Arthritis Pain Relief at Home

Sometimes, you can relieve arthritis pain without medication. Here are a few ways to feel better. While OA symptoms can be debilitating, don’t abandon physical activity and exercise! Joint movement BENEFITS cartilage by bringing in oxygen and nutrients and REMOVING waste products. It may sound contradictory, but resting your joints ALL THE TIME will make them hurt WORSE. Of course, TOO MUCH activity will also worsen pain. So take a break from repetitive joint activity every hour.  Applying heat and cold packs to the pained area helps. Heat is soothing, while cold numbs pain. Try out an over-the-counter arthritis rub. These creams work best on joints that are close to the skin’s surface such as those in the hand, hip and ankle. Watch out, though – OVERUSING joint cream may worsen cartilage damage. If your OA is in your knees or hips, a cane or a splint can help support your joints and make walking less painful. Some arthritis patients believe that certain foods and spices will ease symptoms. Try eating more ginger and turmeric, as well as salmon, herring, walnuts, olive oil, carrots, oranges, mango and other fruits and vegetables. These foods contain certain nutrients which may promote joint health. And, healthy eating in general is a GREAT idea, since weight gain WORSENS arthritis in the hips and knees. While they may seem tempting, most gadgets and concoctions that claim to cure arthritis are nothing more than scams and old wives’ tales. Ask your doctor for advice before trying any unconventional treatments. Check out additional videos in this series to learn more about joint pain.