Osteoarthritis Pain Relief

Osteoarthritis occurs when natural cartilage wear and tear is not replaced sufficiently by the body. When you use your joints, cartilage is damaged or broken down and then replaced by the body over time. Osteoarthritic joints, though, don't receive enough new cartilage to replace the damaged or lost cartilage.

The friction between two bones in a joint can be very painful and can prevent sufferers from doing simple things such as going up and down stairs. There is no cure, but luckily there are some methods available that can ease the pain of osteoarthritis. They range from pills to injections to procedures and may drastically reduce pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Anti-Inflammation Methods

Anti-inflammatory medications like Naprosyn, Celebrex and ibuprofen are all taken orally. In addition to decreasing inflammation, they can also reduce pain. These medications are called NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

An injection of cortisone can provide treatment for inflammation directly to the ailing joint. Cortisone is a substance that your body produces naturally from the adrenal gland. The synthetic form, which is used for cortisone injections, can provide very strong anti-inflammatory relief that goes directly to the ailing joint. Cortisone is a steroid hormone.

Non-medicinal ways of relieving osteoarthritis pain can also be beneficial. Many sufferers have found that taking glucosamine and chondroitin has helped their osteoarthritis. Maintaining a regular exercise schedule can also help relieve osteoarthritis pain, even though the exercise itself may be painful. Stretching, lifting weights and aerobic exercise can all strengthen your muscles and joints, which relieves pain.