Arthritis is a serious disease that leads to pain and inflammation in the joints. It’s one of the most common conditions affecting those 65 and older, but it can also affect younger people. There are several types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. While there’s no cure for the condition, symptoms can be controlled with medications or natural remedies. Here are a few natural treatments that may help relieve arthritis pain.
Diet Changes
Eating certain foods may help relieve symptoms of arthritis. Foods rich in antioxidants are thought to improve joint health by helping reduce inflammation in the body. Studies also show that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammation and pain. Examples of omega-3-rich foods include salmon, flaxseed oil, walnuts, and olive oil. Eating high amounts of protein may also help prevent osteoporosis.
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy is a treatment option for many types of joint pain. Heat therapy works by increasing blood flow to the affected area, which can help reduce swelling and increase flexibility in stiff muscles. Heat also reduces muscle spasms and relaxes tight tendons and ligaments surrounding the joints. This helps improve joint function while easing discomfort. One can also use heat therapy when they have other similar types of joint pain, such as bursitis or tendonitis.
Regular Exercise
One of the most important things one can do to relieve the symptoms of arthritis is to exercise regularly, even if they’re in great pain. Exercise helps strengthen muscles, improve joint function, and reduce stiffness, and it also helps one maintain a healthy weight. If one is overweight or obese, losing weight will improve their symptoms and decrease stress on their joints.
Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is an effective treatment for temporary relief from swelling and stiffness in joints. This treatment should ideally be used after exercise or an injury (such as an ankle sprain). All one has to do is apply cold packs for 15-20 minutes several times per day until symptoms have improved significantly (usually within three days).
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used to treat arthritis by improving blood circulation and relieving pain. Acupuncture stimulates the endorphins responsible for reducing inflammation in the body. This helps in combating the pain caused due to arthritis and improves joint mobility. Massage therapy is another effective treatment for arthritis that has been found to help reduce pain caused due to rheumatoid arthritis as well as osteoarthritis.
