Arthritis is a painful
inflammation of the joints that limits everyday activities. There are more than one hundred types of
arthritis. The most common is
osteoarthritis that is due to damage caused by trauma or general wear and
tear. Another form is rheumatoid
arthritis resulting from an overactive immune system. This kind can cause pain throughout the entire body. Conditions and illnesses such as
inflammatory bowel disease, fibromyalgia, lupus, Lyme disease and tendonitis
are all related to arthritis.
Arthritis is the most common chronic
illness in the United States, affecting men, women and children. For many people, arthritis is simply an
annoyance that brings some local pain, stiffness, tenderness and swelling that
over-the-counter analgesics and creams usually relieve. For others, it’s much more severe, causing
swelling, deformed joints and crippling pain that seriously affect their
everyday lives.
Cartilage acts as a shock absorber to
keep the joint flexible and give it a smooth range of motion. When the cartilage begins to wear away, the
mobility of the joint is damaged. The
body tries to compensate by producing a substance called “synovial fluid” that
lubricates the joint. The problem is
that the area surrounding the joint becomes swollen with fluid and this
restricts motion.
Any disease that restricts circulation in
the hands and feet will also affect the nails.
If a person’s hands and fingers are swollen or twisted because of
arthritis, that can cause changes in the nails as well. Arthritis treatment medications can often cause
nail pitting or the formation of horizontal lines across the nail bed.
For years, physicians and therapists have
prescribed paraffin treatments for pain relief, primarily to treat arthritis
sufferers. Because the lightweight,
flexible wax provides heat and softens skin, it’s also ideal for use in
manicures and pedicures. Many women
over the age of 40 are dealing with some degree of arthritis in their hands and
feet. Arthritis affects some 40 million
Americans, and that number is expected to double in the next 20 years.
Many arthritis sufferers enjoy having
manicures and pedicures under the care of a gentle professional licensed
manicurist. Arthritis can leave hands
disfigured so having attractive nails can help offset a low self-image. Also, the person may be dealing with a lot
of pain so providing an improved self-image is of great benefit. A soothing warm wax solution treatment
leaves skin feeling rejuvenated, soft, and healthy.
Arthritis is one of many age and
stress-related hand and foot problems.
There are increasing numbers of diabetic, senior, and immune-compromised
people opting to get pedicures. It is
therefore necessary to find a salon that will provide a safe and sanitary
pedicure. A caring professional nail
technician can provide arthritic clients with therapies that include warm wax
treatments and gentle hand and foot massage.
These gentle services can provide temporary pain relief, improve
self-image, reduce stress, improve joint movement, relax tense muscles and
stimulate blood flow.
