Drug-Free Pain Management Tool

Patient education is highly recommended as a pain management strategy for all types of arthritis. Patient education encourages positive changes in attitude, knowledge, health behaviors, and beliefs about pain. Learning new skills and strategies to manage your arthritis can help you carry out daily activities, communicate better with healthcare professionals, and feel in control of your condition. It can also boost your sense of confidence and self-efficacy, which are important for taking charge of your health. Patient education is a unique approach to pain management because it is entirely individualized. You decide when and how to explore factors beyond the immediate causes and consequences of your arthritis, such as the role of proper sleep, healthy eating and more.

Patient education techniques include:

• Visit the Support and Education section of Arthritis Society Canada’s website. You will find detailed information to help you on your journey with arthritis.
• Call the Arthritis Society Info Line (1-800-321-1433). Our knowledgeable staff and volunteers will help direct you to the answers you need, tailored to region.
• Join a self-management education workshop, which can help you learn the skills to manage your arthritis and make good decisions about your health.
• Meet others in the arthritis community. Sharing your experiences, coping mechanisms, and personal tips and tricks with others can help you relieve the burden of pain.
• Talk to your doctor if you have joint pain and other arthritis symptoms. It is important to get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible so you can start treatment to minimize symptoms and prevent the disease from getting worse.

Regular physical activity can help relieve arthritis symptoms, reduce pain, and improve your overall health. Exercise can also strengthen your muscles, which is crucial to maintaining support for your joints. A lack of exercise can weaken supporting muscles, creating more stress on your joints. Stay as active as your health allows and change your activity level depending on your arthritis symptoms. Some physical activity is always better than none. Regular physical activity done correctly should not damage your joints. Consult with your healthcare provider for guidance if you are unsure.

What types of exercise are recommended?

• Neuromuscular Exercise. Exercises that improve connections and response time between your brain and your muscles. Components include strengthening muscles as well as improving balance and agility. These exercises should be prescribed specifically and monitored to make sure individuals complete them with the correct motor pattern. Otherwise, individuals risk building faulty and potentially damaging motor patterns.
• Range of motion (flexibility exercises). Exercises that keep your joints moving can reduce pain and stiffness. To achieve the most benefit, these exercises should be done daily.
• Strengthening. Exercises that maintain or increase muscle tone and protect your joints. These resistance-based exercises include weight-training movements done with a set of free weights, your own body weight, resistance bands, or weight machines. Strengthening exercises should be done 3 – 4 times per week.
• Endurance. Exercises that strengthen your heart, give you energy, control your weight, and help improve your overall health. Examples include walking, swimming, and cycling. This is also known as cardio or aerobic exercise. These types of exercises should be done most days of the week.
• Low-impact options. Activities like Tai Chi and Yoga combine muscle strengthening, flexibility, and balance exercises while having a low impact on your joints. They can also encourage mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation.

Regular physical activity is recommended, as much as a person can do and tolerate, with a target to accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more. For those who cannot meet the recommended target, a small amount of physical activity is better than nothing. Consider 1 hour of light physical activity, which can include activities such as walking, making a bed, or preparing food. Exercises should not increase or cause pain. Consult your physiotherapist and other members of your treatment team for appropriate exercises for you.

Rest can play a role in pain management. Listening to your body and resting when appropriate may help lower the chances that a flare up (rapid onset of worse than normal symptoms) will keep you down for long periods of time. If you notice pain, swelling, or increased heat around the affected joint, it may be time to take a break. Often, dividing up a task into smaller parts with short breaks works well.

It’s important that rest is balanced with activity. With too much rest, joints can become stiff and sore and muscles can grow weaker. Similar to what happens overnight, joints may feel stiff with rest until gently moved a few times. For more information about how much rest is appropriate for you, consult your healthcare professional.

Visit the Arthritis Society’s online lifestyle magazine flourish for tips on how to get a better night’s sleep.

