Arthritis treatment may depend on underlying causes, the particular joints affected, how it affects a person's daily life and the type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most common type, often occurs with age; joint pain and stiffness affect the fingers, neck, lower back, knees and hips. Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common type, usually strikes at a younger age than osteoarthritis. It causes pain, inflammation, redness, swelling, joint damage and malformation in the joints.
Causes
Treatment aims to reduce pain, return mobility to the joints and prevent further progression of the disease. Underlying causes may include a broken bone, infection, being overweight, previous injury or autoimmune disease. Dealing with the cause still requires treatment of the arthritis symptoms. Treating arthritis through lifestyle changes is preferable to medication if possible, the New York Times explains. Physical therapy and exercise help to keep the joints functioning well.
Heat and Cold
Physical therapy involves applying heat and cold treatments to the affected areas or fitting patients with splints to help align joints. Hot packs, heating pads or taking a hot shower or bath for 15 minutes may b e effective as heat treatments, notes the Mayo Clinic. Soaking joints in warm water may provide relief for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Cold packs or soaking arthritic joints in cold water or ice provides a numbing effect and decreases muscle spasms.
Exercise
Exercise improves muscle and bone strength to eventually reduce the stiffness, pain and fatigue that often accompany arthritis. Physical therapists often help by devising exercise programs for patients. People with arthritis benefit from low-impact aerobics, flexibility or motion exercises and strength training to build muscles. Aquatic therapy has become a popular activity for people with arthritis. Water exercise takes less effort and provides movement of the joints through activity.
Stress Reduction
Rest plays an important role in the treatment of arthritis, according to the New York Times. Sleeping the proper number of hours or taking scheduled naps can prevent arthritic flareups and promote recovery from flareups more quickly. Therapists teach patients how to avoid positions or movements that place excess stress on affected joints. People with arthritis learn to modify their home environment to make activities easier. Grab bars in the bathroom or near doors and placement of furniture can prevent extra stress on joints.
Medications
Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs often provide effective relieve for the pain of arthritis. Prescription medications for rheumatoid arthritis include hydroxychloroquine, penicillamine and sulfasalazine, which have been found to slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. Corticosteroids injected into painful joints help people with osteoarthritis. When other methods fail to provide improvement or are no longer effective, surgery becomes an alternative to rebuild or replace joints and return people with arthritis to normal functioning.
