How Walking & Alternative Care Can Treat Arthritis

Arthritis is, unfortunately, a common condition, and with so many types of arthritis, there’s a good chance you or someone you love will struggle with this disease. Integrated Pain Consultants offers a variety of holistic, alternative approaches to arthritis pain management so you can avoid a life of taking potentially dangerous medications or simply “dealing with it.” Oftentimes, the most productive way to manage arthritis is with a suite of best approaches, and that includes not only treatments like ARP Wave therapy, a variety of joint injections but also walking and getting more active.

There are a number of walking programs available around the country, and you can find an online support group, an in-person meetup, or design your own walking program to work into your daily life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 54 million adults in the country have arthritis, which (in its simplest definition) is joint inflammation. Since nearly ¼ of adults have arthritis, it can rightfully be considered a national healthcare concern. Plus, half of those with arthritis say that it gets in the way of their daily activities.

What IPC Offers for Arthritis

Every patient is different, so the exact arthritis management plan for you will be fully customized. Certain types of osteoarthritis (OA) can benefit from radiofrequency ablation (RFA), spinal cord stimulation, and joint injections. Medication management can also help, but it’s important to work with a holistic provider who is aware of the dangers of some medications. For instance, opioids should only be prescribed for short-term pain management (such as recovering from a surgery). Arthritis is a lifelong condition and addictive medications should not be prescribed for such long-term use.

Considering how limiting arthritis is, it’s no wonder a lot of people reach for medication for immediate relief. The CDC states that “arthritis can limit the type of work people are able to do or keep them from working at all.” About eight million US adults of working age say that they can’t work or can only undertake limited work because of arthritis pain. OA is the most common type of arthritis, but there’s also rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout, and lupus. OA is the kind caused by wear and tear of the joints, and numerous studies have shown that exercise and sustaining a healthy weight can help preserve joints. Strengthening, stretching, and flexibility exercises can all help any adult sustain the health of their joints for longer and minimize further damage.

TAKE A HIKE (AND HELP YOUR ARTHRITIS)

Depending on the severity and type of your arthritis, as well as your health and exercise tolerance, how big a role walking will play in your arthritis management will vary. However, one thing is certain: walking is extremely beneficial to virtually everyone. A lot of OA today is related to weight, so reducing excess weight and encouraging people to get stronger can help with OA in a number of joints. OA in the knees and hips are especially common, and walking can help reduce excess weight while building strength, mobility, and flexibility in these OA-common joints.

Movement is essential to health and well-being, both physically and mentally. For those in Scottsdale, we’re especially fortunate to be in a region where outdoor walks and hikes are readily available. Walking any way you can (including on a treadmill) is beneficial, but outdoor walks have the added benefit of challenging balance and muscle and joint flexibility when we go off paved sidewalks. Most Americans are used to having flat, smooth surfaces for walking, and that can cause the tiny muscles, connective tissues, and bones in our feet and ankles to atrophy over time. A stroll on a trail provides surprising challenges that we might not necessarily feel right away, but the benefits build up over time.

Treating any condition, including arthritis, all begins with a personalized plan. At Integrated Pain Consultants, “Top Doc” Dr. Nikesh Seth has been voted as the leading doctor in his field (by his peers) every year since 2015, and in 2019 he was awarded the “Top Doc in Pain Management” title. Arthritis can be a crippling condition, but just because there’s no cure for OA doesn’t mean you can’t manage it in a healthy way. Find out more about arthritis treatment options at Integrated Pain Consultants and start building your unique plan today in collaboration with the “Top Doc.” Schedule a detailed evaluation by booking your appointment online or calling (480) 626-2552.