Herbs To Fight Arthritis Pain
There are different types of arthritis, but they can all cause pain. Some natural remedies may help you manage mild symptoms, particularly if you use them alongside other treatment options.
Certain herbs may have anti-inflammatory properties that can help with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis .
Still, theres a lack of scientific evidence to support the use of many of these options, and some may have negative effects.
Before opting for natural remedies for arthritis, be sure to talk to a doctor first, as some options may interact with existing medications.
The Future Of Oa Treatment
Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, OA hasn’t had any major breakthroughs that have dramatically improved its medical treatment. Drug development for this type of arthritis has been slow because the disease itself follows a slow process. It takes time to track whether a treatment can halt joint damage when that damage occurs so gradually. “Joint replacement surgery has been successful, but medical treatments for OA have been limited,” Dr. Aliprantis says.
Hopefully, strontium or another disease-modifying therapy will prove its merit in future studies. But it could be several more years before any approach revolutionizes the treatment of this condition. “I think we’re just starting to understand OA,” Dr. Aliprantis says.
The Number One Way To Stop Or Prevent Arthritis Is With Diet
While the medical community is hesitant to state that arthritis can be cured or healed, there is a common thread in the medical literature about arthritis prevention. Most clinical scientists seem to agree that the biggest factor in stopping or preventing arthritis is diet.
Orthopedic doctors at the University of Washington give fairly clear instructions on the diet patients with arthritis should eat. There should be a balanced, healthy diet consisting of lean protein choices, healthy fats, and nutrient-rich carbohydrates. People who want to prevent or stop arthritis should remove the following unhealthy foods from their diet:
- Soybean oil, corn oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, and any product that has been hydrogenated
- All margarine, shortening, and any butter-like product
- All packaged and processed foods that contain either refined oils, margarine, shortening, or hydrogenated products
- All fried food
- All fast food
- All white sugar and foods containing sugar
- All artificial sweeteners and foods containing artificial sweeteners
- All refined white salt, and all foods or products containing refined salt
- All white flour products, such as white bread, pastries, cookies, cakes, and doughnuts
- Alcoholic beverages, except the occasional glass of wine
- Wheat products trigger certain types of arthritis and should be avoided
- Traditional herbalists believe eggs may contribute to arthritis and should be avoided
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Use Hot And Cold Therapy
Heat and cold treatments can help relieve arthritis pain and inflammation.
- Heat treatments can include taking a long, warm shower or bath in the morning to help ease stiffness and using an electric blanket or moist heating pad to reduce discomfort overnight.
- Cold treatments can help relieve joint pain, swelling, and inflammation. Wrap a gel ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and apply it to painful joints for quick relief. Never apply ice directly to the skin.
- Capsaicin, which comes from chili peppers, is a component of some topical ointments and creams that you can buy over the counter. These products provide warmth that can soothe joint pain.
Arthritis In Toes Is Manageable
Your toes contain joints that, like any others in your body, are not immune from arthritis. A variety of factors play a role in your risk for toe arthritis, but there are lifestyle and dietary adjustments you can make to reduce the chances youll get it.
If youve been having pain in your toe joint, speak to your doctor about potential causes and treatments.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Arthritis
The signs and symptoms of the illness include swelling, joint pain and stiffness. Sometimes the skin around the joint turns red, and your range of motion may also become more limited. The symptoms are most pronounced in the morning.
If you are suffering from RA, you may feel tired or lose appetite because the immune system activity causes inflammation, and this takes its toll on the body. Another consequence of arthritis is that you may become anemic or have a slight fever.
If left untreated, severe RA can deform the joints. But this is only if you let the disease progress. If you apply the remedies here, it wont, and if you apply all of them, I absolutely guarantee it!
Canola And Olive Oils
Skip the vegetable oil or corn oil and reach for these two varieties, which have a good balance of the omega-3 and omega-6 acids, both of which are essential fatty acids. Studies have found that a component in olive oil called oleocanthal has anti-inflammatory properties and is known to be especially good for heart health, too, Dunn says.
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Try Cold Therapy To Reduce Swelling
Other Natural Remedies For Toe Arthritis
Lose weight: Any added stress on your feet can make toe arthritis symptoms worse. If youre overweight, try making some lifestyle changeslike eating healthier and getting more activityto help you lose some of the extra weight. It can also help improve circulation to the area.
Add healthy fats to your diet: Fatty acids, particularly omega-3s, can help reduce inflammation and may help limit the symptoms of arthritis. Some studies have also shown that these acidsDHA and EPAmay suppress the immune system to limit arthritic flare-ups. Salmon and other fatty fish are the best sources and supplements are widely available.
Try some turmeric:Turmeric is a plant native to India and Indonesia and is a common ingredient in curries. Curcumina notably active compound in turmericmay be able to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness related to RA, OA, and bursitis. You can supplement or try adding more turmeric to your diet.
