Alternative Treatments Tips
Read these 7 Alternative Treatments Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Arthritis tips and hundreds of other topics.
Finding Arthritis Products
There are a variety of different products that aid in the treatment of arthritis, including oral medications, topical treatments and adaptive equipment devices that assist with tasks of daily living, such as pulling on socks and managing buttons.
The type of arthritis that you have - osteoarthritis, spondyloarthropathy or rheumatoid - will impact the type of treatments and products that you need, as these different types of arthritis have some different symptoms and management guidelines.
Pain management interventions can include:
- pain medication patches (Fentanyl)
- NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory medications - Naprosyn)
- narcotics (Morphine)
- steroids (Prednisone)
- topical anesthetic patches
(Lidoderm)
- heat packs or ice packs
- massage, PT or OT
- over the counter analgesics (Tylenol)
Life management products can include:
- button aides
- sock aides
- velcro shoes
- splints or other positioning devices
for your hands
- kitchen utensils with oversized
handles
- electric can-openers and other
utility kitchen aides
Natural remedies can include:
- capsicum cream or patches
- herbal moist packs
- warm baths with mineral salts
(Magnesium)
I suggest seeing a Rheumatologist who can help to determine the type of arthritis you have, and the best way to approach treatment.
TENS Treatment
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. TENS involves a small device that sends mild electrical pulses to nerves in the painful area. All it feels like is a vibrating or tapping sensation and it doesn't hurt. A TENS unit can help decrease the pain. If you are interested in it, you can talk to your doctor or physical therapist.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be a big help to anyone with arthritis. Therapists can give you certain exercises that can help the pain. They can also give you ideas on how to help yourself.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a practice where small, thin needles go into the skin at specific points on the body. This procedure is used to help reduce moderate pain. It is generally safe and has few side effects. If you are interested, talk to your doctor about it.
Ultrasounds
Ultrasounds are painless ways of helping reduce pain. It sends sound waves into the area it is being done on. A physical therapist can perform these.
Turmeric Helps with Inflammation
Take 1000 milligrams of turmeric daily if suffering with arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis pain. Turmeric, the Asian yellow-rich spice found in curry, is a natural anti-inflammatory substance that helps the arthritis sufferer deal with achy, inflammed joints. Turmeric can be added to your diet. Added to egg salad or rice, it gives the dish a rich hue and middle eastern flavor. Place a couple of teaspoons in the soup pot for extra flavor and color.
Turmeric can also be taken in a capsule form. Find the capsule at most natural food stores. It is typically mixed with piperine or black pepper extract to aid absorption of the healthy effects of turmeric. You can also purchase the turmeric in bulk along with capsule shells and make your own supplement to take.
However you take turmeric, the anti-inflammatory benefits will be noticeable.
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