Arthritis is essentially inflammation of the joints leading to pain and loss of mobility. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear of the joints and can get worse over time. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is a joint problem caused by a malfunctioning immune system.
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Typically, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed by doctors to treat arthritis; however, there are a number of natural remedies that can be quite effective. Some practical tips:
Reduce Your Weight
Since extra weight invariably exerts more pressure on inflamed joints, losing weight is one of the top recommendations for managing arthritis pain. Reducing your weight will also enhance your mobility and reduce the wear and tear of the joints that will significantly retard the progression of the disease.
Exercise More
Apart from helping you to lose weight, exercise will help you to retain and even improve the flexibility of your joints. It is important to know the right type of exercise that will help arthritis management. While exercises like running and walking that put more pressure on your joints should be avoided, you should try to work out by swimming or water aerobics as these are low-impact exercises.
Consume Omega-3 Fatty Acid
The consumption Omega-3 fatty acid is good for the alleviation of joint inflammation and pain. You should try to include fatty fish like cod and salmon in your diet, otherwise, you can try fish oil supplements for a more consistent supply. Gamma-linoleic acid or GLA that is found in evening primrose, black currant, hemp, etc. are also helpful in joint pain management. Applications of ELISA testing are increasing by the day as researchers are probing deeper into the mysteries of the human immune system.
Practice Hot and Cold Therapy
Subjecting your joints to heat and cold has been proven to be effective in arthritis pain management. Taking long and warm baths or showers in the morning is likely to significantly reduce the joint stiffness. Consider using an electric blanket at night to keep your joints loose. Even a moist heating pad or a hot water bottle can be helpful. To reduce swelling of the joints, you can wrap an ice gel pack around the joint for instant relief. If you don’t have an ice pack, a bag of frozen veggies wrapped in a towel will work equally well.
Indulge In a Massage
The Arthritis Foundation recommends massages as being a good way of reducing joint pain and stiffness. Regular massages are known to be quite beneficial to the range of motion that typically suffers when you are arthritic. Engage a massage therapist or learn the techniques yourself for long-term use.
Conclusion
There are also a number of herbal supplements that claim to be effective for arthritic joint pain and inflammation management. Some of the more popular herbs include Boswellia, devil’s claw, stinging nettle, Bromelain, and Ginkgo. Even adding turmeric that is widely used in Indian cuisine is allegedly very beneficial. Whatever technique you intend to try, it is advisable to consult your doctor before commencing it.
Author Bio: Daniel Mattei is a Professional writer. He has written many articles on Health, including Applications of ELISA.