PAIN RELIEF FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS Many people suffer with pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis and some would say it’s just a process of aging. While there is not a “cure” for osteoarthritis, its symptoms and pain can be managed and progression can be slowed down. The purpose of treating osteoarthritis as early as possible is to decrease joint pain and stiffness, improve mobility and the quality of life. Treatments for people with osteoarthritis include:
This article will deal with massage therapy treatment options and how and why they work. Different things can cause pain and decrease range of motion and mobility in people with osteoarthritis. There are changes in body structures that occur such as the subchondral bone layer, the joint capsule, joint margins, synovium (the smooth lining of joints) tendons (connect muscle to bone), ligaments (connect bone to bone) and bursa (sacs that help muscles and tendons glide over bones.) When in pain, we often change and/or limit our patterns of movement that can then lead to additional issues. For example, changes in gait can lead to problems, including postural issues, uneven muscle strength, injuries to other parts of the body and increased issues with balance and subsequent fall injuries. Studies and clinical research have shown that massage does help reduce pain and improve function for those with osteoarthritis. One study on the benefits of massage therapy focused on the optimal dose of massage for osteoarthritis of the knee. This study was published in the journal PLUS One. The study spanned 24 weeks and found that pain intensity was reduced mostly in the participants receiving a once a week 60-minute massage. Many people with osteoarthritis of the spine, hip and knee will also experience low back pain, either from the arthritis itself or from a modified gait or other forms of compensatory movement to avoid pain. There are quite a few studies that show that massage is an effective treatment for back and neck pain in and of itself, and that the pain relief can last for months. One other benefit of massage therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis is that it is a nonpharmacologic treatment. As such, it does not interfere with other medications or have any of the harmful side effects that many drugs have. It may even reduce the need or dosage for other pain relieving medications. In addition, it can reduce stress in general and improve sleep quality by increasing comfort levels.
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What are Pre-Tax Medical Premiums?
A pre-tax medical premium is deducted from the employee’s pay before any income taxes or payroll taxes are withheld and then paid to the insurance company. This can deliver savings of up to 40%, depending on one’s tax bracket. Pre-tax premiums are typically employer-sponsored plans and include the following: · Major medical coverage purchased through your employer · Supplemental/voluntary coverage purchased through your employer · Healthcare spending account contributions, such as FSAs · Employer-sponsored reimbursements for medical premiums After-Tax Medical Premiums If one does not want to participate in their employer’s pre-tax plan, or if the employer doesn’t offer a pre-tax plan, one can elect to deduct their medical premiums on an after-tax basis. After-tax premiums include the following: · Major medical coverage purchased on one’s own (for example, purchasing individual health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace). · Supplemental/voluntary coverage purchased on one’s own. Tax deductions for after-tax premiums After-tax plans can still offer some savings. One can still list premiums as an itemized deduction on Schedule A when one file’s their income taxes, for all medical expenses and premiums that exceed 7.5% of one’s income. Additionally, most self-employed taxpayers (including owners) can deduct health insurance premiums using Schedule 1 for Line 16 on their tax form 1040. HRAs deliver pre-tax benefits with after-tax flexibility With a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), one purchases a plan on the individual insurance exchange using after-tax dollars. The employer then reimburses for premiums, and often other out-of-pocket medical expenses, up to an employer-defined amount (this is typically a monthly or annual “allowance”). The reimbursements are made on a pre-tax basis, so one gets the same payroll and income tax benefits as one would with a traditional pre-tax plan. In addition, the employee gets the benefits of an after-tax plan. They choose the exact plan they want and need, typically from a much larger set of carriers and offerings than your employer might offer. Employees can drop the plan at any time and they can take it with them if they leave their employer. (If you leave the employer, you will lose the pre-tax reimbursements.) For more information Contact Jim Pitts at 610-684-6930 or email him at [email protected] or visit www.affinity.mybenefitadvisor.com |
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