Arthritis in hands – And Joint Pain Information

Thermionics is your source for soothing pain relief.

Thermionics offers two treatment options that are perfectly tailored to deliver soothing, deep penetrating, and therapeutic relief for a wide variety of pain discomforts such as arthritis, sports injuries, muscle pain, joint stiffness, menstrual cramps and headaches.


ThermiPaq Hot & Cold Pads store radiant energy at the core of the pad and transfer it slowly and evenly to the affected pain area. For hot therapy, heat pad in the microwave. For cold therapy, place the pad in the freezer.


ThermiBeads Moist Heat Pads utilize radiant energy beads that absorb moisture from the air and then release it into the cloth cover when heated in the microwave. This natural hydration process creates a clean, comforting moist heat without soaking the pad.


This is the only therapy system that delivers the distinct benefits of clay-based Theramics technology.

TECHNOLOGY. Thermionics pain relief products are unlike any other therapy delivery system on the market today. What makes these products superior is our patented Theramics (Thermal Ceramic) compound, which was developed by a former NASA engineer. This revolutionary technology utilizes a synchronized blend of all-natural, ceramic clay and non-toxic oils to create the ideal thermal transfer source. Theramics is the only product that capitalizes on the efficiency of radiant energy to create deep penetrating, therapeutic pain relief. This unique compound is safe, easy to use, and highly efficient in the treatment of a wide variety of pain discomforts such as arthritis, sports injuries, muscle pain, joint stiffness, menstrual cramps and headaches.

BENEFITS. The most beneficial property of the Theramics compound is its ability to absorb heat or cold and then slowly release it at a stable temperature over an extended period of time. Because they use radiant energy technology, all Theramics-based products heat evenly throughout without generating “hot spots” that can harm your skin. The compound will not explode or implode when it is heated or cooled according to the product’s use instructions. In addition to being environmentally safe and non-toxic, Theramics also exceeds all safety and testing codes.

Another benefit of being filled with clay-based materials is that our products remain flexible and moldable to the body at any therapeutic temperature, which provides better overall pain relief. They are also reusable, portable, and include washable cloth covers.


RECOMMENDED BY PROFESSIONALS. Because Theramics technology brings the highest levels of therapeutic relief, our Thermionics’ Hot & Cold Therapy products are consistently recommended by leading health care professionals and sports authorities for home treatments.


Watch this 3 part informative interview with the creator of Thermionics…

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Considerations

Nearly everyone has injured a finger at sometime during their life. After an injury, the finger can remain a bit crooked or stiff. However, your hand can still work quite well with minor deformities. Fingers do not need to open or close completely to be functional.

Numbness or tingling in the fingers may be a sign of a problem with nerves or blood flow.

Always use proper form when you are exercising. Having an improper grip or stance can put massive amounts of stress on your joints, so you should always try to begin exercising at a gym or therapist’s office. These professionals can correct the way you are exercising, and prevent you from causing unnecessary injuries.

Causes

* Blood flow problems

* Injury

Do aquatic exercises which allow you to exercise without subjecting your joints to harsh treatment. Working out in a pool provides the same benefits as other activities such as running but it is much gentler on the joints and will not aggravate your arthritis. The water helps take the weight off of your joints.

* Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

* Nerve problems

* Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis fatigue can be difficult to overcome, but if you’ve tried everything and are still lethargic you should consider other problems you might have. Visit a sleep clinic to get an assessment and you might find you’re actually battling sleep apnea, a condition where you literally stop breathing overnight.

* Raynaud’s phenomenon

* Rheumatoid arthritis

Home Care

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, always pay attention to what you are eating. Some foods can actually cause arthritis pain in some people. Try using an elimination diet. Remove problem foods from your diet and slowly add them back over time. Dairy and seafood are known to cause allergic reactions which trigger arthritis symptoms.

Avoid activities that cause or aggravate pain.

After injury, rest the finger joints so that they can heal, but use mild stretching exercises to keep them limber and maintain motion. Stretch the joints gently, not forcefully, twice a day. Stretch just to the point of discomfort, but not enough to cause pain.

Use common sense in thinking of ways to perform activities that are less stressful to the joints. For example, a big handle can be gripped with less strain than a small handle.

