Arthritis Pain Relief - Understanding the Different Types of Arthritis Pain Relief

There are millions of people all over the world who suffer from arthritis. In fact, it is one of the common causes of disability in the US alone, hindering the activities of nearly 20 millions adults.

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints of the body; it is the inflammation of joints due to immune system reaction, infections, or abnormal deposits of materials. The body's autoimmune system attacks the body instead of protecting it from harmful viruses and bacteria.

Inflammation is the body's defence mechanism to ward off harmful elements, in the case of arthritis the immune system produces an excessive amount of these cells and attacks the joints and the surrounding area making the particular joint of the body inflamed and swelling. Though there is no known cure or treatment that will correct these bodily reactions, there are working programs that aim to help patients with this disease to cope, and improve their quality of life.

Education and awareness program are also included in the program so that people will know what other people are going through. Along with these programs are self-management programs that aim to help patients to cope with the pain, reduce swelling, and give relief to patient who is suffering from arthritis.

There are dozens of arthritis pain relief methods that are out in the market today, you can choose from natural, chemical, ancient medicine or alternative medication. Just make sure that your doctor knows which medications or alternative medications you are taking, your doctor can help you in choosing which medication is appropriate from your condition.

Here is an overview of arthritis pain relief:

1. Creams, liniments, lotions and salves - this topical pain relief are often the first choice of people with mild arthritis. It provides instant relief and soothing and calming effect.

2. Acupuncture - this ancient technique of healing is another popular form of arthritis pain relief. It does not only relief pain but it also reduce inflammation, swelling and improve blood circulation. This holistic approach to pain management are now becoming popular because it gives instant relief and it is said to improve the general well being of the patient and lessen the recurrence of arthritis.

3. Anti-inflammatory drugs - these painkillers can be prescribed or bought over the counter. It is used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis such as swelling, pain, and stiffness. Painkillers are also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAID.

4. Corticosteroid or steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that help relieve pain and swelling. Although this is an effective treatment, this drug is rarely given due to its side effects. Often the doctor who administers this drug injects the affected area with steroids so that the dose that is administered is low.

5. Hyaluronan Injections - is a medication that reduces the pain, inflammation and swelling. The medicine is injected directly to the joints such as the knee, thus increasing the mobility of the joint.

6. Narcotic Pain Relievers - this medication only address the pain but not the inflammation and swelling of the joints. This medication is combined with other medication to achieve and enhance its effect. However, this type of medication can make the patient drug dependent with prolonged used.

For people with arthritis that regularly exercise and undergo some diet modification achieved some significant benefits in their overall health, like reduce pain, because exercise releases the natural pain reliever of the body, the endorphins, it also improves physical function by strengthening your muscles and increase flexibility.

Tests For Arthritis - Which Ones Are Right For You?

Identifying arthritis, or inflammation and swelling of the joints, can be a complex process. Doctors use several different tests to correctly identify the type of arthritis and prescribe an accurate treatment program. Doctors include a comprehensive physical examination and history of the patient and the patient's family as well as certain blood tests.

Doctors also use x-rays to accurately see the bones and joints. Although x-rays are reliable way of viewing the bone structure they are not accurate in identifying arthritis. Most people over the age of 65 have changes in their joints without having the accompanying joint pain, swelling and inflammation of arthritis. In fact, the cartilage and joint damage seen in an x-ray are often more severe than the patient's rating of pain and disability. The doctor will use x-rays with other findings and tests to identify the arthritic condition or modify a treatment program.

Doctors also use arthrography, a test in which dye is injected directly into the joint during a special x-ray procedure. The process is done in the radiology department, often by the radiologist. The test results are sent to the doctor and not given to the patient at the time of the procedure.

Computerized Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are tests that physicians use to assist in the identification of joint degeneration or the involvement of soft tissue or other organs. The CT scan takes pictures in slices of the body and are then fed back to a computer for interpretation. These x-ray pictures show bone but also show muscle and organ systems as well.

The MRI uses radio waves in a magnetic field. The radio waves react with the water in the body and send back images to a computer. An adult is approximately 60% content so the MRI can be fairly accurate over the entire body. This test is the best for viewing soft tissue and organ system changes.

