Arthritis is a painful and debilitating condition that impacts the daily life of sufferers. From the most mundane actions such as typing on the computer to more demanding tasks like lifting weight, arthritis can become a huge impairment. And symptoms only worsen as time goes by. That is why at Space City Pain Specialists, our staff have compiled a list of tips to deal with the pain while waiting for the next appointment with their arthritis doctor in Webster.
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The Different Types or Arthritis
The word arthritis describes the condition, coming via Latin from the Greek term arthron ‘joint’ and the suffix “-itis”, which means inflammation. As such, it is used to describe more than 100 conditions that affect the joints, tissues, and other connective tissues. Below are the most common types, which affect at least 25% of adults in the United States.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the famous “wear and tear,” degenerative form of arthritis that occurs more frequently in the hands, hips and knees. It can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling on the joints, therefore reducing function to the affected areas. An arthritis doctor in Webster, Texas, can diagnose OA by thoroughly examining the patient’s symptoms, performing a physical check-up, X-rays, and lab tests. By finding the root cause of the problem, it can be treated so that symptoms subside and the patient can continue to enjoy their everyday life.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, it’s not the “wear and tear” that causes the condition to develop, instead, RA is an autoimmune inflammatory disease. This means that the immune system attacks the healthy cells of the patient’s body. Like OA, it mainly affects the joints, but it often does so at once. In addition, the pain caused can become chronic, and it can also provoke a lack of balance and deformity on the joints.
Top Tips to Manage Pain by Our Arthritis Doctor in Webster, Texas
There being so many types of arthritis, it isn’t a diagnosis per se, therefore it’s necessary to learn which type the patient has in order to design the right treatment and management plan. That said, there are things that, if you are suffering from swollen joints and joint pain, you can do to alleviate your symptoms, as per our arthritis doctor in Webster:
1. Get Moving
While this applies to all stages of life; it is especially important to do from the onset of arthritis. Exercise can reduce stiffness and pain, increase your range of motion and endurance.
It is very important not to overdo it when it comes to the joints, though. You want to pick exercises that do not put so much pressure on them, like crossfit would, for example. It is better to go with a low-impact workout routine that might include walking or cycling —aerobic exercises.
2. Bring Your Psyche to the Table
While arthritis is 100% physical, your mind is one of your best allies. Living with pain can sometimes become naturalized as you try to carry on with your everyday life as if nothing were wrong. However, this has implications in the long-term because you might develop defense mechanisms that will impact the way you feel and relate with others.
From our arthritis doctor in Webster’s holistic view, taking care of the mind is as important as taking care of the physical pain. What does this mean? You might want to consider becoming aware of how you feel and implement strategies to reach a place of calmness, like:
- Therapy. Seeing a therapist can greatly help you listen to yourself and thus manage your emotions intelligently.
- Relaxation techniques. Whether it is via meditation, mindfulness, yoga, or being in nature, you should do things that help you relax.
- Sleeping. The way we sleep —the number of hours per night and the quality of our sleep— deeply affects the way we feel and see the world around us. Make sure you find a sleep routine that is healthy for you and that your environment is designed to give you a peaceful night’s sleep.
- Spend time with loved ones. It is not new that the world tends to evolve into a direction of self-sufficiency. While there are many advantages to that, getting together with loved ones might fall down the list of priorities. However, the warmth and affection you feel when surrounded by your family, your friends —and your pets!— can do a great deal of good to the way you feel. Make sure to make space for those enriching interactions.
3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be a good supplement to the treatment plan that your doctor designs for you. A traditional Chinese technique to manage pain, it is being used for overall wellness, including stress management (see above). Acupuncture’s philosophy is based on the belief that the chi (/chee/), life force, can be balanced by placing hair-thin needles into precise locations along these meridians.
While some traditional Western healthcare providers believe that this technique energizes your body’s natural painkillers, others are of the idea that it stimulates nerves, muscles and connective tissue in the wrong way. In this sense, it is very important that you consult with your trusted doctor and see what is the best fit for you.
4. Book Your Appointment with an Arthritis Doctor in Webster, Texas
While these tips can help manage pain, you should consult with a healthcare professional if you:
- Have joint symptoms for three days or more.
- Have suffered several episodes of joint symptoms within a month.
At Space City Pain Specialists, our board-certified providers that specialize in treating arthritis symptoms. With personalized programs that focus on comprehensive care and cutting edge technology, we have been pioneers in pain management in the Webster community since 2004. What’s more, we also serve League City, Texas City, Clear Lake, Friendswood, and surrounding areas. If you are looking for the best arthritis doctor in Webster, Texas, book your appointment with us today.
