Did you know that 1 in 4 US adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis? This rate increases with age and with those who are less active.
Arthritis symptoms can impact every aspect of your life—which makes it harder to do the things you love. Finding the right arthritis pain relief can transform your quality of life.
There are many strategies to try if you are looking to get relief from rheumatoid arthritis pain. Keep reading to learn about the different approaches to treating symptoms.
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Finding Relief for Arthritis Pain
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease with no current cure. While it can be hard to diagnose, doctors usually look for swelling in your joints.
The main treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is focused on pain management. There are multiple ways to reduce discomfort and slow down the disease’s progression.
If you are looking for arthritis pain relief, the best place to start is with daily habits. Consider starting a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management.
Natural Remedies
Many natural remedies that provide the best pain relief for arthritis are also healthy habits. Getting enough sleep, practicing yoga, taking up tai chi, and finding support groups can help reduce symptoms and increase overall well-being.
In addition to lifestyle changes, you can also try:
- Heat treatments—Heating pads can enhance circulation and make physical activity less painful
- Cold treatments—Ice packs can help reduce acute pain
- Acupuncture—can help relieve pain by stimulating certain parts of the body
- Massage or physical therapy—can help reduce pain and increase range of motion
Targeted Medications
Because every patient is different, doctors will look at a range of factors when choosing a medication. Finding the right medication often requires a process of trial and error. Brands like “CBDfx” offer targeted topicals for pain relief as well.
Prescribing medication is the standard treatment for pain relief from rheumatoid arthritis. The most common medications recommended by doctors include:
- NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can relieve pain and reduce inflammation
- DMARDs can reduce symptoms and slow the disease progression but don’t necessarily help with acute pain management
- Supplements like omega-6 fatty acids can help reduce pain
- Steroids like prednisone can slow joint damage and reduce inflammation
Surgical Intervention
If natural treatments and medications fail to slow joint damage, you may have to consider surgery to repair joint damage. While there is an initial recovery period, this can help reduce pain and restore mobility in the long term.
Surgery for pain relief from rheumatoid arthritis includes tendon repair, joint fusion, and total joint replacement. The most common procedures are hip and knee replacements.
How to Get Relief From Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
Getting relief from rheumatoid arthritis pain can immediately improve your quality of life. When considering how to treat your symptoms, it’s a great idea to look at long-term lifestyle changes and consult your doctor. A combination of natural remedies and prescribed medication can help you increase mobility and relieve pain.
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