Natural remedies for Arthritis

Americans have become accustomed to popping a pill to relieve pain. In fact, studies show that the average person in this country takes about 12 ibuprofen tablets per month. If you suffer from Arthritis, chances are you’ll end up taking that much medicine in just a week. While over-the-counter painkillers have become somewhat of the standard for dealing with bone and joint pain, that doesn’t mean they are the best way to maintain a full and active lifestyle. Arthritis remedies can be found in the simplest of places like our pantries, closets, and even swimming pools.
Here’s a list of natural, healthy and low-cost approaches to reducing painful inflammation:

Soak up the Sun
One of the simplest ways to reduce inflammation without a pill is heat. Take advantage of the sunlight. Warming up your joints increases circulation, and minimizes muscle and joint inflammation. Hot showers, good insulation and a cozy sweater go a long way toward keeping joints supple and pain free. A heating pad is one of the cheapest solutions for localized pain. If you suffer all over or in a larger region of the body, it might be worth splurging on a hot stone massage or sitting in the sauna.

Add Spice to Recipes
Adding an extra kick to your food can make fighting arthritis quite delicious. Like hot temperatures, spicy foods keep your body’s circulation moving. You might be surprised to find that a chemical called “capsaicin”, the same one that gives peppers their heat, is also used in pain relief patches. Plus, it tastes great in chili! Persons less fond of spices should try ginger, as it can be just as effective as ibuprofen in reducing menstrual and muscle pain. Turmeric, cinnamon, and rosemary are similar alternatives. These spices are available in capsule form, but some offer great taste when mixed with certain recipes.

Keep it Moving
Constant movement is key when it comes to alleviating joint pain. It helps with inflammation and stiffness. While it’s most painful to move when in pain, it actually helps in the long run. Any and all forms of exercise will help in the treatment of pain and stiffness, no matter how severe the condition. Even walking for just 30 minutes a day, under a doctor’s supervision, will work wonders for your joints. Water aerobics are also among one of the most vital workouts. After all, gravity brings you down; swimming lessens pressure on the joints and offers temporary relief. All forms of exercise and movement will ultimately help promote weight loss. The less pounds you carry around, the less stress on your joints.

Thank ‘Cod’
A great powerhouse of pain relief is Omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are found in flax and alfalfa seeds, which produce molecules called “prostaglandins” in your body to reduce inflammation. Taking as few as 3 tablespoons a day could make a difference in feeling your best. The best sources of Omega-3 include cod liver oil, a tailor-made supplement for arthritis, because it combats both pain and joint degeneration.
For more information on dealing with joint pain, visit Arthritis.org.