Here in Arizona, we’re spoiled with warm, dry weather that is so good for arthritis pain. This is one of the main reasons so many people move here. As a doctor who has treated patients with arthritis pain for 26 years, I‘ve seen what works, and what isn’t so good to relieve arthritis pain.
First let’s talk about what isn’t good for us. Taking Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatories are bad for our body. Most people just keep taking them, and figure that nothing will happen to them. I’ve written articles on people who have actually died because they took NSAIDS, and never thought about the fatal side effects. My purpose is to help my readers and patients live long, happy and pain free lives. Using NSAIDS does not fit into that model. I want all of you to be as healthy as you can be and live as long as you can.
My first tip is to stay as warm as possible in cooler weather and colder weather. So many snowbirds come down here, and wear shorts and sandals when it’s in the 60’s and below. This temperature is cold for arthritic joints. No matter how much warmer it is than it is back home. Please cover your neck, back, shoulders, knees, hips, and all joints while outside during these temps. Basically, wear long pants instead of shorts when it’s chilly outside. They will help to keep your knees warm. There are a few theories on why this happens. One is, that the drop in air pressure allows the already inflamed tissue to swell and take up more space in the joint. Another theory is that the change in barometric pressure makes your tendons, muscles, and scar tissue expand and contract. This, of course causes pain in the joints. The third theory is that the colder temperatures make the fluid in the joints thicker. This may cause joint stiffness. Hyaluronic acid injections may help considerably, to counteract these situations. Please call my office for a consultation for this.
My second tip on relieving arthritis pain during the colder months here in Arizona is to take hot salt baths. I’ve mentioned this before, and many people know about this, but do not do it. Sitting in a water bath, spa, or using moist hot packs is okay, but once your body is immersed in a high concentrated salt solution, it will feel better later that day, or by the next morning. Simple Epsom salts from the drugstore or supermarket will suffice. You can put a few cups of the Epsom’s or other therapeutic salt in a pot of water on the stove and dissolve it that way. Then once it’s cooled a bit, you can pour it into your tub. This way, you get the maximum benefit of the salt, and are sure it’s all dissolved, leaving no wasted crystals in your bath. There are salts like Dead Sea Salts, Himalayan, and others that are even more effective, depending on your budget. A soak of at least 15 minutes is a good therapeutic session.
My third tip is wearing supportive braces on your painful joints. Wrist supports, shoulder, neck, low back and more bracing options are available. By bracing the affected joint, the swelling does not press on the nerves causing the pain. Basically, the movement of the joint causes some swelling, and therefore less room around the nerves. This, in essence, causes pressure on the nerves, causing pain. This is a simple explanation, but there are actually a lot more components to the condition I cannot elaborate on at this time. Bottom line, prescription bracing works, and Medicare covers it.
I hope this helps you with a few things you can do to decrease your arthritis pain during the Winter, even here in Arizona. For a complimentary consultation on how I can help, please call me office at 480-584-3955.
For any questions regarding my articles, please email me at [email protected]
Accurate Care Medical Wellness Center
18261 N. Pima Rd. Ste. # 115
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-584-3955