Maintaining a healthy weight is highly recommended for people with knee and hip osteoarthritis. For people who are overweight, losing as little as ten pounds greatly reduces stress on weight-bearing joints. Reducing stress on these joints may prevent abnormal joint loading that can lead to increased pain. Pain can limit our physical activity and lead to a loss of muscle mass, which also contributes to abnormal joint loading. Practical and personal weight management strategies include:

• Regular self-monitoring. Tracking your weight monthly and attending a support meeting to review your progress are all beneficial ways to work towards maintaining a healthy weight.
• Understand how food intake and exercise work together to affect weight. Our Support and Education page provides online modules on safe and fun forms of exercise, as well as the science behind healthy eating. For regularly posted recipe ideas, visit our online lifestyle magazine, flourish. Additionally, on the Health Canada website, you can find information about Canada’s updated food guide with recommendations for different stages in life.
• Maintain good mental health. Recognize triggers that encourage unhealthy eating behaviours and work towards developing alternative coping strategies. Our Mental Health resource page can help you look after your mental well-being.

Weight loss as a pain management approach is not as effective for people with inflammatory arthritis.

Mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation are conditionally recommended for managing arthritis pain. Research data supports mindfulness and meditation (MM) as a behavioural health care intervention to aid in holistic wellness and health in general. It is an evidence-based intervention that recognizes the powerful connection between the mind and body, and how that connection can be used when faced with stress, pain and illness.

Research has helped us understand more about the ways we think and behave, and the impact that can have on how we manage illness. MM complements instead of replaces medical treatment and is a good practice for those who feel well or are ill.

There is anecdotal evidence to suggest these strategies may help with pain management by helping you to recognize negative emotions and gradually reframe these negative emotions and reactions into a more positive mind frame. Mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation can’t take away the pain but can help you approach and manage it in a healthier way. Since tensed muscles amplify pain in the joints, relaxing them can lower the amount of pain. Seeking counselling can help you to develop goal-setting, problem-solving, and coping strategies, as well as positive thinking skills that can help with pain management.

There are also physical activities that incorporate mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation. Sitting quietly and becoming aware of your breath, walking and being aware of all your senses, and being in nature (ie: bird watching) are examples of informal types of MM. Regular yoga under the guidance of a certified instructor can improve your general health and increase energy levels. Breathing exercises and journaling may also help you to ground yourself during flare ups and work through your pain.

For more information, visit our online lifestyle magazine flourish for articles on mindfulness and meditation.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a practical, short-term form of psychotherapy that helps people develop a better awareness of the impact of their thoughts and behaviours on problems in everyday life.

CBT is conditionally recommended for both osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. There is research to support the use of CBT in chronic pain conditions. In studies addressing disabilities other than arthritis, CBT has demonstrated improvement in pain, health-related quality of life, negative mood, fatigue, and functional capacity. CBT can help people with arthritis to develop tactics to deal with immediate flare ups as well as adjusting negative or problematic thinking about pain to provide some relief. CBT is usually limited to 6-20 sessions and is goal-oriented.

For more information about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, visit our resource Understanding Mental Healthcare.

One form of mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation is to keep a pain journal. Whenever you experience significant amounts of pain, write down (or sketch) your feelings to make a “space” for yourself outside of these emotions. Writing down these thoughts creates an awareness of the source of your anxiety and frustration. You now have the chance to choose a different response to a given stressor. You can also revisit these thoughts at a later time, alone or with a counsellor.

Therapeutic writing can also be a great way to track your arthritis symptoms. For other methods of pain journaling, consider downloading a symptom tracking app. You can also download PDFs of a Daily Symptom Tracker and Food and Mood Tracker from our resources page.

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Thermal therapy is conditionally recommended for managing arthritis pain. In general, the use of gentle heat may help relax muscles and stimulate circulation, thereby decreasing pain. Cold therapy uses lower temperatures to reduce inflammation and swelling during a flare up when you have hot, swollen joints. Before using heat or cold therapy, ensure that your skin sensation is intact so you don’t burn yourself. If you have visible skin damage, consult with a health professional before using heat or cold. Always protect your skin with a towel or other barrier between your skin and the warm/cold item. After using heat or cold, gently move the arthritic joint to reduce stiffness.

Gentle heat, in the form of microwavable grain sacks or warm towels, is usually applied for 10-20 mins once or twice daily. Cold therapy, in the form of frozen gel packs, ice, frozen vegetables or cold damp towels, is generally applied for 10 minutes once or twice daily.

Some people with arthritis may find warm water soaks to be effective for managing pain. While Epsom salts dissolved in warm water release magnesium and sulfate, key ingredients in spa mineral baths, there are differing reports on the value of using them in the management of arthritis. Some studies have shown mineral baths can have an anti-inflammatory effect by increasing certain cells that mediate inflammation and by enhancing circulation and breathing. Other studies have shown that these minerals cannot be easily absorbed through the skin.