Sometimes doctors also use arthrocentisis to evaluate the fluid that is normally found in the joints. Synovial fluid analysis is done in a laboratory. In an inflammatory response this fluid can increase in amount and get thicker causing swelling of the joint.

Isotope Bone Scans are test done in the radiology department of the hospital. A small dose of radioactive isotope is injected into the blood stream and taken up by the bones. A special camera is used to see the bones and most accurately evaluate the inflammation in the joints.

In gout the fluid also has urate crystals - this is a conclusive test for gout. The lab will evaluate the thickness of the fluid. Because there is an increase of the synovial fluid which causes pain and swelling with arthritis, the removal of this fluid for the test will also decrease pain and improve mobility for a short period of time.

If the disease has progressed the doctor may recommend an arthroscopy, or a small surgical procedure in which an incision is made over the joint. A small tube and camera are inserted into the joint so the doctor can view the damage and sometimes also repair or remove cartilage. This surgery is done in the hospital, usually under a local anesthetic to reduce the surgical risk to the patient.

Some arthritic conditions also cause soft tissue and organ damage. One organ that can be affected are the lungs. Doctors will order Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) to assess any damage that may have been done. This will help to identify arthritis and modify treatment programs.

Another organ that can be affected is the heart muscle. An Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) is used to assess any muscle damage, help to identify problems and change treatment programs

Although there are no conclusive tests for arthritis, used in combination, these tests give physicians an accurate clinical picture to make a diagnosis. Without a correct diagnosis any treatment plan would not help to stop the progression of the disease or lessen pain, swelling and disability. To Identify arthritis the doctor needs a comprehensive physical exam, family history, testing and the cooperation of the patient.

Reduce or Eliminate Arthritis Pain With Acupoint Therapy

Are you one of the many millions of people around the world that experience arthritis pain? If so, you are definitely not alone. Arthritis is a common cause of movement disabilities, particularly for senior citizens. Over 100 arthritis types exist and can be caused from obvious joint trauma to a variety of health problems such as gout, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, bursitis and more. A number of pharmaceuticals are geared toward arthritis pain relief and joint surgery is a treatment option as well. However, if you want to cover all bases in regards to pain relief you should add electronic acupuncture to your treatment options.

Acupuncture Basics

The ancient Chinese believed that the human body experienced pain and illness due to an imbalance of life energy, or qi. The practice of traditional acupuncture involves inserting stainless steel needles at key acupoints along the body to maintain proper energy flow along the channels that carry qi as well as unblock any obstructions. With the electronic form though, those stainless steel needles are bypassed in favour of a small device which delivers electromagnetic current through a handheld wand. By touching the wand to acupoints in the hand and palm, energy blockages within the body can be treated.

Electronic Acupuncture and Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is typically caused by inflammation in the joints as well as surrounding soft tissues. This inflammation is a response by your body's immune system to a host of factors such as infection, injury, heredity factors, general wear and tear from aging and even your lifestyle and environment. If you experience arthritis pain, you probably have taken traditional anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids or even participated in physical therapy.

You can self-treat at home with an electronic acupuncture device. Acupuncture can provide arthritis pain relief by boosting your endorphins, the chemicals that block pain. Delivering electromagnetic wave impulses into specific acupoints in the hand and palm stimulates the nerves and tissues which then send a message to your spinal cord and brain to release the endorphins. In addition to the release of pain-blocking endorphins, electronic acupuncture can also restore better blood flow to those arthritis-prone areas. Better blood flow boosts oxygen levels, a plus for stimulating healing and easing discomfort. By unblocking the energy channels, you gain a feeling of well-being.

The good news is electronic acupuncture devices are quite affordable and you can use them for more than arthritis pain relief. The electromagnetic wave therapy you receive through this form of acupuncture treats a host of other conditions and even has a detect mode which can pinpoint undiagnosed problems.

Can Gin Soaked Raisins Help Treat Arthritis?

When it comes to home remedies for arthritis, the most unusual but the most talked about natural treatment must be the gin soaked raisins. A lot of people swear to the healing properties of this remedy for arthritis. To prepare it, you need a bottle of gin and a handful of golden raisins. Put the raisins in a bowl. Pour enough gin to cover the raisins. Let the mixture stand, up until the gin had evaporated. This could take a week or so. Keep the moist raisins in a clean jar and cover it with a tight lid. Arthritis patients are required to eat nine raisins everyday for best effects. Holistic medicine experts say that these raisins are the perfect addition to your daily cereal.

