Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints, and it is a common condition that affects over three million people in the United States every year (Mayo Clinic), comprised mostly of adults over the age of 65 and women more often than men. Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, swelling and redness, which typically worsen with age (Healthline).

Arthritis is caused by a reduction in the normal amount of cartilage in the body, which is a flexible connective tissue in joints. The breakdown of cartilage causes the symptoms of arthritis, including inflammation and pain (Healthline). The two most common types of arthritis include:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) – causes a breakdown of cartilage, the hard slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)­ – a disease where the immune system attacks the joints.

However, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and some less common than OA and RA include gout, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, among others (Arthritis.org). While arthritis symptoms and pain can be treated in a variety of ways, unfortunately there is no cure for the condition.

As you search for relief from arthritis pain, whether you are new to the condition or seeking alternatives for your current treatment, here are three tips that may be able to help you (Arthritis.org):

• Exercise/physical therapy – exercises designed to improve posture, strength, function and range of motion can help reduce pain associated with arthritis. These types of activities have also been known to boost energy and enhance mood, which can improve quality of life. Just keep the exercise light and focused on stretching, strengthening and aerobics, as over-exercising with high-impact activities like running or jumping can actually exacerbate your arthritis symptoms. Read more about how physical exercise can help with chronic pain symptoms here.
• Hot and cold compresses – use hot and cold compresses, like heating pads, heat patches, warm baths, hot wax, cold packs, ice packs, frozen vegetables and more, to help relieve arthritis pain and inflammation. The heat increases blood flow to the inflamed, arthritic area and relaxes the muscles while cold reduces swelling and inflammation. Heat works best for pain stemming from osteoarthritis, while cold is best for inflammation caused by injury.
• Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy – commonly used in doctors’ offices, PEMF is clinically proven through many studies to relieve pain, with no known side effects. Devices like our wearable Oska Pulse help make the technology affordable and convenient for people to help them find relief on-the-go. 

Though a chronic condition with no cure, there are ways to help mitigate your arthritis symptoms and manage your pain. For more information about Oska Pulse and how it uses Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) technology to relieve pain, please visit www.oskawellness.com.