Arthritis Knee Pain Relief – How to Reduce Joint Pain
Osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of arthritis, often causes extreme knee pain. Cartilage, the material that acts as a shock absorber and cushion between joints, breaks down due to this degenerative disease. Finding arthritis knee pain relief is difficult and often causes patients to rely on drugs. While medication is a major part of arthritis knee pain relief treatment, there are other methods you can use as a complement or alternative to standard arthritis knee pain relief treatments. A doctor will recommend starting with medication to allow you to move forward with other treatment options. From there, you will need to research your options and discuss them with your doctor as necessary.
Medication forms the backbone of any arthritis knee pain relief treatment plan. The current array of drugs can be dizzying, but there are a few types that doctors prescribe more often than others. These include NSAIDs and analgesics. Traditional NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) include Ibuprofen, Motrin, and Advil. These drugs reduce inflammation and provide arthritis knee pain relief. Your doctor might also prescribe a type of NSAID known as a COX-2 Inhibitor. Analgesics include Tylenol as well as stronger pain relievers like Vicodin, Codeine, and Morphine. Analgesics are meant for short-term arthritis knee pain relief. Other options include DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs), corticosteroids, and biologics.
Acupuncture is a natural alternative to medication that also provides arthritis knee pain relief. During an acupuncture session, an acupuncturist will use needles to block pain messages from reaching the brain. Arthritis sufferers who choose acupuncture for arthritis knee pain relief often see results in 5 to 10 sessions. Unlike many other natural arthritis knee pain relief treatments, acupuncture is safe and highly regulated. There are 6,500 licensed acupuncturists in the United States, so there might be one near you. Some insurance packages also cover the costs of acupuncture.
Electrical nerve stimulation is another common treatment for arthritis knee pain relief. This procedure stimulates the muscles around the knee to strengthen joint muscles and relieve pain. A portable unit called a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) does much the same thing. To purchase or rent a TENS unit, you will need a prescription and doctor supervision. The TENS often replaces medication and provides very effective arthritis knee pain relief. It does not treat or cure arthritis, however. If you are interested in purchasing a TENS for arthritis knee pain relief, talk to your doctor. He or she can get you started.
