4 Ways an FSA can help arthritis

May marks Arthritis Awareness Month, and a Flexible Spending Account or FSA can play a big role in the fight of this disease. You can use an FSA for different pain relief products to alleviate the various types of arthritis pains. This month highlights the many healthcare initiatives to help people live their daily lives, and get treatment and access resources to fight arthritis.

An FSA can help through products that offer pain relief, and through medications targeted at arthritis pain. According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis actually refers to many different types of arthritis rather than to a single disease, as there are more than 100 different arthritis variations. Arthritis can touch anyone at any age, but is common among women and aging adults.

"Over 50 million Americans have arthritis, making it the number one cause of disability in the country. That means 1 in every 5 adults, 300,000 children and countless families." - Arthritis Foundation

Some of the most recognizable symptoms including swelling, stiffness and decreased motion, particularly in the joints. Depending on the type of arthritis, the pain can be severe or chronic, and can even affect the eyes, lungs, skin and heart, among other parts of the body.

The Arthritis Foundation recommends the following for pain relief:

relying on hot/cold therapy
physical activity with well-balanced amounts of rest to not overexert
maintaining a healthy diet
working on ways to strengthen muscles around your joints

How can an FSA help?

1. Hot/Cold Therapy

Exercise and weight loss can ease stress on sensitive areas of the body, but moist heat has been proven to effectively provide arthritis pain relief, as well.

The Battle Creek Thermophore MaxHeat Arthritis Pad offers automated joint pain relief through moist heat therapy at a 20-minute interval. It can provide temporary pain relief for arthritic and rheumatic pains, and works to relieve inflamed joints for increased flexibility. The Arthritis pad can be applied to the back, an entire arm or a leg.

Shop for Battle Creek products

2. Arthritis Gloves

Did you know that arthritis gloves are covered by an FSA? These specializes gloves can provide relief for stiffness, and aches experienced with arthritis of the hands. The cotton, breathable gloves provide mild compression, warmth and can increase circulation, which further reduces pain.

These gloves are a non-invasive way to treat arthritis (day and night), and allow you to still grip and touch through open fingertips, so you can go on with your daily tasks.

Shop for IMAK Arthritis Gloves in different sizes at FSA Store.

Shop for FLA orthopedics for external pain relief

3. Arthritis Pain Relief Orthotics

Arthritis pain can affect many different parts of the body including our feet, hips, and ankles. Through Dr. Scholl's P.R.O. Arthritis Pain Relief Orthotics, you not only get clinically-proven relief and support for your feet, but these are also a good way to absorb impact from walking. These orthotics are available for men and women.

Shop for Dr. Scholl's P.R.O. Arthritis Pain Relief Orthotics

4. Arthritis Medications

Though arthritis medications are covered by an FSA, you will need a prescription to get reimbursed by your account. You need a prescription due to changes introduced to FSAs requiring a prescription for any over-the-counter products containing active medical ingredients.