Try using walking aids when you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis flare ups. Walking aids will help relieve the pain and stress on your joints. Every step you take can cause intense pain, so use crutches, a cane, or knee braces to help relieve the pressure and increase your mobility.

Avoid strong pain medicines that tend to mask the pain and may lead to excessive activity or exercise.

Anti-inflammatory medication can help. Any prescribed medication for inflammation should be taken only as directed.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Make sure to educate yourself as much as possible about rheumatoid arthritis, and how it can affect pregnancy and breastfeeding. There’s a lot of different information out there, and being well educated can make all the difference in the world in how you handle your symptoms and flare ups.

Call your doctor if:

* The finger pain is caused by injury

* The problem persists after 2 weeks of home treatment

If rheumatoid arthritis is a part of your life, keep a daily diary. A diary can help you to understand the things in life that trigger your arthritis flare ups. It can also help you to understand what helps. You can share this information with your doctor to help him best prescribe treatment options. It is a valuable tool all around.

* There is numbing or tingling in the fingers

* There is severe pain at rest

* It is impossible to straighten the fingers

Never wear high heels. Women who suffer from arthritis should stay far away from these shoes, as they put extra stress on the ankles and knees. Wearing these can actually cause tears in the tendons surrounding joints, which will only worsen any inflammation and pain that already exists in the area.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

The doctor will perform a physical examination, which will include looking at hand and finger movement.

You will be asked questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

If you are suffering from the pain of arthritis symptoms, a great tip is to educate yourself in regards to it. It can be of tremendous value to you to understand what your doctor is talking to you about. Research online your diagnosis so that you can best understand the condition and effects of any treatments.

* Location

o What part of the finger is affected?

o Is it on both hands?

Double recipes to lessen time spent on your feet and reduce stress to arthritic knees and hips in the kitchen. Planning meals with leftovers in mind that can be frozen in microwave-safe containers, can cut kitchen work in half or more and gives you a break when you are just not feeling up to cooking.

o Is it every finger?

o Which finger?

o Is it only a particular joint? Which joint?

Find a rubber mat to place at your stove to help prevent back and leg pain while you are standing and cooking. These buoyancy of these mats help keep pressure off of your legs which will do wonders for keeping your body feeling healthy. Buy one as well for in front of your sink to use when you are washing dishes.

* Time pattern

o When did the finger pain first start?

o How long has it lasted?

Add Epsom salt to your bath water. Epsom salts relax the body and help relieve stiffness, swelling, and pain. Combining these great benefits with a warm bath in the morning hours can easily increase flexibility and reduce pain, allowing you to have a more energized and relaxed day ahead of you.

o Is the pain continuous or does it come and go?

* Quality

o Is the pain burning?

Take a yoga class. Yoga involves stretching, and its exercises focus on all parts of the body. This can be very beneficial to individuals who are suffering from arthritis; although there is not a lot of research in this area yet, the Arthritis Foundation does encourage patients to try yoga and see if it works for them.

o Is the pain crushing?

o Is the pain sharp?

* Medical history

If you suffer from arthritis, it is very important that you do not get too stressed out. Stress makes the body tense, which in turn, makes your arthritis worse. It is important that you keep your body relaxed at all times to prevent your joints from getting too stiff and cramped.

o Have you been injured recently?

o What other symptoms do you have?

An x-ray of the hand may be recommended.

Learn ways to adapt to your child’s need to play without injuring yourself or making your rheumatoid arthritis worse. If your child wants to play on the floor, try sitting on the bed or on the stairs to give yourself a break from trying to get up and down from the floor.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

References

Lyn E, Antosia RE. Hand. In: Marx J, ed. Rosens Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 47.

Speak with your doctor before making any changes to your medication schedule. Just because you feel a particular medication for your arthritis isn’t working doesn’t mean it’s safe for you to just stop. Some medications require more time to collect in your system before they start to work, and others can cause rebound effects if you stop suddenly.

Swigart CR. Hand and wrist pain. In: Harris ED, Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, Sledge CB, eds. Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2005:chap 44.

Ref: http://adam.about.net/encyclopedia/Finger-pain.htm

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