6 Best Accessories For Joint Pain [Women Should Use]

accessories for joint pain

What are the best accessories for joint pain?

Joint pain is very common in the aging population. Osteoarthritis, a disorder caused due to the wear and tear of the joints, is more common in women above the age of 50 years. It not just causes joint pains but also affects their ability to move about.

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect even younger women in their 20s or 30s. This condition usually affects the smaller joints like the fingers and wrists and causes immense pain and stiffness. 

There are several forms of treatments that can help women derive relief from joint pains and reduce inflammation and damage to the joints. However, along with the conventional treatments, they can also use a few accessories to ease the pain and improve their mobility. Let us have a look at some of the best accessories that women can use to manage joint pains.

What are the best accessories for joint pain that women can use to manage joint pain?

Here are some best accessories for women with joint pain:

1. Heat Compresses

Physicians often advise women to try applying heat to the affected joint. The application of heat can reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling and ease joint movements. 

It also works by increasing the blood flow to the joint tissues. It can enhance the flow of healing nutrients to the affected part and thus, speed up recovery after an injury to ligaments or muscles. 

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Women who suffer from mild to moderate joint pains can use accessories like heating pads, or microwavable hot packs. These accessories are easy to use and can provide relief from joint pain. 

Alternatively, women can also try applying a hot towel to the affected joint or take a warm bath or shower to ease joint pains. [1]

The heat treatment usually works well for women with osteoarthritis. However, according to the Arthritis Foundation, women should avoid applying heat for more than 15 minutes, 3 times a day, as it may worsen inflammation in the joints. [2]

2. Cold Packs

Cold therapy is another effective tool for reducing inflammation, swelling, and joint pain caused due to acute arthritis. Unlike hot packs, the cold packs work by reducing the blood flow to the part. They cause constriction of the blood vessels in the local area. This can help to reduce swelling and also numb the area thereby providing relief from pain.

Women can try using cold packs about 3 to 4 times a day. Cold packs are effective in reducing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Cold treatments can also help to reduce pain caused due to ligament or tendon injuries, muscle sprain, and fractures. [3]

3. Workout Equipment

Some of the best accessories for joint pain that women can use to prevent include workout equipment. While it is not a good idea to push yourself to perform strenuous workouts when you are suffering from severe joint pain, a regular workout routine could help to relieve the long-term symptoms of arthritis. [4]

The basic exercise tools like treadmills, stationary bikes, and elliptical machines can help to ease joint pain and swelling while improving your general health. [5] 

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Women can perform simple exercises like walking, running, or cycling using these types of equipment for about 30 to 40 minutes a day, 3 to 4 times per week. This would improve the health and mobility of the joints, prevent obesity, and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis. 

4. Walking Aids

Women who suffer from osteoporosis or osteoarthritis are advised to use walking aids to prevent falls and injuries. The risk of fractures is higher in women with osteoporosis. The weakness and reduced bone mineral density caused due to this condition can make them prone to fractures even after a missed step or fall. [6]

The use of walking aids like standard walkers can address the minor mobility issues and help women maintain their balance thus preventing a fall. Women can also try using a rollator walker or walking cane to decrease pain in the knees and hips. [7]

The use of walking aids is helpful for women with osteoarthritis. It can help to transfer some of the pressure exerted by the body weight from the legs to the walking aid. 

This can reduce the pressure on the knees and hips and slow down the degeneration and wear and tear in these joints. 

5. Non-stressful Dressing

Most women do not consider this option. However, replacing your regular clothes with a non-stressful dressing option could ease your routine activities to a great extent. 

For example, women who suffer from joint pains due to rheumatoid arthritis find it difficult to remove gloves or wear shirts and trousers. The pain in the fingers and wrists creates discomfort while performing these fine movements. [8] [9]

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It is advisable to try using clothes and footwear having Velcro in place of buttons. This will help a person avoid the joint movements involved in these activities and ease their routine. 

6. Arthritis Gloves

Women who experience severe pain in the wrists may use arthritis gloves. It is especially beneficial for patients with rheumatoid arthritis that occurs due to the inflammation and destruction of the joints due to the abnormal response of the immune cells. It can cause pain in the affected joints, stiffness, and swelling. 

Arthritis gloves could be an effective solution for women who find it difficult to use their hands for everyday tasks due to these symptoms. 

Arthritis gloves basically work by creating compression around the wrist joint. It can reduce pain and swelling to some extent and ease the symptoms. 

Conclusion

These accessories would help women derive significant relief from joint pains. It would also minimize the need to use medications like painkillers and steroids. This can protect them from the side effects caused due to the long-term use of these drugs. 

At the same time, using these accessories would reduce their risk of falls or injuries. It will help them move about more easily and enhance the quality of life.

References:

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14584019/
  2. http://www.arthritistoday.org/about-arthritis/arthritis-pain/pain-relief/arthritis-pain-relief-alternatives-3.php
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6669258/
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28320059/
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31045790/
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3557749/
  7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14673971/
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4989501/
  9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27824657/

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