How to Heal Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that involves the deterioration of joint cartilage normally considered to be the result of "wear and tear." Sufferers of this condition experience stiffness and loss of movement in the joints. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no cure for osteoarthritis. However, there are multiple ways to manage and heal this disease in order to live a normal life.

Things You'll Need

• Heat packs or heating pads
• Tylenol or Aspirin (Pain relievers)
• Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Sulindac (anti-inflammatories)
• Physician
• Flexiril or Robaxen (muscle relaxers)
• Prilosec or antacids

Instructions

Instructions

1. Lose weight. Start by losing 15 to 20 pounds to lessen the stress of your weight on your joints. Stretch daily to maintain joint flexibility. For instance, stretch the shoulder joints by holding the arms out to the sides amd circling them in a windmill fashion. Tense your joints---if you have osteoarthritis of the knees or hips---by pressing them in tightly for a few seconds and then slowly releasing them. Complete the exercise routine by walking on ground level daily for a minimum of 30 minutes.

2. Apply heat packs or heating pads to joints that are stiff or sore. Place them over the muscles next to the joint for maximum benefit. Ensure that the temperature is not too hot or scolding.

3. Treat your symptoms, with a physician's approval, through pain relievers such as Tylenol and aspirin. Take a drug for anti-inflammation to relieve pain and inflammation. Some prescription anti-inflammatories are Sulindac, Naproxen and Ibuprofen. Ask your physician to prescribe antacids or proton-pump inhibitors such as Prilosec to lessen the side effects of the anti-inflammatories.

4. Consider muscle relaxers to ease spasms if there is discomfort. Consult with your physician regarding Flexeril and Robaxin.

5. Invest in therapeutic massage. Visit the website for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (www.ncbtmb.org) to locate a certified practitioner in your area. Consider the possibility of physical therapy and ask your doctor if this is a possible palliative remedy. Utilize a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation machine to place pressure on the nerves through electrical stimulation. Talk to a physiotherapist to explain how to position the pads and select the right frequency and pulse strength.

6. Eliminate stress by employing deep breathing methods to start your day and at the end of your day. Put on some relaxing music and sit Indian-style or lie down on a hard surface. Slowly inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Allow thoughts to pass your mind. Avoid focusing on any particular thought.

7. Get injections to lessen the swelling, inflammation and pain. You may need to receive these injections once a week for a while. Do not inject yourself. Allow injections only under the supervision of a doctor.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply heat before stretching to relieve the muscles.

• Water and swimming exercises are recommended for those suffering from osteoarthritis of the knees or hips.

• Seek the opinion of several doctors before considering surgery as surgery can be risky. Have an osteotomy done to change the position of your joints and relieve joint pain if your joints are not stiff. Consider arthroscopic surgery to remove tissue within the joint.

• All treatments for osteoarthritis should be undertaken under the care and guidance of a physician.

• Tylenol may damage the kidneys or the liver in those with liver disease.

• If you have allergies to aspirin or have had a stomach ulcer do not take aspirin.

• Corticosteroid injections can cause joint degradation if administered over a long period of time.

References

• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoarthritis