If you’re one of the millions of Americans who currently suffer with joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, you understand how limiting and debilitating these conditions can be.
Whether you’re forced into taking over the counter, or prescription pain killers on a daily basis, or worse, you’re faced with the possibility of surgery or a major medical procedure in the foreseeable future, there are many simple things you can do to help ease your chronic joint pain.
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Regular Exercise and Physical Activity
The swelling, stiffness and fatigue that comes with joint pain can prevent you from living your best life. Many who suffer from pain feel that their life is simply easier if they just stay on the couch. The less movement you do, the less likely it is for you to experience pain, right?
This is absolutely wrong, in fact you can help ease your experience with joint pain and arthritis symptoms with simple exercises you can do at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “regular physical activity can help relieve adult arthritis pain as effectively as over the counter medications”.
Yoga is great for reducing tension on the various joints in your body. Yoga and pilates exercises can help you maintain balance, coordination and flexibility. This will help reduce the risk of falling which can obviously hurt your joints even more. Stretching will also give you the benefits of flexibility, range-of-motion and position awareness. This all will aid in joint flexibility and joint function, according to the CDC.
Walking, cycling, swimming and mild strength training are also very beneficial, low-impact exercises you can do regularly to help ease discomfort in your muscles and joints. The stronger your muscles are means less strain you will be putting on your joints in routine, daily activities.
Eat a Healthy Diet and Maintain a Healthy Body Weight.
Being overweight can have a drastically negative effect on your joints. If you are obese, the CDC reports that you are up to 15% more likely to have arthritis diagnosed by a doctor. This occurs because carrying the extra body weight can be stressful for your joints, bones, and overall skeletal structure. Eating healthy and exercising regularly can help you shed some pounds, resulting in less strain and less wear and tear on your joints.
Dietary Supplements
Natural remedies like certain vitamins and herbs may be safe and effective treatment options to help you combat the symptoms of arthritis and joint pain. While there are many products on the market that claim to produce positive results, we have found that a few dietary supplements stand-out above the rest.
Borage oil contains omega-6 fatty acids that help regulate immune system responses in the human body. Gamma linoleic acid (GLA) that is found in borage oil, blackcurrant seed oil and hemp seed oil are highly beneficial supplements for people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
Turmeric has various, evidence-based natural healing benefits that cannot be understated. The herb contains a potent plant compound called curcumin which can help reduce inflammation throughout the body which will aid in joint pain. The spice is also used to help prevent heart disease, cancer and the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Eucalyptus oil is also very helpful in reducing inflammation, while it also has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. As an antioxidant, it can help ease inflammation and pain symptoms. This oil can be added to a warm bath and inhaled with steam to help ease both your body and mind.
Relax in a Warm Bath with Epsom Salts and Hydrotherapy
Epsom salts are yet another natural remedy to help reduce inflammation in the body and joints. Epsom salts contain high levels of magnesium and sulfates which can relax the muscles, reducing tension around your painful joints. Warm water can also ease pressure built up around your joints and muscles. Immersion in warm water also stimulates blood flow, which is an important component of relieving inflammation.
Epsom salts can also be used in a compress pack you apply directly to the skin. You can dilute the salts in water, then soak a towel and wrap it around the affected area.
Relax and Get a Good Night’s Sleep.
Many Americans simply do not sleep enough or have a regular sleeping schedule. Our busy lifestyles can easily get in the way of a good night’s sleep. Lacking in sleep can cause a multitude of negative health consequences, including depression, diabetes, obesity and more. For people with chronic joint pain, getting a full night of sleep can be very difficult. If you are not getting the sleep you need, but you are trying to, consider switching to a firmer mattress. Rest and relaxation are crucial to alleviating joint pain. Resting will help you restore energy and it allows the body time to heal itself, naturally.
Get a Massage from a Licensed Massage Therapist
Joint pain and knee pain can be greatly reduced with the help of a professional massage therapist. Make sure you communicate with your massage therapist which area is causing you pain. If you’re massaging yourself at home, focusing on the outer and inner thigh muscles is a great way to get relief for your knee pain.
Regular massaging of your joints can help reduce pain and stiffness, while improving your range of motion. Make sure your massage therapist knows of your experience with joint pain or arthritis and schedule massage appointments regularly.
Stem Cell Therapy from Personalized Regenerative Medicine
Dr. David A. Steenblock has been researching stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine for decades. An osteopathic physician and stem cell expert, Dr. Steenblock has helped thousands of patients overcome various debilitating conditions including osteoarthritis and common joint pain. Your body will activate stem cells around the affected area naturally, so aiding this natural process with a stem cell injection has been shown to dramatically accelerate healing in various studies. Find out more about our regenerative medical therapy today. Or call us to schedule an appointment:
(949) 367-8870
