For those with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, their lives begin each morning filled with excruciating pain and stiffness. But, with over the counter pain relievers, and other natural remedies including some pharmaceuticals, joint pain relief is just moments away.
Pain management is conducive to a normal, healthy life and a return to former activities and daily routines. Because inflammation causes most of the pain in arthritis sufferers, Ibuprofen, Aleve, and other over the counter medications are recommended as a temporary pain reliever and inflammation reducer. For more severe conditions, pharmaceutical drugs may be prescribed, such as a low dose of hydrocodone. These of course, only relieve pain, they do nothing about retarding joint damage.
Pain management should be undertaken on a regular basis, no matter which medication or treatment is chosen for joint pain relief. If a medication is taken at 7am, noon, 4pm and 10pm. it is important to stick to the routine, or risk the chance of the pain increasing. In some cases, it is very difficult to stay on top of it if a schedule is not followed. With low dose hydrocodone, it has been found some people actually function almost 85% back to their normal precondition. But only while on the medication, as when it wears off the pain returns immediately.
Natural remedies to increase blood flow and functioning of the joints are, deep muscle massage, acupuncture, stretching or pilates on days when the joints don’t hurt, and swimming. Foods which should be limited to reduce inflammation are, red meat, seed oils, bacon, cream, and cheese. Increase leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits and include more fatty fish in the diet, as it contains Omega 3 which reduces inflammation, thereby reducing pain as well.
There are new prescription drugs which have been tested and approved, which show great promise of retarding the damage to joints especially, in those with rheumatoid arthritis. This is remarkable in that many of those with this debilitating autoimmune disorder may actually recapture their health and lives back. Of course, it is very important to review all side effects and compare those to the benefits of the drug.
