Many alternative treatments to relieve joint pain are available, allowing you to choose what modality you prefer, such as herbal, homeopathic or home remedies. Some people purposely choose natural remedies to avoid the cost of expensive conventional medicines and the dangerous side effects of certain arthritis drugs. Regardless of what path you take for the treatment of your joint pain, always consult your doctor before taking any remedy that is unfamiliar. Herbs, in particular, can produce side effects, and you should use caution when taking herbal remedies.
Turmeric
The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce swelling, redness, pain and stiffness in joint conditions. Turmeric is used as a spice in Indian cooking and is also available in supplement form at the health food store. It can thin the blood, so use caution if you take blood thinners. Consult your practitioner before using turmeric.
Bromelain
This enzyme comes from pineapples, and along with being an excellent dietary aid for protein digestion, bromelain may also relieve joint pain. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, reducing stiffness and swelling, and is reported to be even more effective when taken in combination with turmeric. You can buy bromelain as a supplement in health food stores. If you are using bromelain to relieve painful joints, it's best taken between meals on an empty stomach. This too can thin your blood, so consult your health-care practitioner before adding bromelain to your regimen if you take blood thinners.
Tart Cherry Juice
Tart cherry juice is reputed to relieve the joint pain associated with gout and to prevent future attacks when used regularly, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. Center staff reports that people who drink cherry juice daily experience a significant reduction in pain in their joints. Whether you eat tart cherries or drink two glasses of tart cherry juice mixed with water daily, the results may be similar. "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies" recommends mixing equal parts of unsweetened tart cherry juice concentrate with water and drinking two glasses per day to relieve arthritic joint pain. Mix 4 to 6 ounces of cherry juice with water for each drink. After you experience relief, continue drinking one glass daily to prevent a recurrence.
Baking Soda
A mixture of baking soda and water may relieve the pain in your joints and in your muscles. Dr. Theodore Baroody writes in his book "Alkalize or Die" that baking soda can change the body's pH, causing it to become more alkaline. Many causes of joint pain are eradicated in an alkaline-forming environment, writes Baroody. Baking soda and water may be especially helpful for those suffering from gout and is reputed to relieve a full-blown gout attack in less than 24 hours. Baroody suggests mixing 1/2 tsp. baking soda with 8 ounces water and drinking it all at once. You can do this several times a day for up to 3 tsp. of baking soda total per day. Do not use baking soda in this manner for more than two weeks at a time. Baking soda can raise blood pressure, so if you have hypertension, do not use it to treat joint pain except under medical supervision.
References
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon M.S., and Sifu Teresa Graedon; 2002
- "Alkalize or Die"; Theodore Baroody, M.D.; 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Turmeric
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Low Back Pain
- NYU Langone Medical Center: Cherries
