How to Relieve Arthritis Pain

Arthritis can be due to a number of contributing factors. Some of these are factors like genetics and age which we cannot control. Others, like our weight and other lifestyle factors are within our power to change. The symptoms of arthritis are pain, fatigue and swollen joints. The illness is far more common in women than in men – about 2/3 of arthritis sufferers are women.

If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, there are things you can do to alleviate the symptoms.

Exercise

Getting regular exercise will keep your joints limber and can reduce arthritis pain. Be sure to stretch and warm up before exercise and to cool down and stretch afterwards. Low impact exercise like walking and cycling is best. Regular exercise will also increase the strength of your bones and joints.

Diet

Just as important as exercise is diet. A healthy diet which is rich in fruits and vegetables (many of which have anti-inflammatory properties) will go a long way towards easing the symptoms of arthritis. Losing weight is also helpful, since any extra pounds you are carrying puts additional stress on your joints. You may also consider using an herbal appetite suppressant like hoodia in order to facilitate quick weight loss.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine is gaining popularity as a way to reduce the pain and stiffness of arthritis. Some of the more commonly used therapies are massage, yoga, tai chi and magnetotherapy. Yoga and Tai Chi are especially beneficial exercises for arthritics. There are also herbal anti-inflammatory supplements which can help to reduce swelling and pain in the joints.

Non-surgical Procedures

Arthritis can also be alleviated with some non-surgical medical procedures like spot injections of steroids.

Hot and Cold Treatments

Ice is a standby for arthritis pain. It numbs soreness and also reduces inflammation. Heat is also useful, but works differently. Heat improves circulation and relaxes muscles and ligaments, which reduces pain and increases flexibility – which is why it is usually recommended over cold. However, the choice between heat and cold should come down to which gives you more relief from your arthritis symptoms.

Common cold therapy products include…

• Frozen gel cold packs: These are very convenient. Just keep them in your freezer and apply them as needed. You’ll want to wrap them in a dry cloth or towel before applying to your skin, however.
• Biofreeze: This is a topical pain reliever used for temporary relief of pain from arthritis and tendonitis. It is available in spray, gel pump or roll-on form.

Common heat therapy products include…

• Infrared heat: This heat penetrated deep into tissue to reduce pain; a infrared heating belt is a good choice, since it can be used nearly anywhere.
• Spa or hot tub: A portable sauna works great to provide arthritis relief and is easy to move around. If it’s within your means, however, installing a sauna or hot tub in your home is also a good idea.
  Arthritis gloves: These gloves provide both warmth and a little bit of compression, while leaving the fingertips open so you can still work with your hands. They can be worn all day without adverse effects.

 

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