Is joint pain stopping you from performing your routine activities and enjoying life? Joint inflammation, characterized by stiffness and pain, can be debilitating and prevent you from doing what you love. While you should seek medical attention for pain issues, natural remedies can provide relief and potential healing for acute or chronic pain.
A joint is where two bones meet in the body. Joint pain can be a result of injury or disease of the joint or surrounding tissues. Commonly affected pain areas include neck, back, hands, jaw, knees, ankles, hips and shoulders. Pain is also related to inflammation (arthritis), which is accompanied by local warmth, swelling, and tenderness. Depending on the nature and cause of pain, medications and even surgery may be required as part of the medical treatment.
Following a nutritional diet, exercising, maintaining healthy weight, minimizing stress, reducing muscle tension, and other lifestyle approaches are the best prevention. Using natural therapies can offer additional or alternative relief to joint aches and inflammation.
Exercise
Specific exercises and movements can help increase flexibility and range of motion, alleviate pain, lubricate the joints, improve pain threshold, and help reduce body weight which minimizes pressure on knees, ankles and hips. There are several low impact exercises, such as walking or swimming, that are easy on the joints. Weight lifting can help build and tone muscle and put less strain on joints.
Anti-inflammatory foods
Turmeric, ginger, garlic and other foods with anti-inflammatory properties can help combat pain and inflammation, as well as improve overall health. Finding ways to incorporating them regularly in meals can improve pain symptoms.
Massage
Massage can stimulate circulation and alleviate tension in tight muscles and joints. The relaxation effect and pain relief from regular massage can help long term pain.
Hot and cold Therapy
A warm shower or bath can improve join stiffness, particularly done in the morning to minimize pain during the day. Also, heating pads and electric blankets may help to sleep better at night. Cold packs can offer short-term pain relief in arthritis symptoms. Alternating steam baths with ice on the affected areas are also a great way to minimize pain.
Capsaicin
According to the Arthritis Foundation, capsaicin (chilli peppers) can be applied as a cream, gel or patch and it activates the local nerve receptors by affecting their ability to process pain signals. Studies have shown that capsaicin is effective in reducing pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Acupuncture
This ancient Chinese medical procedure uses thin needles to stimulate acupuncture points to correct the flow of qi, an essential life energy, in order to provide pain relief. This energy flows through invisible body channels called meridians. Pain and illness result from an imbalance of this energy.
Essential oils
Essential oils can provide pain relief through their ability to penetrate cells quickly and improve circulation to inflamed joints. Notwithstanding their potent anti-inflammatory quality, it is important to talk with your doctor before using essential oils and follow safety precautions, such as always diluting them in a carrier oil. Although each oil offers unique healing benefits for targeting specific muscles or joints, essential oils of lavender, clove, frankincense, peppermint and wintergreen are some of the commonly used for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Epsom Salt
A well known remedy for muscle or joint pain is a relaxing bath with Epsom Salts, which are high in magnesium and sulfates. They are quickly absorbed through the skin and act rapidly to lower inflammation, alleviate muscle spasms and remove tension. Epsom Salts can be used as a soak or diluted in a compress and applied to the skin.
Infrared sauna
The infrared lightwaves in infrared sauna generate heat and sweat in the body, releasing toxins and improving circulation. This can help reduce pain, in addition to improvements in heart, skin, weight, detox, stress, and other health related benefits.
Osteopathy
Osteopathic intervention is a hands-on and non-invasive therapy. It can help address and alleviate the causes of pain by focusing on joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments or other painful areas and restore function in the body. The osteopath can use manual adjustments, gentle movements and release techniques to treat pain and mobility issues.
