Simple Home Remedies for Arthritis

Here are some of the home remedies for arthritis which will help you to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with the disease and helps you to be more active.

Weight Loss

This is one of the best home remedies for reducing the symptoms of arthritis. Reducing your weight will reduce the strain on your weight bearing joints and this will help in increasing your mobility and in preventing future damages to your joints. For every pound you reduce there will be 4 pounds less pressure on your knee. According to Roy Altman, MD, a rheumatologist and professor of medicine at the University of California the symptoms of arthritis in some people disappear if they lose 10- 20 pounds.

Exercise

Physical activity is a must for people with arthritis. You can opt for the activity according to your age and severity of the problem. If you are an old person, you can opt for walking at a moderate pace and if you are younger and in better shape can opt for swimming. Exercises can keep your joints more flexible. Swimming and water aerobics are the best option as the buoyancy of the water helps it easy to exercise in water. Water reduces the stress on the joints while swimming.

Apply Heat and Cold

Applying heat provides significant relief from pain. You can use any source of heat such as heating pads, hot packs or electric blankets. Apply heat to the affected areas for at least 20 minutes to reduce pain. Taking a hot shower also improves mobility of the joints.

• When your joints have inflammation due to arthritis try cold treatments. Wrap the ice in a towel and press it onto the sore joints.  You can also give hot and cold compression alternatively.

Wear Gloves

If you have stiff and swollen fingers and wrist in the morning, it is better to wear a snug fitting pair of gloves before you go to sleep.  This will reduce the swelling and pain in the morning.

Eat Fish with Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Many cold water fish like salmon contains omega 3 fatty acids. It has been found that this fatty acid can reduce the pain and stiffness in arthritis patients.  They are capable of reducing inflammations in the body.  You can also opt for omega 3 supplements in the capsule form. The daily recommended dose is 2,000 milligrams three times a day.

Flax Seed Oil

Flax seed oil also contains omega 3 fatty acids. So, if you do not like fish you can take one tablespoon of this oil every day. You can consume it as such or you can add it to your Salads.

Rubbing Oils

There are many herbal oils which provide relief from the arthritis pain.

Oil of wintergreen- take a few drops of the oil and rub it on the skin in the affected areas. If you are allergic to wintergreen oil there are other options.

Eucalyptus oil- applying this oil to the joints also reduces the inflammations.  Do not use these oils when using heating pads or hot compress.  Additional heat can cause skin irritation.

Ayurvedic Oils- there are many Ayurvedic oils which claim to reduce pain and swellings in the joint. You can apply them for some time and wash it off with hot water to get relief from pain.

Olive Oil- the special compound present in olive oil called oleocanthal helps in preventing pro inflammatory enzymes.  Olive oil can be used for cooking or can be applied to the joints.  It reduces the pain and inflammation resulted by arthritis.

Ginger

This is one of the most effective home remedies for arthritis. Ginger has the ability to improve the blood circulation. The increased blood flow removes the chemicals causing inflammations from the painful joints. Consume half-a teaspoon of powdered ginger or 30 grams of fresh ginger once a day. You will be relieved from the pain.

Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate has anti- oxidant and anti-inflammatory powers. They help you by protecting and maintaining the cartilage. Take at least one glass of pomegranate juice daily.

Antioxidant Rich Foods

It has been found that antioxidant rich foods reduce the pain and deformities caused by arthritis.

 The free radicals present in our body attack the healthy cells including cartilage and sabotage the ability of the cartilage to repair themselves. Having antioxidant rich foods along with food rich in vitamin C relieves the osteoarthritis pain.

Calcium

It is necessary to have diets rich in calcium which helps to maintain and strengthen the bones. Milk, yoghurt, shellfish, cheese etc are a good source of calcium. You can also take calcium supplements when you are over 40 years of age to protect your bones and muscles.

Epsom salt

Soaking the hands in warm water mixed with Epsom salt reduces the stiffness and inflammation and give relief from muscle cramps and pain.

Probiotic Foods

The bacteria present in our gut protect our immune system.  Probiotic foods will improve the useful bacteria in the body and this will help you get protection from autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis.

 You can find prebiotics in foods such as asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, bananas, oatmeal, red wine, honey, maple syrup, and legumes. Consider eating prebiotic foods on their own or with probiotic foods to perhaps give the probiotics a boost

Pineapple

Pineapple contains a protein- digesting enzyme called Bromelain, which helps in reducing inflammation. It is better to consume pineapple in between your meals and not along with your meal. When you eat it with your meal, the enzyme will be used to digest the food. Use only, fresh pineapple or pineapple juice. Do not use the canned ones as they contain preservatives which may not be good for arthritis.

Green Tea

The compound called quercetin present in green tea prevents or eases the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.  Studies have shown that women who had at least 3 cups of

green tea every day had 60 % less chances to develop arthritis than women who didn’t drink any.

Assistive Devices

There devices such as shoe inserts, splints, canes, walkers and raised seats helps to redistribute your weight and reduces the stress on your arthritic joint. This will be very helpful for the patient to move or to do the daily tasks.  This will also help the arthritis from getting worse later.

Are you suffering from any type of arthritis? Are you looking for some home remedies? Try the above given home remedies for arthritis according to your convenience and availability of the items. Apart from trying the home remedies, you should do some physical activities to lead a quality life.