May 1, 2022

One of the more common afflictions that pharmacists see daily is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that affects more than 302 million people worldwide and is a major cause of disability among the elderly. The hands, hips, and knees are the joints most often affected with pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of motion from osteoarthritis. These aggravating changes to the joints can have a tremendous impact on one’s quality of life and reduce the ability to complete what used to be considered easy tasks.

We do have the power to lessen the effects of changing joints by increasing low-impact activities to increase range of motion and lessen stiffness. This can be done primarily through some simple lifestyle modifications or changes to your routine, the hope being that some weight can be lost and an increased range of motion can be gained. Activities like tai chi and yoga have been shown to be highly effective in providing the motion that is lotion for the joints.

On those days when the body is not responding as well to exercise, medication can help. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be administered by mouth or even applied topically to help relieve joint discomfort. A compounding pharmacy can work with your doctor to enhance topical medications that reduce joint pain without having to take another pill. If pain is severe, then working with your doctor for more intense prescription pain control is appropriate

Your local independent pharmacist is on your side. They are a part of your community, and they care about you. So, if you “creak” more than usual or are experiencing pain, then ask to speak to your pharmacist for some potential options that might be very effective for you.