People with Raynaud’s Disease should be careful with cold therapy. Sudden cold temperatures and emotional stress may cause people with Raynaud’s Disease to experience cold, numb, or painful sensations as well as loss of colour in their fingers and toes.

The Arthritis Society has helpful printable PDFs to learn more about Heat Therapy and Cold Therapy.

Physiotherapy management consists of an individualized program prescribed by your physiotherapist to help you increase your strength, flexibility, range of motion, and exercise tolerance. Exercise is an important aspect of managing pain and your physiotherapist will work with you to find exercises you enjoy in order to keep you motivated. Physiotherapy management includes therapeutic strategies to help relieve your pain such as:

• Personalized therapeutic exercise programs
• Specific advice on how to increase your physical activity levels and avoid exercise-related injuries
• Education regarding pain relief techniques (using warm and cold packs, massage, and/or taping)
• Providing and demonstrating how to properly use assistive devices such as walkers and canes
• Recommendations for modifications to your environment to help relieve pain and improve function (ergonomic chairs, cushion mats)

Arthritis often leads to changes in balance and walking patterns (also called “gait”). As a result, other joints and muscles will start to compensate, leading to problems elsewhere in the body. For instance, walking with a limp can place additional stress on muscles around the back, hip, and knee. Besides increasing your pain, changes in your balance and gait can lead to higher risks of falling and fractures.

Physiotherapists will evaluate your gait and determine the best way to manage the specific problems you are experiencing. They may prescribe certain exercises to improve your balance, as well as your lower extremity and core strength. If necessary, they may instruct you in the use of an assistive device such as a cane or walker.

Balance and gait training is conditionally recommended for people with osteoarthritis. This type of pain management technique mostly impacts people with OA affecting the hip, knee, ankle, or foot. Many studies have not been long enough or large enough to explore the long-term consequences of gait and balance issues. However, some evidence shows that balance and gait training have a range of benefits. Beyond avoiding injury, you may also feel more confident in your footing and improve your posture.

To help with your balance and ensure secure footing, visit the Arthritis Society’s article on Choosing the Right Footwear.

Electric stimulation, sometimes referred to as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), is a therapy that uses low voltage electrical currents to provide pain relief. A TENS unit consists of a battery-powered device that delivers electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the surface of your skin. These electrodes are placed at or near nerves where the pain is located, or at specific trigger points.

There are two theories around how TENS may relieve pain. The first theory is that the electric current blocks the transmission of pain signals, changing the way you perceive pain. The second is that nerve stimulation raises the level of endorphins, which can block your perception of pain. TENS is a non-invasive method of pain relief. It can be used alone or in addition to other pain management approaches. There have been some studies that show TENS to be beneficial for people with osteoarthritis. However, its efficacy has not yet been firmly established. As a result, it is recommended that people with OA proceed with caution and seek the advice of a healthcare professional trained in the use of TENS.

Do NOT use electric stimulation therapy if you have the following:

• An implantable device (cardioverter/defibrillator, neurostimulators, bone growth stimulator, indwelling blood pressure monitors). TENS could cause these devices to malfunction.
• Active pregnancy. Do not apply TENS therapy to the abdomen; pelvic area; lower back; or to acupuncture points at the knee, hand or ankle.
• Cancer. Do not apply electrodes to areas of the body where there is known or suspected cancer. Do not use TENS if you have undiagnosed pain and a history of cancer in the last 5 years.
• Epilepsy. Do not apply electrodes to your head, neck or shoulders. The impulses could cause seizures.

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Ultrasound therapy involves applying sound waves to the affected region. This heats up the tissues in the area, increasing circulation, which may have some effect on inflammation. There is research to suggest that ultrasound may provide benefits in the treatment and management of arthritis pain. Ultrasound is a generally safe treatment that is ideal for use due to its cost-effectiveness, portability and ease of use.

Ultrasound therapy can be used for both osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. It is worthy to note the current literature on ultrasound therapy for arthritis pain lacks consistency and a few deficiencies have been documented. As a result, people should proceed with caution. Seek guidance from a health professional before using ultrasound on your arthritic joints.

Cold Laser Therapy (also known as low-intensity laser light therapy, soft laser therapy, or low-power laser therapy) is a controversial alternative medicine treatment. It is a method of exposing tissue to low levels of near-infrared light. The levels are low in comparison to other laser therapies that produce heat, such as those used for cutting. The laser passes through your skin into your tissues. The energy helps to lessen inflammation and promote regeneration of damaged tissue. It generally takes more than a single treatment to feel an impact.

