6 Great Ways to Minimize Arthritis Symptoms
20 August 2020
Unfortunately, arthritis symptoms bring unwanted pain and frustration to millions of people who regularly experience joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Although arthritis may not be completely preventable, there are so many great ways to reduce pain and improve your quality of life.
Arthritis pain is caused by the loss of cartilage in areas such as the hips, knees, hands, feet, and lower back. As the cartilage wears off, bones lose important cushioning between the joints, resulting in painful movements.
Thankfully, there are a lot of great ways to minimize the painful symptoms of arthritis. We wanted to highlight some steps you can take to lower arthritis-related pain and live a healthier, happier life.
Check out these great tips to learn more:
1. Take up Strength Training
Did you know that strength training is very beneficial for people with arthritis? By integrating strength-based workouts into your exercise schedule, you can help protect and support your joints, reduce pain, and lower levels of swelling and stiffness.
These exercises boost our endorphin levels and make it possible to have a better mood, deeper sleep, and greater control over pain levels. Additionally, you don’t have to become a bodybuilder to experience these great benefits.
Even a light strength training schedule can do wonders to help minimize arthritis symptoms and improve your overall well-being. Strengthening muscles that surround your joints is essential to minimizing pain and removing unnecessary stress on joints. You’re never too old to start strength training and developing important muscles that keep you strong!
2. Cook with Anti-Inflammatory Herbs
Turmeric
Turmeric is an herb that contains ‘curcumin’, a chemical with the most evidence of anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric has been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines for hundreds of years and can be taken as an oral supplement, spice powder, or even in tea.
Ginger
Ginger is another herbal remedy for reducing inflammation in the body. It is thought to possess compounds that function in similar ways as some drugs which reduce pain and inflammation. Ginger has been used in traditional medicine for ages and is also touted for it’s antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
Green Tea
Another great herb for arthritis relief is green tea, which has great anti-inflammatory benefits. Green tea has tons of antioxidants and brings multiple benefits to the human body when drank on a regular basis. Research has shown the positive effects of drinking green tea on arthritis inflammation and in people with metabolic disorders.
3. Stretch it Out with Yoga
Yoga is another great activity for people experiencing arthritis pain, as it can help reduce joint pain, boost flexibility, and lower anxiety levels. Yoga has been used to improve health for thousands of years through stretching, breathing, and meditative exercises. In addition to improving flexibility, yoga can also make your muscles stronger and alleviate the pressure on joints throughout the body.
4. Go with the Flow with Tai Chi
The Chinese practice of Tai Chi is a gentle, low-impact exercise that can improve arthritis symptoms, build balance, and calm the mind. Tai chi also improves flexibility and keeps joints moving to reduce stiffness in the body. This exercise is also great for improving muscle strength, which helps reduce the chances of injury while protecting the joints.
5. Dive Into a Water Workout
Exercising in water can be really beneficial for people with arthritis pain. People can move more easily in water as they are more buoyant and feel less pressure on their joints. For some people, warm water can be a great way to provide pain-relieving heat throughout the body which relaxes muscles.
6. Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another traditional Chinese form of medicine that has been used to relieve and minimize arthritis pain. Acupuncture uses super-thin needles to penetrate the skin to deliver pain relief and reduced inflammation in affected areas.
There is still a lot of debate as to whether or not acupuncture really “works”, so it’s good to do some research when considering this as an option. It’s always important to look for a licensed, board-certified acupuncturist when looking for treatment.
To learn more about how Rose’s Home Care Agency can help you or your loved ones live a long, healthy life, please contact us by clicking here.