This remedy does sound simple and strange. Does it really work? Well, there is only one way to find out. And that is to try it. As of yet, there is no scientific evidence that this remedy can work for you. But if you're a little desperate about your condition and have tried every single remedy for chronic arthritis found in the books but are still crippled with the problem, it is best that you go ahead and try this treatment therapy. After all, raisins are good for the body. It has lots of antioxidants that can help restore the cell's working ability.

The gin soaked raisin remedy for arthritis started when Paul Harvey spoke of it in his radio show. And since his show is very popular, the word spread rampantly and a lot of people started to try it. Basing on the groups of people who attested to the beneficial results of the combination, gin soaked raisin had slowly crept its way to folklore and natural remedy books, magazine, and feature articles. Right now, there are many gin soaked raisin recipes and preparation variations coupled with persuasive testimonials of the people who say that the remedy does work.

Well, it is best that the nutritional and beneficial values of raisin and gin combined are taken into consideration before fully attesting to their effectiveness. The impressive testimonials of the people who had tried the remedy are simply not enough to convince science.

It's a good thing that raisins does have good natural elements in it that proves to be helpful. Golden raisins and white raisins both contain sulphides or sulfur that can help relieve arthritis pain. The sulfur in raisins is obtained when fresh grapes start to slowly dry out. The drying process is assisted by the sulfur dioxide gas.

Raisins are rich in natural chemicals as well, which has both anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects. The pain relieving properties of raisins should be enough to treat the most common illnesses associated with pain and swelling.

Gin, on the other hand, is generally made up of juniper berries. Juniper is the main ingredient of gins that give it its flavor. It comes from evergreens and conifer plants found in North America and Europe. Juniper berries are rich in terpenes and Vitamin C. History indicates that these berries have been used since the Middle Ages. The folks of long ago use juniper berries as a medicine to treat swelling because of its effective anti-inflammatory properties.

However, the gin soaked raisin remedy for arthritis could be effective due to the placebo effect. Placebos are medicines that don't possess any medicinal value but are given to patients anyway to condition themselves of treatment. There are times that the mind has to be programmed to believe that a medicine is really effective for it to work. The same is true with the gin soaked raisin formula. Some people must be bent on the idea that the remedy really works that's why for them, it does. When the mind believes strongly on a medicine, the body's natural pain and disease mediators come into play. Their number gets heightened. Hence, the disease gets cured.

If you're really decided on the gin soaked raisin remedy for arthritis, there is no harm in trying it. But then again, you have to tell your doctor about it first. It pays to be guided by a medical expert when it comes to matters of the health. Your doctor should be able to warn you about any effects of this remedy on you, if any. And that's because doctors have your full medical record and they would know of your allergies and possible unnatural reactions to certain foods and food items.

How to Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis

There are over two million people in the US with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Those who suffer with it experience pain and inflammation in their joints, accompanied by swelling, stiffness, fever and fatigue. If left untreated, it can progress to total dysfunction of the joints. Relief does appear to be close at hand, with a new generation of treatments being trialed today.

The disease affects most people from middle age, but some children and young adults can face earlier onset (Juvenile Arthritis). Unlike Ankylosing Spondylitis, it affects double or more women than men. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects both sides of the body, which is called having symmetrical symptoms. This means if a person has it in one knee, they will have it in the other as well. It commonly affects the wrists and finger joints, but can be in any part of the body.

Some symptoms that aren't in the joints are anemia, a decrease in the production of red blood cells, muscular neck pain and dry eyes and mouth and, in some rare cases, inflamed blood vessels and lining of the lungs or heart. Some people will have shorter flair ups of RA that last a month or two, while others can have longer periods with severe symptoms for years on end.

The longer Rheumatoid Arthritis is actively causing symptoms, it is also causing more irreparable damage and disability to its victims. Osteoporosis is more prominent in long-term sufferers, which often means their bones will fracture very easily. Muscles that are used to support the joints are either weakened or suffer from over-use, causing referred pain and disability. As Rheumatoid Arthritis starts causing its damage very early on, rapid diagnosis is becoming prominently important.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease that affects the immune system, causing the body to turn against itself and attack healthy joint tissue. No specific cause has been identified, but it is believed that genetics, environment, hormones and stress levels can all have an impact. It is diagnosed with a combination of a physical examination of the joints, reflexes, muscle stability and appearance of the skin, a blood test for white blood cell count and an x-ray that will show up any long-term joint damage.

