Arthritis pain can keep you from doing the normal everyday activities you are used to doing. It causes simple things like cooking, getting dressed, and even walking to the car seem like an impossible feat. The pain can be debilitating, frustrating, and can even cause your immune system to weaken and make you vulnerable to other illnesses. This is why it is critical to fight inflammation and pain in its earliest stages.
Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects joints and bones. It causes pain and inflammation, primarily in the joints. It is a disease that worsens over time and causes even more pain, so much that it can keep you from doing the things you love. To prevent the pain and continual degeneration, doctors often prescribe medication to relieve pain. However, they also recommend natural approaches.
To help with arthritis pain, here are five natural ways that might minimize and reduce arthritic pain.
Control Your Weight
Excessive weight can increase symptoms of arthritis pain. The more weight you have, the more pressure will be on your joints. The joints most affected are the knees, hips, and feet, but your back, shoulders, and neck can also be affected. Doctors strongly recommend losing weight if you have osteoarthritis and are obese. Losing weight can help improve your mobility, decrease your pain, and prevent further damage.
Get Exercise to Ease Arthritis Pain
Exercise can help you manage your weight, strengthen muscles, and keep your joints flexible. More importantly, it can help relieve arthritis. Plus, regular exercise is just plain good for you! Low impact exercises you can do are:
- Walking
- Cycling
- Water aerobics
- Tai chi
Hot and Cold for Arthritis Pain
Use hot and cold compresses to relieve inflammation and arthritis pain. Spend some time soaking in the bath to remove overnight stiffness. Use an electric blanket or heating pad to reduce pain. Cold treatments can also relieve joint pain and swelling. Use a gel ice pack or ice wrapped in a towel and apply to swollen joints. There are also some topical creams you can find over the counter that bring warmth or coolness to your joints.
Acupuncture
This ancient Chinese medical treatment requires the insertion of very thin needles in specific pressure points of the body. It reroutes energy and restores balance, but more importantly, it can reduce joint pain. Always talk to a medical professional before starting any new healthcare venture!
Meditation
Relaxation techniques like meditation can lower stress and help you deal with pain better. It can also help lower inflammation and pain. Tai chi and yoga are a combination of meditation, breathing, and exercise to help make joints more flexible. Meditation offers a host of great benefits and is ideal for people of all ages.
Relieve Arthritis Pain Today
It only takes a little time and focus to implement a few natural methods to help reduce your arthritis pain. You want to stay healthy, watch what you eat, get enough exercise, and practice activities that remove stress from your body and your joints. Go easy on yourself and be consistent in your efforts – you’ll see results in no time!
