Arthritis Treatment / Management
Treatment for arthritis is best tackled by a multimodal approach. One treatment on its own is often less effective. We aim to
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Slow down the progression of joint damage
- Help maintain or improve mobility and muscle tone
We can do this in a number of ways
- Pain relief medication
- Joint supplements and dietry support
- Regular exercise/physiotherapy
- Laser Pain therapy
Reduce pain and inflammation
Depending on the degree or severity of pain we may recommend a combination of
Antinflammatory or pain relief medication. In severe/chronic cases ongoing pain medication may be needed to in order to reduce the sensitivity of pain receptors. The longer the joint pain goes uncontrolled the more intense it becomes. We are able to better manage and control pain if regular medications are used, rather than a than stop-start approach.
Sow down the progression of joint damage
Arthritis is a progressive disease that gets worse with time. One of the most important tools we have are treatments known as Disease Modifying Agents. One of the most effective treatments we use is called Synovan. Synovan is a special protein molecule which helps to
- Repair cartilage
- Improve lubrication and joint fluid viscosity
- Reduce joint inflammation
- Provide Pain relief
There are some wonderful nutritional aids as well such as J/D Joint diet which has been clinically proven
- to slow down the progression of arthritis and
- reduce pain and inflammation
- help maintain and rebuild muscle tone.
To read more on JOINT DIET click here
There are several joint supplements such as Glucosamine which whilst not proven, have been widely recommended to help the signs of arthritis.
Help maintain or improve mobility and muscle tone
Along with the treatments described above, regular exercise is also very important to help maintain mobility and muscle tone. Even simple exercises like sitting are useful to keep practising as this gets the joints doing what they should do regularly.
We are also one of the few clinic who offer laser pain therapy. This has been a breakthrough treatment for both humans and pets to provide a drug free alternative, or a treatment that can complement other modes of treatment. We have had some wonderful success stories and are recommending Laser pain therapy for many more cases.
To read more about laser pain therapy click here
Other simple measures that everyone can do at home are
- Keep your pet lean to help reduce the load on their joints. It has been proven that leaner pets develop less arthritis
- Provide a warm and comfortable bed such as one made out of memory foam with plenty of padding
- Keep beds raised off the ground and away from drafts
- Use a portable ramp to help your dog in and out of the car, or have a ramp built for steps in the garden.
- Provide an additional piece of furniture (like an ottoman) so your cat doesn’t have to jump so high to reach his favourite spot
