How to Stop Arthritis Tingling
According to the article "Rheumatoid Arthritis-When Do I Call the Doctor?" by pain specialist Dr. William Shiel Jr., "when a joint swells, it can pinch the nerves of sensation that pass next to it." The swelling or inflammation can put pressure on the nerve and cause pain, tingling and numbness. This sensation is most common in the arms, fingers and toes. Thus, a person usually needs to get rid of inflammation to alleviate tingling. Both conditions can be treated with a combination or rest, ice, heat, medication and exercise.
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Things You'll Need
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve)
- Ice
- Ice pack or hand towel (with bath towel)
- Heating pad
- Glucosamine/Chondroitin
Instructions
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Stopping Your Arthritis Tingling
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Stop all physical activity immediately and rest for a few days. During this time, take two ibuprofen or naproxen every four to six hours. Continue to take this anti-inflammatory medication daily until your inflammation and tingling are gone.
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2
Put ice in an ice pack or inside a hand towel. Strap or tie the ice pack or hand towel around your arthritic joint so that the ice is compressed directly against your source of tingling. Leave the ice in place for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat ice therapy every three to four hours. Treat your tingling joint with ice until the initial inflammation has subsided.
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Once the initial inflammation is under control, use a heating pad for 15 to 20 minutes several times per day. Continue with the heat treatments until your arthritis tingling has been eliminated.
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Once the initial inflammation has subsided, perform several stretching exercises every day as follows: Stretch your joint in one direction and hold that position for 15 to 30 seconds. Subsequently, stretch your joint in the opposite direction and hold that position for 15 to 30 seconds. If your joint moves more than two ways, also stretch it to each side and hold both movements for 15 to 30 seconds each.
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Purchase a combined glucosamine and chondroitin supplement. Take two pills daily. Continue dosage until your arthritis tingling is cured.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you get ice on your joint the first 48 to 72 hours after the tingling commences. Ice can reduce inflammation and tingling by narrowing blood vessels (vasoconstriction) and limiting the flow of blood and lymph fluid to your joint. After you get your inflammation under control, easing some of the tingling, the heat will promote blood (with healing properties like oxygen and vitamin C) flow to your affected joint. Massaging your joint gently may also help relieve tingling if done in conjunction with the other treatments. Massage is known to relax active nerves. Also, any exercise that helps tendinitis is usually effective for arthritis as well. Besides stretching, other exercises you can perform include walking, using an exercise bike or doing some light weightlifting to build strength in your joint. Exercise increases circulation which can also foster the healing process of arthritis tingling.
Always see your doctor if your symptoms do not start improving after a few days. You may need stronger medication or your condition may stem from a more serious ailment.
