Coping With Pain From Arthritis
The long-term goal of
arthritis pain management is to help you cope with a chronic, often disabling, disease. You may be caught in a cycle of pain,
depression, and stress. To break out of this cycle, you need to be an active participant with the doctor and other healthcare professionals in managing your pain. Pain management may involve physical therapy,
cognitive-behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, biofeedback, relaxation techniques (for example, deep breathing and meditation), and family counseling therapy.
Statistics Regarding Arthritis Pain
Chronic pain is a major health problem in the United States and is one of the most weakening effects of arthritis. More than 40 million Americans are affected by some form of arthritis, and many have chronic pain that limits daily activity.
Osteoarthritis is by far the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 20 million Americans; while
rheumatoid arthritis, which affects about 2.1 million Americans, is the most disabling form of the disease.
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