Arthritis pain can be a heavy burden to live with. Not only are you in constant discomfort or joint pain, but the arthritis in your body can prevent you from performing certain movements or completing certain tasks. When the arthritis is getting in the way of enjoying your life, it’s time to do something about. The solution just might be compression.

But what can you do? There’s a wide variety of treatments available, each with their own benefits, side effects, and limitations. Anti-inflammatory medications and pain killers are a common way to cope with the pain -- but those can come with a high cost of side effects. Longer term solutions include physical therapy and massage therapy -- but those aren’t as helpful if you need immediate relief in a flare-up. Often a combination of treatments is the best course of action for arthritis pain.

One option that can provide both long term and short term relief for arthritis pain and swelling is compression. Compression products (like our Elbow Sleeve) come in a wide variety of styles to fit nearly any body part that is suffering from arthritis. With consistent use, compression has been shown to be effective in treating pain, swelling, and stiffness that come with arthritis.

Benefits of Compression for Arthritis Pain

Arthritis, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is a blanket term covering over 100 conditions. The condition isn’t completely understood, but it is widely believed to be an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in joints. Symptoms of arthritis can range from mild soreness to severe throbbing pain. In many cases, sufferers of arthritis are unable to perform daily tasks due to the pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. The most commonly affected body parts are hands, knees, and feet -- making tasks like walking a real challenge. The CDC estimates that as many as 1 in 4 adults suffer from arthritis. It’s clearly a problem worth tackling.

So how can compression help? Here’s how:

Reduced swelling. Compression products put continual pressure on the arthritis affected areas which can help with swelling -- a common symptom of arthritis. The swelling that accompanies arthritis contributes to the pain and is a big factor in limiting motion. A compression garment could be the solution so getting mobility back in the affected areas.

Improved circulation. Compression product’s biggest benefit is the increase in circulation to the area. Increasing blood circulation means more oxygen and healing nutrients are reaching the inflamed area and can lead to a reduction in pain, swelling, and stiffness. Circulation of the lymphatic system can be improved with compression products as well -- leading to better release of waste from arthritic areas of the body.

Decrease stiffness. Stiffness from arthritis is one of the most debilitating symptoms of the illness. With stiffness comes loss of strength and range of motion -- and potential negative impacts on quality of life. Compression garments not only increase circulation and reduce swelling -- both contributors to stiffness -- but also keep the affected area warm. Warm muscles and joints are less likely to be stiff. Wearing a compression garment could give an arthritis sufferer back some strength and range of motion they have lost to joint stiffness.

Enhance range of motion. One of the biggest drawbacks to having stiff, swollen, or painful joints is the inability to utilize a full range of motion in the body. Compression garments can give arthritis sufferers back some of that range of motion. In severe arthritis sufferers, this can mean they are able to use their hands again to perform tasks. A compression garment could help someone with arthritis in the feet to be able to walk again. The compression products can make a big difference in quality of life and independence.

Provide support. The structure of compression garments can offer an additional layer of support to an arthritic joint. For certain joints -- especially knees and ankles -- that extra layer of support can build confidence in the arthritis sufferers ability to move. Having support of a compression garment could potentially reduce the risk of injury by restricting motion of the joint to its proper alignment.

No matter how arthritis affects you, there’s is likely a compression product that could help ease your symptoms. There’s no need to suffer through pain, swelling, and stiffness if you don’t have to. And if you’re looking for a drug free alternative, compression products could be the perfect option for you. Specialists recommend that garments be worn for 8 hours at a time to have a measurable effect. That’s why choosing the proper compression garments are so important.

At Kunto Fitness, we offer a wide range of compression products for nearly every part of the body. Arthritis can strike in any joint, so we have ankle, shoulder, elbow, hand, knee, calf, and sock compression products to fit any need. As always, it’s a good idea to consult with your physician before going off of medication or starting a new treatment regimen for your arthritis.

To learn more about Kunto Fitness please visit: www.kuntofitness.com.