Natural remedies for arthritis: 5 types

Arthritis is a common condition that can cause inflammation in your joints and lead to pain, stiffness, and muscle weakness. While there are more than 100 different forms of arthritis, they all result in inflammation of the joint cartilage that cushions the bone. 

The condition currently affects 24% of adults in the United States, with more projected to develop arthritis as the population ages. Arthritis is not curable, but many natural remedies can help ease symptoms.

Read on to learn about five natural remedies that may help you manage symptoms of arthritis.

Exercise

Exercise can be beneficial in keeping the symptoms of arthritis at bay. Not only can it help you maintain a healthy weight, which removes stress from the joints, but it can also work to:

• reduce pain
• improve joint function
• strengthen bones
• support muscles

There are many ways to get daily exercise, but low impact aerobic exercises can help provide relief. This includes physical activities such as:

• walking
• swimming
• cycling

Engaging in regular activities that improve balance and stability, such as yoga, tai chi, and dance, is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yoga, in particular, is useful because it combines breathing and meditation practices that can help you maintain a healthy outlook.

Mind-body therapies

The term “mind-body therapies” refers to certain practices that help strengthen the mind and body connection.

This includes:

• meditation
• yoga
• cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change negative thought patterns

The concept behind these practices involves managing chronic pain with relaxation techniques and mental coping mechanisms to help the person get distance from the experience of the pain. 

According to the Arthritis Foundation, research conducted by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs found that veterans with post-traumatic osteoarthritis who engaged in mind-body therapies saw improvement in their mental and physical symptoms.

Diet

A diet that helps you maintain a healthy weight is very important for people with arthritis and could help reduce disease activity. It’s recommended to limit foods such as red meat while eating more whole grains and legumes.

Some research from 2018 suggests that increased consumption of fatty acids from fish oil supplements and bone-boosting vitamin K may improve pain and joint function.

Acupuncture

This long-practiced ancient Chinese treatment for a host of medical conditions aims to redirect energy and balance the body systems by placing small needles into specific points of the body. It aims to reduce pain and inflammation by activating endorphins in the body.

According to a 2019 research review, some studies suggest that acupuncture may have advantages in treating certain types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis of the knee.

Thermotherapy

Applying heat or cold to joints can be a natural way to address common arthritis symptoms. Stiffness and soreness can benefit from applied heat, either from moist heat or paraffin wax baths for arthritic hands.

Swelling and inflammation can also improve with a cold pack applied directly to the problem area. 

Medication options

If natural therapies are not helping you reduce arthritis symptoms, consider speaking with a doctor about taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil).

Studies show that NSAIDs are effective in reducing both inflammation and pain. 

Steroidal drugs such as prednisolone (Millipred) can work to block the immune system response that leads to swelling and pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis. 

Consider speaking to a healthcare professional to help determine whether medication is the right option for you.

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Summary

Arthritis is a chronic condition that can worsen at particular points in a person’s life. Natural remedies such as aerobic exercise, diet, and acupuncture can help you manage symptoms.

If arthritis symptoms are affecting your daily functioning, particularly your ability to participate in low impact exercise, you may want to speak with a doctor about your treatment options.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.