Arthritis refers to a large range of conditions that cause pain, inflammation, and decreased range of motion in the joints. It can affect people of all ages, but arthritis tends to be more common in women, and adults aged 65 and older. Some types of arthritis, the most common being osteoarthritis, comes from natural wear and tear on your joints. This makes it a common type among older adults, and can be difficult to avoid due to its nature.
Arthritis can be a tremendous hindrance in one’s day to day life. Fortunately, there are many ways to help manage the pain. It is important to visit your doctor first. They will diagnose your type of arthritis and may prescribe you pain relieving or anti-inflammatory medicine, depending on your type of arthritis.
In addition to medicine, there are many ways you can handle your pain at home, using completely natural methods.
Exercise
Staying active is an important part in maintaining your health. Getting your body moving will help reduce pain, strengthen your muscles, and improve your range of motion. Strengthening your body will make it easier for your muscles to support your joints.
However, it is important to stay within your limits and avoid high-impact exercises. Good options for low-impact exercises include walking, biking, and swimming. Over exerting yourself may worsen your arthritis pain.
Manage your weight
As mentioned previously, exercise is a good way to help relieve arthritis pain. Exercise will also help manage your weight – another important factor in arthritis pain. For people who are overweight, extra unnecessary pressure is put on the feet, knees, and hips, making the pain even worse and may end up causing complications in the long run.
Healthy diet
Arthritis pain comes from inflammation in the joints. This is why incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into your diet can help manage your pain. Additionally, foods high in antioxidants, vitamin D, and calcium may help improve symptoms as well.
- Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon, mackerel, and herring)
- Ginger
- Berries
- Leafy vegetables
- Olive oil
There are also types of foods you want to avoid. These are foods that do the opposite, they cause inflammation. Foods that should be limited will have:
- Saturated fats (such as red meat)
- Refined sugar (such as sugary drinks)
- Trans fats (such as fast food)
Physical therapy
Your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist. They can help treat your symptoms and teach you how to handle the challenges arthritis creates in your everyday life. For example, teaching you about proper posture, and developing exercise plans. Physiotherapy is generally drug-free, and there are many different types of services available to meet your needs.
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Cold laser therapy
- Prescribe orthotics