Some patients may require surgery. This would not be a first option for most people and is usually joint replacement or tendon reconstruction surgery. Otherwise, treatment focuses on the right medication, regular rest, regular, appropriate exercise, healthy eating, increased awareness and psychological support. The aim is to take away the pain, eliminate swelling, discontinue or disable tissue destruction, maintain flexibility and minimize fatigue and stress factors.

In the past, the only treatments available for Rheumatoid Arthritis were aspirin, paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs that often contain steroids. Specialists would wait until the disease progressed to more advanced stages before prescribing anything more powerful. As it is now known that the damage is started much earlier on in its course, stronger treatments and combinations are recommended to try to halt the progression and, hopefully, avoid disability later in life.

One powerful form of treatment is the Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce pain and decrease inflammation. They can cause side effects such as an upset stomach, peptic ulcers, excessive bleeding and renal failure and a patient cannot drink any alcohol due to the extra strain they can place on the liver. Some examples are Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen and Naproxen. These are also used to treat Ankylosing Spondylitis, Juvenile Arthritis and Psoriasis.

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are also a common treatment and are known to reduce pain in swollen joints and retard joint damage. They can take between a few weeks or a few months to work and there are also side effects to consider.

Taking DMARDs can heighten the infection risk, cause loss of hair and possibly cause damage to the liver or kidneys. Methotrexate is a well-known DMARD and is administered orally or injected. It has been found especially effective when combined with the new generation treatment, ENBREL.

There have been countless medicines produced over the years in hope of helping those with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Juvenile Arthritis and Psoriasis, but it is these new drugs that appear to possibly be on the track to providing relief.

Biologic response modifiers are the current Rheumatic Arthritis drugs that have been showing great promise for patients. Clinical trials that have been underway have produced data which suggests they reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease and the damage it causes.

ENBREL (aka etanercept) works by stopping the over production of the body's cytokines, which is the protein the immune system has been using to kill the healthy joint tissue. It is usually administered with a fortnightly injection.

The drug is a Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor. RA sufferers are known to have too much TNFa being produced (as do those with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Juvenile Arthritis and Psoriasis) and when ENBREL and TNFa blocker protein reduces the cytokine levels, patients feel remarkable improvements.

The main side effect of taking ENBREL is a weakening of the immune system, so infections could potentially be fatal. It is for this reason doctors have to apply very strict screening for trail admissions, as anyone with an already compromised immunity can not possibly take it.

ENBREL's more minor side effects could be a sore, burning in the throat and/or a rash where the needle entered and/or a blocked, runny nose. Otherwise it is proving itself to possibly be the new revolutionary treatment to stop the progression of the disease.

Over the past twenty years or so, a large amount of research has been done on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Through experts increased awareness of how the immune system works and the role of genetics and human biology, RA treatments are being viewed with new and excited eyes.

Scientists are finding that combinations of treatments are better than one alone, such as ENBREL and methotrexate, which can noticeably slow damage to joints. The aim for all involved in the search for the answer is to continue helping victims by relieving their pain, reducing inflammation and swelling, slow or stop damage to joints and restore their ability to function every day.

This can be achieved with ongoing monitoring of medication, lifestyle and side effect management. If the need for surgery can be avoided or delayed, this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Disclaimer: The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Chiropractic: A Natural Preventative for Arthritis

To understand arthritis it is important to understand the definition of the word. "Arth" from the latin word arthro means joint. "Itis" means inflammation. Therefore, Arthritis simply means inflammation of a joint. There are many diseases that are classified under the term arthritis. There are many different types of arthritis. The most common type that affects most people in their life time is osteoarthritis.

The term osteoarthritis carries many different names. Some of these include degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and spondylosis if it is in the spine. Osteoarthritis is basically a condition that is defined as wearing out of cartilage that lines joint surfaces.

When joint cartilage is damaged, the sensitive bone tissue that is usually protected by the cartilage, becomes stressed causing degenerative changes in the joint. The bone around the joint may jut out causing osteophytes, more commonly called bone spurs. Bone spurs can irritate other things around the joint complicating the problem. This may include nerve irritation which can be a cause of pain associated with osteoarthritis.

