There are a wealth of remedies and treatments available to help people with arthritis pain in and around their knees. Whether you prefer using conventional pharmaceutical drugs or alternative medicines like herbs, supplements, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture or topical applications, there is something to help with the pain, stiffness and swelling from arthritis. Don't let your knee pain stop you from enjoying your life. If you're in pain and haven't tried a variety of new methods for relief, perhaps now is the time to do so.
Step 1
Take turmeric, a well-known spice and herbal supplement that claims to work wonders on arthritis relieving pain, stiffness and swelling reports Herbal Remedies World. Turmeric is loaded with antioxidants and has shown efficacy in reducing pain related to tendinitis and arthritis.
Step 2
Add omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to your diet, suggests the ArthritisAlternative.com. Fish oil has been shown to offer significant pain relief in the form of an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis patients in particular have reported significant symptom relief from using omega fatty acids available from fish oil.
Step 3
Include exercise every day for pain relief from arthritis in the knees. Gentle walking and flexing helps develop flexibility and range of motion, strengthening muscles at the same time, reports YourOrthopaedicConnection.com, the website of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Step 4
Add glucosamine and chondroitin to your routine, two dietary supplements which have shown efficacy in relieving pain and stiffness for arthritis sufferers in the area of the knees. These two supplements are often sold together are often made from shellfish. Naturally occurring in the body, both glucosamine and chontroitin act to rebuild cartilage around the joints.
Step 5
Use the homeopathic remedy Rhus Tox, whose action on arthritis has been shown to be effective in reducing pain, stiffness, swelling and inflammation, according to William Boericke in his book, "Materia Medica and Repertory." If you experience pain that is worse when you first move your knee, and the pain lessens the more you move it, Rhus Tox may be prescribed. Rhus Tox is also prescribed if you have a distinct sensation of stiffness associated with the arthritis. Rhus Tox is most effective when the pain is worse on the left side of the body, but can also be used for relief of pain on the right side as long as stiffness is present, which strongly indicates this remedy. Use hot baths or heating pads if your knees feel worse in damp, cold weather.
Step 6
Use bromelain, an enzyme from pineapple that may help relieve the pain of arthritis, reports ArthritisAlternative.com. The efficacy of bromelain has been well documented in clinical trials as a remedy for arthritis. It works in the same way as do the COX-2 inhibitors and medicines such as Ibuprofen or Naproxsyn by preventing the buildup of chemicals in the tissues causing pain and swelling.
Tips and Warnings
- Try all of the above treatments for pain relief, but not all at the same time.
- The information provided here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace medical advice.
Things You'll Need
- Turmeric
- Fish oils
- Glucosamine and chondroitin
- Homeopathic Rhus Tox
- Bromelain
References
- Arthritis Alternative.com: Fish Oils for Arthritis Relief
- Your Orthopaedic Connection: Arthritis of the Knee
- "Materia Medica and Repertory;" William Boericke; 1987
