A Plan for Joint Pain Relief
February 5, 2010 by GuestPoster · Leave a Comment
The best plan for joint pain relief for you would of course depend on what is causing the joint pain in the first place. Some causes of joint pain, such as Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis, are not curable, however, the pain can be made manageable either through certain prescription drugs, steroids, dietary supplements, natural remedies or a combination of the above.
Some medicine-free ways of finding joint pain relief are: hot compresses applied several times a day (this increases the blood flow to the affected area and thus increases flexibility), cold compresses (numbs the area in pain), certain kinds of physical exercise (be sure to consult a doctor as to what kinds of exercise and how much exercise is good for you, as you don’t want to overdo). Some people use different dietary supplements or herbs as a way to control and relieve joint pain – some common supplements used are folic acid, ginger root and cod liver oil, although there are over a dozen more.
If you are looking for medicines that provide relief from joint pain, they fall under two categories. The first category of medicines provides relatively quick relief; aspirins and ibuprofen fall under this category. The other type of medicines is called COX-2 inhibitors. They are taken along with other quicker acting pain relievers. COX-2 inhibitors are relatively new; they stop your body from producing COX-2 enzymes, which in turn reduce some of the swelling and inflammation that causes joint pain.
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe steroids as a way of bringing quick relief from pain. The steroids will either be given orally in small doses, or injected into the area directly.
Something else to keep in mind if you are looking for joint pain relief is your lifestyle itself. Smoking is not good for your bones and it is not recommended for those suffering joint pain. You will also find that watching your weight and finding a good balance between rest and physical activity are musts for keeping joint pain in check.
