Arthritis can happen to anyone, regardless of how well you’ve taken care of yourself or what your family history may be. Finding natural pain relief for this painful condition is usually at the top of everyone’s list. While some may be at a higher risk than others of developing one of the 100+ different types of arthritis, this inflammatory condition is the leading cause of disability in the United States.
More than 54 million adults have arthritis, so we have a lot of people coming to OSA looking for natural pain relief. Although arthritis is one of those conditions that can be nagging and leave you frustrated, we’ve seen firsthand how effective holistic pain relief remedies can be.
Today we are going to take an in-depth look at some of these easy-to-implement natural pain relief suggestions.
What is Arthritis?
Before we go over some of the top natural pain relief options for arthritis, let’s discuss exactly what it is. Inflammation of the joints, arthritis can affect just one or several different joints, often in the hands. Although there are more than 100 different types of arthritis, the two most common are:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) – The most common type of arthritis is OA. The regular wear-and-tear on joints is usually the cause, and symptoms typically get worse with age.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – This type of arthritis develops when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and many other complications.
Natural Pain Relief for Arthritis
The good news is that yes, there are numerous home remedies for pain relief that can alleviate the common symptoms of arthritis. Because every person is unique, I encourage you to try a few different natural pain relief treatments before settling.
Arthritis is often caused by too much stress on the joints and a breakdown of tissue and cartilage; therefore, many holistic pain relief suggestions focus on nourishing the body while lubricating the joints.
For many, the main goal is to find relief from the daily pain and discomfort caused by arthritis. We generally recommend the following lifestyle adjustments:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet with lots of antioxidants, fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, herbs, and more
- Avoid fried foods, processed foods, dairy products, and other items that may be inflammatory
- Stay active
- Consider physical therapy
- See an acupuncturist
Herbs for Arthritis Natural Pain Relief
Some of the most effective natural pain relief remedies reported by patients come from herbs and supplements.
When it comes to getting arthritic symptoms under control and improving your quality of life, the following herbs and supplements may help:
- Aloe vera – Known for its many healing properties, apply Aloe vera topically to inflamed joints or take orally to help with diarrhea and other gastrointestinal side effects of arthritis.
- Cat’s claw – A popular anti-inflammatory herb, cat’s claw is highly respected in the world of holistic medicine for its ability to reduce swelling and support the immune system.
- Eucalyptus – Another readily available herb, many use eucalyptus orally and topically to treat arthritis pain and reduce swelling.
- Ginger – This common spicy herb boasts anti-inflammatory properties and has helped reduce joint swelling associated with many forms of arthritis, including RA.
- Green tea – Not only will green tea give you that morning boost, but it also works to reduce inflammation in the body.
In addition to the above, there are a host of supplements that are used to treat arthritis naturally. As always, please consult your physician before incorporating any of these herbs or supplements into your daily routine.
If you are suffering from arthritis pain and are interested in learning more about how you can treat your symptoms naturally, medically, or surgically, please contact Ortho Spine America to schedule an appointment with Dr. Atwater.
