Arthritis Pain Management
People with arthritis want what is described as arthritis pain management. This only makes sense given they are experiencing a degree of pain that varies from mild to severe.
Very few people care about the body’s system for making them aware they are in p ain. They know they are in pain and want it stopped.
It may behoove a person to understand the culprit so they can get a grip on how to control this particular nasty varmint. Something called Substance P (SP) is thought to be the substance in your body that travels (very quickly) from the site of an injury to your brain to shout, “That HURTS!”
SP is a neurotransmitter as well as a neuromodulator. These two medical terms tell us, in part, what it is but fall far short of a complete and adequate explanation. The truth is most of us don’t want a full and complete explanation, we only want relief.
Okay so maybe each individual living with arthritis, or any other type of pain, has to have only a grass roots understanding of SP. Only the medical community, ie doctors and researchers, should be the book worms when it comes to understanding and controlling SP.
Fortunately for the consumer the medical types know that SP can be reduced by a substance found in chili peppers. That substance is called capsaicin, a capsicum family member. Capsaicin’s reputation is well known as a pain reliever and an SP reducer.
This obviously means Capsaicin can help you with arthritis pain management.
When you’re able to use the pain-relieving power of the capsicum family, you end up doing yourself two really big favors: You relieve your pain AND you reduce the amount of SP in your body. That means a smaller amount of those “hey—this hurts” transmissions pounding the brain.
Arthritis Pain Management
If you have serious pain, it has taken time to build up the serious levels of SP in your body. Likewise, it will take time to start to bring that level down. Estimates are it can take as much as four weeks to reduce the SP levels. Regardless if it is three or four weeks it is great to know you at least have a way to do it.
A word of caution is in order. Capsaicin itself can be irritating. You can’t use it too often, and it often causes an uncomfortable burning sensation. If it doesn’t burn, it’s not working.
If you are using a topical to relieve your pain, you want to be sure you don’t find capsaicin listed as the main pain relieving ingredient. Rather you want a blend of capsicum and capsaican with capsicum as the majority of the two.
You are applying the pain relief ointment on the skin directly at the point of pain. This means the skin absorbs the product and carries the active ingredients to the pain. Do not be afraid to rub a good amount directly on the area of pain. It is usually best to wait 5 minutes and reapply.
As your pain is eased, you’re likely to move more freely, which helps circulation and increases oxygen flow to your entire body. More movement often results in more energy, better distribution of nutrients, more effective movement of lymph fluids, and often, more restful sleep.
Topical remedies for arthritis aren’t the only pain relief products available to a person. Some people may have to use prescription drugs. Drugs should be taken according to doctor’s instructions.
Since most drugs have side effects, some of which could be deadly, it is wise to heed your doctor’s dictates. If you are experiencing sensations that you normally don’t experience, contact your doctor immediately.
Arthritis pain management is a very real possibility in today’s medical environment. But like all other treatments or remedies, you have to determine which treatment is right for you.