What is an NSAID?

What is an NSAID? A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that helps to alleviate pain and inflammation such as aspirin, advil, aleve, motrin, etc.

What is osteoarthritis? It is “wear and tear” arthritis. It is degeneration of joint cartilage and bone which causes pain and stiffness that can worsen over time.

Most people that have osteoarthritis will use and rely heavily on NASIDs to relieve pain. But is this healthy long term? An article about osteoarthritis sources two studies that discuss the effects of NSAIDs. One shows that there are 15.3 deaths per 100,000 NSAID users annually (1). The other discusses how the regular use of NSAID can actually INCREASE osteoarthritis progression (2).

Therefore, what is the best treatment for osteoarthritis? Exercise!

Physical therapy treats patients with osteoarthritis with eduction in behavior modification, hands on manual therapy, stretching and exercise. Remember: Motion is Lotion!

To read more about NSAID and osteoarthritis, click on either of the links below to view the articles.

(1) Lanas A, Perez-Aisa MA, Feu F, Ponce J, Saperas E, Santolaria S, Rodrigo L, Balanzo J, Bajador E, Almela P, Navarro JM, Carballo F, Castro M, Quintero E; Investigators of the Asociación Española de Gastroenterología (AEG). A nationwide study of mortality associated with hospital admission due to severe gastrointestinal events and those associated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005 Aug;100(8):1685-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.41833.x. PMID: 16086703.

(2) TY – JOUR AU – Reijman, Max AU – Bierma-Zeinstra, Sita AU – Pols, H AU – Koes, Bart AU – Stricker, B AU – Hazes, J.Mieke PY – 2005/10/01 SP – 3137 EP – 42 T1 – Is there an association between the use of different types of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and radiologic progression of osteoarthritis? The Rotterdam Study VL – 52 DO – 10.1002/art.21357 JO – Arthritis and rheumatism ER –

Hoeksma HL, Dekker J, Ronday HK, Heering A, van der Lubbe N, Vel C, Breedveld FC, van den Ende CH. Comparison of manual therapy and exercise therapy in osteoarthritis of the hip: a randomized clinical trial. Arthritis Rheum. 2004 Oct 15;51(5):722-9. doi: 10.1002/art.20685. PMID: 15478147.

To learn more about physical therapy or schedule an appointment give us a call or view our website, www.orthowellpt.com.

Best In Health!

Your OrthoWell family

P.S. Any pain? Come on in for some some TLC. Our manual therapy only session is just $50. We can Graston, Cup, and Stretch out the tight and get you feelin’ right! ha