If you have seen anyone go through the agony of arthritis, you'll know the importance of arthritis pain relief. Arthritis affects some 46 million Americans. In addition to the personal cost in terms of discomfort there is also a financial cost. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that the cost to the nation is around a staggering 128 billion dollars a year.
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. The symptoms include pain around the joints and loss of joint movement. This often results in loss of mobility with the consequent risk of becoming overweight. And people overweight will put more stress on their joints leading to a vicious circle.
So what are the options for arthritis pain relief? The drugs that are commonly used include anti-inflammatory drugs that also have a pain killing effect. These include NSAIDS. However there have been some concerns raised that this type of drug can cause damage or bleeding of the gut, especially if used over a prolonged period of time.
Other options include acupuncture. This ancient Chinese medicine involves the inserting of small needles into the skin at specific points. There is a whole theory and methodology behind how and where the needles are inserted and practitioners take 3 years or more to learn the art. As a patient you do not have to know any of this. Some patients have reported good results with this treatment.
Magnet therapy is another popular alternative treatment for arthritis. Special high strength magnets are placed close to the site where pain is. These need to be left in place for some time. Therefore the magnets have been incorporated into items such as bracelets that can be worn throughout the day. If you have pain over a much wider area you could benefit from a blanket or mattress cover that has had magnets put into it.
Supplements are another popular item for arthritis sufferers. Cod liver oil, or other fish oils containing omega 3 fatty acids, have been shown to reduce inflammation and discomfort in testing. These products are available in capsules or liquid form. If you prefer your fish in its natural state rather than out of a bottle, you should choose naturally oily fish such as mackerel or herring.
Another supplement that is regularly used in arthritis pain relief is glucosamine. There have been a number of studies that have shown that this product can have a beneficial effect in sufferers of osteoarthritis. In addition to helping with pain, it can also help slow down the progression of the disease by preserving bone cartilage.
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At Last! How to Achieve Arthritis Pain Relief
