How to Manage Osteoarthritis at Home Effectively
April, 02 2024 • 4 min read
Managing osteoarthritis can be made more accessible by actively participating in your treatment. While medication can help, it's important to empower yourself by making lifestyle changes and exercising to improve mobility. By implementing the right approach, you'll find daily activities much easier and more enjoyable.
At-home therapy helps you in the management of pain and inflammation in the joints. There are several ways of home management of osteoarthritis which include Temperature therapy, topical therapy, assistive devices, quality sleep and engaging physical activities.
What is home management of osteoarthritis?
These are certain activities that can be easily performed at home by the osteoarthritis patients without any help of healthcare professionals. Implementing these easy and effective home remedies in osteoarthritis allows you to perform your daily activity comfortably. By choosing home management you can effectively reduce the need for frequent doctor visits by taking control of your well-being and managing the condition independently. These simple remedies can be done without assistance, relieving the discomfort and challenges of osteoarthritis.
Following are some of the home remedies that can help you manage arthritis effectively at home:
Hot & Cold Therapy:
Applying heat or cold to affected joints can provide temporary relief from pain and stiffness. Heat relaxes muscles and improves blood flow, while cold reduces inflammation. Experiment with both methods to determine which works best for you. Using a hot water bottle or a cold pack for 15-20 minutes at a time can be effective.
Topical Therapy:
Many individuals want to get rid of the pain without taking medicines. For such patients, topical therapy (applications of medications on the skin surface) is the best option. It’s a gel version of oral medication which has ingredients that help with the pain, mostly acetaminophen and ibuprofen. These topical medications will help you in minimizing pain and stiffness. Capsaicin is another topical home remedy made up of kitchen ingredient hot chilli paper, showing a more significant effect if an individual applies it 3-4 times a day on the joint. You can also use pain relief products such as pain patch or roll-on to get quick pain relief.
Assistive Devices:
These are the devices that help support your joint from the extra stress which improves the overall condition of the joint. Canes, braces, and shoe inserts are some of the devices that help best in osteoarthritis. Moreover, assistive devices like knee caps, knee pads, knee braces and knee belt are also effective. One should talk to a doctor before using it for a better outcome.
Joint-Friendly Supplements:
Some supplements have shown promise in easing osteoarthritis symptoms. Glucosamine and collagen are commonly taken to support joint health and reduce pain. However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before adding any supplements to your routine, as their effectiveness can vary from person to person.
Ergonomic Modifications
Simple changes in your living environment can make a significant difference in managing osteoarthritis. Using ergonomic furniture and tools can reduce strain on joints. For example, using a padded cushion on a chair can alleviate pressure on the hips and spine, while ergonomic kitchen tools can make meal preparation less taxing on your hands.
These are a few examples of commonly used home remedies for effective management of osteoarthritis. However, to avoid any injury or side-effects it is always advised to consult your doctor to decide which therapies are beneficial for you.
AGEasy by Antara, a senior-focused brand, is dedicated to making your life easier when dealing with arthritis. We offer a comprehensive range of arthritis-focused products, from joint friendly supplements to topical applications & wearables, designed for your specific needs. Our mission is to be your reliable companion throughout your arthritis journey, aiding whenever you need it. Connect with us today to explore our products and let us support you in living a more comfortable and fulfilling life with arthritis.
For more information, call our helpline at +919911789911 to learn more about how AGEasy can enhance your well-being.
Glossary:
Topical therapy: topical therapy means application of medications to body surfaces such as the skin
References:
By
Dr. Kanikka Malhotra (Dt.)
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