Arthritis is so common that 1 in 3 over the age of 30 and 1 in 2 over the age of 50 suffer from this debilitating disease. However, the most common treatments for arthritis only provide marginal pain relief and don’t focus on regaining peak functional ability. With those kind of outcomes, it’s no wonder that people suffering from arthritis are turning away from traditional procedures and looking for more natural treatments. To make it easier for those looking for other options, here we’ve put together a list of 8 natural treatments for arthritis.
8 Natural Treatments For Arthritis
#1: Try acupuncture
An ancient form of Eastern medicine, acupuncture can help arthritis patients through pain reduction. How? 1) By stimulating the production of endorphins, which inhibit the perception of pain. Because endorphins are produced naturally by your own body, there are no negative side effects. 2) By blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain. 3) By deactivating trigger points, which are reactive areas in your muscles and fascial sheaths. 4) By reducing stress on both your mind and body, both of which can negatively impact your arthritis. The Acupuncture Healing Arts goes into more detail about how acupuncture can help people with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gouty arthritis.
#2: Consider The Goswami Clinic Cell Therapy
Here at The Goswami Clinic, we have figured out the best way to regrow tissues that become damaged with arthritis. By using your own stem cells and blood platelets, our regenerative treatment allows your body to restore and heal itself, naturally. Plus, this in-office procedure offers a very quick and easy recovery. How does it work? 1) First, you come in for an initial evaluation, in which we review your medical history and symptoms with you.
This may include imaging on-site (using an ultrasound or X-ray). After, Dr. Goswami will make best recommendations based on your individual condition. 2) Second, if your treatment plan includes The Goswami Clinic Cell Therapy, you’ll then schedule a date for treatment 3).
The day of treatment, you’ll come into our office for a few hours. We’ll collect your stem cells via a simple procedure that requires no anesthesia. While we inspect them to ensure they are of the highest quality, you’ll relax in our leisure area.
After, we’ll inject your stem cells into the site of disease, guided by imaging. You’ll leave our office with instructions to ensure optimal recovery. Nonetheless, there will be no limitations on your daily routine. 4) After, you’ll have a robust follow-up in which we monitor your cell regrowth, assess your activity, review your pain level, and make any recommendations as necessary. For more information about how the Goswami Clinic Cell Therapy works and what it entails, click here.
#3: Exercise more
A crucial activity for those with arthritis, exercise helps increase strength and flexibility, reduce joint pain, and combat fatigue. Nonetheless, when you’re in pain, the last thing you probably want to do is exercise. However, the benefits are not to be ignored, as exercise can:
- Strengthen your muscles for better joint support
- Strengthen your bones
- Give you more energy
- Help you sleep better
- Aid in weight control
Work with a physical therapist to identify exercises that are suitable for you. Your exercise plan should include:
- Range-of-motion exercises designed to relieve stiffness and increase your range of motion.
- Strengthening activities to your exercise routine so you can build strong muscles to support and protect your joints.
- Low-impact aerobic fitness to improve your cardiac health, control your weight, and give you more stamina and energy.
Some tips to keep in mind when adding exercise into your daily routine to help manage your arthritis:
- Focus on low-impact activities to reduce the stress on your joints,
- Apply heat prior to exercising to relax your joints and muscles, as well as reduce pain,
- Move gently so you can warm up your body before you dive straight into more strenuous exercise,
- Go slowly and listen to your body (if you’re in too much pain, take the activity down a notch),
- Apply ice after exercise as needed, to reduce pain and swelling in your joints.
To learn more about how exercise can help your arthritis, visit this article by Mayo Clinic.
#4: Add omega-3s (fish oil) to your diet
Fish oil is rich in two types of omega-3s: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). Both can reduce swelling and inflammation, a common challenge for those suffering from arthritis. Adding fish oil supplements to your diet, or eating more foods rich in omega-3s can help to reduce your joint pain. Try eating more:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Sardines
- Mackerel
- Herring
Or if you are vegetarian, you can eat:
- Brussels sprouts
- Kale
- Spinach
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Walnuts
For more information about omega-3s and their impact on arthritis, read this article from the Arthritis Foundation.
#5: Control your weight
Being overweight increases the stress put on your joints, which already cause enough pain as is for those with arthritis. By losing a few pounds, you can also reduce your joint stress, and likewise, your joint pain. Performing basic activities like going upstairs or getting in and out of a chair puts stress that’s 3-5 times your body weight.
Therefore, 50 extra pounds can result in 150-250 pounds of extra stress on your knees and hips. This extra weight can speed up the progression of your arthritis. The good news is that you don’t have to lose a lot of weight to see a reduction in your pain levels; losing a few pounds will make a difference. For those with arthritis who are looking to control their weight, don’t engage in high-impact exercise, which can actually cause more stress to your joints. Instead, try activities like:
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Elliptical trainers
WebMD explains more about how losing weight can help your arthritis pain.
#6: Drink turmeric and ginger tea
Turmeric and ginger act as anti-inflammatories and can thereby reduce pain from inflamed joints, a common symptom among people with arthritis. To incorporate these foods into your diet, try drinking the tea detailed in the recipe below. You’ll need:
- 1 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated turmeric (or 1/3 teaspoon ground turmeric)
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (or 1/3 teaspoon ground ginger)
- Raw honey and a slice of lemon (for taste)
To prepare the tea, bring the water to boil in a small saucepan. Then, add the fresh grated turmeric and ginger and simmer for 10 minutes. (If using ground turmeric and ginger, simmer for 5 minutes). After, strain the tea and add honey and lemon to taste. To get more details on how to prepare this tea, click here.
#7: Soak in Epsom salts
Epsom salts contain magnesium and sulfate, which have healing properties. Magnesium regulates up to 325 enzymes and pathways. Sulfates promote nutrient absorption and detoxification. For those with arthritis, Epsom salt can help relax muscles and increase the absorption of vitamins within the body. Plus, it can reduce stiffness and soreness in joints and muscles.
Draw a warm bath and add Epsom salts to the water. Then, soak in the bath for up to 30 minutes. You can do this up to three times a week for joint pain and inflammation. For more information about Epsom salts and arthritis, read this article.
#8: Increase your antioxidant intake
Those with arthritis have excessive free radicals in their joints. Plus, inflammation further increases the production of free radicals. Antioxidants can actually destroy free radicals, helping prevent further damage to your joints. To increase your intake of antioxidants, add the following foods to your diet:
- Pomegranates (or pomegranate juice)
- Berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and cranberries)
- Beans (red or pinto)
- Artichokes
- Prunes
- Apples (Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and Gala)
- Plums
- Raisins
- Kale
- Spinach
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli
- Red bell peppers
- Onions
- Corn
- Eggplant
For more details about antioxidants, free radicals and arthritis, take a look at this article.
You don’t have to try every item on this list, just test something that’s new to you and see if it helps your arthritis symptoms. And, if you haven’t yet heard about the innovative regenerative treatment, The Goswami Clinic Cell Therapy™, which can actually help your body regrow its tissues, click here to learn more.
When you’re experiencing debilitating pain from your arthritis, but you don’t want to undergo surgery or take medicine that has little impact, you owe it to yourself to explore other treatment options.
If you’ve been injured and you want to investigate all your treatment and recovery options, schedule an initial 1:1 evaluation with Dr. Goswami.
[activecampaign form=10]
Or call 949-734-9696 to request additional information.