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Natural Therapies For Arthritis Pain
Medication isn’t the only way to manage arthritis pain. Look at these eight natural therapies for arthritis.
1. 8 Natural Therapies for Arthritis Pain
2. Acupuncture
Best for:
3. Massage
Best for:
4. Tai Chi
Best for:
5. Yoga
Best for:
6. Weight Loss
Best for:
7. Physical Therapy
Best for:
8. Topical Gels
Best for:
9. TENS
Best for:
Meditation For Arthritis Pain
Mindfulness is a type of meditation where you focus your attention on what is being experienced in the current moment. Mindfulness-based stress reduction programs can help to manage any stress and pain that compromise the immune system. This type of meditation also relieves arthritis symptoms, including pain, swollen and tender joints, and early morning stiffness. Improvements are often reported immediately after the program, lasting up to six months.
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So Whats The Overarching Verdict So Far
Ambivalent at best. It will be very difficult and time consuming to eat enough ginger, green tea, black pepper, etc. to truly alleviate your RA symptoms in the most optimal way. By the time you ate enough cinnamon stiff joints might not be your only concern anymore. So, now what?
7. Lab Grade Turmeric + Lab Grade Boswellia SerrataThe combination of these trusted remedies is a ONE-TWO PUNCHYouve probably used turmeric while cooking before its a yellow spice that most people associate with curry dishes. Know what it reminds RA sufferers of? Relief. Its true that turmeric is another anti-inflammatory agent. But, what makes this remedy a little different is that youre not just ingesting turmeric. Its the lab grade organic turmeric CO2 extraction that is the key player here. Were talking about the extraction of pure turmeric into a pill or oil form.
Know whats great about this? You dont have to worry about the dosage of eating a bunch of curry. You can take a pill or rub some oil that has the optimal dose for relief of your RA pain. In its un-extracted form, were talking about the spice, the herb. The same thing you flavor your dishes with. And, truthfully, in this capacity, it probably has similar effectiveness to the other six natural remedies mentioned above. With CO2 extraction though, youre extracting the most pure form of turmeric , to aid in your relief.
Make Sure You Get Enough Vitamin C
Vitamin C not only helps produce collagen, a major component of joints, but sweeps the body of destructive free radicals, which are harmful to joints, and research is showing promise that it may help with arthritis. Spread out your intake throughout the day because your body doesnt store vitamin C rather, it takes what it needs from the bloodstream at any given time and flushes out the rest. This means a megadose in the morning doesnt really do as much good. Sip citrus drinks or eat C-rich fruits and vegetables such as strawberries or melon, broccoli, or sweet peppers. And be sure to avoid these foods that might flare your arthritis.
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Exercise Is A Natural Treatment For Arthritis
Gentle weight training plus aerobicexercise is a great combination natural treatment for arthritis that can strengthen the muscles around the affected joint, providing it with greater support and helping it stay healthy.
Cartilage is like a sponge that needs exercise to bring nutrients into it to keep it healthy, says Gurjit S. Kaeley, MD, professor of medicine and chief of the division of rheumatology and clinical immunology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville.
Breathe In Fragrant Spices
Pleasant aromas like lavender may alter the perception of pain. Japanese researchers found that lavender reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can make you feel relaxed and less aware of pain. But lavender isnt the only pleasant aroma that works as a natural home remedy for arthritis pain relief. Korean researchers found that arthritis patients experienced less pain and were less depressed when they were exposed to the aromas of a variety of kitchen spices, including marjoram, rosemary, and peppermint. For a pain-soothing aromatherapy treatment, add a teaspoon of one of these dried herbs to a quarter-cup of olive, coconut, or vegetable oil. Take a whiff periodically.
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Managing Hand And Wrist Pain
Research shows it is effective for providing symptom relief for people with carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand because of a squeezed nerve in the wrist.
A study reported in 2017 in the journal Brain found people with carpal tunnel can experience improvements in pain and numbness using acupuncture. In addition, researchers suggested acupunctureâwhen done correctlyâcan also offer long-term benefits and continued improvements in hand function.
These findings could hold promise for hand pain associated with arthritis.
Work With A Professional
Last but certainly not least, Dr. Kulcsar notes that anyone with arthritis should consider seeking professional help from a physical therapist or physiatrist when their joints are limited.
Physical therapy can help with things like gaining strength, improving range of motion and stretching, while a physiatrist can help in more severe cases when physical therapy alone isn’t quite enough.
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Keep Your Joints Protected:
As the best tip on how to relieve arthritis pain, protecting your joint is important in order to avoid damage and injury even when you do not see any symptoms. You should care about your joints every time whether you do small or heavy tasks. If you are prone to suffer from arthritis pain, you should avoid lifting the heavy box. Moreover, use your shoulders instead of your hands to open the door. Another good advice is to hold the book in your palm instead of your fingers.
