Living with arthritis is difficult. It can hinder a person’s ability to live a normal life. Although it can be painful, there are ways to help alleviate the pain. In Provo, orthopedic specialists commonly treat arthritis with anti-inflammatory medications.
Moreover, they also use painkillers to ease the patient’s discomfort. However, a few of these medications may cause side effects, which can make matters worse.
That’s why a growing number of people are now turning to a more natural approach to help people diagnosed with this degenerative disease. Here are a few ways to help you relieve your pain from arthritis.
1. Shed a few extra pounds.
Your weight can have a significant effect on the level of pain that you experience from arthritis. That’s because the excess weight puts a lot of pressure on your joints, especially your hips, knees, and your feet. Reducing your weight can also help reduce the stress placed on your joints.
Thus, helping you improve your mobility and even decrease the pain. Doing so will help prevent any chances of further damaging your joints in the future.
2. Be active.
Aside from helping you lose weight, doing a few regular body movements also help you maintain your joints’ flexibility. Weight-bearing exercises such as brisk walking can potentially harm your joints.
It’s highly advisable to try on low-impact exercises like swimming or water aerobics instead. Doing so will help you to stretch your joints without putting too much pressure on it.
3. Avoid repetitive motions.
Our routine tasks can also make it difficult for us to maintain arthritis pain control. People who do jobs that often involve repetitive joint motions are prone to get arthritis because of it. That’s why it’s best to take a few minutes’ breaks every day to do simple stretches now and then.
4. Consume healthy fats.
Consuming Omega-3 fatty acids can also help alleviate arthritis pain. They have anti-inflammatory attributes that are almost identical to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. A patient needs to have at least 2,000–3,000 milligrams of Omega-3 fatty acids to experience pain relief.
You may get your daily dose from eating foods like salmons and taking vitamin supplements as well. However, ensure that you ask your doctor about to know that the supplements are completely safe.
5. Use hot and cold treatments.
Using hot and cold therapy is one of the most common ways to treat arthritis pain. You can take a long warm shower every morning to manage the stiffness of your joints.
Meanwhile, cold treatments are highly advisable to relieve joint pain and swelling. Use a bag of frozen peas or a gel ice pack to treat the swelling. You can apply it to the painful area to get some quick relief.
6. Add turmeric as an ingredient.
Turmeric is a yellow spice common in most Indian dishes. Alternatively, it also has curcumin which also helps alleviate arthritis pain. It can add a great flavor to your meal especially if you’re into spicy dishes.
Managing arthritis pain is a challenge. It’s best to speak with your dentist before trying out supplements or food to avoid any side effects.