5 Best Conservative Treatments for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a widespread form of arthritis that affects millions of people around the world. This condition occurs when the protective layer of the cartilage in your joints wears out. As a result, the ends of your bones start rubbing against each other. This can cause pain and stiffness in the affected joint. Because this is a degenerative condition, the symptoms usually get worse over time. 

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, so most people think that the only effective treatment option is joint replacement surgery. But a variety of conservative options can help you slow down the progression of osteoarthritis and improve the quality of your life. 

Below are 5 effective non-surgical remedies to treat osteoarthritis. 

1. NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help manage the symptoms of mild and moderate forms of osteoarthritis. At the early stages of joint degeneration, doctors usually recommend taking medications like aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen. These medications help relieve inflammation and eas=e pain. 

However, regular use of NSAIDs can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects. Some of them include heartburn, stomach ulcers, or kidney damage. It is important to consult your doctor before taking any medication. Only specialists can find the right type of medication and dosage. To decrease the risk of side effects, you may also try topical NSAID gels like Voltaren. 

2. Weight management

It is absolutely necessary for people with osteoarthritis to lose excessive weight. This can help you slow down the progression of osteoarthritis and relieve symptoms. Excess weight adds pressure on your joints. This aggravates degenerative processes in the joint, so it wears and tears faster. Weight loss reduces the load carried by your joints and slows down the development of osteoarthritis.

3. Steroid injections

Steroid injections are an effective remedy to deal with hip, arm, and knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. It helps reduce inflammation and stiffness in the affected joint. The effect of the injection lasts about 3 months. However, over time the effectiveness of such injections decreases. Moreover, getting steroid injections regularly can aggravate degenerative processes in your joints. For this reason, steroid injections are a good one-time solution, rather than a permanent treatment.

4. Physical activity

If you have osteoarthritis, it is crucial to maintain healthy levels of physical activity. It helps you build strength and flexibility, thereby slowing down the progression of osteoarthritis. Finding the right exercises can help relieve the symptoms like pain or stiffness. If you have your joint damaged and weakened, the muscles surrounding this joint also become weaker. This results in poor muscle functioning and inadequate support of the joints. When your muscles cannot ensure proper muscles to the joints, the process of joint degeneration becomes faster. 

The best form of physical activity for people suffering from osteoarthritis is physical therapy. A physical therapist can teach you the right way to perform exercises and daily tasks. So that the symptoms of osteoarthritis improve. 

5. Cold and heat therapy

Thermotherapy is an effective way of dealing with osteoarthritis symptoms. Therefore, it is important to choose the right temperature for each symptom. If you experience pain and stiffness, it is recommended to apply an ice compress. It can numb a painful area and ease inflammation by reducing blood flow. Applying heat is recommended when you have stiffness and a limited range of motions. Heat encourages the blood flow to the affected joint and relieves stiffness. 

Depending on the symptoms, you can switch from one type of therapy to another. You can apply the compresses several times a day for about 15 minutes. For a cold compress, you can use a pack of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel. For hot therapy, a bottle with warm water.