| Modern pain management has evolved into a whole | | | | (cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenalin), you will also |
| sub-specialty of medicine. Chronic pain is no longer | | | | minimize your body's production of inflammatory |
| considered a normal part of the aging process or | | | | molecules, again providing arthritis pain relief. |
| something you just have to learn to live with. | | | | Restorative sleep is the last lifestyle factor that can |
| Instead, there are a wide array of therapies and | | | | impact chronic pain in a positive way. Sleep is the |
| products available to improve almost any type of | | | | time your body begins the repair process from all the |
| chronic pain. You may be most familiar with the use | | | | wear and tear of the day. Without restorative sleep, |
| of heat, ice and over-the-counter remedies, such as | | | | your body never gets the opportunity to repair itself. |
| tylenol, ibuprofen and aspirin. Yet there are a whole | | | | Yet many people with chronic pain don't get |
| host of additional therapies as well as lifestyle | | | | adequate levels of quality sleep; either their pain |
| changes that can dramatically improve chronic pain. | | | | keeps them awake or their medications impact their |
| Arthritis is a good example of the way a multitude of | | | | normal sleep cycle. Good sleep practices, medications |
| therapies can now be used to create effective pain | | | | and even supplements can help restore normal sleep |
| relief. Many people seek arthritis pain relief since | | | | cycles. |
| arthritis is such a common form of chronic pain. | | | | Luckily, there are a broad range of pain relief |
| There are now a plethora of therapies that can | | | | medications now available to help soothe inflammation |
| provide joint pain relief, if used in combination | | | | and provide arthritis pain relief. Non-steroidal |
| appropriately. | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, |
| We now know that arthritis with joint deterioration is | | | | Celebrex(TM) and naprosyn are commonly used |
| a result of chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation | | | | medications. Ibuprofen and naprosyn are available as |
| is frequently caused by a host of lifestyle choices | | | | over-the-counter products while Celebrex and several |
| including poor dietary habits leading to obesity, | | | | other stronger versions of the NSAIDS are still |
| overuse of major joints such as hips and knees as | | | | prescription drugs. Anti-depressants such as |
| well as, at least for some people, genetic tendencies | | | | amitryptilin and trazadone help with pain relief, often |
| to create excessive inflammation. | | | | by enhancing quality sleep. Occasionally, anticonvulsant |
| Good nutrition is not only important in preventing | | | | drugs like neurontin, used for seizure disorders, may |
| inflammation but can also fight inflammation once it | | | | be prescribed if nerve pain accompanies joint pain, |
| occurs. An anti-inflammatory diet has a heavy | | | | such as arthritis in the spinal area. |
| emphasis on foods such as whole grains. Whole | | | | In addition to lifestyle changes and pain relief |
| grains keep blood sugar levels normal, thus reducing | | | | medications, physical therapy can often help with |
| the release of inflammatory molecules called | | | | arthritis pain. A physical therapist can teach you |
| cytokines when blood sugar levels spike high. Lean | | | | exercises which strengthen your muscles and support |
| meats, low in saturated fats, prevent the storage of | | | | your joints. They can also offer ultrasound, heat, ice |
| fat that releases inflammatory cytokines as well as | | | | and other forms of soothing therapies. Some patients |
| prevents wear and tear on joints from excessive | | | | find relief with acupuncture, chiropractic care and |
| body weight. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with | | | | various forms of massage therapies. |
| phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are large molecules | | | | When these lifestyle changes, medications and |
| able to fight inflammation. They are important not | | | | various forms of physical therapies aren't effective, it |
| only in preventing the development of arthritis and | | | | may be time for a more invasive approach to your |
| joint pain but also in providing joint pain relief once | | | | pain. This is when it is important to seek the opinion |
| arthritis does occur. Finally, fish and flaxseed oil are | | | | of a qualified medical expert, such as a pain |
| rich in a healthy, essential, fatty acid called omega 3. | | | | management specialist. He or she can evaluate your |
| Omega 3 fatty acids provide the building blocks for | | | | pain and make an educated recommendation |
| your cells, including joints, lubricating them with | | | | concerning options such as steroid injections versus |
| healthy oil that enhances your body's own | | | | surgical interventions. While steroid injections can be |
| anti-inflammatory processes. | | | | very effective in providing arthritis pain relief, the |
| If you have difficulty consuming an adequate diet of | | | | injections may need to be repeated over time and |
| whole grains, lean meats, fruits and vegetables as | | | | may be limited to only three times a year. |
| well as fish and flaxseed, you may need supplements | | | | Surgery is usually viewed as an option of last resort. |
| such as antioxidant vitamins, minerals, glucosamine, | | | | It is a very invasive and permanent approach to |
| anti-inflammatory herbs and fish oil capsules to | | | | solving chronic pain. The good news, however, is that |
| provide what your diet is missing. They are effective | | | | new, less invasive types of surgery have proven to |
| and safe if used in conjunction with your physician's | | | | be as effective as the older, more extensive types |
| advice. | | | | of surgery. Implanted devices can deliver constant |
| In addition to good nutrition, exercise is important to | | | | infusions of pain relief medication near the spine |
| provide effective joint pain relief. Exercise should | | | | where pain is perceived. Some devices deliver pulses |
| always be done with the least amount of pressure | | | | of pleasant electrical current to override severe pain |
| on sensitive joints. Many arthritis sufferers find water | | | | sensations. Herniated discs can be treated through |
| exercises to be effective, fun and comfortable. | | | | key-hole incisions. Even joint replacement surgeries |
| Water cushions the joints and provides both aerobic | | | | now available result in shorter recovery times and |
| and weight-resistance exercises without stressing | | | | faster return to your usual activities. |
| tender joints. Sometimes, health insurance plans | | | | If you or someone you love is suffering with chronic |
| cover these as physical therapy expenses. Check | | | | pain, there is relief. Don't let chronic pain stop you in |
| with your physician or insurance carrier for exact | | | | your tracks. Consult with a qualified pain management |
| details. | | | | specialist, improve your lifestyle and know there are |
| Stress management is important in controlling chronic | | | | a broad range of options waiting for you to explore. |
| arthritis pain as well. By developing habits and routines | | | | Take charge of your pain! Don't let your pain take |
| that minimize your body's level of stress hormones | | | | charge of you! |