Current studies concerning laser therapy and OA have produced conflicting results. It remains a relatively new and uncharted form of pain relief. As a result, it is recommended that people with arthritis proceed with caution when using laser therapy.

Manual therapy (MT) involves techniques that manipulate and apply pressure to affected joints, muscles, and connective tissue. One example of manual therapy is mobilization: repeated passive motions at low speed. Another method is manipulation: fast movements with small force, small amplitude, and high speed over a joint.

Some research suggests that manual therapy could be a safe and effective complementary therapy option for improving pain and stiffness. However, there is limited high quality evidence available, with existing evidence being prone to bias and poor experimental design. As a result, people with arthritis should proceed with caution. Consult your primary caregiver or rheumatologist to determine your best course of action.

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Therapeutic taping, also known as kinesiotaping, permits range of motion of the joint to which it is applied, in contrast to a brace, which maintains the joint in a fixed position. It is designed to mimic the skin’s elasticity. The tape used is medical-grade and water-resistant. When it is applied to your body, the tape gently lifts your skin and creates a space between your skin and tissue underneath. Decompressing those tissues can change the signals going to the brain. When the area is decompressed, pain receptors send a new signal to the brain, and tension in the trigger point decreases.

Taping is considered to be an effective and affordable nonsurgical intervention method for pain relief, improving function and range of motion in degenerative knee arthritis. It may help reduce OA pain, but is rarely used for inflammatory arthritis.

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Joint protection techniques can help a person minimize joint pain and optimize function by making simple changes in how they perform daily activities. The benefits of using joint protection techniques differ from person to person based on which joints are involved.

Joint protection techniques include:

• Establishing respect for pain. This includes limiting the duration of activities that commonly trigger pain for you, as well as completing painful tasks in a different way or avoiding them altogether if possible.
• Using assistive devices. Using these devices can help you complete physically- or energy-demanding tasks. For additional information, please refer to the assistive devices section in the OT & PT modality category.
• Conserving your energy. This may involve making changes to your schedule, taking scheduled breaks, or picking the best time of the day to do specific activities so you can conserve your energy. People with arthritis often experience morning stiffness, so planning to do more difficult tasks when you have the most energy and least joint stiffness is important.
• Maintaining good body mechanics. This may involve practicing proper body posture and positioning when you sit, stand, walk, and sleep. For more information, visit the section on Biomechanics and Posture.
• Avoiding a static position for extended periods of time. Regular stretching, changing positions, and practicing relaxation techniques throughout your day are often helpful for managing stiffness and pain for those dealing with arthritis symptoms.

An orthosis is an assistive device placed externally on an affected joint or limb to support the structure and function of that part of the body. Common examples of orthoses include splints, braces, and foot insoles. These devices can be custom made, custom fit or premade and vary in material. Some orthoses are made of thermoplastic, which becomes soft when warmed and can then be molded around a joint, while others are made of neoprene, which is soft and elastic.

The purposes for using orthoses can vary. Most orthoses will limit movement of a joint or keep it from moving altogether to help with stabilization, function and/or to protect the joint from further injury. The effectiveness of an orthosis will vary from person to person based on individual factors, including which joint is being treated, how active a person’s arthritis is, and if there is any pre-existing damage or tendinitis.

It is important to ensure that an orthosis or brace fits properly and comfortably, since it may need to be worn for significant periods of time. Wearing a poorly fitting orthosis may result in discomfort, pain, skin irritation, joint stiffness, and limited range of motion in a joint. For further information and assistance, consult a trained therapist.

Work and arthritis can influence each other in many ways. Work that involves physically demanding tasks such as heavy lifting, carrying, and kneeling are associated with increased risks of arthritis. If an injury, arthritis, or other health condition requires you to take a leave of absence from work, navigating the return to work process on your own can be difficult. it is important to be aware of the return to work process at your organization, workplace resources, as well as your rights as an employee.

The return to work process is a personalized and multifaceted one that may involve working with a consultant. The consultant conducts assessments related to the type of work being done, identifies areas that could impact an employee’s health or safety, and makes recommendations to address issues. The approaches and recommendations can vary depending on your needs as an employee and the type of work being done. While some studies have found that work-related interventions can have benefits related to physical, psychological, and emotional health, as well as work performance, the effectiveness of these approaches might differ from person to person.

