Ways to Reduce Arthritis Pain in Seniors
Arthritis is a very common problem that many seniors experience. Patients with arthritis experience inflammation in the joints, which leads to pain in these areas as well as a lack of mobility. There are many ways to reduce arthritis pain in seniors, particularly for those living in assisted living homes who have access to extra care. Here are some ways that seniors can reduce arthritis pain and live more comfortably.
Alternate Between Heat and Cold Therapy.
Both hot and cold can make a huge difference when it comes to pain and stiffness in arthritis patients. Heat helps improve mobility, so it’s particularly good in the morning when first waking up, which is a time when seniors commonly experience stiffness. A warm shower or an electric blanket can get the joints started for the day. Cold therapy works better to reduce inflammation, which leads to pain. Using ice packs on areas that are inflamed will reduce swelling in the joints quickly.
Be Aware of Your Diet.
There are certain nutrients that actually reduce inflammation, and taking the time to incorporate these into your diet on a regular basis can make a huge difference in the amount of pain you’re experiencing. In particular, omega-3 fatty acids are very helpful for arthritis, because they lubricate the joints, reducing pain and stiffness. These are found in fish and other seafood. If you don’t get enough seafood in your diet, you can also take an omega-3 supplement. In addition to nutrients, there are also spices and ingredients that are thought to have medicinal properties that can help with inflammation. One of these is turmeric. Turmeric has been used historically to treat swelling and inflammation, and it’s easy to add a bit of it to your dinners.
Add Gentle Exercise to Your Routine.
Exercise is one of the best ways to mitigate the pain of arthritis. Although moving may sound like a counterintuitive solution when you’re feeling stiff, there’s actually plenty of benefits for arthritis patients. It helps your joints stay mobile and flexible, which prevents them from locking up and causing more pain. Exercise can also help you lose weight, which will result in less stress placed on your joints overall. Not all exercises are suitable for arthritis patients - ideally, the exercise should be low weight-bearing, such as swimming or using a recumbent bicycle. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Try Different Forms of Therapy, Such as Massage, Acupuncture, or Chiropractic Treatment.
In addition to seeing your primary care doctor, you may find you benefit from seeing another professional who specializes in physical therapy and other forms of treatment. Many patients find they benefit from massage, which helps improve flexibility and range of motion in the joints and reduces feelings of tightness and pain. Acupuncture is another common therapy that is often used for arthritis. It is a very old form of therapy that focuses on finding pressure points in the body and releasing energy. Finally, you may want to consider gentle chiropractic treatment for arthritis. Chiropractors can help you put your joints into alignment to reduce tension buildup. Just be sure that your chiropractor knows you have arthritis so they can treat you appropriately. An at-home treatment option for arthritic stiffness/discomfort in the neck or back is Posture Pump® Disc Hydrators®.* Posture Pump® draws in nutrient-rich fluid to the discs of the neck & back, promoting better range of motion, and well-lubricated joints. If you aren’t sure what type of therapy would be most effective for you, consider working generally with a physical therapist to determine what types of treatments would be most helpful.
Avoid Repetitive Motions That Could Create Tension/Exacerbate Arthritis Pain.
Repetitive motion built up through work or other physical activities is a big cause of arthritis for many people. This repetitive motion builds up tension in the joints, which eventually results in the development of arthritic pain. If you already have arthritis, it’s very important to avoid repetitive motions, such as typing, for long periods of time. If you don’t have the option of avoiding these repetitive motions, take frequent breaks to stretch your joints and muscles.
Arthritis is a very frustrating physical condition, but it can be managed with these pain relief methods. It’s very important to talk to your doctor about this to make sure you’re taking appropriate measures to treat your condition, as well as for other general senior living help. Everyone’s arthritis is unique, so treatments that work for someone else may be different from the treatments that work for you. There are also medications that you can use along with these pain relief techniques to manage the condition.
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