Natural ways to tackle Arthritic pain

Arthritic pain is experienced when an affected joint undergoes a continuous loss of cartilage (a slippery material that cushions the ends of bones) leading to swollen and stiff joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. However, with natural treatment by the side and fewer adverse reactions, Arthritis can be tackled to a great extent.

A change in diet is the first step in managing Arthritis. Excess weight leads to greater burden on the joints. Hence the body weight of an arthritic person should always be within the normal range. Switching over to a complete vegetarian diet with fruits and vegetables will stop the pain of Arthritis to a certain extent.

Including Cod liver oil in the diet has been beneficial in treating Osteoarthritis, relieving stiffness and pain, and reversing the joint cartilage destruction. Another nutritional boost is to make smoothies using two bananas, a cup of blue berries and mango chunks and add a tablespoon of coconut oil and one or two leaves of kale as a high nutritional boost. A simple, yet effective remedy is to drink tart cherry juice, for relief from Arthritis symptoms. Raw nuts without salt can be used as snacks in place of roasted lifeless nuts. Also consuming rich anti-oxidant foods are recommended rather than antioxidant vitamins. Also Gluten is considered a possible culprit in Arthritic patients. Experts suggest avoiding Barley, wheat, kamut, triticale, rye and spelt.

Individuals who are obese should incorporate exercises in their daily routine. A simple exercise suitable for all kinds of arthritis is walking. For arthritic hands, water aerobics classes could be of help. Also, putting on a pair of gloves in the hands at bed time helps in reducing the swelling and pain in the fingers for those suffering from arthritic hands.

In addition to such lifestyle modifications, herbal remedies are also recommended by experts. A few herbs that are beneficial in reducing inflammation and pain are Feverfew, Cat's Claw, Willow Bark, Stinging Nettle, Chinese Thunder God Vine etc. However, reports indicate Willow Bark and Ginger as the most effective remedies. Chinese Thunder God Vine is also a good remedy, as it relieves the joint inflammation and pain, though it is not recommended for a prolonged period.

Herbal remedies can also be in the form of soups or teas. A herbalist, can be of helap in advising the exact mixing of the concoction. Herbal remedies are worth considering due to their fewer side effects than the regular prescription drugs, or in case one wishes to try a combination of both, ensure to check with the doctor so that the herbs do not interfere with the medication.