The most common areas of the body to be affected by osteoarthritis include the lower neck, low back, knees, hips and fingers. The symptoms of DJD include stiffness or pain in the joints involved. Symptoms may also include referred pain. An example of this would be pain, numbness or tingling into the legs. This could be caused from arthritic joints in the low back irritating sensitive nerves which extend from the low back into the legs.

The best management for osteoarthritis is prevention and taking care of the joints involved. One should make sure that when joints are injured, they are taken care of as soon as possible to avoid the development of arthritis in the joints affected. If not taken care of, the joints can become unstable causing the cartilage in the joints to wear out faster than normal.

Degenerative arthritis affects most people over the age of 50. People often say "it is just part of getting old." Unfortunately many people accept being in pain thinking they are just too old. It is interesting to note that osteoarthritis always develops in specific joints and not evenly through the entire body. For example, a person may have one arthritic knee and not two, or they may have arthritis in the lower neck and not the entire spine. If degenerative arthritis were just caused from getting old, it would affect all of the joints in the body equally. The majority of elderly have joints in their body without any arthritis at all. The reason only some joints are affected is because of stress or injury to those joints.

Chiropractic helps to restore motion and proper mechanics in joints that are injured or affected by arthritis. Chiropractic can prevent or slow the degenerative process in joints. Studies have even shown a reversal of degenerative arthritis through chiropractic care. Chiropractic gets to the cause of the problem rather than just treat the symptoms associated with arthritis.

Chiropractors work to prevent arthritis by performing specific hands on adjustments to correct joints that are not in their proper alignment. This helps to restore proper motion to the joints and prevents the joints from becoming unstable. Proper motion is essential to preventing arthritis. It not only helps the joints to glide properly, but also allows them to receive essential nutrients and hydration.

Type 2 Diabetes - Having Psoriasis Can Lead To Insulin Resistance

Psoriasis is a hereditary, non-contagious, inflammatory skin disease. People diagnosed with psoriasis have high levels of the inflammatory molecules IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Having high levels of these inflammatory molecules on a permanent basis is thought to cause:

• clogged blood vessels,


• insulin resistance,


• high blood pressure, and


• Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers at the Goztepe Training and Research Hospital in Instanbul, Turkey, looked at the number of people diagnosed with the metabolic syndrome in a population of people with psoriasis, compared to individuals without the skin condition.

This study, published in April 2011 in the Scientific World Journal, included:

• 115 people diagnosed with psoriasis, and


• 140 participants with healthy skin.

The group of people with psoriasis had more cases of the metabolic syndrome, and it was more common after the age of 40.

From this information, it was concluded since psoriasis patients are at high risk for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and the metabolic syndrome, they should be treated as soon as diagnosed and watched closely for Type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system mistakes skin cells for invaders and attacks them. The skin becomes inflamed and skin cells multiply far too fast. It was named for the Greek word for itchy, because of the dryness and irritation seen in the condition. It is manifested by red patches often covered with white scales.

Topical medications combine moisturizers with cortisone to reduce inflammation. Oatmeal baths are also used to sooth the skin and reduce itching, and sun exposure in moderation can reduce the speed of skin cell reproduction. People with psoriasis often find their skin gets better during the summer months and in warm, sunny climates.

Oral medications: Methotrexate and cyclosporine are two medications taken orally. Methotrexate, also used for some types of cancer, slows down the rapid cell reproduction. Cyclosporine, used also to prevent graft rejection, acts by slowing down the immune system.

Biological medications: These are the most effective treatment. They work by blocking some of the immune system's action, and must be taken only when no infection is present. They are injected just under the skin, and the frequency of injections depends upon the kind of medication injected, and the dose.

One advantage the biologicals have over topicals is they are also effective against psoriatic arthritis.

• Enbrel is injected under the skin twice weekly for three months and then once a week. Patients quickly become adept at injecting it at home.


• Humira is also injected under the skin, every other week.


• Stelara is injected twice, four weeks apart, and then once every twelve weeks.


• Remicade is given by IV injection in a doctor's office.

Individuals who have psoriasis or suspect they do should see a dermatologist. Even if the rash is considered only a minor nuisance, it should be treated to prevent any complications.