Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints, which can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and a limited range of motion. According to Medline Plus, arthritis is the breakdown of cartilage that normally protects the joints and allows for smooth movement when performing physical activity. Furthermore, arthritis is common and affects more than 37 million people in the United States. You should always seek treatment for arthritis-like symptoms because there are many forms of arthritis that may require different medical treatment. However, the symptoms of osteoarthritis may be relieved with home remedies.
Step 1
Schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine the type and cause of your arthritis before attempting natural treatment.
Step 2
Rest whenever you are experiencing pain, stiffness or swelling in your arthritic joint. Rest for 12 to 24 hours after activity and take a 10-minute break after each activity, recommend the experts at the Mayo Clinic.
Step 3
Perform regular exercise. Schedule low-impact exercise, such as walking, biking or swimming into your daily routine. Strengthen the muscles around your arthritic joint by performing resistance exercises three times per week, or as often as you can tolerate. Consider participating in Tai Chi or yoga.
Step 4
Manage your weight to reduce pressure placed on your arthritic joint. Avoid eating high caloric food and commit to your exercise program.
Step 5
Apply an ice pack to the joint that is causing you the most pain for 20 minutes, then, remove the ice pack for 20 minutes. Repeat this cycle as often as possible throughout the day.
Step 6
Apply a heat pack for 20 minutes to the affected joint to relieve stiffness before physical activity.
Step 7
Apply over-the-counter (OTC) capsaicin cream (made from natural red pepper) to the affected joint to reduce pain.
Step 8
Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss more advanced medical treatment of your arthritic symptoms.
Tips and Warnings
- Never apply an ice pack or a heating pad directly to the skin. Capsaicin cream will burn immediately after application, but should reduce the intensity of your pain once the burning sensation subsides.
Things You'll Need
- Ice pack
- Heating pad
- Capsaicin cream
