Pain Relief Tools & Activities for People Suffering from Arthritis

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – When you hear the word “arthritis”, what do you think of? Painful bones? Getting older? Many misconceptions about arthritis can lead to undue pain, trouble completing daily tasks, and even delayed diagnoses. Arthritis is actually inflammation of one or more joints in the body. Joints are the structures found where two bones of your skeleton meet, typically made of collagen or cartilage surrounded by lubricating synovial fluid that reduces friction and wear. Attached ligaments, tendons, and muscles reinforce joints and help prevent injury and dislocation.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, over 50 million adults experience doctor-diagnosed arthritis, that is 1 in 5 people over the age of 18. Surprisingly on top of that, 300,000 babies and children are afflicted by arthritis or a rheumatic condition too. While arthritis does normally worsen with age, its prevalence amongst working adults cannot be ignored, especially when it is the number one cause of disability.

While surgical and pharmacological routes for aiding arthritis inflammation and pain can be taken, there are occupational tools and household activities that can make living with arthritis easier and less painful as well.

Braces & Gloves: For arthritis pain targeted to the hand and wrist joints, over the counter hand braces and compression gloves can play a significant role in reducing swelling and alleviating pain. Thumb spica and hand splints, as well as larger hand and wrist braces, both immobilize your thumb and fingers to limit motion, as well as stabilizes the joints. Compression gloves for arthritis gently hug aching joints, applying pressure to boost blood circulation and reduce inflammation.

Handle Grippers: Arthritis pain can make holding small utensils and instruments, like pens, forks, spoons, and toothbrushes, difficult and painful. Handle grippers are thin rubber or silicone coils or sleeves that slide and wrap around the handles of thin utensils. This provides a wider, non-slip grip surface, helping someone with arthritis maintain the ability to write, feed themselves, and more.

Reacher Grabber: Reacher grabber tools enable people with arthritis to pick up and grab hard to reach items with ease. Whether it is your keys you dropped on the floor, or a jar up on a high shelf, reacher grabbers make quick work of grabbing those items securely and with less pain. Wide squeeze handles, a long shaft for an extension and rubber tipped (and magnetic) claws at the end make it easy to scoop up keys, phone, bottles, jars, and more.

Virtual Assistant: Tapping tiny buttons or icons to place a simple phone call can be painful and frustrating for someone suffering from arthritis. Virtual assistants like Siri on the iPhone, Google Home, or Amazon Echo make completing everyday tasks easier. With a voice command, virtual assistants can place calls, play music, update calendars and grocery lists, surf the web, fill you in on the news, read your texts, and more.

In addition to household ease-of-use tools like those mentioned above, a few noninvasive practices and treatments can address arthritis pain and weakness too.

Hand Exercises: Talk to your doctor about easy, repeated hand exercises you can do to boost blood circulation to joints, relieve inflammation, prevent stiffness, and even strengthen the muscles that help control phalange movement. Finger bend exercises are a great example – holding your hand out straight with fingers extended, bend your thumb and fingers one at a time towards your palm, holding each for a few seconds. Repeat with your other hand.

Routine Fitness: Where exercise used to be thought of as making arthritis worse, it has actually been proven to aid with inflammation and pain, especially for those suffering from osteoarthritis. Experts recommend aerobic exercises like walking, biking, or swimming, mindfulness practices like tai chi or yoga, and light strength training.

Topical Remedies: Pharmacies are stocked with over the counter creams, gels, and rubs to alleviate minor arthritis pain. Oftentimes containing menthol, capsaicin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, topical remedies help alter your body’s perception of pain temporarily with heating and cooling effects.

Physical Aid: Physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and even acupuncture have been used by some to treat arthritis pain noninvasively, or the muscle spasms and inflammation that can be associated with arthritic joints. Talk to your healthcare provider about seeking natural remedies like this which interest you.

If you are living with arthritis, or care for someone who has it, stay informed and know there are plentiful options for natural treatment and pain relief. From a simple household tool to a new exercise routine, you will be surprised what seemingly small changes can help.