged of motion (68%) compared to ibuprofen.

Some patients also report that the use of patches containing lidocaine (Lidoderm) are effective in controlling OA pain. These patches can be worn for 12 hours followed by a 12 hour break. While Lidoderm for OA of the knee associated pain is not an FDA approved indication, it appears to be effective for many patients. Since there is the chance of systemic absorption, patients with a cardiac history should use this only under direct medical supervision.

Various braces can be used to good effect and that topic has been discussed by me in another article.

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by US Army Africa

Finding Natural Arthritis Pain Relief

When you’ve got arthritis, the pain can sometimes be debilitating, and the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your pain relief is safe. You don’t have the time or energy to read the back of every box and tube of arthritis treatments in your local pharmacy, and it seems that everyone you know has an opinion about what is supposed to work for you. Beyond that there is the never-ending stream of commercials and advertisements aimed at arthritis sufferers that can leave a person more confused instead of interested in a product. So if you are looking for effective natural arthritis pain relief, you’ve come to the right spot–but don’t be surprised if it seems a little too easy to be true.

First of all, heat is a wonderful natural pain reliever. A warm bath or a heating pad can work wonders for arthritis pain. Try soaking the affected joints for a few minutes with Epson salt, or laying down with a heat pack or pad for a while. A proper diet can really change the way a person feels inside and out. Not only will getting the right nutrients help your arthritis, but losing excess weight that puts strain on your joints will help too. Supplement what you can’t get from your diet. Glucosamine can really help. It promotes cartilage growth, thus offering relief from stiffness and pain. Be sure to read all labels carefully and do your research when selecting the supplement of your choice. Exercise the joints that hurt. Take it easy with them though, because overdoing it could make them hurt worse. Work on range-of-motion exercises to promote joint flexibility and strengthening exercises to assist the joints so they don’t have to work as hard. Ice can help with joint inflammation as well, especially if your arthritis stems from an old sports injury. Listen to your body. Ice may actually make joints more uncomfortable if left on for too long. For the brave, acupuncture–a traditional Chinese medicine–can be helpful for arthritis pain and it is all-natural. The procedure, which involves inserting hair-thin needles into the skin of the patient, is becoming very popular in the United States as a treatment for chronic arthritis pain. It is thought to increase circulation to the areas that are in pain. But, as with any alternative medicine, you should check with your doctor first. Chiropractors or massage therapists can also treat those with arthritis without the use of drugs. Often, a good massage will do wonders for aching joints.

When looking at your arthritis pain, you can tell better than anyone what your pain tolerance is. If you are really looking for a natural way to manage your arthritis pain, there are options available to you and resources to find what you’re looking for. You don’t have to settle for prescription pain medications just to make it though a day. Granted, the natural way may take a little longer and the results may not be as noticeable at first, but your body will thank you for it in the long run.

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