Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHand ExercisesAcupunctureHot and Cold TherapySplintingCapsaicin CreamsFish OilVitaminsMeditationPlant-based DietHerbal SupplementsMedical Treatments
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Hand Exercises
Acupuncture
Hot and Cold Therapy
Splinting
Capsaicin Creams
Fish Oil
Vitamins
Meditation
Plant-based Diet
Herbal Supplements
Medical Treatments
The two most common forms ofarthritisin the hands areosteoarthritis(OA), also called degenerative arthritis, andrheumatoidarthritis (RA), an inflammatory type of arthritis. OA and RA have many symptoms in common. These include pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in the hands and finger joints.
If you are diagnosed witharthritis in your hands,a healthcare provider has probably recommended medications such ascorticosteroid injectionsto help reduce inflammation and slow joint degeneration and over-the-counter (OTC)nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) forpain management. Other drugs you may be prescribed includedisease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Verywell / Laura Porter
You can also manage arthritis in the hands with at-home therapies to ease symptoms. This article explains how you can use hand exercises, acupuncture, hot and cold therapies, splinting, and more to manage hand arthritis pain.
Hand pain, wrist pain, and problems with your finger joints are symptoms you shouldn’t ignore, especially if they get progressively worse. Talk to your healthcare provider as early as possible to determine the cause of hand pain so you can treat it as soon as possible.Hand arthritis—regardless of the arthritic cause—is best managed with a combination of therapies. Talk to your healthcare provider before trying any new natural remedies for managing arthritis in your hands.
Hand pain, wrist pain, and problems with your finger joints are symptoms you shouldn’t ignore, especially if they get progressively worse. Talk to your healthcare provider as early as possible to determine the cause of hand pain so you can treat it as soon as possible.
Hand arthritis—regardless of the arthritic cause—is best managed with a combination of therapies. Talk to your healthcare provider before trying any new natural remedies for managing arthritis in your hands.
The hands have many tiny bones, making them more vulnerable to swelling. The problem with pain and swelling in your hands is that you need to use your hands more than any other body part to complete various daily tasks.
Strengthening your hands with exercises might help with RA and OA in the following ways:
Hand exercises to tryinclude:
Do each of these exercises up to five times in a row, up to a few times a day, depending on your level of comfort.
Reduce Pain
In a study reported in 2013 in theAnnals of Rheumatic Diseases, Norwegian researchers instructed 80 women with hand OA to do hand exercises three times a day for three months.Activities included rolling fingers into a fist, squeezing a rubber ball, and spreading fingers as wide as possible.
Initially, many participants experienced significant hand pain when they started the hand exercises. However, hand and joint pain, grip, and function improved as the study progressed.
Increase Mobility
In another 2015 study reported inThe Lancet, researchers followed 490 people treating their hand RA with medication.Half of the study participants continued their regular treatment, while the other half added specific hand stretching and strengthening exercises to their treatment plans.
After a year, the hand exercises group had more significant improvements in hand flexibility, dexterity, and muscle strength.
While hand exercises can be helpful, you should talk to a healthcare provider or aphysical therapistbefore you try them. They can help plan an exercise routine that is safe and most effective for you. If you experience significant pain while doing hand exercises, stop. Ask your healthcare provider or therapist how much pain is normal and discuss other activities that may not hurt as much.
Arthritis in Hands Pictures
Acupunctureis a traditional Chinese medicine technique that uses thin needles inserted into various body parts. The needles stimulate specific points in the body to correct imbalances and relieve pain.
A double-blind study in people with rheumatoid arthritis of the hand found that acupuncture significantly improved self-reported pain, grip strength, and quality of life. The people receiving acupuncture treatment also had reductions in the number of swollen and tender joints.
For chronic pain, acupuncture sessions may be more effective when repeated at least bi-weekly over a period of weeks. Repeat treatment may be necessary to maintain effective pain relief.
A cheap, easy, and effective treatment for arthritis hand pain ishot and cold therapy. Heat therapy can relax muscles and lubricate joints. Alternatively, cold therapy reduces inflammation, swelling, and pain from arthritis.
Heat vs. Cold for Pain
Hot Therapy
Some ways to utilize heat therapy for managing hand pain include:
Cold Therapy
Cold packs can numb sore hands and reduce inflammation and swelling. You should apply cold therapy for 20 minutes at a time.Afterward, remove the ice treatment when the skin feels numb to the touch. To protect your skin, wrap the cold pack in a thin towel.
