Chronic Arthritis Pain Relief Alternatives

Some people are lucky and find that an arthritis exercise program in itself is effective enough for their pain. Not everyone is as fortunate. Many people need to supplement their exercise with one or more pain reducing methods.

Thankfully, there are numerous products and treatments available that can be used as supplements to an exercise program. In some instances they may be required to relieve pain and achieve a certain level of comfort prior to beginning exercise.

If arthritis exercise for joint pain is not effective enough for you, your physician can help you decide what might work best. They may recommend supplemental therapies such as:

• Chiropractic care is often used to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including back pain, neck pain, headaches and joint pain in the arms and legs. It is most commonly done through spinal manipulation.
  
  
• Acupuncture is a stimulation intended to promote health and relieve pain. Traditionally this has been done with fine, slender needles. However, many other methods are now incorporated including electricity, herbs, magnets and lasers.
  
  
• Stress reducing therapy that may include meditation and exercise such as yoga and Pilates, or even laughter therapy!
  
  
• Heat therapy in the form of warm gel packs, heat wraps and hot baths can provide both pain relief and healing benefits. Paraffin wax treatments and heating oil are also effectively used for heat therapy.
  
  
• Cold packs are often used as ice therapy immediately following an injury to reduce swelling and can be in the form of freezer packs, instant cold packs or ice wrapped in a towel.
  
  
• TENS units (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a pocket size, portable, battery operated device that sends electrical impulses to parts of the body to block pain signals.
  
  
• Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic use of water to revitalize, maintain, and restore health. Treatments are often in the form of steam baths, foot baths, saunas or sitz baths which concentrate on circulation in the pelvic area.
  
  
• Natural supplements such as herbs and vitamins are widely believed to help reduce the pain of many afflictions.
  

Your health care provider can also provide you with arthritis exercise tips that may help make your exercise routine more beneficial AND enjoyable!

It may take some experimentation and a combination of therapies, but in time you hopefully will find your own chronic arthritis pain relief secret!

You may also be interested in:
Arthritis and Knee Pain, Arthritis Exercise Program, Arthritis Exercise Tips