| recent survey on pain conducted by the Stanford | | | | Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, relaxation, |
| University Medical Center, arthritis pain was cited as | | | | yoga, and even emu oil are have proven effective |
| the chief complaint among America’s seniors, | | | | for many arthritis sufferers. |
| with thirty-two percent of the senior population listing | | | | Heat and cold can help alleviate pain too, but since |
| arthritis as the specific cause of their suffering. | | | | moist heat, such as that from a bath, acts differently |
| Arthritis does strike children and young adults as well, | | | | than the dry heat of a heating pad or the cold of an |
| although it afflicts the mature segment of the | | | | ice pack, this type of treatment needs to be |
| population more frequently. It is estimated that 15% | | | | discussed with a doctor or physical therapist. Doctors |
| of the American adult population suffer from arthritis, | | | | also often recommend patients wear splints or |
| and this number is rising, increasing the demand for | | | | braces to relieve joint pressure and protect them |
| arthritis pain relief. | | | | from further injury. |
| Arthritis is a general term encompassing over 100 | | | | Another technique, called transcutaneous electrical |
| different medical conditions that affect the | | | | nerve stimulation (TENS), works by blocking nerve |
| musculoskeletal system, the three most common | | | | endings from sending pain messages to the brain, so |
| being osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. It | | | | that the pain is never felt! A small TENS device sends |
| causes inflammation in the joints, tendons and | | | | mild electrical pulses to the nerve endings of the |
| ligaments. It manifests in every part of the body, | | | | painful area, which seem to ‘scramble’ |
| ranging from mild joint stiffness to crippling disability. | | | | their message to the brain. |
| Sufferers experience the pain of arthritis differently, | | | | Medications top the list for long-term arthritis pain |
| too; for some, arthritis is at it is most severe upon | | | | relief, and include several families of prescription |
| waking up, while others report that their condition | | | | drugs. Weight reduction, exercise, and stretching can |
| worsens throughout the day. No one knows exactly | | | | all go a long way toward reducing stress on joints. |
| what causes arthritis, but it is among the oldest of | | | | Surgery may be necessary for patients with severe |
| human afflictions. | | | | arthritis. The operation may realign the joint or |
| The type of arthritis and intensity of the condition | | | | replace the damaged joint with an artificial one. Total |
| determine the course of treatment. There is no cure | | | | joint replacement has resulted in dramatic arthritis |
| for arthritis, but there are traditional and alternative | | | | pain relief and improved range of motion for many |
| treatments that can bring arthritis pain relief. | | | | patients. |
| Prescription and over-the-counter medications are | | | | The most difficult but often the most effective pain |
| popular for treating arthritis pain. Acetaminophen | | | | reliever is establishing a healthy lifestyle - eating a |
| (Tylenol) is often recommended for osteoarthritis | | | | healthy diet, getting enough sleep at night, and daily |
| patients with little or mild inflammation, while aspirin | | | | exercise. All of these help ease the pain of chronic |
| and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | | | | arthritis. Support groups, a good physician, and |
| (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen work best for patients | | | | making the effort to stay informed about arthritis |
| with inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | treatment often benefits of patients suffering from |
| The healing touch of massage may stimulate the | | | | arthritis as well. |
| flow of blood, bringing heat and relief to stiff joints. | | | | |