Arthritis Natural Remedies - Five Steps to Pain Relief
If you are suffering from arthritis, you will be aware of the impact pain and discomfort it can have on your everyday life.
Here are five simple yet effective steps you can take to relieve the symptoms of arthritis without prescription medication.
Diet; the importance of a healthy diet cannot be underestimated, and will enable the body to heal itself from within.
It is thought that some dietary carotenoids can alleviate arthritis symptoms.
Carotenoids are nutrients found in foods such as sweet potatoes, pumpkins, spinach and other yellow, red, deep green and orange vegetables.
Try to eat a diet which includes plenty of fruit and vegetables- aim to eat at least five portions per day, preferably more.
Reduce the amount of fat and sugar in your diet, and eat calcium rich foods which will improve and maintain bone density; these include dairy products, yogurt and tofu.
Eat oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, pilchards and kippers, at least twice a week.
Supplements; fish oil has been proven to be beneficial for arthritis sufferers, particularly those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition to including oily fish in your diet, taking supplements may also help alleviate symptoms.
Cod liver oil capsules have traditionally been popular, but Omega-3 oil capsules are now thought to more effective as they contain a higher dose of active ingredient.
Many arthritis sufferers have also found some benefit to taking Glucosamine supplements, as taking Glucosamine stimulates the body's natural production of the proteins which rebuild and replenish the damaged cartilage.
Watch your weight; being overweight can exacerbate the symptoms of arthritis, so a reduction of weight if required would be beneficial.
Excess weight can place additional stress on load bearing joints, especially hips and knees.
Even a relatively minor reduction in weight could have a big impact on relieving pain and discomfort, and maintaining a healthy weight can help to prevent arthritis developing.
A healthy diet as outlined above will help you to reduce and maintain your weight.
See your doctor if you are concerned about your weight, as he can refer you to a dietician.
Exercise; regular exercise can also increase joint mobility and function, plus reduce stiffness and pain.
It will also strengthen muscles surrounding the joints, thus offering more support.
Targeted exercises can also alleviate symptoms and increase joint function; a physical therapist should be able to work with you to plan a suitable exercise program.
Types of exercise include stretching exercises to improve flexibility of the joints, strength training to build muscular and joint strength, and exercises to burn fat and increase fitness and endurance, such as walking, cycling and swimming.
Swimming is particularly good for arthritis sufferers as the joints are supported by the water.
Massage; this includes light kneading or gentle stroking of the affected muscle to stimulate increased blood flow to the area.
The benefits of massage include an increase in the mobility and flexibility of affected joints, improvement to the circulation, relief from inflammation, pain and discomfort, temporary relief from aches and joint stiffness, plus a general feeling of well being.
Massage techniques are particularly effective if you are feeling tense as it will relax the muscles.
The above steps have been shown to safely and naturally relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis, however if you are considering following these or any other remedies you should always consult your doctor.
Here are five simple yet effective steps you can take to relieve the symptoms of arthritis without prescription medication.
Diet; the importance of a healthy diet cannot be underestimated, and will enable the body to heal itself from within.
It is thought that some dietary carotenoids can alleviate arthritis symptoms.
Carotenoids are nutrients found in foods such as sweet potatoes, pumpkins, spinach and other yellow, red, deep green and orange vegetables.
Try to eat a diet which includes plenty of fruit and vegetables- aim to eat at least five portions per day, preferably more.
Reduce the amount of fat and sugar in your diet, and eat calcium rich foods which will improve and maintain bone density; these include dairy products, yogurt and tofu.
Eat oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, pilchards and kippers, at least twice a week.
Supplements; fish oil has been proven to be beneficial for arthritis sufferers, particularly those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition to including oily fish in your diet, taking supplements may also help alleviate symptoms.
Cod liver oil capsules have traditionally been popular, but Omega-3 oil capsules are now thought to more effective as they contain a higher dose of active ingredient.
Many arthritis sufferers have also found some benefit to taking Glucosamine supplements, as taking Glucosamine stimulates the body's natural production of the proteins which rebuild and replenish the damaged cartilage.
Watch your weight; being overweight can exacerbate the symptoms of arthritis, so a reduction of weight if required would be beneficial.
Excess weight can place additional stress on load bearing joints, especially hips and knees.
Even a relatively minor reduction in weight could have a big impact on relieving pain and discomfort, and maintaining a healthy weight can help to prevent arthritis developing.
A healthy diet as outlined above will help you to reduce and maintain your weight.
See your doctor if you are concerned about your weight, as he can refer you to a dietician.
Exercise; regular exercise can also increase joint mobility and function, plus reduce stiffness and pain.
It will also strengthen muscles surrounding the joints, thus offering more support.
Targeted exercises can also alleviate symptoms and increase joint function; a physical therapist should be able to work with you to plan a suitable exercise program.
Types of exercise include stretching exercises to improve flexibility of the joints, strength training to build muscular and joint strength, and exercises to burn fat and increase fitness and endurance, such as walking, cycling and swimming.
Swimming is particularly good for arthritis sufferers as the joints are supported by the water.
Massage; this includes light kneading or gentle stroking of the affected muscle to stimulate increased blood flow to the area.
The benefits of massage include an increase in the mobility and flexibility of affected joints, improvement to the circulation, relief from inflammation, pain and discomfort, temporary relief from aches and joint stiffness, plus a general feeling of well being.
Massage techniques are particularly effective if you are feeling tense as it will relax the muscles.
The above steps have been shown to safely and naturally relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis, however if you are considering following these or any other remedies you should always consult your doctor.
