EBN- Winter can be tough for seniors with arthritis. Cold temperatures, humidity and reduced physical activity can exacerbate joint pain and stiffness. Many people complain of chronic joint pain in cold weather.
Humidity aggravates inflammation and swelling and reduces physical activity, leading to decreased mobility and flexibility. This type of ineffective seasonal disorder can worsen the patient’s mental health.
There is a scientific reason behind joint pain in cold weather. So, here is a list of painless treatment options to relieve joint pain in low temperatures, according to a report by the Times of India website.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of painless treatment is that it can provide comfort and improve quality of life. Painless treatment options are:
Physical therapy: such as gentle exercises, heat energy, and ultrasound, which improve movement and reduce pain.
Occupational therapy: such as adaptive devices, energy conservation, and assistance with daily living.
Hydrotherapy: Such as warm water exercises, which reduce stiffness and improve flexibility.
Massage therapy: To relieve pain, you can have regular massage sessions, as this helps relieve muscle pain, and will provide you with relaxation, reduce muscle tension, and support healthy blood flow to the joints by improving blood circulation.
Heat therapy: In this treatment, you can take a hot bath or wear warm clothes. This helps improve blood flow in the affected area, and any type of injury or irritation will heal faster. You can also get rid of pain regularly in this way. Heat therapy can also be given through electric blankets and hot water bags or bottles.
Acupuncture: Stimulates natural pain relief and reduces inflammation.
There are many other non-surgical treatments for managing winter arthritis pain in the elderly, as follows:
Heat and cold therapy: Arthritis pain and stiffness can be reduced by alternating temperatures.
Electrical stimulation: If electrical stimulation is given to arthritis patients, it improves muscle strength.
Laser therapy: reduces inflammation and promotes healing.
Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy: Acts as a natural healing agent that stimulates joint repair.
But painless treatment options alone will not be able to provide you with complete relief, so this must be combined with lifestyle modifications in order to improve mobility, through:
Maintain physical activity, as the patient should choose to practice light exercises, yoga, and meditation.
Taking a hot shower, wearing warm clothing, and using heating pads help provide basic comfort during the winter.
Older adults should eat anti-inflammatory foods, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D.
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps manage the stress caused by this condition.
These suggestions can help you manage arthritis without any type of medication or surgery. Although arthritis can greatly impact the lives of seniors, with proper understanding and management, its effects can be minimized.
By learning about arthritis, understanding the symptoms, and exploring the available treatment options, seniors can manage their arthritis journey. Diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up by an orthopedic specialist can help you have a pain-free winter without any medications or major surgery.