Other Ways To Relieve Joint Pain
There are also many simple measures that can help relieve arthritis pain and stiffness:
Heat and cold. Take a warm bath, apply cold compresses, or wrap some frozen vegetables in a towel and hold them to your painful joints. Heat, cold, or alternating the two can be very effective at relieving pain.
Massage. Gently rubbing the joints can increase blood flow to the affected area and ease sore spots. Because arthritic joints can be sensitive, see a massage therapist who specializes in treating people with arthritis.
Glucosamine and chondroitin. Although these nutritional supplements have been “fairly debunked as a potential disease-modifying therapy,” Dr. Aliprantis says, they may improve arthritis pain in some people. However, he points out, “if these supplements are not helping your pain, you should not continue to spend your money on them.”
And don’t forget about exerciseit’s one of the most effective ways to treat OA. Exercise can reduce pain, improve flexibility, strengthen the muscles that support the joints, and help you lose some of the weight that’s straining your joints. “I think it’s pretty clear that exercise is important for maintaining joint health and decreasing pain in patients who have OA,” Dr. Aliprantis says. Swimming and riding a stationary exercise bicycle are good exercises for people with OA, because they don’t put undue stress on already painful joints.
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Get Better Z’s For A Natural Treatment For Arthritis
It can be tough to sleep if you have joint pain, but improving your sleep could actually be a good treatment for osteoarthritis. According to a study published in February 2014 in the journal Sleep, researchers who worked with 367 adults with osteoarthritis to improve their sleep found that cognitive-behavioral strategies to reduce insomnia appeared to both improve sleep and reduce pain.
Best Foods For Arthritis Pain
Dietary choices play an important role in people with arthritis pain. A diet rich in whole foods, vegetables, and fresh fruits will boost your immune system and overall health. Plant-based diets also provide antioxidants, which reduce inflammation in your joints.
However, there are certain foods to avoid for arthritis. Any meals with saturated fats, processed foods, added sugar and salt, or red meat may trigger inflammation. These types of diets can also cause other health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Be sure to monitor your dietary intake closely to avoid aggravating arthritis symptoms.
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Natural Remedies To Help Relieve Arthritis Pain
Anneliese Peterson | May 22, 2015
Walker Methodist is a provider of housing, healthcare, and rehabilitative services in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. If you are experiencing serious arthritic pain or issues, please seek professional medical help as needed. If you are currently being treated for arthritis, please speak with your doctor before trying anything new to your treatment plan.
Arthritis occurs when cartilage in the joints wears down. The most common form of arthritis is called osteoarthritis. It’s a painful, debilitating disease that affects nearly 27 million Americans. The good news is, there are several natural remedies that actually do help relieve arthritis pain.
Foods For Fighting Inflammation Arthritis And Joint Pain
In the United States, 54 million people are living with arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For those with arthritis, one in four will experience severe joint pain. That joint pain and stiffness often affects quality of life by limiting your ability to do the things you love.
When you suffer from arthritis, your body is in what is known as an inflammatory state. In this state, the old adage you are what you eat is quite true: some foods may trigger more inflammation while others can help reduce it.
If youre suffering from aching joints due to inflammation, changes to your diet can help.
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Foods That Fight Inflammation
No one food can relieve arthritis, but eatingor avoidingcertain foods can help combat inflammation throughout the body.
What to eat
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Omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish, such as salmon and tuna
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Beans
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Omega-6 fatty acids from egg yolks and red meat
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French fries and other fried foods
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Packaged cookies, crackers,baked goods, and other processed, sugary foods
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Fruit juice
What To Eat And Not Eat
What to Avoid
These are all well-known triggers of inflammation and problematic for arthritis suffers. Cut out or cut back each week:
- Red meat
- French fries and other fried foods
- Sugar and processed foods such as packaged cookies and crackers.
- White bread and pasta
Put these foods on your next shopping list!
- Omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish, such as salmon and tuna
- Brazil nuts and Sunflower Seeds which have S-adenosyl-methionine, a chemical shown to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties
- Dark green leafy vegetables high in vitamin K which helps body inflamation and antioxidants, such as broccoli, kale, and spinach.
- Vegetables rich in glutathione including broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, tomatoes and purslane. Fruits with healthy amounts include avocados, grapefruit, oranges, peaches and watermelon.
- Canola and olive oil. Similar to fish, olive oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Pure olive oil also contains oleocanthal, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Garlic and onions which help keep inflammation at bay.
- Red kidney beans and pinto beans are excellent sources of fiber and phytonutrients, which may help reduce inflammation.
- Celery, which has two dozen antiinflammatory compounds
- Rosemary , which has antioxidants that help prevent aging in cells
Do you have any tips or tricks that help your arthritis? Let us know below!
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