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How do I Relieve Arthritis Hand Pain?

Anna T.
Anna T.

Arthritis hand pain typically can be relieved with the use of anti-inflammatory medications or pain relieving injections. There are also natural home remedies that could be effective for the temporary relief of arthritis hand pain, including heat, ice, and various herbal tea concoctions. When pain is severe and non-responsive to other types of treatment, a doctor might recommend wearing a splint on the hand. If all options for pain relief have failed, surgery may ultimately be necessary.

The anti-inflammatory drugs a doctor will usually recommend for the relief of arthritis hand pain include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. He may also prescribe stronger medicines containing these ingredients for people with severe arthritis pain. If these medicines fail to provide relief, the next option is typically injections. Most injections contain a long-lasting anesthetic that may provide relief for a few days. Injections containing steroids can provide pain relief for a few months, but doctors normally only use these for people with very severe arthritis pain.

Pain-relieving medicines or injections can help relieve arthritis hand pain.
Pain-relieving medicines or injections can help relieve arthritis hand pain.

Some people report relief from all types of arthritis pain with the use of natural home remedies. Using heat to relieve arthritis pain is very popular and often inexpensive. Types of heating methods for arthritis hand pain include heating pads, electric blankets, and soaks in very warm or hot water. In addition, ice packs placed on the most painful area may work as well as heat. Ice packs may not be a good solution for people who have poor circulation, however, because the cold temperature could worsen their condition.

Alfalfa leaves can be made into tea, which can provide some arthritis relief.
Alfalfa leaves can be made into tea, which can provide some arthritis relief.

Two cups of alfalfa tea every day may temporarily relieve pain related to arthritis as well. Drinking a mixture of two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons of honey in warm water every day could also provide short-term relief for some people. Arthritis pain often flares up during times of great stress, so it may be beneficial for a person with arthritis pain to find ways to keep things calm in their every day lives. Obesity also tends to worsen arthritis pain due to increased pressure on the joints; weight loss may help alleviate arthritis pain in this case.

Apple cider vinegar can provide short-term relief for arthritis hand pain.
Apple cider vinegar can provide short-term relief for arthritis hand pain.

In addition to both natural and doctor prescribed remedies for arthritis hand pain, the use of a splint might also be helpful. These splints are worn to prevent people with arthritis from using the affected part of the body any more than they have to. In most cases, these splints are only worn when arthritis pain is particularly bad. People who receive no benefit from any type of arthritis remedy may require surgery, which could include joint replacement or joint fusion. Recovery time for most types of arthritis surgery does not typically exceed three months.

Discussion Comments

donasmrs

I recommend capsaicin to everyone with arthritis hand pain. I use the oil which I dilute further with olive oil and apply topically to my hands and wrist. It smells a little strong but after it absorbs into skin, it relieves pain. I can actually do housework since I started using capsaicin.

This is a natural compound found in hot peppers and is a natural analgesic. It's great.

candyquilt

@bluedolphin-- I'm not a doctor or anything and I really think that you should be speaking to a doctor about this. As far as I know, steroid treatments, particularly, steroid injections are used if other treatments don't work.

My grandmother has arthritis in her knees. She received cortisone injections into her knee last year when other treatments did not give her relief. They worked great and she has been pain free since then. Cortisone does have side effects. She had to watch her blood sugar carefully because steroids can increase blood sugar. If they are used often, they can cause weight gain as well. But for severe inflammation and pain that doesn't respond to other things, it's a good and effective option.

bluedolphin

What about steroids? Are steroid medications a good treatment for hand pain caused by arthritis? I believe steroids have side effects. Are these worth the benefits? Has anyone here tried this treatment for arthritis in the hand?

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    • Pain-relieving medicines or injections can help relieve arthritis hand pain.
      By: nebari
      Pain-relieving medicines or injections can help relieve arthritis hand pain.
    • Alfalfa leaves can be made into tea, which can provide some arthritis relief.
      By: Sea Wave
      Alfalfa leaves can be made into tea, which can provide some arthritis relief.
    • Apple cider vinegar can provide short-term relief for arthritis hand pain.
      By: Comugnero Silvana
      Apple cider vinegar can provide short-term relief for arthritis hand pain.
    • Consuming green tea may help alleviate hand pain caused by arthritis.
      By: Liv Friis-larsen
      Consuming green tea may help alleviate hand pain caused by arthritis.
    • Using a heating pad may lessen the pain caused by arthritis.
      By: nito
      Using a heating pad may lessen the pain caused by arthritis.
    • Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can cause hand pain and stiffness.
      By: nebari
      Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can cause hand pain and stiffness.
    • Arthritis causes pain and inflammation in the joints.
      By: maska82
      Arthritis causes pain and inflammation in the joints.