Ways to utilize cold therapy include:
With alternating heat and cold therapy, some people get the most arthritis pain relief. You can experiment with both to see what gives you the best pain and symptom relief in your hands and fingers.
Do not apply ice for more than 10 minutes at a time. Repeat up to 10 times a day.
You can wearsplintsto reduce arthritis pain. When you experience pain but must still manage tasks with your hands, splints can be helpful because they immobilize the wrist and hands. Wearing a splint or compression gloves overnight, every night may help improve pain and function.
Reduces Pain
A 2014 study reported in the journalRheumatologyfound benefits of using splints for joint pain. Specifically, it found that when participants used a splint on thedistal interphalangeal(DIP) joint at night, it was a safe and simple way to reduce pain and improve joint mobility.
What Is the DIP Joint?The DIP joint is the first knuckle located at the top of the finger. Experiencing DIP pain is a sign of arthritis, including OA or RA.
What Is the DIP Joint?
The DIP joint is the first knuckle located at the top of the finger. Experiencing DIP pain is a sign of arthritis, including OA or RA.
Increases Function
Splinting has also helped manage hand and wrist function in people with RA. A study reported in 2018 in the journalReumatologiafound hand function in women with RA could cause problems with grip and manual dexterity.The researchers concluded that wrist stabilization could improve hand function.
Compression Gloves
Compression glovesmight be an alternative to splinting. People typically wear compression gloves at night. Researchers think these tight-fitting and flexible gloves might improve pain and stiffness in the hands and potentially improve hand function. However, while these gloves are safe and commonly used, there is little research on how helpful they might be.
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Capsaicin is the component in chili peppers that gives them their heat. It blocks pain signals when used in creams, gels, and patches. Capsaicin creams generally cause few systemic (full body) side effects.However, topical use sometimes causes localized redness, itching, and pain.
In a 2011 study in the journalRheumatology, researchers reviewed the literature on capsaicin gel for hand and knee OA.In five of the trials reviewed, the report’s authors found capsaicin gel was significantly effective for pain relief. For example, in one of the studies where participants used capsaicin gel over 12 weeks, there was a 50% pain reduction.
Before using capsaicin products on your hands, try a small amount in one skin area to make sure you are not allergic. In trials, capsaicin cream was applied up to four times a day.
RA can cause hand and finger pain, swelling, and stiffness. When hands and fingers become inflamed, joints tend to be warm and tender. Because RA is a symmetric condition, both hands are often affected.
Research onfish oil, as a complementary supplement for RA, finds the two active ingredients in fish, EPA and DHA, can help reduce inflammation.
One study reported in 2016 in theGlobal Journal of Health Sciencefound that people who took daily fish oil supplements had reduced RA pain.The study’s authors further noted taking fish oil supplements may reduce the need for analgesic pain relievers.
If taking fish oil capsules, follow the manufacturer’s dosage recommendations.
The 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guidelines do not recommend treating OA with fish oil.That is because most studies have not found fish oil to be effective for treating OA.
Does Fish Oil Have Side Effects?
Finger Joints: Anatomy, Conditions, and Treatments
Rheumatoid arthritis has been linked to a deficiency in vitamin D. Some studies have found that vitamin D may help reduce inflammation and slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.
All-trans retinoic acid is a form of vitamin A that has been shown to promote anti-inflammatory cells and suppress pro-inflammatory cells. Studies have found that it may help suppress inflammatory cytokines associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Meditation for Pain Management
Meditation is an ancient mind and body practice in Buddhism and other Eastern religions. It puts your focus and attention on the current moment so life’s distractions do not get in your way.
Meditation has many benefits. It can:
In addition, research shows meditation can help manage chronic pain associated with conditions like OA and RA.
In a 2016 review of literature, researchers evaluated the use of mindfulness-based mediation’s effects on pain management.They found thatmindfulness meditationreduced pain for people with chronic conditions. However, researchers found that short-term meditation (less than one week) was more effective at pain control than longer-term meditation.
When you have arthritis, yourdiet can play a role in the symptoms you experience. A plant-based diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other plant-based foods. Some people might also eat meat and dairy along with plant-based foods.
