Arthritis, whether due to age or injury, is an extremely painful disease. The image-guided injections of viscosupplementation offered by Arthritis Knee Pain Centers are exceptionally successful in relieving the pain and stiff joints associated with arthritis, especially when coupled with some natural lifestyle changes.
Until recently, arthritis sufferers were prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatories to relieve arthritis pain. While these medications certainly do help, long-term usage leads to other health problems. This includes things like stomach ulcers, chronic indigestion, and headaches. Relieving arthritis pain naturally is a much better option since there are few side effects.
Arthritis pain can become intolerable over a period of time. Traditional pain-relief medications can have some unpleasant side effects, leaving more and more arthritis sufferers looking for natural ways to relieve their painful and inflamed joints.
#1. Lose Weight
Losing weight is top of the list for a good reason: it has the most significant effect on relieving joint pain, especially in the knee. Carrying too much weight puts extra stress on joints already damaged by arthritis, weakening them further and increasing the associated pain.
One pound of additional weight puts four pounds of extra stress on the knee joint. That means that a person who is ten pounds overweight is putting an additional forty pounds of pressure on that already painful knee. Imagine then someone who is 20 pounds overweight, or 50, or 100!
#2. Get the Right Exercise
Exercising is a great way to relieve arthritis pain naturally since it works and it is free, as long as it is done right. The emphasis here is on “right.” Low-impact exercises like water aerobics, swimming, cycling, rowing, and yoga will strengthen the muscles around the joints without causing further damage to the bones.
Walking is also the “right” exercise provided you’re wearing shoes with cushioning and support to reduce the impact on your knees of hard road surfaces.
High-impact exercises like jogging and running should be avoided because they’re incredibly stressful on knee joints and don’t relieve knee pain.
Related video: How much exercise you need daily
#3. Fish and Nuts
Omega-3 fatty acids are excellent for overall health, and research shows that arthritis joint stiffness and pain are significantly reduced if it’s part of a daily diet.
To relieve arthritis naturally, using a diet, eat tuna, sardines, salmon, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, and plant oils all contain omega-3 fatty acids.
If you find it challenging to include foods containing omega-3 fatty acids in your daily diet, then taking a seed oil supplement, like flaxseed oil or hemp oil, is an excellent alternative to help relieve arthritis pain.
Related video: 3 Healthy snacks to relieve joint pain
#4. Turmeric
Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. A study by NIH found that while there isn’t strong support that turmeric reduces inflammation, it may “control knee pain from osteoarthritis as well as Ibuprofen did.”
Turmeric is a mild spice that makes curries and other foods taste delicious. It has no harmful side effects at all, and it’s worth a try to relieve arthritis pain.
#5. Massage
The Arthritis Foundation recommends regular massage to relieve arthritis pain, reduce stiffness, and increase the range of motion.
Learn to self-massage from a physical therapist, or make regular visits to a massage therapist for a significant improvement in your arthritis symptoms.
#6. Ice Packs
Arthritis pain, as well as inflammation, can be relieved by applying a gel ice pack to the painful area. If you don’t have a gel ice pack, a packet of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel will do just as well.
Ice packs provide quick relief to a painful arthritic knee and can be applied as often as needed with no adverse side effects.
#7. Use the Hot/Cold Method
If you find that cold on its own isn’t working to relieve arthritis pain, consider alternating between ice packs and heat. Heating pads and long, warm showers or baths can help keep your joints loose and reduce pain. This is especially true for morning stiffness.
#8. Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements are a controversial treatment to relieve arthritis pain naturally: some arthritis sufferers get significant relief, while others report no change in knee pain relief.
Herbs that are believed to reduce joint pain are boswellia, bromelain, devil’s claw, gingko, stinging nettle, and thunder god vine. If you are going to try a herbal supplement, choose one that has some or all of these herbs.
#9. Meditation
One final way to relieve arthritis naturally is to try meditation. There is a direct link between stress and inflammation. An NIH study found that meditation and other relaxation techniques reduced stress and that as stress reduced, so did the inflammation, swelling, and pain associated with arthritis.
At the very least, meditation and relaxation techniques help you to cope better with arthritis pain and life in general.
Related video: Meditation is a superpower
In Conclusion
It’s not rocket science: contact Arthritis Knee Pain Centers, and increase the benefits of image-guided fluoroscopy injections of viscosupplementation by practicing some or all of the nine natural ways to relieve arthritis pain.
Natural ways to relieve arthritis pain are much healthier for you than over-the-counter or prescription painkillers and drugs, and your overall health and the general state of mind will also improve.
Image-guided fluoroscopy injections of viscosupplementation are covered by Medicare and most insurances.