Finding Relief

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What You Can Do

You don't have to suffer. There are many ways to find relief....

By Alice Park

Posted Sunday, December 1, 2002; 10:31 a.m. EST

DRUGS

Over-the-counter painkillers:

For mild pain, acetaminophen should be your first choice, since it relieves

discomfort without damaging the digestive tract. If pain persists, your

doctor may recommend aspirin or ibuprofen, which can reduce the swelling and

damage due to inflammation; anti-inflammatory drugs, however, can be harsh

on the stomach

COX-2 inhibitors:

These newer analgesics tend to cause fewer stomach problems than traditional

anti-inflammatories. But they are expensive, and recent studies have linked

them to heart problems

Tetracycline:

These antibiotics were designed to kill germs, but they can also slow

erosion of the cartilage

Hyaluronic Acid:

Injections of this natural lubricant, particularly in the knee, can ease

pain for as long as a year

Corticosteroids:

Shots of steroids, which reduce inflammation, can provide a short-term fix

for joint pain. Continued injections, however, can worsen a damaged joint by

masking discomfort and enabling you to continue destructive activities.

Because their pain is limited to specific joints, osteoarthritis sufferers

don't need the wider-ranging effects of corticosteroid pills

EXERCISE

Water workouts:

The buoyancy of water can help you move stiff joints without gravity's

weight-bearing pressure

Recumbent bicycle:

The reclining position takes the burden off such sensitive joints as the

knees and hips

Walking:

If it doesn't hurt too much, walking is one of the best ways to keep joints

from seizing up‹from the ankles to the shoulders

Low-impact aerobics:

Any exercise that doesn't put pounding pressure on the joints can help build

up muscle and keep ligaments and tendons flexible enough to give the joints

the support they need

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Acupuncture:

The Chinese believe it relieves pain by re-aligning life energy, known as

qi; but Western doctors think the judicious placement of needles may

actually work by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's own

painkillers

Glucosamine:

Preliminary evidence suggests that these supplements, derived from lobster

and crab shells, may help relieve arthritis pain, possibly by encouraging

cartilage growth

Chondroitin Sulfate:

Chondroitin is believed to help keep cartilage from breaking down; many

arthritis sufferers take it with glucosamin

PREVENTION

Keep moving:

Flexing joints lubricates and protects them, so exercise regularly. But

avoid high-stress activities that pound on knees or hips

Stay slim:

Carrying too much weight puts extraordinary stress on the knees, hips and

ankles. Shed excess pounds to take a load off the joints

Build muscle:

Joints need a strong support system; maintaining muscle tone will help

stabilize knees, hips and shoulders

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