This diet can provide nutrients that ease inflammation, pain, and swelling associated with arthritis.
A 2015 study reported in the journalArthritisfound eating a plant-based diet could significantly improve function in people with OA.However, the research on a plant-based diet for RA is mixed.
Some studies find a plant-based diet might help reduce RA symptoms.However, not all studies show significant connections between this type of diet and improved pain and function.
Regardless, it may be worth trying as part of your treatment plan to manage RA and reduce hand and finger joint symptoms.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Arthritis
Several herbal supplements may help manage OA and RA pain. These include curcumin, ginger, and boswellia.
Homeopathy Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Curcumin
Curcuminis the active ingredient inturmeric, a spice used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Curcumin is anti-inflammatory, and it has been touted for reducing pain and swelling in people with RA.
According to a 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis of eight studies, 500 milligrams of turmeric twice a day could reduce joint pain and stiffness in both OA and RA.The easiest way to get curcumin in your diet is to take it as a supplement.
Ginger
Ginger may reduce inflammation in people with RA and OA. In addition, a 2014 review found the ingredients in ginger can manage RA pain and reduce the potential for joint damage.
To increase ginger in your diet, you can make it as a tea or add ginger to baked goods or prepared meals. Ginger supplements are also an option, but check with a healthcare provider about correct dosing and safety.
Boswellia
Supplement Safety
You should always talk to a healthcare provider about whether an herbal supplement is helpful and safe to use with your current arthritis treatment plan.
Make sure you purchase herbal supplements from reputable sources. A healthcare provider or pharmacist can offer recommendations about high-quality supplements.
Medical Treatments for Hand Arthritis
Depending on what type of arthritis you have and the severity of your symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications for treating your arthritis. Some of these include:
Summary
Some natural and at-home remedies may help manage your hand arthritis. Hand exercises, acupuncture, hot-cold therapy, splinting, meditation, and some supplements hold promise for non-pharmaceutical pain relief options. Talk to a healthcare provider about which options may work well alongside standard medical care.
27 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Medical School.5 exercises to improve hand mobility.Hennig T, Hæhre L, Hornburg VT, et al.Effect of home-based hand exercises in women with hand osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial.Ann Rheum Dis. 2015 Aug;74(8):1501-8. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204808Lamb SE, Williamson EM, Heine PJ, et al.Exercises to improve function of the rheumatoid hand (SARAH): a randomised controlled trial.Lancet. 2015 Jan 31;385(9966):421-9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60998-3Seca S, Patrício M, Kirch S, Franconi G, Cabrita AS, Greten HJ.Effectiveness of acupuncture on pain, functional disability, and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis of the hand: Results of a double-blind randomized clinical trial.J Altern Complement Med. 2019;25(1):86-97. doi:10.1089/acm.2018.0297Chen YJ, Chen CT, Liu JY, Shimizu Bassi G, Yang YQ.What is the appropriate acupuncture treatment schedule for chronic pain? Review and analysis of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:5281039. doi:10.1155/2019/5281039Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Paraffin wax bath.Öncel A, Küçükşen S, Ecesoy H, Sodali E, Yalçin Ş.Comparison of efficacy of fluidotherapy and paraffin bath in hand osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.Arch Rheumatol. 2020;36(2):201-209. doi:10.46497/ArchRheumatol.2021.8123Deal C.What’s better for soothing arthritis pain? Ice or heat?Cleveland Clinic.Watt FE, Kennedy DL, Carlisle KE, et al.Night-time immobilization of the distal interphalangeal joint reduces pain and extension deformity in hand osteoarthritis.Rheumatology(Oxford). 2014 Jun;53(6):1142-9. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/ket455Sadura-Sieklucka T, Sokołowska B, Prusinowska A, et al.Benefits of wrist splinting in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Reumatologia. 2018;56(6):362-367. doi:10.5114/reum.2018.80713Prior Y, Sutton C, Cotterill S, et al.The effects of arthritis gloves on people with rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory arthritis with hand pain: a study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (the A-GLOVES trial).BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017 May 30;18(1):224. