Is Arthritis Cream helpful in joint pains?

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Arthritis is  a chronic painful disease of the joints. People suffering with arthritis have  difficulty doing their daily routine as they get older. Most of them will try all kinds of topical medications to relieve the pain and so the market is flooded with countless Arthritis Creams. While some are natural, some are chemical based.  Many of these arthritis cream products are over-the-counter medications. They are quite effective for relieving minor aches and muscle pain, although are not effective enough on their own to completely concentrate on severe arthritis pain. Various products may not penetrate deep enough to reach the affected area. The most effective treatments are simple analgesics and anti- inflammatory drugs. But lately, the  natural products industry has been getting a share of the pie of the arthritis creams as they are successful and have a long term benefit too. The appropriate treatment of arthritis greatly depends on the right analysis and diagnosis.

What are the treatments available for Arthritis?

• Surgery: The treatment for joint pains has various choices. In minor aches and joint pains, surgery is not needed to cure arthritis . However, if the joint pain is unbearable and affects daily life, then surgery is recommended to overcome the pain considerably. Generally, Surgery is performed to eliminate damaged tissue or to replace the joint with an artificial one.
• Anti-oxidants: are used in natural treatment of joint pain. The naturally available antioxidants are fruits and vegetables. The total destruction of joint is avoided or slowed down by taking food rich in fiber and low in fats.
•  Vegetable juices: A mixture of carrot, cucumber and beet is very helpful for arthritis. The joints have favorable effect from green salad with lemon juice, ginger, turmeric, coriander and pumpkin. Fruits like apple, grapes, oranges, papaya are good for body joints.
• Ultrasound heat therapy: Another successful arthritis cure is the use of “ultrasound heat therapy”. The area to be treated is heated by ultrasound so as to reach the inner tissues of that region. The muscle tissues and ligaments receive the energy from this method well and the relief given enduring.
•  Arthritis cream : Use of arthritis cream is for treatment of joints pain. The joints pain can be efficiently answered by the cream that contains hyaluronic acid, glucoamine and chonfroitins. Pain relief arthritis creams work by penetrating the skin directly at the location of the pain. This can be the knees, shoulders, hands or almost anywhere on the body. The advantage with these products is that, there is no need to swallow them like oral medication, and so there is no damage for kidneys, liver or digestive system.

What are the ingredients in the Arthritis creams?

•  Salicylic acid :It is the pain relieving ingredient that is found in Aspirin. Examples of arthritis creams containing salicylate are Aspercreme, Sportscreme and Mobisyl.
•  Capsaicin : Arthritis pain relief creams containing Capsaicin work by removing substance P from nerve cell. Substance P is responsible for transmitting pain messages. Capsaicin produces the burning sensation as they are made with chili peppers. Capsaicin creams drain the nerve cells of a chemical that is vital for transfering pain messages. Examples of creams that contain capsaicin are Capzasin, ArthriCare, and Zostrix. These are mainly effective when applied on the elbows, fingers & knees.
•  Menthol : Menthol creates a sensation of hot or cold that may momentarily supersede the feel of the pain. Examples are Icy Hot and Biofreeze.
•  Other ingredients : The cream containing glucosamine, chondroitins and MSM (Methylsuflonylmethane) and/or hyaluronic acid acid is very effective in treatment of joints pain. 

What are the prescription strength Arthritis creams ?

A few arthritis pain relief creams contain Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These are only available by prescription. These creams or gels have to be used several times a day and they can irritate the stomach. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has agreed a prescription gel having the NSAID diclofenac (Voltaren) to treat osteoarthritis in the hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles or knees. A patch having diclofenac is also available. In addition, physicians may recommend lidocaine patches (Lidoderm) for joint pain.

What are some of the natural remedies for Arthritis pain?

•  Arnica : One of the extensively used and most recommended products is Arnica. This is a plant of the sunflower family that commonly available in temperate regions. Since the sixteenth century, It has been productively used to treat arthritis and similar diseases.
•  Castor oil and emu oil : Using castor oil and emu oil as an arthritis treatment has also been very helpful. Castor oil is rubbed onto the painful area and then covered with wool.
•  Tiger balm : In early 1900’s, this prehistoric Chinese formula was reintroduced to China. It has camphor, cajuput oil, clove and cassia oils, menthol and mint which are proven to be effective for arthritis pain.
•  Devil's claw and yucca : There are several potent arthritis cream products containing devils claw and yucca. These are very effective than the prescription formulas. It is considered an exceptional way to reduce pain, swelling and stiffness for both sharp and unrelieved arthritis pain.
•  Also, Boswellia, cat’s claw, curcumin and turmeric display anti-inflammatory and antioxidants to help in arthritis pain.

Are these creams and medicines effective for Arthritis pain?

There are different opinions on the efficiency and success of over-the-counter topical pain medications. Scientific research depicts only self-effacing benefits, even though many people feel these products aid in alleviating their arthritis pain. A number of products work no better than placebo in relieving arthritis pain. It is crucial to decide the suitable arthritis pain relief cream for an individual. The success of such treatments can differ depending on the severity and the form of arthritis that is available. Any cream that is used should be entirely investigated for any probable side-effects. Some medicines can cause reactions such as skin irritation, blistering, stinging, and in some cases inflammation. It is always good to consult your doctor to ensure that the medicine is appropriate for a particular person. 

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