How to Use Osteopathy to Relieve Arthritis Pain

Osteopathic treatment can reduce pain, lessen swelling and improve your mobility and range of movement with your form of arthritis. Joint degeneration is normal and common in most adults over 35. Arthritis is classified as either degenerative or osteoarthritis. Holisitic methods involved in osteopathy can focus on immediately alleviating the pains associated with arthritis. Treatment may require repeated sessions, each of which is moderately priced. Osteopathy will use a multifaceted and healthy approach to treat arthritis. Follow these steps to learn more.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

Choose Water Exercise to Treat Arthritis

1. Explore water therapy to relieve arthritis pain. Submersion in warm water offers a safe environment for reducing arthritis pain and stiffness. Your osteopath can prescribe particular movements to ease your condition.

2. Use aquatic exercise for joints and muscles. Use the natural resistance of water to build muscle strength. Associated benefits of aquatic exercise include improved self-esteem and increased energy.

3. Discuss options to relieve pain using medicines if necessary.

Create Healthy Habits

1. Follow professional advice. Osteopathic practitioners may direct you to use natural vitamin supplements to assist with their physical techniques to relieve arthritis pain.

2. Take positive steps to improve your diet, which may be a factor in arthritis. Learn more about this topic by reading "How to Eat Away Arthritis" (see Resources below).

3. Use cold packs applied directly to pain or swelling after exercise.

4. Stretch and warm up with range-of-motion exercises.

5. Benefit from a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is known to reduce joint pain and improve personal endurance. Increased flexibility can counteract mobility limitations.

Treat Arthritis of the Hand with Exercise

1. Decrease stiffness in hands and fingers by doing regular finger and hand exercises.

2. Relax your hand. Begin with fingers outstretched and tightly closed together.

3. Bend the end and middle joints of your fingers. Pay attention to keeping your wrist and knuckles straight. Make slow, fluid movements.

4. Return your hand to the starting position. Repeat with your other hand.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan to select an osteopath as your primary care provider, check out his or her education, license, and experience.

• Consult family members, friends, or other health professionals for referrals.

• Consider the cost before beginning treatment. Consult your insurance plan to see if some costs may be covered. Treatments are generally moderate in price.

• Be cautious if your doctor tells you that pain killers or anti-inflammatories are the only relief for your pain.

• Osteopathy is not a cure for situations when surgery may be the better option, like a hip replacement necessitated by severe degeneration.

• Before you start any alternative medical technique, consult your doctor. Keep your doctor informed about any treatment you undertake. If joint swelling, stiffness or pain increase, discontinue your routine and consult your doctor.