Rheumatic Pain Relief

Rheumatic pain can result from a flare-up of arthritis, pain within your muscles, pain from years of joint damage or pain that is exacerbated with movement. When you live for years with rheumatic pain, you can become emotional and stressed, which can make your symptoms feel worse. Rheumatic pain may occur in one region of your body, such as the shoulder, or in multiple sites within one particular area, such as the joints in your hands. At times, it may seem as if your pain is chronic and debilitating. While there is no cure for rheumatic pain, there are treatments to relieve it.

NSAIDs

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include ibuprofen, marketed over the counter under brand names such as Advil and Motrin, and naproxen, marketed as Aleve. If your pain is unbearable, your physician may prescribe stronger NSAIDs. These medications should be taken in moderation, as long-term treatment can lead to ulcers, heart issues, stomach bleeding and liver or kidney damage. Speak with your doctor to see if this treatment is a good option for you.

Capsaicin Creams

• Capsaicin creams are derived from capsaicin seeds (chili pepper seeds). You may feel a burning sensation when the cream is applied. Capsaicin creams work best on joints that are closest to the surface, such as your fingers, elbows or knees. When you have pain, your nerve cells send out a chemical that creates pain messages. Applying a capsaicin cream cuts off these pain messengers. Brand names of such creams include Capzasin and Zostrix. According to the Mayo Clinic, it may take up to two weeks of applications before the creams work effectively for arthritis treatment.

Pain Rubs

• Pain rubs contain salicylates, the same chemicals found in aspirin. These rubs offer pain relief and reduce joint inflammation. Brand names include Bengay, Aspercreme or Sportscreme. Take caution when using these types of rubs. If you are allergic to aspirin or are taking blood thinners, pain rubs should not be used unless directed by a doctor.

Heat and Cold

• Using a heating pad may help alleviate pain. Taking a hot shower or bath and soaking your joints also can help with pain symptoms. If your pain is severe, try using an ice pack or soaking your joints in cold water. Products such as Biofreeze can provide the sensation of cold, distracting you from your pain temporarily. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should not use hot or cold treatments if you have poor circulation or numbness of the joints.

Patches

• Painkiller patches contain medications that can be applied directly to the site of pain. One such patch is diclofenac epolamine (Flector). Usually this medication is used for pain associated with sprains and strains. However, your doctor can prescribe it for arthritis pain, too. Lidoderm is another patch used to relieve pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, Lidoderm initially was approved as an effective treatment for shingles pain. It contains lidocaine, which has a numbing effect.

Exercise

• According to Medical News Today, exercising not only improves your body's muscle tone and function, it can help spur the production of endorphins--your body's natural painkillers. If you suffer from severe pain, you shouldn't do exercises that might exacerbate your condition, such as running. Pace yourself and never overdo it. Light exercising such as swimming or using a stationary bike can improve your overall emotional state, as well as increase your flexibility and tone muscles around your joints.