Modalities For Arthritis Relief Santa Cruz Patients Should Know Of

By Sandra Allen


Arthritis is a condition affecting the joints in a variable pattern. Some people may have just one joint involved while others may have multiple joint involvement. Chronic osteoarthritis may develop as a result of an autoimmune disease or may simply be a degenerative change. The results may be either rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune) or osteoarthritis (degenerative). There is a lot of similarly in the signs and symptoms of the two subtypes. There are a number of things on arthritis relief Santa Cruz patients need to understand.

Drugs continue to play a vital role in the management of arthritis symptoms. The main classes of drugs used are analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. It has been observed that the dosage and number of drugs needed to control the symptoms increase as the condition progresses. This makes it more difficult for some patients to remain compliant to what has been described and also increases the risk of experiencing serious side effects. These, as well as other reasons, have created the need to have alternative therapies.

Weight loss has been fronted as one of the strategies that can be used. The reasoning behind it is that joints bear the body weight as it is transmitted through the bony skeleton. If the weight is too much, then the risk of damage to the joints is higher. It has been observed that losing weight reduces the strain on these joints and effectively reduces pain.

Taking part in physical exercise on a regular basis is one of the ways of shedding off some extra pounds of fat. The good news is that this is not the only benefit of exercise. Patients with joint problems taking part in exercise also experience an improvement in joint flexibility. This will help reduce the stiffness that is also a common symptom as well as the pain. Strenuous exercises such as running and walking should avoided and those that are less stressful such as swimming and light aerobics chosen.

Hot and cold therapies are generally accepted as treatment options for most forms of pain. Arthritis pain is no exception. Efforts should be made to incorporate this form of intervention in the daily routine. For instance one can take a warm shows or bath daily preferably in the morning when the symptoms are most severe. They may also opt for an electric blanket to keep them warm at night.

As with many other chronic conditions, oriental medicine has found its space in the treatment of arthritis. Acupuncture, in particular, has gained huge popularity. This ancient form of Chinese medicine, is carried out by inserting fine needles in predetermined parts of the body with the aim of influencing what is referred to as life energy. The aim is to restore the flow of this energy which in turn restores the wellness of the body.

It has been postulated that psychological stress has a role in the manifestation of symptoms. Therefore, reducing the stress may help control symptoms to some extent. Many strategies of stress management exist. Meditation and yoga are quite common and are used for the management of many physical, emotional and psychological conditions.

The impact of diet cannot be ignored. A number of foods and supplements have been found to worsen the condition while others are associated with relief. In general, diets that have high levels of omega 3 fats are beneficial in the reduction of stiffness and pain. Others include those with gamma linolelic or GLA. Always remember to consult your doctor before trying out any new form of treatment.




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