Arthritis is caused by inflammation in the joints. Arthritic joints can be stiff, painful and may severely limit mobility. There are a number of medical treatments available to ease joint pain and improve range of motion. These include: anti-inflammatory and pain medication, injections, and surgical interventions.
However, complementary home therapies can provide further management of symptoms and help alleviate pain. Exercise, capsaicin cream, bracing and orthotics, and certain dietary supplements are scientifically backed home remedies for arthritis.
Exercise
While it may seem counterintuitive, regular physical activity of the affected joints is an essential home remedy for arthritis. Low-impact aerobic and strengthening exercises are very important in long-term pain relief. These exercises, such as swimming or water aerobics, improve joint flexibility and help to ensure proper weight management, which minimizes the stress and pressure placed on joints.
Isometric and isotonic exercises are low-impact exercises that strengthen the muscles around a joint. Strengthening the muscles that support a joint enhances joint stabilization, which subsequently eases arthritic joint pain.
Capsaicin Cream
Capsaicin is the ingredient found in hot peppers that gives them their spicy heat. Capsaicin is also known to reduce pain perception when it's added to topical ointments or lotions. It works by stimulating the release of a compound in the body that interferes with the communication of pain between your nerves and your brain. For natural relief, capsaicin creams can be rubbed on the skin wherever there is joint pain.
Bracing and Orthotics
Bracing and orthotics can be extremely beneficial in managing arthritic joint pain. Shoe inserts and knee braces are the two most common assistive devices used to treat and relieve the symptoms of arthritis. They are designed to redistribute weight, correct structural misalignments and prevent further degeneration of joints. There are both custom and generic options readily available.
Glucosamine Sulfate
There is a plethora of dietary supplements sold that make unsubstantiated health claims about arthritis treatment. However, glucosamine sulfate is widely regarded in the medical community as being effective in arthritis treatment.
Glucosamine sulfate is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the human body. It's used in the production of synovial fluid, the fluid that surrounds and cushions yours joints. Your body also uses glucosamine sulfate when it builds cartilage, tendons and ligaments.
Scientists believe that taking glucosamine sulfate as a dietary supplement may increase the cartilage and fluid surrounding arthritic joints as well as help to prevent further breakdown of these substances. 1500mg is recommended per day, divided into three doses of 500mg.
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM-e)
The Arthritis Foundation has recently supported SAM-e as an effective dietary supplement in the treatment of arthritis. It was endorsed for both its anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain killing) properties.
SAM-e is another chemical that naturally occurs in nearly every body tissue. The exact mechanism of its action remains unclear, nevertheless multiple studies have demonstrated its efficacy. SAM-e works in synergy with B vitamins, so it's important to have a diet rich in B vitamins. Recommended dosage for SAM-e is 600 to 1200 mg taken in three divided doses over the course of a day.
