Arthritis is a condition that causes the joints to deteriorate over the course of time. Pain, inflammation, redness and stiffness can all result when arthritis has taken hold in the body. In some situations, it can be hard to perform even the simplest of tasks. When it comes to the treatment of arthritis, medications are often given, but there are also ways to treat it naturally.
Weight Reduction
When you are overweight or obese, the joints have to endure a lot of excess pressure to carry the weight. This can put too much stress on them and exacerbate the symptoms. A way to treat this is by keeping weight under control and using a cane or night splints to keep the affected joints still and to lessen the pressure on them. To help promote weight maintenance, avoid foods that are high in fat and calories like deep-fried foods, processed foods and refined foods.
Avoidance
There are several things you can do to help keep your joints in as good a shape as possible when you have arthritis. Avoid high impact activities, avoid going up and down stairs, and do not squat repetitively or stand for long periods of time. If you kneel often for your job or for a home project, wear protective padding if your knees are affected by arthritis. You can also wear special splints, shoe inserts or braces to add further support to your joints.
Exercise
Being sedentary when you have arthritis can lead to weight gain and it can also cause your joints to become even more stiff. To avoid this, perform regular exercise and stretching through a full range of motion that does not cause pain to your affected joints. Make sure it is non-impact activity like walking, weight lifting with machines, biking, swimming and elliptical training. You can also deploy the services of a physical therapist for specific routines to do for your particular condition.
Tai-chi and yoga are mind/body exercises that involve very little impact on the joints and they involve the use of breath control. As an added benefit, they can also help reduce stress.
Application
Painful joints can benefit from getting hot and cold applied to them. This can also reduce muscle spams and stiffness. A warm bath can be taken or a hot water bottle or heating pad can be applied to the affected joint in 20-minute intervals several times during the course of a day. Alternately, ice packs or bags of frozen vegetables can also be used, but only if you do not have numbness or poor circulation.
Supplements
Glucosamine and chondroitin are two popular alternative supplements that are used for relieving pain and promoting healthy joints. These are not regulated by the FDA and results of their use have been mixed, so they should be taken with caution.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another alternative measure that can be used to treat arthritis. Small needles are inserted into various pressure points on the body to relieve a blocked flow of energy, which can reduce symptoms.
Fats
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are healthy fats that the body cannot produce on its own. They can also be beneficial to arthritis by reducing stiffness and pain in the joints. These fats can be found naturally in fish oil supplements, cold water fish like salmon and mackerel, black currant oil, evening primrose oil and borage oil.
