Osteoarthritis is a degenerative form of arthritis that is typically the result of repetitive strain and the normal wear and tear your joints experience over decades of stress. You can’t reverse cartilage loss and joint degeneration, but there are several things you can do to alleviate osteoarthritic discomfort and prevent continued progression. In today’s blog, we touch on some effective drug-free treatment options for osteoarthritis.
Treating Osteoarthritis Without Medications
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and stronger prescription medications are a common treatment option for patients working to overcome osteoarthritis symptoms. We’re not saying that medications should not be pursued – in fact, the vast majority of patients we work with are on some over-the-counter or prescription medication regimen – but they should not be your only form of treatment. Medications are a passive treatment by nature and won’t address the underlying issue. Moreover, medications become less effective the longer you take them, and they can potentially increase your risk for kidney disease and dependance.
If you’re looking for drug-free treatments to combat your osteoarthritic degeneration, or for strategies to pair with your current medication regimen, consider some of these techniques:
- Physical Therapy – Physical therapy is arguably the most commonly recommended form of treatment for patients dealing with various forms of arthritis. PT involves controlled movements that serve to build strength and improve functional range of motion in specific areas. It can be incredibly effective at calming symptoms and improving your ability to move comfortably if you’re dealing with natural arthritic degeneration.
- Aquatic Therapy – Another therapy technique that is oftentimes recommended to patients with osteoarthritis is aquatic therapy. When you’re immersed in water, the effects of gravity are minimized, and certain movements become much easier. Also, water is naturally resistant to movement, so you’ll be strengthening your joints simply by slowing moving your arms, legs and joints in water. Some people like to take their physical therapy routine to the pool, while others find that aquatic therapy exercises classes help their joints feel stronger and mobile when they are on land.
- Red Light Therapy – Red light therapy is a rejuvenation technique that we offer at Hypercharge Clinic. We harness the power of light to energize your body on a cellular level, helping your cells perform certain functions more efficiently. When your cells are functioning properly, they can expedite the tissue repair process, improve blood flow and control pain and inflammation that you’re experiencing as a result of your osteoarthritic degeneration. Learn more about red light therapy here.
- Vibroacoustic Therapy – Vibroacoustic therapy is another amazing technique that we’ve talked about on the blog in the past, and it can be helpful for patients dealing with a variety of soft tissue issues. Vibroacoustic therapy uses controlled vibrations to harmonize cellular function and act as a gentle massage for your muscles and soft tissues. It has been shown to reduce muscle tension and improve blood flow, which can aid in inflammation control and pain reduction. It is a calming and effective way to decrease inflammation that could be present as a result of arthritic degeneration.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans dealing with symptoms of osteoarthritis and are looking to manage your condition without medications, consider the above techniques and sync up with the team at HyperCharge Clinic to see how we can help you. Joint degeneration is natural, but that doesn’t mean you need to accept a life full of discomfort and pain. Let us help you make movement comfortable once again. For more information, or for help with a different physical issue, reach out to the team at HyperCharge Clinic today at (763) 717-8745.