Types of approaches:

• Vocational rehabilitation can assist people living with arthritis to overcome barriers to accessing, maintaining, or returning to employment. This approach can include strengthening, range of motion and tolerance exercises.
• Ergonomic intervention focuses on the interaction between people and their work environment to prevent workplace pain and/or injury, support workplace health, and optimize organizational performance. Ergonomic assessments ensure that workstations are set up to support the employee in the best mechanical positions to reduce strain and support functional positions.
• Workplace Accommodation aims to change aspects of the work or workplace so that the work demands can be met by an employee. These accommodations may be based on an ergonomic assessment or recommendations by a return to work consultant.

Examples of accommodations:

For more information on workplace accommodations and managing your arthritis at work, visit our Arthritis & Work web portal.

• Equipment recommendations (such as ergonomic chairs and assistive devices) can be used to minimize forces acting on painful joints while promoting good posture.
• Establishing policies that promote flexible work schedules can make work demands more manageable. This allows for the pacing of tasks and work activities to avoid being overworked to the point of increased pain levels. Changing work schedules, reduced hours and scheduled breaks allow people to work at their own pace and conserve energy.
• Learning how to better manage your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in the workplace can help you cope with pain related to emotional distress. These types of interventions could include learning relaxation techniques, stress management techniques, cognitive behavioural intervention and assertive communication skills.

For more information, please visit Your Rights in the Workplace and Disclosing Your Condition.

Assistive devices and techniques are used to maintain or improve an individual’s ability to perform, engage, and participate in daily activities independently. Some studies have found the use of assistive devices to be associated with better quality of life, but the benefits may vary from person to person. People with arthritis can use assistive devices/technologies to address pain though multiple approaches.

If you are not sure of which assistive devices to use, your occupational therapist and/or physiotherapist can provide recommendations best suited for your needs.

• Reduce the physical and energy demands required to perform a task. Example: Using an electric toothbrush rather than a manual toothbrush
• Reduce bending at joints to perform a task.
  Example: Using a long-handled shoehorn to put on shoes rather than bending down to your feet
• Reduce the need for tight grip, excessive grasping, pinching, and twisting in the hand joints.
  Example: Replacing circular doorknobs with door levers, using a jar opener
• Provide support and stability when you move.
  Examples: Installing grab bars in the bathroom, using canes when walking
• Optimize biomechanics/posture/positioning.
  Example: Using ergonomic chairs that help support your natural spinal curves
• Reduce joint pressure by using soft and comfortable material.
  Example: Placing padded hand grips on cane or walker handles, placing foam tubing around forks, spoons and knives

Putting painful joints under repetitive, excessive stress can increase symptoms and contribute to pain. Changing how you move and position your body can reduce forces acting on joints and can help with arthritis symptoms. This can be achieved by using joint protection techniques that promote good biomechanics.

Examples of changes that can affect your biomechanics include:

• Object Height: Setting items in the environment at appropriate heights reduces strain placed on joints. For example, the height of a desk or items on shelves should not be too high or too low to reach.
• Body Weight: Excess body weight puts more stress on weight-bearing joints in the feet, knees, hips and spine, and increases risks of injury. It may also affect the rate of joint degeneration. Weight loss can reduce the force exerted on load bearing joints over time.
• Posture: Maintaining good body posture ensures use of joints in their most stable positions. This might include techniques such as keeping feet flat on the ground when standing up from a chair or avoiding awkward postures that force the body to lean unevenly.
• Exercise: If you do not move your joints, your muscles may weaken over time. This puts your joints at risk for more pain and deformity. Exercise strengthens your muscles, which contributes to improved mobility, function, and decreased pain.
• Carrying Weight: When carrying items, use larger or stronger joints, or carry the item so that the force is spread across multiple joints. This reduces the strain on the weaker and more painful joints. When an item is heavier or larger, use two hands when possible and keep the item close to your body.
• Using Hands: Gripping or grasping items tightly or for long periods may increase hand pain and stiffness. Motions that involve repetitive bending or rotation of the wrist or twisting your fingers in an outward direction (such as when you open a jar) may contribute to joint deformity and pain over time. Pain and joint damage at the base of the thumb may worsen with activities involving pinching. Use assistive devices to reduce the stress on your hands.
• Assistive Devices: See Orthoses [OT Category] and Assistive Devices [OT and PT Category]

