Diet, exercise and home remedies may all help relieve arthritis pain. When trying natural solutions like these ones, always consult with your healthcare provider first to make sure they won’t interfere with any medications you are currently taking.
Capsaicin, the active ingredient found in chili peppers that causes them to be painful when applied topically, can provide effective relief from arthritis pain when applied directly onto painful joints. Other herbs like feverfew, ginkgo biloba and stinging nettle may also prove helpful in providing relief from symptoms of arthritis.
Turmeric
Curcumin, the yellow pigment found in turmeric, provides numerous health benefits that extend far beyond aesthetic appeal. Research suggests it can reduce inflammation, inhibit cancer cell growth and ease symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pain relief. Furthermore, curcumin may even help protect against inflammatory bowel disease.
Turmeric can be added to many foods for an extra dose of flavor. Additionally, turmeric supplements range from 200mg per day up to 1,000mg and are available at health food stores and grocery stores alike.
Curcumin may provide an effective treatment option for osteoarthritis pain. A recent BMC study examined 139 people suffering from knee osteoarthritis who received either anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac or water-soluble turmeric extract with insoluble curcuminoids, winter cherry (Winter Cherry) and boswellia serrata supplements; those taking turmeric supplements reported less pain than those receiving diclofenac.
Though this study was well designed, it should be kept in mind that it was only a pilot study with small sample size. Furthermore, over-the-counter dietary supplements aren’t tested or regulated in the same way as prescription drugs so you should always be mindful of what’s entering your body–particularly when taking multiple supplements simultaneously.
Massage
One of the primary symptoms of arthritis is joint pain and stiffness, making life uncomfortable and disabling for those living with this chronic disease. Massage may not cure arthritis directly but it may provide temporary relief by loosening tight muscles and improving circulation through joints – this helps decrease inflammation while increasing lubrication in them as well.
Massage for arthritis provides several distinct advantages. First and foremost, it soothes the nervous system by disabling pain signals; stimulating endorphin production as natural painkillers; thus improving quality of life by decreasing pain levels and opening up more opportunities to participate in activities.
Massage therapies such as lymphatic drainage or detox massage may provide great benefit for people living with arthritis. Since excess fluid often is the source of inflammation, such gentle forms of massage could prove particularly effective.
Studies have revealed the beneficial properties of medium-pressure massage to reduce joint pain and stiffness among those living with osteoarthritis, while it can increase joint mobility for those suffering rheumatoid arthritis through regular sessions of medium-pressure massage therapy. Before embarking on any new treatments such as medium-pressure massage therapy sessions it’s wise to consult your rheumatologist or physician as they may provide specific instructions as to what you can and cannot do.
Frankincense
Frankincense oil has long been utilized as an ancient remedy for treating various health conditions, including arthritis. Studies have demonstrated its ability to decrease joint inflammation while slowing or even reversing cartilage damage. Frankincense can be applied directly or diluted into carrier oils like coconut or jojoba for topical application directly onto skin areas for pain relief or mixed into massage lotion.
Frankincense can also be added to dental products like mouthwash or chewing gum to combat cavities and improve oral health, or added directly into bathwater for use against cold symptoms and nourish dry, itchy skin. When inhaled directly, its scent has the power to relieve anxiety and depression, promote relaxation, mental clarity, foster spiritual connection with the universe and foster deeper spiritual connections.
Frankincense resin comes from Boswellia trees found throughout Oman, Yemen and Somalia. Producers use chisels-like tools to drill a hole into these trees where milky sap seeps out to form “tears”, later collected for use as incense or medicinal uses. Studies have revealed that Frankincense oil may inhibit cancer cell growth or even kill them while at the same time decreasing chemotherapy-related side effects such as hair loss and vomiting.
Ginger
Ginger root is an integral component of world cuisines, and an effective remedy against nausea and vomiting due to pregnancy, motion sickness, chemotherapy or stomach flu in children. But many don’t realize that ginger is also an anti-inflammatory remedy: its active components zingerone, shogaol and gingellyl help alleviate inflammation associated with arthritis by blocking production of pro-inflammatory proteins like tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b).
Studies have demonstrated that taking ginger extract by mouth may provide relief similar to that provided by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Unfortunately, applying ginger directly onto the skin seems ineffective for pain relief.
Ginger supplements can be purchased at high-street retailers in capsule or oil form, or you can try adding fresh or dried root daily as part of your diet (up to 4 grams is suggested), however excessive consumption could cause digestive distress; exact dosage should be discussed with your health care provider as high doses could potentially worsen digestive health. Blood thinner users should not consume ginger due to increased bleeding risks; also it interacts with certain medications such as warfarin and aspirin; finally sulforaphane a compound found in broccoli is said to slow deterioration of cartilage joints by slowing deterioration of cartilage health.
