Managing Arthritis Pain Naturally

One of the most common natural treatments that people with arthritis use is to incorporate exercise programmes that are joint-friendly, manage their weight for avoiding added wear and tear on their joints, and eliminate trans fats from their diet.

Menthol or camphor (both counterirritants) in topical treatments, or capsaicin cream, the heat derived from peppers, will alleviate pain for a time, while herbal supplements such as gamma-linolenic acid and thunder god vine might relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy in which very tiny needles are placed at certain pressure spots on the body to give relief from pain. Perhaps it works. Effectiveness has been debated, but some studies have shown that acupuncture can sometimes help reduce pain from osteoarthritis.

Acupunethetics can have a positive effect by increasing circulation, decreasing muscle tension and blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. Some have suggested it may even increase the production of natural opioids, which help relieve inflammation and pain.

However, several studies on acupuncture’s efficacy for arthritis treatment are few and far between and may give erroneous findings, and also there have been suggestions that its effects are only due to placebo effects. Therefore, it’s advisable to have a chat with your doctor – she may be able to give you more information about the use of acupuncture for arthritis pain relief.

Massage

Slow rhythmic strokes of your hand down muscles and joints can induce relaxation and improve circulation while easing stiffness. Meanwhile, intense targeted massage pressure might prove painful to already inflamed joints and muscles, says Davis.

Research suggests that moderate pressure is also better at activating pressure receptors, which send pain-relieving signals directly to the brain. Lastly, we should avoid deep tissue. You don’t want to arouse the very pain receptors masseurs are supposedly massaging away.

Green smoothies, acupuncture, meditation, hot-cold therapy and splinting, all natural at-home remedies, might help reduce arthritis pain and stiffness and avoid the need for more aggressive drugs. Always talk to a physician before trying a new remedy, especially when those remedies involve supplements – ginger or chamomile supplement, for instance, may be associated with decreased clotting and could interact with medications such as warfarin.

Yoga

Once the cartilage erodes between the ends of a joint, bone rubs against bone or bony protrusions, causing the painful inflammation and loss of movement known as osteoarthritis (affecting 32.5 million adults in America).

Medication is of course a key arthritis treatment, but home remedies are also important for aiding arthritic joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

OTC painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen can provide some relief, while naturally occurring anti-inflammatory supplements such as celery seed and turmeric can reduce inflammation. Fish oil supplements with omega fatty acids can also help lower inflammation, improve sleep and boost mood. Massage has been shown to reduce pain, stiffness, muscle spasms and tension. A study published in 2021 found that massage not only helped to reduce stress in those diagnosed with arthritis but it could also diminish the need for pain medications.

Exercise

Take hot baths or showers to ease pain and stiffness, and in the course of the day or overnight use heating pads or electric blankets; sometimes people find a hot gel packet very helpful in relieving inflammation, and often cooling gel packs can help to sooth muscle discomfort.

In controlled studies, they have been shown to boost flexibility, strength and even to ease arthritic aches. Meditation or deep breathing practices might also help by reducing the heightened stress levels that exacerbate arthritis.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used temporarily to relieve joint pain and swelling. They are available as topical creams and lotions to be applied to affected joints, and as tablets.

Nutrition

People with arthritis can get benefits of natural therapies, such as using acupuncture, massage therapy, hot and cold therapy or taking herbal supplements. These natural remedies are not harmful to their health but before using natural remedies alone as a treatment, without informing their physician first, is not good since the natural remedies can interact with other medication.

Other diet approaches that could help maintain arthritis symptoms within your personal attention to arthritis natural management include: Eat a large variety of foods. Avoid processed sugar. Keep total daily fat consumption down to 15 to 30 per cent of your total daily caloric consumption. Choose healthier fats. Eliminate foods that are fried or cooked with plant-derived ‘hydrogenated’ fats, and food stuffs commonly containing ‘partially hydrogenated’ plant-derived oils, such as margarines, shortening and some baked goods. These items are often free of cholesterol, but are high in unhealthy trans fats. Consider increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and possibly trout. Include probiotic foods (yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and others), since they are rich in beneficial micro-organisms that support overall health and wellbeing.