Arthritis Pain Management Beyond Just Taking Anti-Inflammatories

Anti-inflammatories are often a go-to resource for pain relief from persistent arthritis pain. While the medications can provide significant relief of mild to moderate pain, swelling, and other arthritis symptoms, their efficacy can wane over time.

AABP Integrative Pain Care and Wellness specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of different types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Our board-certified pain management team takes a patient-centered approach to identifying the most appropriate therapies for the type of arthritis you have and the severity of your symptoms. They focus on nonsurgical, regenerative strategies that support healing the root cause of your pain.

5 arthritis treatment options beyond anti-inflammatories

When anti-inflammatory medicines are no longer working well to control pain and other symptoms of arthritis, it’s time to consider alternatives for your treatment.

Here are five nonsurgical strategies that support arthritis symptom relief and may slow down the progression of joint degeneration:

1. Physical therapy

Physical therapy involves exercises and manual manipulation of joints affected by arthritis. The goal of physical therapy is to enhance the strength and flexibility of the muscles surrounding the joint, thereby reducing unnecessary stress.

Therapy can also enhance blood circulation throughout the body, thereby easing chronic joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain.

2. Nerve blocks

Nerve blocks involve the injection of a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid into the nerves surrounding an arthritic joint.

The anesthetic blocks pain signals between the nerves and the brain, providing lasting relief from joint pain. The corticosteroid reduces inflammation in the tissues surrounding the joint, minimizing stiffness and enhancing joint flexibility.

3. Iovera® cryotherapy

Iovera cryotherapy uses cold energy to freeze targeted nerves near painful joints temporarily.

Treatment immediately prevents nerve signal communication between the treated nerve and the brain. The results of Iovera can last up to 90 days before an additional treatment is necessary.

4. Viscosupplementation

Viscosupplementation is an effective, non-surgical treatment for osteoarthritis that involves injecting hyaluronic acid into a damaged joint.

The body naturally produces hyaluronic acid to lubricate the joints. Supplementing affected joints with additional acid can decrease pain and improve joint mobility.

5. Regenerative therapy

Regenerative therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate, utilize substances derived from your blood or bone marrow to stimulate the growth of new tissue. These therapies provide lasting relief from inflammation and pain by healing damaged tissue and bone, the source of arthritis symptoms.

A high concentration of PRP in a damaged joint supports the regeneration of new, healthy soft tissues. Stem cells found in bone marrow aspirate have the unique ability to regenerate into any type of cell, including those of soft tissue, bone, and nerve.

Invest in a custom pain management plan

If you’ve lost mobility due to progressive arthritis or need help managing chronic joint pain, you can rely on the expertise of our providers at AABP Integrative Pain Care and Wellness.

Because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to arthritis management, our medical specialists create a care plan based on your age, health history, and the severity of your symptoms.

In addition to providing the latest, nonsurgical arthritis treatments, we also offer holistic recommendations for dietary and lifestyle changes that can support your long-term health. This whole-person approach encourages you to make lasting changes to your routine, allowing you to stay independent and active for as long as possible.

Call AABP Integrative Pain Care and Wellness in Brooklyn, New York, today to schedule an arthritis consultation. You can also book an appointment online.