Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints, and for most people brings with it pain and stiffness in the affected areas. Pain is generally defined as either “acute” or “chronic,” with acute pain being the short-term variety. After three months, pain is considered to be chronic. Both of these types of pain can be mild to severe and, for too many people suffering from arthritis, chronic pain is present in their activities of daily living. Indeed, many will be dealing with pain for the rest of their lives.
As stated on WebMD, “Chronic pain is a major health problem in the United States and is one of the most weakening effects of arthritis. More than 40 million Americans suffer from some form of arthritis, and many have chronic pain that limits daily activity. Osteoarthritis is by far the most common form of arthritis, affecting about 16 million Americans, while rheumatoid arthritis, which affects about 2.1 million Americans, is the most crippling form of the disease.” Obviously, arthritis and the chronic pain that so very many are suffering from are not isolated instances.
Unfortunately, these numbers are on the rise as our population ages. Many people may find themselves dealing with arthritic moments along with their senior moments. However, just because a body is aging, it does not follow that that body must have joint pain.
There is hope among all the doom and gloom. Healthcare providers, from primary care physicians to physical therapists and rheumatologists, are recognizing the value of exercise as part of a plan to relieve arthritis pain, even in fairly severe, chronic cases! It is a natural inclination to want to rest and move around as little as possible when we are in pain, when in fact, it can actually make matters worse for those with arthritis pain. This is not to say that just any exercise is recommended; it is definitely a good idea to consult with a professional to ensure that you are choosing exercises that will bring about positive results.
Supplements are also popping up for everything everywhere. Joint pain relief is gaining attention in the supplement aisle. It is probably safe to assume that most people are aware of glucosamine and chondroitin, and the difference that these two substances are making in the lives of joint pain sufferers. One of the newer choices hitting the shelves is made from cetylated fatty acids, and is most commonly found under the brand name of Celadrin. This alternative has been shown to work well all on its own or as an addition to a glucosamine/chondroitin regimen. As with so many supplements it appears to become more effective as use continues. These supplements work to restore lubrication and reduce inflammation in the joints, providing pain relief and better range of motion!
Just as each person has their own pain to deal with, they also have to find a system that works for them. It is possible to feel better and enjoy life! Talk to your doctor about exercise and supplements that may be able to help and go enjoy life!
Magnetic therapy is a new tool available to patients which provides care and treating ailments. They found it so effective in helping people relieve pain. You will be fascinated and impressed in this simple yet effective invention in treating arthritis, back pain and even fibromyalgia. Some convinced and still hoping that through magnet, it will soon be commonplace to treat headaches, sports injuries and even allergies. We really can’t say. Through new technology, researches may still continue finding its way to improve and helps us to relieve our burden, our pain.
According to the Back Association of Canada (BAG), a Toronto-based foundation established by a group of back pain sufferers and health care professionals, finding an effective program of back pain treatment in most cases calls only for knowledge of the general category (or categories) of problem to be known. “Narrowing the problem down further doesn’t usually make a whole lot of difference since the conservative treatment for each category is more or less the same,” according to BAG’S Web site, which lists the five main causes of pain as:
Sprains and strains of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons Disk problems Facet joint problems Osteoarthritis (also called degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease, because it’s related to age-related changes in the bones and joints) Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that can develop because of a congenital defect or as a result of osteoarthritis.
Chronic or Acute?
Not only can it be difficult to tell where the back pain is coming from – it can even be hard to tell whether the pain is acute or chronic, and that can affect treatment.
In general, acute pain is the initial pain people feel after an injury. In most cases, the body will begin healing itself, and the patient’s job is simply to relieve the pain and keep the injured area safe until fully recovered. If the pain lasts longer than expected – which, for back pain, is usually considered to be about six weeks at most – or is due to an ongoing condition such as arthritis, it is considered chronic, and a different treatment plan comes into play.
Although chronic back pain is, in most cases, not directly caused by injury, the source of the pain can bring about an injury that then appears to be the culprit. For instance, poor muscle tone deprives the spine of necessary support, puts stress upon the joints, and leaves the back more susceptible to injury.
Some schools of thought hold that chronic pain is the end of a chain of nervous system events that starts in the brain and ends with pain in the back. In its most basic form, for instance, emotional stress can lead to physical muscle tension, which can lead to pain (and injury, which, in our stressed state, we’re more likely to become victim to). Because the nervous system is connected to the mind and the emotions, the theory goes, healing is best directed there.
Categorizing your pain as acute or chronic can be a subjective call. Are those intermittent episodes of acute pain you’re experiencing, or is it a series of recurrent episodes stemming from the same source? Does the pain never seem to leave, becoming only relatively better and worse?