Managing The Pain Of Arthritis

Pain may be acute (temporary, injury-related) or chronic (long-term, disease/disorder-related). The pain of arthritis is a chronic pain that lasts weeks, months and years. Over 40 million Americans suffer with some form of arthritis and experience chronic pain that limits their day-to-day activities. Did you know that most people don't even talk to their doctors about the pain of arthritis, but instead suffer the symptoms as if it were just a mere headache? Understand that arthritic pain is indicative of something that is wrong beneath the surface and the sooner steps are taken to minimize damage, the more mobile you'll be!

Arthritic pain may come from inflammation of the tissues that line the joints. Other times, pain comes from muscle, tendons and ligament swelling or strain. Sometimes fatigue and our emotional center affects how we process pain too. To measure arthritis pain, your doctor will ask you a series of questions related to your hurting.

Before you visit your doctor, it may be a good idea to keep a diary of symptoms that appear over a week or two. Write down the intensity, sensations, severity and what you did to ease the aches. You may then undergo a standard physical exam, submit blood or urine samples and get X-rays to determine the damage done. Once the first steps are taken, your doctor will find the best coping skills and medical treatments for your unique case.

Many people who suffer long-term pain from arthritis or fibromyalgia are turning to alternative therapies that have been tested for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine. With a host of TCM clinics popping up around America, arthritis sufferers are now treating the pain with acupuncture, supplements, yoga and tai chi exercises, special diets, glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate. Doctors say the best approach is a combination of medication, alternative therapies, lifestyle modifications and therapy.

The pain you feel can be frustrating and stressful, so why not transfer those negative emotions into a positive activity like exercising? "The reason strength training helps is that strong muscles cushion the joints, acting as shock absorbers," says author and researcher Miriam Nelson. In a study of 46 people over 55 years old who suffered with osteoarthritis, she found that the group of individuals that completed exercise routines involving step ups, squats and knee extensions saw a dramatic decrease in pain. In fact, 43% reported reduced pain, 44% reported improved physical functioning, and daily tasks like putting on socks or getting out of a chair improved greatly. The findings from this study gives researchers hope that a basic exercise program can dramatically improve the lifestyle of those who suffer serious, long-term arthritic pain symptoms.