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1583-4Robb-Nicholson C.Ask the doctor: How does hot pepper cream work to relieve pain? Harvard Medical School.De Silva V, El-Metwally A, Ernst E, et al.Evidence for the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines in the management of osteoarthritis: a systematic review.Rheumatology(Oxford). 2011 May;50(5):911-20. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keq379Rajaei E, Mowla K, Ghorbani A, et al.The effect of omega-3 fatty acids in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis receiving DMARDs therapy: Double-blind randomized controlled trial.Glob J Health Sci. 2015;8(7):18-25. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n7p18Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.Arthritis Care Res(Hoboken). 2020 Feb;72(2):149-162. doi:10.1002/acr.24131Jeffery LE, Raza K, Hewison M.Vitamin D in rheumatoid arthritis-towards clinical application.Nat Rev Rheumatol.2016;12(4):201-10. doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2015.140Arroul-Lammali A, Rahal F, Chetouane R, et al.Ex vivo all-trans retinoic acid modulates NO production and regulates IL-6 effect during rheumatoid arthritis: a study in Algerian patients.Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2017;39(2):87-96. doi:10.1080/08923973.2017.1285919National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine.Meditation: In depth.Zeidan F, Vago DR.Mindfulness meditation-based pain relief: a mechanistic account: Mechanisms supporting mindfulness-based analgesia.Ann NY Acad Sci. 2016;1373(1):114-127. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13153Clinton CM, O’Brien S, Law J, et al.Whole-foods, plant-based diet alleviates the symptoms of osteoarthritis.Arthritis. 2015;2015:708152. doi:10.1155/2015/708152Daily JW, Yang M, Park S.Efficacy of turmeric extracts and curcumin for alleviating the symptoms of joint arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.J Med Food. 2016;19(8):717-729. doi:10.1089/jmf.2016.3705Al-Nahain A, Jahan R, Rahmatullah, M.Zingiber officinale: A potential plant against rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis, 2014,1–8. doi:10.1155/2014/159089Yu G, Xiang W, Zhang T, Zeng L, Yang K, Li J.Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):225. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-02985-6National Library of Medicine.Medicines, injections, and supplements for arthritis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Arthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Physical therapy for arthritis.Additional ReadingSiddiqui MZ.Boswellia serrata, a potential antiinflammatory agent: an overview.Indian J Pharm Sci. 2011;73(3):255-261. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.93507Young LA.Mindfulness meditation: a primer for rheumatologists.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2011;37(1):63-75. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2010.11.010
27 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Medical School.5 exercises to improve hand mobility.Hennig T, Hæhre L, Hornburg VT, et al.Effect of home-based hand exercises in women with hand osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial.Ann Rheum Dis. 2015 Aug;74(8):1501-8. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204808Lamb SE, Williamson EM, Heine PJ, et al.Exercises to improve function of the rheumatoid hand (SARAH): a randomised controlled trial.Lancet. 2015 Jan 31;385(9966):421-9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60998-3Seca S, Patrício M, Kirch S, Franconi G, Cabrita AS, Greten HJ.Effectiveness of acupuncture on pain, functional disability, and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis of the hand: Results of a double-blind randomized clinical trial.J Altern Complement Med. 2019;25(1):86-97. doi:10.1089/acm.2018.0297Chen YJ, Chen CT, Liu JY, Shimizu Bassi G, Yang YQ.What is the appropriate acupuncture treatment schedule for chronic pain? Review and analysis of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:5281039. doi:10.1155/2019/5281039Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Paraffin wax bath.Öncel A, Küçükşen S, Ecesoy H, Sodali E, Yalçin Ş.Comparison of efficacy of fluidotherapy and paraffin bath in hand osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.Arch Rheumatol. 2020;36(2):201-209. doi:10.46497/ArchRheumatol.2021.8123Deal C.What’s better for soothing arthritis pain? Ice or heat?Cleveland Clinic.Watt FE, Kennedy DL, Carlisle KE, et al.Night-time immobilization of the distal interphalangeal joint reduces pain and extension deformity in hand osteoarthritis.Rheumatology(Oxford). 2014 Jun;53(6):1142-9. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/ket455Sadura-Sieklucka T, Sokołowska B, Prusinowska A, et al.Benefits of wrist splinting in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Reumatologia. 2018;56(6):362-367. doi:10.5114/reum.2018.80713Prior Y, Sutton C, Cotterill S, et al.The effects of arthritis gloves on people with rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory arthritis with hand pain: a study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (the A-GLOVES trial).BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017 May 30;18(1):224. