Although living with a true diagnosis of arthritis can be exasperating, this is the first step in treatment. One must understand that arthritis comes in many forms and knowing your exact diagnosis is helpful when dealing with treatments, pain and discomfort.
General treatment for arthritis consists of occupational and/or physical therapy, medications, prescribed exercises and possibly surgical intervention, with the first four options available as home care services. One good note is that with the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, there have been recent advances in the treatment that can create a slowing or even eliminating the progression of this type of arthritis.
Ordered rest periods sometimes are the only way to get relief from pain and discomfort from osteoarthritis, which often times comes from home care. This allows healing of injured joints which is often followed by, to rebuild strength, exercise. Sometimes there is nothing you can do for this type of arthritis, which causes, no matter what you do, continuing pain and discomfort.
Protecting your joints is the most important thing you can do to prevent arthritis. An occupational therapist can teach you some techniques through home care services. You can learn certain exercises that will protect you joints. You can build your muscles without straining your joints, thus strengthening your joints.
Braces are a great way to protect your joints from further injuries. Placing support bars and grab bars where you may need them, by your favorite chair or in the bathroom, may also be a good idea.
To help reduce strain on arthritic joints you may want to consider using a cane or walker. This will ease the discomfort. Avoid opening jars, putting on socks and other strenuous activities when your joints are inflamed.
Heat is another great alternative to assist one in the relief of arthritis and its discomforts. Nevertheless, as many home care services will explain, careful attention must be extended when using this form of comfort. Heating pads can over heat during use causing severe burns, which lead to an entirely different set of problems. The best option maybe with the use of a hot water bottle or warm soaks. However, warming water or towels in a microwave can cause ‘hot spots’ that will in turn burn the skin.
Finally you can ask your physician about medicine; some people may take anti-inflammatory medicine to help relieve the pain as well, but watch out when doing this because becoming dependent upon these medications is very common and very dangerous.
