Arthritis

Arthritis is the medical term for joint inflammation. There are more than a hundred variants, most of which have no cure. However, they can be managed well with proper preventive and care measures. The disease usually manifests with tenderness, swelling and redness, inflammation, stiffness, pain in the joints, and restricted movement in the affected areas. Arthritis readily responds to natural home remedies.

Natural Home Remedies for Arthritis

Arthritis is an incurable illness which can be unbearable at times. However, the following natural home remedies can provide a great measure of relief. If you consistently take preventive steps and apply natural remedies as and when called for, you can deal with your condition very effectively.

Hot Compression - This is one of the most valuable pain relieving techniques for people suffering from arthritis. However, it is useful only in arthritic conditions which are not in the acute stage. If you have hot red and swollen joints you should avoid this method. Applying a soothing hot compress to painful joints and muscles works wonders in relieving pain, reducing muscle stiffness and improving the circulation. As for the how of it, you can use soft towels soaked in hot water, hot water bags, heating pads or electric blankets to apply heat. You may also consider rubbing the painful joints with essential oils like eucalyptus and camphor oils which generate warmth and ease the pain.

Cold Compression - Cold compression is the best way to relieve arthritic joints that are severely inflamed, showing signs of hotness, pain and sore muscles. Applying cold compresses to the affected area drastically relieves pain and inflammation of the joints and muscles, as for instance, in acute gout or Raynaud's Syndrome. Cold compression can be applied in the form of a towel soaked in ice-cold water or running water, an ice bag or with a bag of frozen peas. However, you should be careful to wrap ice bags in a towel before application to avoid causing frostbite to the area.

Alternate Compression - The best way to relieve arthritis and the one which yields the maximum benefit is the technique of alternate hot and cold compression. This stimulates the circulation and reduces pain and swelling, as well as de-stiffening the joints. This method has been recommended by the Arthritis Foundation. Their guidelines specify that the hot water should not be at a temperature more than 110 o F, while the temperature of the cold water should be around 65 o F. The warm soak may last about 3 minutes while the cold soak should last only a minute.

Epsom salts - Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate salt) work well to relieve general pain and inflammation. Mix in a generous quantity of Epsom salts in a tub of warm water, and soak your aching arthritic feet in it for a while. You could use it in your bath as well to ease general aches and pains.

Increase your calcium intake - As you age, you will have a natural decrease in body calcium. To prevent this from accelerating you need to have an adequate calcium intake. Increasing the quota of calcium-based foods like dairy products and calcium-rich vegetables is a good way to do this. A cup of yogurt provides around 400 mg of calcium. Orange juice is also a good source of calcium.

Adults need around 1000 mg to 1500 mg of calcium for their daily normal requirement of calcium. If you are not sure you are getting this much from your dietary intake, you must take calcium supplements to make up the deficiency.

Eucalyptus Oil - This pungent essential oil is a great pain reliever. It has natural warming properties which can provide great relief to arthritic pain. Massaging the affected area with warmed eucalyptus oil followed by hot compresses to the area should be incorporated into the daily routine, preferably before bedtime, for the best results. A mixture of eucalyptus and wintergreen oil can be used as well.

Borage seed oil - Borage seed oil is another great option for treating arthritic pain. Borage seed oil has potent anti-inflammatory properties that greatly reduce pain and swelling in the inflamed joints. When it is massaged into the painful area regularly it will help to reduce the joint swelling. This oil can also be used internally, one teaspoon a day, to treat severe arthritis pain.

Turmeric - Turmeric is a very common kitchen spice but has remarkably valuable antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is very useful in treating arthritic inflammation and pain. About 1500mg to 3000 mg of turmeric should be consumed daily to relieve the symptoms of arthritis. This can be in the form of a cup of fresh turmeric juice to start off your day. A tablespoon of turmeric powder in a glass of warm water or milk is also a good bedtime drink which helps to reduce arthritic pain. .

Ginger - Ginger is another great kitchen ingredient that is a very good cure for arthritis. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger help to reduce the pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness of arthritis drastically. Ginger also aids in improving the circulation of blood in the body. You could massage the painful area with ginger oil, or include raw ginger in your diet to stimulate the internal healing of inflammation. Boil some fresh grated ginger in water and use the water to soak your feet.

Cinnamon - Cinnamon is also a good pain reliever. You may massage the painful area with cinnamon oil every day, or you can make a refreshing anti-inflammatory drink from a teaspoon of cinnamon powder mixed with honey and warm water, to be taken on an empty stomach every morning.

Some useful tips and cares for managing arthritis

• Maintaining joint movement is an essential part of dealing with arthritis. Keep your joints flexible by working out daily. Exercise also helps to reduce the risk of injury to the joints, but you should be careful not to go overboard on this issue, as too strenuous a workout can cause serious secondary damage to arthritic joints. Light workouts like walking, swimming, easy gardening, etc. are best to keep your joints supple. There are also many special exercises for arthritic patients that can keep your joints supple if performed regularly. Maintain an ideal body weight. Being overweight puts great pressure on your heels and foot joints. Weight reduction will provide drastic pain relief as well as taking off much of the strain on your feet and improving your overall health.

Avoid taking part in strenuous activities that put pressure on your joints. Instead take up activities which spread the strain over a larger area so that the arthritic joints are less stressed. Change your posture at regular and brief intervals to prevent excessive bony/muscular strain and stiffening of the joints. Whether you are sitting or standing, stretch your limbs from time to time to relieve the nerves and stimulate the circulation as well. When you climb stairs, always make sure your stronger leg leads, but when you are coming down, lead with your weaker leg. This will not only prevent falls but will ensure your joints are not overstressed.