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1583-4Robb-Nicholson C.Ask the doctor: How does hot pepper cream work to relieve pain? Harvard Medical School.De Silva V, El-Metwally A, Ernst E, et al.Evidence for the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines in the management of osteoarthritis: a systematic review.Rheumatology(Oxford). 2011 May;50(5):911-20. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keq379Rajaei E, Mowla K, Ghorbani A, et al.The effect of omega-3 fatty acids in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis receiving DMARDs therapy: Double-blind randomized controlled trial.Glob J Health Sci. 2015;8(7):18-25. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n7p18Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.Arthritis Care Res(Hoboken). 2020 Feb;72(2):149-162. doi:10.1002/acr.24131Jeffery LE, Raza K, Hewison M.Vitamin D in rheumatoid arthritis-towards clinical application.Nat Rev Rheumatol.2016;12(4):201-10. doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2015.140Arroul-Lammali A, Rahal F, Chetouane R, et al.Ex vivo all-trans retinoic acid modulates NO production and regulates IL-6 effect during rheumatoid arthritis: a study in Algerian patients.Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2017;39(2):87-96. doi:10.1080/08923973.2017.1285919National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine.Meditation: In depth.Zeidan F, Vago DR.Mindfulness meditation-based pain relief: a mechanistic account: Mechanisms supporting mindfulness-based analgesia.Ann NY Acad Sci. 2016;1373(1):114-127. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13153Clinton CM, O’Brien S, Law J, et al.Whole-foods, plant-based diet alleviates the symptoms of osteoarthritis.Arthritis. 2015;2015:708152. doi:10.1155/2015/708152Daily JW, Yang M, Park S.Efficacy of turmeric extracts and curcumin for alleviating the symptoms of joint arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.J Med Food. 2016;19(8):717-729. doi:10.1089/jmf.2016.3705Al-Nahain A, Jahan R, Rahmatullah, M.Zingiber officinale: A potential plant against rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis, 2014,1–8. doi:10.1155/2014/159089Yu G, Xiang W, Zhang T, Zeng L, Yang K, Li J.Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):225. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-02985-6National Library of Medicine.Medicines, injections, and supplements for arthritis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Arthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Physical therapy for arthritis.Additional ReadingSiddiqui MZ.Boswellia serrata, a potential antiinflammatory agent: an overview.Indian J Pharm Sci. 2011;73(3):255-261. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.93507Young LA.Mindfulness meditation: a primer for rheumatologists.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2011;37(1):63-75. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2010.11.010
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Medical School.5 exercises to improve hand mobility.Hennig T, Hæhre L, Hornburg VT, et al.Effect of home-based hand exercises in women with hand osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial.Ann Rheum Dis. 2015 Aug;74(8):1501-8. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204808Lamb SE, Williamson EM, Heine PJ, et al.Exercises to improve function of the rheumatoid hand (SARAH): a randomised controlled trial.Lancet. 2015 Jan 31;385(9966):421-9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60998-3Seca S, Patrício M, Kirch S, Franconi G, Cabrita AS, Greten HJ.Effectiveness of acupuncture on pain, functional disability, and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis of the hand: Results of a double-blind randomized clinical trial.J Altern Complement Med. 2019;25(1):86-97. doi:10.1089/acm.2018.0297Chen YJ, Chen CT, Liu JY, Shimizu Bassi G, Yang YQ.What is the appropriate acupuncture treatment schedule for chronic pain? Review and analysis of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:5281039. doi:10.1155/2019/5281039Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Paraffin wax bath.Öncel A, Küçükşen S, Ecesoy H, Sodali E, Yalçin Ş.Comparison of efficacy of fluidotherapy and paraffin bath in hand osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.Arch Rheumatol. 2020;36(2):201-209. doi:10.46497/ArchRheumatol.2021.8123Deal C.What’s better for soothing arthritis pain? Ice or heat?Cleveland Clinic.Watt FE, Kennedy DL, Carlisle KE, et al.Night-time immobilization of the distal interphalangeal joint reduces pain and extension deformity in hand osteoarthritis.Rheumatology(Oxford). 2014 Jun;53(6):1142-9. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/ket455Sadura-Sieklucka T, Sokołowska B, Prusinowska A, et al.Benefits of wrist splinting in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Reumatologia. 