Arthritis may refer to a broader range of conditions typically involving joint inflammation and pain. Usually, there are two types of arthritis, with the first type being a degenerative condition in which the symptoms tend to worsen over time. The second one has autoimmune characteristics, with extra-articular symptoms, usually manifesting as inflammatory flares.
The first one is referred to as OA or osteoarthritis, while the second is called RA or rheumatoid arthritis.
OA typically occurs when damage and wear and tear to the cartilage result in bones rubbing together, leading to inflammation, friction, and damage.
RA can be best defined as a systemic medical issue able to trigger symptoms everywhere in the body. This autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system starts to attack healthy joint tissue by mistake.
Typically, patients who are looking for arthritis pain relief may be recommended using medications, but some health providers may also advocate natural remedies for arthritis pain.
In this article, our internal medicine specialist in Hialeah, FL, has assembled a list of home remedies and medication options for arthritis to help patients manage their symptoms.
Still, refrain from self-medication. Always double-check treatment methods with your doctor before trying anything for arthritis.
Natural Remedies for Arthritis
Weight Management
The numbers on the scale can go a long way in affecting arthritis symptoms. Excess weight can put unnecessary pressure on the feet, hips, and knees. The pain and discomfort can be especially significant if you are overweight or obese and have OA.
Speak with your healthcare provider to determine a target weight and design a weight loss program. As a great help for arthritis pain management, losing weight can:
- Decrease pain
- Improve mobility
- Potentially prevent more joint damage
Become More Active
To hopefully stop arthritis pain, you can take up an exercise regimen. Apart from the obvious health benefits, regular exercise may also help you:
- Manage your weight better
- Improve joint flexibility
- Develop more support around the joints by strengthening the muscles around them
To increase motivation and ensure that you are performing the exercises correctly, it’s a great idea to train with a personal trainer or a friend.
The best options would include low-impact training, such as:
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Walking
- Tai Chi
- Water activities
Acupuncture
Arthritis pain relief may also come from acupuncture, an ancient Chinese treatment method involving inserting needles into specific points on the human body. Acupuncture experts say that the treatment will reroute bodily energies, restoring balance. The American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation (ACR/AF) conditionally recommends the treatment, as any risks of harm are low. However, there’s still not enough scientific evidence to confirm the method’s benefits.
Clean Up Your Diet
Effective arthritis treatment may include creating a diet plan full of whole foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Some evidence suggests that specific dietary choices can affect both types of arthritis, and a plant-based diet rich in antioxidants may be able to help fight inflammation.
On the other hand, a diet filled with processed foods, red meat, added sugar, and saturated fat may only worsen issues with inflammation. To make matters worse, these foods may also contribute to hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, obesity, and other complications.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Using hot and cold therapy may help with reducing inflammation and arthritis pain relief.
Heat treatments may include long warm baths or showers in the morning to help with stiffness. Also, moist heating pads or electric blankets can be a great help for arthritis pain overnight.
Cold treatments can help with swelling, inflammation, and joint pain. An ice pack or even a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel can quickly relieve pain when applied to painful joints. Remember, you should never use the ice directly on your skin.
Meditation
Relaxation techniques and meditation may be natural remedies for arthritis as they can lower stress and help decrease inflammation.
On that end, the ACR/AF typically recommends yoga and Tai Chi as they combine forms of low-impact exercise, breathing techniques, meditation, and relaxation.
Consider Using Turmeric
This yellow spice is considered a mainstay in most Indian dishes. It also contains curcumin, a chemical with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and according to research, it may help reduce inflammation and arthritis pain.
Still, scientists agree that more research would be necessary to uncover the true potential of turmeric, but adding it to your diet would most likely be a safe and potentially beneficial option.
Massages
Massages may also double as arthritis treatment apart from providing an overall sense of well-being, even though the ACR/AF do not recommend it as a helpful treatment because of the lack of evidence.
Still, experts also agree that massages are highly unlikely to pose any risks and may be able to provide indirect benefits like reducing stress. On that end, it’s always worth asking your doctor to recommend a certified massage therapist with experience treating arthritis patients.
Herbal Supplements
Several herbal supplements may help with soothing joint pain, although the scientific community has yet to confirm that any specific supplement or herb can effectively treat arthritis.
The following herbs are believed to help with joint pain:
- Devil’s claw
- Ginkgo
- Boswella
- Bromelain
- Stinging nettle
- Thunder god vine
On the other hand, the FDA or Food and Drug Administration doesn’t control supplements and herbs for safety, purity, and quality, meaning that patients can’t be exactly sure what the product they’ve bought actually contain. So if you are thinking about trying these compounds, make sure to buy only from reputable sources, and always consult with your healthcare provider before trying a new supplement to be sure there aren’t any dangerous drug interactions or severe side effects.
If Natural Remedies Don’t Work…
As mentioned above, your doctor may recommend arthritis treatment in the form of different medications. These compounds aim to slow the condition’s progression, help with symptom management, and keep the patient mobile.
On that end, healthcare providers may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, which are among the most effective over-counter remedies that can help with osteoarthritis pain. These include drugs such as:
- Ibuprofen
- Different ointments and creams containing NSAIDs
- Aspirin
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
Also, other options like Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may help with managing arthritis symptoms as the drugs reduce the feeling of pain directly in the brain. Still, this option won’t decrease the inflammation in the joints.
Topical pain relievers may also help. These are treatments you apply to your skin, dulling the pain. They often make the skin feel either cold or hot and have fewer side effects than oral options.
Lastly, doctors may also recommend non-drug options such as:
- Support braces for the joints
- Walking canes and walking frames
- Kinesio tape
Need Expert Help?
Finding an effective way to manage arthritis symptoms can be challenging and overwhelming. Often, the compassionate guidance of a trained expert can go a long way in helping patients find effective methods to ease their discomfort and inflammation. Contact Carreras Medical Center and schedule an appointment with our experts. They will strive to help you find the best possible treatment, whether that be medication or natural remedies.
