Many people around the world suffer from arthritic pain. Although arthritis itself is not curable, there are some things you can do to try to reduce and control pain from any of its forms. You will have to proceed by trial and error, but by following a few simple procedures you will be able to get rid of this type of physical pain.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Relieve Pain with Medicines and Supplements
Step 1. Take pain relievers
You can take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, to relieve pain. These are pain relievers, but they do not reduce inflammation. Among the best known brands is Tachipirina.
You can also ask your doctor to prescribe some more potent pain relievers, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone-based opioids. Among the best known are Percocet, OxyContin and Vicodin
Step 2. Try non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
To keep pain at bay, you can take this non-prescription drug class. These medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can be taken to relieve arthritic pain that occurs occasionally or when you have strained your muscles a lot, resulting in joint and muscle pain. These drugs also relieve inflammation, which is usually associated with this type of suffering.
- Contact your doctor if you notice that you are taking these medicines too often. You don't have to overdo it, otherwise you could cause more problems.
- Popular brands of ibuprofen include Oki and Brufen, while naproxen is generally sold under the name Aleve or Momendol.
Step 3. Use topical pain relievers
There are several topical creams on the market, available without a prescription, that are able to soothe this pain. These are ointments containing menthol or capsaicin that help reduce discomfort when spread on the skin in the affected joint area. They are also able to interfere with the transmission of pain signals from the joint to the brain.
- Some studies have found that caspaicin is able to reduce pain by 50% after three weeks of application.
- In the pharmacy you will also find some NSAIDs in the form of ointment that can be spread on the skin.
- You can use these medicines with or without taking other medicines by mouth.
Step 4. Ask your doctor about corticosteroids
You can get a prescription for this class of drugs that help reduce the intense pain and swelling caused by arthritis. Your doctor will be able to recommend them in injectable formulation or in pills. Through injection, the drug works faster, but it can only be taken this way a few times a year, as it can damage bones and cartilage.
Whatever form of corticosteroids you are given, you need to be monitored by your doctor, as this type of medication has potentially dangerous side effects, such as loss of bone-weakening vitamin D
Step 5. Get the SAMe
This coenzyme, whose full name is S-adenosyl methionine, is an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory properties that can stimulate cartilage. It also acts on neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, reducing the perception of pain.
Several studies have shown that SAMe can relieve arthritis symptoms as effectively as NSAIDs, but with minimal side effects
Step 6. Try ASI, a compound of the unsaponifiable fraction of avocado and soy
It is a supplement that blocks the chemical compounds in the body that are responsible for inflammation. It also prevents the cells that line the joints from deteriorating and helps regenerate connective tissue. This product consists of 1/3 avocado oil and 2/3 soybean oil.
It is available in gel-like pills. You can take one 300 mg tablet per day
Step 7. Take fish oil
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, it has been extensively researched for its extensive properties. It is able to block inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins, it is also converted by the body into anti-inflammatory chemicals.
- It also helps relieve soreness and stiffness in the joints. It has been found to reduce or eliminate the intake of NSAIDs.
- You can also take gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), usually known as omega-6 fatty acid; this also favors the anti-inflammatory process of the joints.
Method 2 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Keep your weight under control
Being overweight causes or can aggravate complications associated with arthritis, as well as promote pain. You should try to slowly make lifestyle changes to lose weight, such as exercising more and eating better. You need to build muscle mass around the joints while avoiding damaging them.
- Focus mainly on stretching exercises and those that increase joint motility; doing so gradually increases the strength. Avoid running, jumping, playing tennis, or doing high-impact aerobic exercises.
- Try to train in the late afternoon. This way you will feel less stiff when you get up the next morning.
- These should be permanent lifestyle changes if you want to keep your weight normal over the long term. This allows you to improve overall health and reduce joint pain for a long time.
Step 2. Keep moving
In addition to physical activity, you must always be on the move throughout the day. The longer you stay still, the more pain you feel when you start moving again. When you are at work, get up and move at least once an hour. You should also correct your posture often, move your neck from side to side, change hand positions, bend and stretch your legs whenever possible.
If you have very severe pain in your legs from arthritis, you should get up and walk a little every 30 minutes
Step 3. See a physical therapist
If you find that you are losing joint motility, your doctor may recommend that you work with a physical therapist. He can show you exercises that strengthen and loosen muscles and joints so they don't get too stiff.
The physical therapist can also set up an exercise program tailored to you, which includes cardiovascular and strength activities. Both relieve joint pain, as well as keep you healthy and normal weight
Step 4. Do yoga
This practice is a combination of deep breathing, meditation and body postures; helps reduce joint pain and stiffness as well as relieve stress. Listen to your body and only perform positions that facilitate movement and do not harm the joints.
Start slowly and then gradually increase the movements until you feel comfortable
Step 5. Facilitates movement
If you experience severe pain, you should use devices that allow you to move more easily or with less joint pain. Use a cane or a walker when the pain is really bad. This will soothe sore joints and stop swelling that would only make the situation worse.
