Whether you are looking to book that family walking holiday, or simply climb the stairs in your home without feeling those frustrating joint twinges, you might find alternate pain relief options for osteoarthritis a useful addition to your pain management programme.

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease that ...occurs as a result of wear and tear on your joints.¹ Cartilage, the smooth, rubbery substance that cushions the bones in your joints, starts to deteriorate, leaving bone to rub on bone, which can be quite painful. This friction can lead to inflammation that leaves your joints painful and stiff. Reducing inflammation is a key component to managing osteoarthritis symptoms.

Mild osteoarthritis pain can be managed with medications, such as paracetamol for pain relief, or NSAIDs like diclofenac, an ingredient in Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly which helps to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. However, there are a number of alternate pain relief options that you might want to consider for osteoarthritis. You might find one as a nice complementary option in your pain management toolkit.

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Alternate Pain Relief for Osteoarthritis

Pain relief doesn’t have to be all about taking pills. Sometimes a simple lifestyle change, or new understanding of how to make use of an everyday object in your home, can provide that much-needed relief and help get you moving again.

Voltaren provides a range of products to provide pain relief and fight inflammation, but there are plenty of alternate pain relief options for osteoarthritis that you can use alongside medication.

Older active couple walking together after exercising

But what non-medicated pain relief options for osteoarthritis can you begin to explore from today? Well the good news is there are activities and simple actions in the home that you can incorporate in your life from now. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Yoga
Hot and cold packs
Massage
Walking
Physical Therapy
Maintain a healthy weight
Acupuncture
Sleep
Support from others
Get creative in your daily routine

Try Yoga

You don’t have to be a seasoned gym goer to try out a bit of yoga. It is good for building strength, flexibility and balance, even when following the simpler, gentle movements. Find a local class, or sign up to an online course if you prefer to practice in the privacy of your own home.

Use hot and cold packs

Applying a hot water bottle to the area can be effective in reducing pain. Cold packs that have been cooled in the freezer, work in a similar way. Remember not to ...apply cold packs or ice directly to your skin, but wrap them up in material or a towel to protect you!

Book a massage

Ah yes, we saw the idea of this one made you sit up! But while you might associate massage with a bit of pampering, massage could actually be an alternate pain relief option for osteoarthritis that you were looking for. Various studies have seen a reduction in pain for those undergoing regular massage.¹ Check with your medical practitioner before booking a treatment, and ensure you have a trained massage therapist in order to avoid injury.

Older couple walking through a park holding hands

Keep moving

Going for a stroll around the park is a great way to catch up with a friend, while getting those muscles moving. Even if you need a walking aid such as a stick or a cane for support, that daily movement can help to ease pain.

Physical therapy

A trained physical therapist can guide and help you learn different movements, stretches and exercises that can help you manage your osteoarthritis symptoms. Physical therapy relies on at-home exercises as well as guided in-person sessions with a physical therapist.

Maintain a healthy weight

Sure, we can all stand to lose a few kilos. But this is especially true if you experience osteoarthritis symptoms. Excess weight puts unnecessary stress on your joints. Losing just a few kilos can go a long way in easing osteoarthritis pain.¹

Get a good night’s sleep

Being well rested can help you cope with managing your osteoarthritis symptoms. It is an important part of self-care and important to your body’s self healing process.

Younger woman and older woman walking together down a street

Reach out for support

Being in pain has a way of making you retreat into your own little world, shunning activities that you once loved. This can be very isolating. Reach out for emotional support – because pain is not just physical. It’s often emotional and mental, as well. Support can come in the form of a listening ear from a compassionate friend or something more practical like getting help bringing in groceries after a day at the shops. You can also be referred to pain clinics which can be in group or individual settings, where those in pain can connect with healthcare professionals and other sufferers.

Get creative in your daily routine

If household chores are starting to get affected by your joint pain, it might be a good time to think how simple items around your house might provide you with osteoarthritis pain relief options.

If you love to get out in the garden, but your ankles and knees hurt when you kneel to weed, think about putting a yoga mat under you, or even wearing knee pads. Or if you enjoy making the family meal each evening, but standing chopping veg takes its toll, keep a stool handy in the kitchen so you can take the weight off your feet.

Each of these tips may seem small, but sometimes the small things (which taken together add up to big things!) are all it takes to put a spring back in your step and a smile on your face.

¹ WebMD (2018). 5 common types of arthritis. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/most-common-arthritis-types?page=2 http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/most-common-arthritis-types?page=2 (accessed 13th October 2020)

Explore Voltaren’s products for pain relief

Let’s get you moving again. Try our range of medicated Voltaren gels and tablets, for effective pain relief. Find out which is the best fit for you.

Relief methods by pain type

Learn all about the causes, symptoms, and pain relief methods for the type of pain you’re experiencing so you can get back to doing those little things that bring you joy.