Acupuncturist
– a practitioner of acupuncture, which involves inserting needles into the skin and/or muscles to stimulate nerves
Arthroplasty
– a surgical procedure that aims to reconstruct joints, often using an artificial joint
Arthrodesis
– a surgical procedure that fuses bones together
Chiropractors
– healthcare professionals that use spinal manipulations to relieve pain and restore spinal and muscular function
Crepitus
– when joints crunch, grind or creak due to arthritis or other conditions
Evening primrose oil
– a supplement made from flower seeds which is used to treat a variety of health complaints including inflammation
Glucosamine
– found naturally in the joint cartilage and responsible for producing the fluid that keeps joints lubricated, this is also available as a nutritional supplement
Meptazinol
– pain relief drug, part of the opioid family
Naproxen
– a drug used to treat inflammation of the muscles and joints, commonly prescribed for arthritis
Nodal osteoarthritis
– painful osteoarthritis of the finger joints, where they become very swollen for a few weeks at a time
Omega-3
– found naturally in foods but also available as a supplement, which is taken to lower blood pressure and reduce a build-up of plaque in arteries, as well as helping boost immunity and reduce inflammation of joints
Osteophytes
– malformations in bones that appear as sharp spurs or points
Osteopaths
– health professionals that look at the body as a whole system and treat particular health complaints by manipulating joints and the spine, whilst massaging tissue
Osteotomy
– a surgical procedure that cuts and alters bones that have healed or grown incorrectly
Synovium
– tissue in the joints that creates synovial fluid, which lubricates joints
TENS machine
– TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, and a TENS machine is a small device with electrodes that attach to the skin, and delivers electrical impulses to areas of the body that are painful, which reduces pain signals and relaxes muscles
Tramadol
– pain relief drug in the narcotic or opioid family