You can also apply a toilet seat riser or use a special bathtub to facilitate certain operations when you are in a lot of pain or have difficulty moving easily
Step 6. Reduce the pressure on your joints
To avoid putting too much strain on the joints and thus increasing the pain, you must learn to decrease the strain they are subjected to. Use new tools or incorporate new activities into your daily life, in order to preserve and protect these delicate areas of the body. You can use pens with a wide base, which are easier to hold when writing. You can also buy items with larger and longer handles, so you don't try too hard when handling them.
- You can also lift objects with stronger joints, rather than smaller or more delicate ones. For example, when you need to carry your shopping bag, you can hold it close to your elbow rather than on your wrist or with your fingers.
- You can also decide to use plastic plates, which being lighter are easier to hold, use and wash.
Step 7. Apply heat
When you suffer from joint pain, one of the best ways to relieve it is heat. Relax your muscles and temporarily relieve discomfort. Try applying a warmer or hot pack, take a hot bath or shower, or put paraffin wax on the painful area.
- Be careful not to burn yourself. Never apply an electric warmer for more than 20 minutes at a time.
- You can also try cold therapy on the muscles. This temporarily numbs the area and consequently the pain associated with arthritis subsides.
Step 8. Take an Epsom salt bath
This natural mineral contains magnesium sulfate and has been used for pain relief for many years. The high concentration of magnesium allows you to soothe the discomfort in the joints when you immerse them in water.
- To soak the joints, fill a large basin with hot water and add 120g of Epsom salt. Put the area to be treated in the tub and let it soak for at least 15 minutes.
- If it is not possible to immerse the joint in the bowl, as is the case with the knee, add Epsom salt to the bath and soak the painful area for a while.
Step 9. Get more sun
Instead of relying on food alone to get vitamin D, sunbathe. Try to leave the house without sunscreen for 10-15 minutes every other day. By doing this, you absorb a lot of vitamin D naturally, without running the risk of causing damage from UV rays.
You can only leave your hands without sunscreen if you are concerned about skin damage. Even exposing only a small part of the skin helps absorb a lot of vitamin D
Step 10. Stop smoking
Smoking is harmful to health in general, but it can also cause joint pain. Smoking introduces chemicals into the body that stress the connective tissue, thus aggravating the pain.
Try using nicotine patches and chewing gums, or try to stop suddenly
Method 3 of 3: Combat Pain with Diet
Step 1. Eat bananas
They are a great food for treating this ailment because they help fight the underlying causes. Bananas are rich in potassium, an essential element to allow cells to function properly. They also contain vitamin C, B6 and folic acid, which strengthen the immune system.
Try to eat one as a snack or during meals
Step 2. Add turmeric to your dishes
It is a plant that you can insert in your dishes and that is able to relieve joint pain. This spice contains curcumin, a chemical that reduces pain and swelling by blocking inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.
Turmeric can be added to many dishes, from main courses to desserts
Step 3. Supplement your diet with larger amounts of ginger
Recent studies have found that this plant has anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen and, in the form of an extract, acts almost like a steroid. You can put ginger in many dishes, from chicken to dessert.
You can also make ginger tea to drink for pain relief
Step 4. Eat foods rich in vitamin D
People with arthritis need to pay special attention to their bones; this means that they need to get more vitamin D. Patients taking corticosteroids need higher doses of the vitamin, because this class of drugs reduces its availability in the body. Try to eat more fish, especially salmon, mackerel, and herring. You should consume 85 grams of these fish every day to ensure your vitamin D needs.
- You can also eat raw fish, as it contains more fish than cooked fish.
- Alternatively, you can decide to consume dairy products, which are rich in vitamin D, such as milk, cheese and yogurt on a daily basis.
Step 5. Drink green tea
This infusion contains an antioxidant known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) which blocks the production of the molecules responsible for joint damage; is able to limit pain while preserving joint integrity.
Some studies have found that 2-3 cups of green tea each day ensures an effective supply of antioxidants
Step 6. Eat foods rich in probiotics
These are the "good" bacteria that help manage pain. Recent research has shown that foods rich in it, such as yogurt, can significantly reduce the pain associated with arthritis, as well as improve range of motion.
If you want to reap the benefits, eat at least one probiotic yogurt every day
Step 7. Supplement your diet with sulfur
The body uses this mineral to detoxify itself, but it can be depleted by taking NSAIDs or other pain relievers. To meet your daily need for sulfur, you should eat foods that contain sulfur and that have a certain spicy flavor, such as onion or garlic.
There are also some vegetables that are rich in this mineral, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage
Step 8. Increase your intake of foods rich in magnesium
Magnesium relaxes muscles, nerve endings and relieves pain. It also helps mineralize the bones. Try to eat more foods that contain it, such as dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, and beans.
You can also take supplements, but by taking it in its natural form, through food, the body processes it more easily
Step 9. Eat more sweet potatoes
These are great for arthritis sufferers. They are rich in beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, minerals, anthocyanins and soluble fiber. All of these elements help relieve pain and inflammation while improving joint health.
