Natural Alternatives You Should Try to Treat Arthritis

Natural Alternatives You Should Try to Treat Arthritis

It’s no secret arthritis can be a painful condition. However, you may want to try other options before treating it with medication or surgery. While it’s important to always pay attention to your doctor’s advice when they recommend treatment, you may also benefit from experimenting with natural remedies first.

The following are a few worth trying. If you have arthritis, they might help to alleviate your discomfort.

Exercise

Exercise often helps relieve pain and stiffness in arthritic patients. That’s why it’s one of the primary treatments doctors recommend. Just make sure you speak with a professional first before starting a fitness routine. You need to make sure you only perform exercises that are safe for someone in your condition. Consider direct access physical therapy, which would allow you to easily find and work with a physical therapist trained in arthritis exercises.

Weight Loss

Exercise has the added benefit of helping you lose weight. This is also important for people with arthritis, as the heavier you are, the more pressure is exerted on your joints. Losing weight reduces that pressure and relieves your discomfort. Along with exercising, make sure you stick to a balanced diet.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has historically been one of the more popular alternative remedies. That’s because it can deliver effective results. Although research into the topic has been fairly limited, studies have indicated acupuncture can help reduce pain in at least some arthritis patients. It’s worth finding out if you’re the type of person who would benefit from it.

Capsaicin Cream

People often apply capsaicin cream to injuries or parts of the body that hurt in order to reduce discomfort. Researchers have determined it to be effective in certain cases, although they are currently unsure why. Some believe capsaicin prevents the brain from receiving pain signals from nerves.

Topical Remedies

Historically, traditional topical pain relieving creams have been minimally effective at addressing the needs of arthritis patients. However, some have been experimenting with different ingredients to create topical creams specifically designed to treat arthritis. Try a few to see if any work for you.

Transcutaneous Electrostimulation

Transcutaneous electrostimulation, or TENS, involves sending electrical impulses to joints via electrodes placed on the skin, which can relieve arthritis pain in some patients. That said, it’s not the type of remedy that’s immediately available to most people. You need to work with a physical therapist or similar professional if you’re considering this option.

It’s important to remember that you don’t want to go it alone when managing arthritis. You still need to coordinate with your doctor on a regular basis. It also helps to consult with physical therapists and related experts. With their help, you can design an arthritis treatment plan based around natural remedies.