People suffering from arthritis have different ways of responding to the illness. Many often feel depressed and helpless. Along with these feelings come poor self-esteem, decreased activity levels, increased eating and abuse of drugs, often leading to side effects and an increase in pain. Taking over-the-counter medicines such as NSAIDs and prescription medications for arthritis pain in the knee are only two of the many options available for pain relief. Combining certain alternative treatments with a change in mental state and lifestyle will do wonders for your knees and help your arthritis pain recede.
How to Control Pain in a Knee With Arthritis
Step 1
Make a fruit smoothie cocktail and add pectin for a folk medicine remedy whose effects have been shown over time to reduce the pain of arthritis. Fruit pectin can be found in the grocery store in the isle with the jams and jellies and is used for thickening during canning.
Mix 3 oz. of pure unsweetened grape juice, 2-3 oz. tart cherry juice, ½ cup sour cherries, ½ cup strawberries, ½ medium banana, 2 tbsp. real maple syrup and 1-4 tsp. pectin. Use organic fruits and juices and grade B maple syrup. Add all ingredients to a blender and mix well. Add 2 oz. almond or hazelnut milk for a nutty, creamy taste. Adjust the amount of pectin based on how you feel, starting with 1 tsp. and working up.
Step 2
Drink 2-3 8 oz. glasses of tart cherry juice daily. The Arthritis Foundation says "drinking tart cherry juice mixed with water three times a day may be beneficial for some people with arthritis ...and have anti-inflammatory effects...similar to ...NSAIDs."
Step 3
Practice tai chi, a gentle martial art form that tones the entire body, helping to reduce arthritis pain. Tufts University School of Medicine reports that in patients over 65 with osteoarthritis of the knee, those who engage in regular tai chi have improved function and less pain.
Step 4
Reduce conventional medicines to the lowest possible dose to avoid sensitizing yourself to them and creating rebound symptoms.
Step 5
Exercise regularly, choosing gentle forms of exercise that strengthen muscles around the knee to help with support. Ask your doctor for recommendations to someone doing physiotherapy or another appropriate exercise program.
Step 6
Change your shoes. Something as simple as what shoes you wear can contribute to leg and knee pain. Well-fitting shoes will offer support and help keep your legs properly aligned.
Step 7
Join a support group. Fellow arthritis sufferers who help one another develop new habits and new ways of thinking positively have found that changes in lifestyle and thinking patterns help with the level of pain experienced.
Tips and Warnings
- Create a pain-management plan including various methods you choose for pain control. Keep notes on what works and what doesn't and update it often. This will give you a good overview of what works for you.
- The suggestions here are offered for educational purposes and are not meant to replace medical advice.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Certo or other fruit pectin
- Tart cherry juice
- List of tai chi classes in your area
- New shoes
