Arthritis Doctor Harrisonburg, VA

If you’re dealing with painful and stiff joints, and arthritis doctor Harrisonburg, VA residents trust may be able to help. Although there’s no cure for arthritis, plenty of treatment options exist to help manage your symptoms. Here are some of them.

Pain Relievers

Pain medications can help ease joint pain by reducing inflammation. As long as you don’t have significant liver damage, it’s safe to take acetaminophen to ease your symptoms. It works best if you take it before your pain starts.

Topical pain-relieving creams or gels are another option to consider. You apply them to the skin of an aching joint to find relief. They don’t have the same gastrointestinal side effects that some oral pain relievers have.

If over-the-counter options are enough to relieve your pain, you may consider prescription medications, like naproxen or celecoxib. 

Physical Therapy

If you suffer from arthritis, an arthritis doctor in Harrisonburg, VA may recommend physical therapy. The non-surgical treatment can strengthen muscles, reduce joint stiffness, and improve your range of motion. Your physical therapist will have you perform various exercises and stretches that may feel strange at first but can be effective at managing your condition.

If your therapist advises you to do these exercises at home, you should listen to his or her instructions. If you put in the effort during your treatment, you’re more likely to see positive results.

Hot and Cold Therapy

Hot and cold therapy can help relieve pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Heat treatment can include taking a hot shower or bath in the morning or putting a heating pad on the affected joint.

A cold treatment includes wrapping an ice pack in a towel and applying it to an achy joint. Don’t apply ice directly on the skin.

Lose Weight

If you’re carrying around too much weight, it can put pressure on your joints, making your arthritis symptoms worse. By getting down to a healthy weight, you can reduce pain and improve your mobility. Limit junk food and include healthier foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Do lightweight exercises several days a week to facilitate your weight loss efforts.

Give Acupuncture a Chance

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles in various points of the body. The treatment may be able to alleviate arthritis pain by restoring balance in your body.

If you need help managing your arthritis, set up an appointment with an arthritis doctor at Pain and Spine Specialists, in Harrisonburg, VA today.