Arthritis is the result of wear and tear, so the disease becomes more common with age. The cruel condition affects even the simplest of movements, causing joints to be painful and lose functionality.
The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis wears away at the cartilage of the joint (which provides a cushioning material between bones) leaving bones to rub directly against other bones. Rheumatoid arthritis is less common, which occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints causing pain and swelling. Both forms of the condition can be incredibly painful.
How Common Is Arthritis?
Around 10 million people in the UK suffer from the condition and 700,000 suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
While there is no cure for the disease, you can still treat the pain and ensure you’re doing all you can to keep your joints healthy. Medication includes analgesics, steroid injections and NSAIDs. In order to know which will be the most effective, it’s best to consult a GP as each case is different.
In conjunction with medical treatment, it’s worth using natural remedies to both aid pain and reduce inflammation, here are our recommendations:
1. Turmeric
The wonder spice contains strong antioxidants and is a well-known anti-inflammatory. These properties mean turmeric makes a strong case to reduce arthritis pain, the spice has been used as a medicinal herb in India for thousands of years. The spice has been widely disregarded in western medicine until recently as more and more practitioners now recognise it’s health benefits.
2. Oily Fish
Oily fish is rich in omega-3, containing a long list of helpful vitamins and antioxidants, with anti-inflammatory properties fishes like salmon and trout can ease joint pain and improve joint mobility.
3. Magnesium Supplements
Magnesium helps bone density, relieves stiffness and reduces pain. Our bodies don’t produce the mineral naturally, so It’s likely you’re not getting enough in your diet. Supplementation via vitamins or a cream will provide your joints with that much-needed mineral boost.
4. Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Ditch any vegetable oils and go with the significantly healthier extra virgin olive oil. The main compound, oleocanthal inhibits inflammatory enzymes.
5. Have An Epsom Salt Bath
The heat and water will help relax your joints and stimulate circulation, while the magnesium, as we know, in epsom salt reduces inflammation.
Suffering Celebs: Robbie Williams can no longer dance due to the condition.
These natural remedies will ease pain through their anti-inflammatory properties and are easy to add into your lifestyle. Whatever you do, don’t ignore the problem. Despite arthritis currently being incurable, there are plenty of ways to help it. Consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment before attempted to self-treat the condition. These natural remedies should be used as an extra aid for arthritis that will have long-term benefits for your health.
