Unfortunately, aches and pains are a fact of life as we age, but some conditions cause pain that can be relieved.

For instance, there are many ways to relieve arthritis pain that don’t require taking drugs with adverse side effects.

Here, there are listed a number of natural remedies that can relieve your arthritis pain and return some of your mobility.

Acupuncture

Practiced in Eastern medicine for thousands of years, acupuncture is the practice of manipulating the body’s energy flow by inserting needles into the skin at key locations. This process helps restore the body’s natural balance.

While it’s a specialized skill that should only be done by a licensed specialist, it is effective in reducing pain and inflammation.

The World Health Organization recommends it as treatment for more than 100 different conditions and it may help you combat the symptoms of arthritis.

Chiropractic Treatments

The pain caused by certain conditions, including osteoarthritis, can be reduced, or eliminated, through regular chiropractic treatments. How beneficial the treatment is for you will depend on the severity of your condition, but it often helps patients restore a better quality of life.

Treatments involve manipulating the muscles of the neck, spinal column, and lower back. Additionally, sessions may involve the use of biofeedback and relaxation techniques.

This type of treatment is called osteopathic manipulation and can be especially effective in helping to restore some mobility, as well as relieving pain.

Add Fatty Acids to Your Diet

If you haven’t already adopted a healthier diet, this might be a good time to start. Eating healthier can benefit your body in a number of ways, improving blood flow, heart function, regulating blood sugar levels, and boosting immune response.

Additionally, specifically adding more fatty acids to your diet can help you treat your arthritis by reducing joint stiffness and the pain that it causes. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids to reap these benefits.

These foods include:

Salmon

Sardines

Mackerel

Walnuts

Chia seeds

Flax seeds

Canola oil

Proteolytic Enzymes

You can either buy supplements, or eat foods rich in proteolytic enzymes to achieve the benefits this natural substance provides. Proteolytic enzymes are produced naturally in your digestive system to help metabolize foods and to promote better overall gut health.

The enzymes can commonly be found in tropical fruits, such as papaya and pineapple. Research has found that proteolytic enzymes are helpful in improving mobility in people with osteoarthritis, can reduce pain and swelling in those with rheumatoid arthritis, and helps to fight the infections that often result from inflammatory responses.

Turmeric

Typically an ingredient in Indian dishes, turmeric can be added to your meals to help alleviate symptoms of arthritis. This yellow spice contains curcumin, a compound found to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

In one study, rats fed turmeric exhibited reduced swelling in their joints. Other research has found that curcumin found in turmeric, along with other compounds in the spice, help to reduce edema and the swelling of the joints. Turmeric can spice up any meal, while helping to alleviate the pain associated with arthritis.

Apply Boswellia Essential Oil to Your Joints

More commonly known as Indian Frankincense, boswellia essential oil can reduce inflammation, when massaged into the skin. This therapeutic-grade oil should be massaged over painful joints to produce an effect as relieving as NSAID pain relief medications.

A report, which was published in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science, stated that boswellia acts to boost immune function, reduces the production of inflammation-causing cytokines, and regulates lymphocytes (white blood cells).

Boswellia should be combined with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, before being applied to the skin.

Therapeutic Massage

The Arthritis Foundation supports the practice of receiving regular massages from a professional therapist to reduce the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.

Regular treatments have been shown to reduce muscle stiffness, improving the individual’s mobility and range of motion. In addition to alleviating the symptoms of arthritis, regular massages can help reduce stress and relax the body.

Physical Activity

Before you become more active, you should consult your doctor and ask what types of activities he would recommend for your situation. In the beginning, it may be difficult to move, due to joint and muscle pain, so advance slowly. As long as you remain persistent and exercise regularly, you’ll begin to build muscle.

This will help improve your mobility and reduce painful sensations common in your condition. The more muscle you build, the better the support around your joints. Over time, regular exercise can help your body regulate hormones and may even prevent the need for joint replacement surgeries.

These natural remedies can help you treat your arthritis without compelling you to take medications that can affect your cognitive function, or energy levels. In fact, eating a healthier diet, getting more exercise, and engaging in relaxing therapies can help you live a healthier and happier life, overall. Before beginning any remedy, make sure to discuss it with your doctor and follow his suggestions, so you can enjoy these benefits safely.

Sources:

https://draxe.com/effective-all-natural-treatments-for-arthritis/

https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/arthritis-natural-relief

 

Hello. My name is Carolyn Ridland, and I am the founder of CaregiverConnection.

About 10 years ago, my parents began reaching the point where they could not be self-sufficient anymore. I was just married with two toddlers, so I felt like I couldn’t take them in, yet I wanted to make sure they were taken care of.

I want to share my story, and let you know that you are not alone if you are in a similar position. Children are expected to take care of their elderly parents when the time comes, but it’s not always that easy.

Caregiver Connection emerged from a place of real love and compassion. We understand the struggle that exists when you care deeply about your loved ones, but you’re faced with decisions you never wanted to make. Our main message is that nobody should have to face these times alone.