Natural solutions to relieve arthritis

Several natural solutions would help reduce the symptoms and pain caused by arthritis. If you have the disease, you certainly lose nothing by trying them to see which one suits you best.

Thermotherapy

Inexpensive and accessible to all, thermotherapy relieves arthritis pain. Hot aims to relax muscles and lubricate joints, while cold aims to reduce inflammation and pain. While some people get better relief by alternating heat and cold, it remains to experiment with both techniques to see what works best for us.

Here’s how:

Take a hot shower or hot bath for 15 minutes, or apply heating pads and hot water compresses. As for the cold, you can apply a bag of frozen vegetables, ice or a towel soaked in water and wrung out before putting it in the freezer to the painful areas. It is important not to apply cold to an already numb joint or to exceed 20 minutes.

Wearing orthotics

Orthoses relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee and facilitate mobility. There are two types of orthoses: the knee orthosis, which improves the strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings, and the plantar orthosis, which stabilizes the gait, absorbs shocks and reduces the pressure exerted by the ground on the knee during activities.

relaxation and sleep

Pain management obviously begins with rest, especially if you are stressed or tired. Listening to soft music, practicing conscious breathing several times a day is essential when you are in pain. Mindfulness meditation is also increasingly recognized as an effective practice for improving overall health and well-being by promoting calm and physical relaxation, essential for pain management. It is recommended to meditate every morning upon rising and as needed during the day.

Capsaicin ointment

Capsaicin is the active component of chili peppers which causes the burning sensation in the mouth when consumed, but which, when used in creams, gels or patches, dampens pain signals when applied to areas sensitive.

splints

Wearing splints to support the thumb and wrist helps reduce pain (especially with rheumatoid arthritis). They also improve joint mobility and manual dexterity, making it easier to manage daily tasks that require the use of wrists, hands and fingers. Some people also opt to wear compression gloves at night. According to researchers, tight-fitting and flexible gloves could relieve arthritis, reduce pain and stiffness in the hands, and possibly improve their function.

Osteopathy

This approach often has good results with patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. In addition to reducing pain, osteopathy would also help to reduce the tensions accumulated in the muscles.

massage therapy

Massages are very effective in relaxing muscles and ligaments, which relieves pain and cramps, but also helps control inflammation. Several massage therapy techniques can be used, such as lymphatic drainage, Esalen massage as well as Swedish or Californian massage. However, it is important to inform our massage therapist of our level of pain or, in the event of a flare-up of inflammation, swollen areas so that he or she can adapt his or her treatment accordingly.

acupuncture

According to several studies, acupuncture would effectively reduce pain because it stimulates the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain relievers. This alternative natural therapy would also improve the motor skills of people with rheumatoid arthritis, which is why it is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The sauna

Heat baths are said to help relieve arthritis in many people, because the heat from the sauna dilates blood vessels, bringing more nutrients and oxygen to the joints while promoting the elimination of waste, which contributes to tissue inflammation. And to these benefits is added the fact that the heat would trigger the production of endorphins, our natural painkillers.

Naturopathy

Several natural supplements are known to reduce arthritis pain.

• Curcumin: It is the active ingredient found in turmeric, a spice widely used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Curcumin is said to be excellent for reducing inflammation in people with arthritis.
• Ginger: This root appears to help reduce joint pain and damage.
• Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens): This root is also said to reduce inflammation, improve mobility and relieve pain.
• Fish oil: Because its anti-inflammatory effect has been the subject of several studies, supplementing our meals with fish oil would be recommended, especially in cases of rheumatoid arthritis.
• boswellia: This plant is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is said to be effective in reducing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Exercise: An asset!

When we suffer from arthritis, we are often stiff, but to preserve the mobility of our joints and our muscle mass, regular exercise is important, especially since by doing so, our body produces endorphins which have an analgesic effect. However, disciplines that involve regular impacts such as tennis and jogging should be avoided, as they contribute to joint wear. It is essential to choose low impact sports and to listen to our limits.

Aquagym

The buoyancy of water relieves pressure on aching joints and makes movement easier. Additionally, hot water can soothe sore muscles and stiff joints. In the same vein, swimming is an excellent sport for relieving arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Yoga

To begin, it is recommended to practice chair yoga and not to force the movements that are difficult to perform. Although yoga is a highly recommended activity for relieving joint stiffness, improving range of motion, and promoting flexibility, not all types of yoga are created equal, with some requiring quick transitions from one pose to another. or on the contrary to stay too long in the same position, which can aggravate joint disorders. It is therefore better to practice hatha yoga, yoga flow or yoga for children. Ashtanga yoga, bikram (hot) yoga and kundalini yoga are avoided.

Bodybuilding

Pain and fatigue often lead us to inactivity, which eventually leads to muscle weakness that makes activities even more difficult. To avoid this vicious cycle, it is important to maintain our muscle mass by using resistance bands, light weights or just our body weight to strengthen our arm and leg muscles.

The bike

Because it doesn’t put a lot of weight on the hip and leg joints, this sport is ideal. To further reduce pain and discomfort, we can tilt the handlebars of our bike upwards and opt for a model that allows back-pedaling so that you no longer have to squeeze handles to brake.

tai chi

This Chinese martial art was created to compensate for the pain caused by the sudden movements of kung fu. Today, several studies have recognized that it is very useful in the fight against arthritis, since its slow movements have low impacts on the body and they improve strength, flexibility and balance. Finally, because we must pay particular attention to our breathing while performing the movements, tai chi could help manage chronic pain while promoting relaxation and mental well-being.