Biofeedback might assist with pain management by helping people learn ways to better control the internal processes in their body of which they are usually unaware. These processes include breathing, heart rate, muscle tension, temperature, sweating, and brain waves. Biofeedback helps increase awareness of these processes by placing electrical sensors on the body to monitor and provide the individual with concrete response information. It could be visual (numbers), auditory (sounds), and/or tactile (vibrations). This feedback can also be paired with relaxation techniques in therapy sessions. These techniques help facilitate changes to thoughts, emotions, and behaviour to help better manage and adapt to pain. Treatment sessions usually take place in a therapy clinic ranging from 30-60 minutes per session. The number of sessions required to experience benefits can vary. While some studies have found biofeedback helpful for some medical conditions, the benefits may vary based on the individual. Research specific to biofeedback in arthritis pain is currently limited.

Using a cane is highly recommended for people with hip and knee OA as well as for people with IA affecting the lower extremities. Proper use of a cane can help to reduce the force going through a hip or knee joint, which may reduce pain when walking. This may help you to be more independent in daily activities requiring walking.

A cane can help if you have minor problems with balance or steadiness on your feet. Your healthcare professional may recommend a cane if you just need help walking comfortably and safely.

General Notes on How to Use a Cane:

• Be sure your cane fits you. With your arm straight at your side, the cane handle should be at wrist height. Your elbow should be slightly bent.
• Hold the cane in the opposite hand from your affected leg (if your right hip is sore, hold the cane in your left hand.) The cane moves forward with the opposite leg when walking. Push straight down through the cane as it comes to rest on the ground. This will take pressure off the opposite, or affected, leg as it bears weight.
• If you have wrist or arm pain when using a cane, talk to your physiotherapist who may have some recommendations. If you feel as though you need to put a lot of weight on the cane, if you have significant pain or weakness, or if both legs are equally affected, talk to your physiotherapist about trying a walker.

Massage therapy encompasses a variety of different techniques and practices, but always involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body. Massage therapy can be used to treat arthritis pain, targeting affected muscles and tissue to decrease swelling and pain, improve joint mobility, and provide tension and stress relief. Some people report that it has yielded positive outcomes in pain management and relaxation. However, evidence of massage therapy’s efficacy in managing arthritis symptoms is insufficient. Many studies do not have sufficient numbers of test subjects and show a high risk of bias. Because of this, massage therapy does not have a high level of recommendation as an arthritis pain management approach.

Always consult your family doctor or rheumatologist to see if massage therapy is safe and appropriate for your form of arthritis. If you decide to try massage therapy, contact a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) and make sure they are aware that you have arthritis before starting any treatment.

Although there has been a lot of research on the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), patients are still recommended to proceed with caution.

TCM involves various herbal medicines, acupuncture, cupping therapy, and exercise. According to TCM practice, rheumatoid arthritis belongs to a group of diseases caused by the penetration of wind, cold, and dampness in muscles, sinews, bones, and joints, which results in pain, soreness, and heaviness. Along with acupuncture, trials addressing TCM have limitations with sample size, effect size, and control variables. Its clinical efficacy is still unclear.

If you decide to try Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is recommended to combine TCM with standard arthritis medication strategies for alleviating pain. Furthermore, it is recommended to inform your primary care provider about any medications or herbs prescribed by your TCM provider.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body. This technique has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on the connection and balance between different body systems rather than just the specific areas of pain.

There have been many studies that address the use of acupuncture in arthritis pain management. Acupuncture has been shown to yield anti-inflammatory effects and regulation of immune system function. However, these trials have limitations with sample size, effect size, and control variables. The greatest number of positive trials with the largest effect sizes have been carried out on knee osteoarthritis. Acupuncture’s efficacy therefore remains unclear.

Because of its low risk of harm, acupuncture is conditionally recommended. Acupuncture combined with standard arthritis medication strategies may be beneficial in reducing pain and improving quality of life.

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Tai chi is a traditional Chinese mind-body practice that combines meditation with slow, gentle, graceful movements, deep breathing, and relaxation. Its approach is holistic. Tai chi can help improve balance and muscle strength as well as promote mental clarity, allowing people with arthritis to address physical and emotional factors related to their pain.

You can learn more about Tai Chi in our flourish article on Choosing Arthritis-Friendly Activities.