2018;56(6):362-367. doi:10.5114/reum.2018.80713Prior Y, Sutton C, Cotterill S, et al.The effects of arthritis gloves on people with rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory arthritis with hand pain: a study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (the A-GLOVES trial).BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017 May 30;18(1):224. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1583-4Robb-Nicholson C.Ask the doctor: How does hot pepper cream work to relieve pain? Harvard Medical School.De Silva V, El-Metwally A, Ernst E, et al.Evidence for the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines in the management of osteoarthritis: a systematic review.Rheumatology(Oxford). 2011 May;50(5):911-20. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keq379Rajaei E, Mowla K, Ghorbani A, et al.The effect of omega-3 fatty acids in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis receiving DMARDs therapy: Double-blind randomized controlled trial.Glob J Health Sci. 2015;8(7):18-25. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n7p18Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.Arthritis Care Res(Hoboken). 2020 Feb;72(2):149-162. doi:10.1002/acr.24131Jeffery LE, Raza K, Hewison M.Vitamin D in rheumatoid arthritis-towards clinical application.Nat Rev Rheumatol.2016;12(4):201-10. doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2015.140Arroul-Lammali A, Rahal F, Chetouane R, et al.Ex vivo all-trans retinoic acid modulates NO production and regulates IL-6 effect during rheumatoid arthritis: a study in Algerian patients.Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2017;39(2):87-96. doi:10.1080/08923973.2017.1285919National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine.Meditation: In depth.Zeidan F, Vago DR.Mindfulness meditation-based pain relief: a mechanistic account: Mechanisms supporting mindfulness-based analgesia.Ann NY Acad Sci. 2016;1373(1):114-127. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13153Clinton CM, O’Brien S, Law J, et al.Whole-foods, plant-based diet alleviates the symptoms of osteoarthritis.Arthritis. 2015;2015:708152. doi:10.1155/2015/708152Daily JW, Yang M, Park S.Efficacy of turmeric extracts and curcumin for alleviating the symptoms of joint arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.J Med Food. 2016;19(8):717-729. doi:10.1089/jmf.2016.3705Al-Nahain A, Jahan R, Rahmatullah, M.Zingiber officinale: A potential plant against rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis, 2014,1–8. doi:10.1155/2014/159089Yu G, Xiang W, Zhang T, Zeng L, Yang K, Li J.Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):225. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-02985-6National Library of Medicine.Medicines, injections, and supplements for arthritis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Arthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Physical therapy for arthritis.
Harvard Medical School.5 exercises to improve hand mobility.
Hennig T, Hæhre L, Hornburg VT, et al.Effect of home-based hand exercises in women with hand osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial.Ann Rheum Dis. 2015 Aug;74(8):1501-8. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204808
Lamb SE, Williamson EM, Heine PJ, et al.Exercises to improve function of the rheumatoid hand (SARAH): a randomised controlled trial.Lancet. 2015 Jan 31;385(9966):421-9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60998-3
Seca S, Patrício M, Kirch S, Franconi G, Cabrita AS, Greten HJ.Effectiveness of acupuncture on pain, functional disability, and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis of the hand: Results of a double-blind randomized clinical trial.J Altern Complement Med. 2019;25(1):86-97. doi:10.1089/acm.2018.0297
Chen YJ, Chen CT, Liu JY, Shimizu Bassi G, Yang YQ.What is the appropriate acupuncture treatment schedule for chronic pain? Review and analysis of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:5281039. doi:10.1155/2019/5281039
Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Paraffin wax bath.
Öncel A, Küçükşen S, Ecesoy H, Sodali E, Yalçin Ş.Comparison of efficacy of fluidotherapy and paraffin bath in hand osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.Arch Rheumatol. 2020;36(2):201-209. doi:10.46497/ArchRheumatol.2021.8123
Deal C.What’s better for soothing arthritis pain? Ice or heat?Cleveland Clinic.
Watt FE, Kennedy DL, Carlisle KE, et al.Night-time immobilization of the distal interphalangeal joint reduces pain and extension deformity in hand osteoarthritis.Rheumatology(Oxford). 2014 Jun;53(6):1142-9. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/ket455
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Prior Y, Sutton C, Cotterill S, et al.The effects of arthritis gloves on people with rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory arthritis with hand pain: a study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (the A-GLOVES trial).BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017 May 30;18(1):224. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1583-4
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