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Trusted Contributor
Posts: 3,697
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

I've had osteoarthritis in my fingers for years but it's grown much worse in the last two years. The pain comes and goes. Several things help during flareups:

1 wearing gloves like these (especially at night)

2. Finger exercises with softballs like these

3. Voltaren Gel.

I also find it helps if I use a wrist support when carrying things.

It's always a victory for me when I remember why I entered a room.
Valued Contributor
Posts: 564
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Try ginger tea! The relief comes in a few minutes and lasts. I buy the kind that comes in a pouch you empty into hot water but bags and fresh probably work too.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,039
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Another vote here for arnica. I use Topricin which contains arnica and other ingredients. I have arthritis in my foot, and after massaging with Topricin, it feels much better. To be honest, sometimes I wonder if it's the massage that helps as much or more than the product. I avoid Advil and other pain killers. Topical applications, diet modifications and massage are safer until the pills are the only thing left.

Good luck to the OP.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 40,270
Registered: ‎03-09-2010
On 1/29/2015 colliemom3 said:
On 1/29/2015 mousiegirl said:
On 1/29/2015 colliemom3 said:

I saw a video online of a man that would put his hands in a sink of very cold water for as long as he could stand it, and then warm water for a few minutes. He did it several times in the video and said it worked well. I never tried it and had never heard of anything like it but he swore by it.

I wanted to add that he was some sort of physical therapist. I believe he tried to use natural methods when possible.

colliemom, once I had physical therapy on a thumb, and this is exactly what was done, but it didn't work for me, so I stopped going.

I went to one for my neck and they never helped me. They made me worse by trying to make me lift ultra heavy weights. This was years ago. I refused. I got better eventually.

Yes, by using another technique, the PT caused my thumb and index finger to be numb, so I had to prepare Thanksgiving dinner in this condition. I left a terse message, and never went back. I cured myself.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,852
Registered: ‎03-09-2010
On 1/30/2015 adelle38 said:

I've had osteoarthritis in my fingers for years but it's grown much worse in the last two years. The pain comes and goes. Several things help during flareups:

1 wearing gloves like these (especially at night)

I second these gloves. I keep a pair at work and at home. I have arthritis in the joint that connects my thumbs to my hands and they're great. They sure didn't feel like much at first but they do help me a lot.