8 ways to relieve pain from osteoarthritis
Kansas City Home Care • August 20, 2018
Around 27 million Americans are suffering from osteoarthrosis, a chronic condition that causes joint pain. If you’re one of them, you know just how painful osteoarthritis can be.
Your Kansas City rheumatologist or primary care physician can prescribe medications to help with the pain, but there also lifestyle changes you can make to ease your discomfort. Here are some suggestions:
- Exercise. Exercising while you’re in pain may seem counterproductive at first, but it will definitely pay off in the long run. Exercise will strengthen your bones and your muscles, which will relieves stress on your joints and improve your flexibility.
- Eat healthy foods. A balanced diet can help reduce osteoarthritis pain. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Lean meats (e.g., chicken, turkey), fish that’s high in Omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., tuna, salmon, mackerel), and low-fat dairy are also part of a balanced diet. If you need cooking oil, use olive oil, which helps prevent inflammation.
- Lose weight. Carrying too much weight is hard on your joints, which will increase your pain from osteoarthritis. If you’ve tried to lose weight and haven’t made much headway, ask the Kansas City doctor who’s treating you for osteoarthritis for help.
- Consider alternative therapies. Studies have shown that certain alternative therapies (e.g., acupuncture, massage) and dietary supplements (e.g., glucosamine and chondroitin, SAMe) can help reduce osteoarthritis pain. Always check with your doctor before starting a new treatment or dietary supplement.
- Use joint braces and/or assistive devices. You may not want to use a cane, but doing so will relieve stress on knee or hip joints. And once your pain is under control, you may find you no longer need it. Joint braces and splints can stabilize the joints, which will also relieve stress and reduce pain.
- Apply hot or cold compresses. For swollen joints, use cold compresses. Hot compresses will improve stiffness and relieve pain. If you’re not sure which one you need, alternate until you feel the most relief.
- Have a positive attitude. It’s hard to think positive when you’re in pain. So try to do things you’re still able to enjoy as often as possible. And if you have a bad day, give yourself a break. You’re allowed to feel grumpy or sad now and then.
- Get help. If you need help with exercising, healthy meal preparation, bathing, grooming, or medication reminders, contact a Kansas City home care agency for assistance.
Contact Us
[contact-form-7 id=”1664″ title=”Contact Form”]
The post 8 ways to relieve pain from osteoarthritis appeared first on Kansas City Home Care.
REQUEST FREE
IN HOME ASSESSMENT
REQUEST FREE IN HOME ASSESSMENT
If you have an elderly parent or grandparent who needs healthcare support, patient advocacy strategies and services may be able to help navigate the journey.
Dementia is an illness that affects people’s cognition, memory, and behavior. Dementia is a progressive condition; therefore, symptoms may be mild at first and worsen over time. People with dementia can require professional dementia care, which varies depending on symptoms. Those with severe dementia symptoms can require 24-hour care. However, the question is, at what […]
The post At What Point Do Dementia Patients Need 24-Hour Care appeared first on Kansas City Home Care.
According to a 2016 report, 17.7 million Americans provide medical assistance to an elderly relative or friend. As we age, we may experience a decline in physical or mental health, adversely affecting our ability to live independently, which will leave us questioning when is it time for assisted living. Over half of those aged 85–89 […]
The post When Is It Time for Assisted Living? appeared first on Kansas City Home Care.
Here at Kansas City Home Care, we know that when it comes to choosing private care services for your loved ones, you likely have many questions. And that’s perfectly normal! Choosing a private care service is a big decision, and we want to do everything we can to help you feel comfortable and confident in […]
The post Private Home Care Services: Frequently Asked Questions appeared first on Kansas City Home Care.
As our parents age, we often find ourselves taking on new roles to ensure they’re well taken care of. If your parent is living with dementia, it’s important to understand how to best provide for them. Caring for a parent with dementia can be challenging, but there are ways to make it easier. First, you […]
The post How to Care for a Parent with Dementia: Caregiving Tactics for Elderly Parents appeared first on Kansas City Home Care.
Post-surgery recovery can be challenging for any person, but it can be especially so for seniors. To help you make the best of the situation, here are some tips from Kansas City Home Care on how to make your post-operative recovery period less stressful and more successful. Follow Your Physician’s Instructions Following your physician’s instructions […]
The post Respite Care Kansas City: Post-Surgery Recovery Tips for Seniors appeared first on Kansas City Home Care.
Are you the primary caregiver for an elderly loved one who lives far away? If so, you know how challenging it can be to manage long-distance caregiving. You may feel like you’re not doing enough or that you’re unable to be there for your loved one the way you want. But don’t worry – you […]
The post Long-Distance Caregiving: 6 Tips for Making Your Caregiving More Effective appeared first on Kansas City Home Care.
Alzheimer’s is a devastating form of Dementia that robs people of their memories and eventually their ability to function independently. For families dealing with Alzheimer’s, the physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming. One of the most difficult decisions families face is whether to keep their loved ones at home or place them in a […]
The post Understanding the Costs of In-Home Care for Alzheimer’s Patients appeared first on Kansas City Home Care.
For many older adults, social interaction is an important part of life. When caring for an elderly loved one, many families feel the tug to take on the caregiving responsibilities themselves. But there are benefits to home care that can be worth considering. By bringing in outside help, families can give their loved ones the […]
The post Benefits of In Home Care Services To Consider appeared first on Kansas City Home Care.
Nothing improves the quality of life for seniors than being active. Staying active helps older adults avoid or delay health issues associated with aging. Seniors may require help from relatives or professional caregivers to perform some activities. For instance, an older adult needs help from a trainer to engage in yoga. The best activities for […]
The post Activities for Seniors in Kansas City appeared first on Kansas City Home Care.