Natural Arthritis Pain Relief

Natural pain relief is a great alternative to potentially harmful painkillers or NSAIDs. While you should always take medicine as directed by your doctor, there are non-medicinal ways to combat aches and pains.
This goes double for arthritis pain, which can be a big deal for older people. Here are some of our top picks for arthritis pain relief.

Natural Arthritis Pain Relief

Fitness

It might sound weird, but staying active is a huge part of curbing arthritis pains. If you’re in good shape and getting regular exercise, it’s much less likely that you’ll have serious aches and pains. Not to mention, it’s just good for you to exercise often and get good nutrition!
Regular exercise means that your joints stay flexible. It also means that you’ll weigh less, meaning there is less strain on your joints in daily activities. Now, running and weight lifting aren’t the best picks for exercise if you’re already experiencing arthritis pain. However, swimming, yoga and tai chi are all low-impact exercises that are great for you.

Meditation

Meditating to relax and focus your mind elsewhere can be a huge help with chronic pain. While many people are quick to write meditation off as pseudo-scientific or ineffective, it’s been proven to help those who put effort into learning the practice.

Remember: meditation isn’t inherently religious or even philosophical. It’s a way of putting mind over matter and refocusing your energy. It’s helpful for getting your mind off of chronic pain and on to more ephemeral and pain-relieving thoughts, like eternity, mindfulness and wellness.

Nutrition

Getting the right things in your diet is another important way to address arthritis pain. Omega-3 fatty acids are a huge help in this regard. Certain fish oils and other supplements are one way to make sure you’re getting enough omega-3, which helps keep your joints loose and limber.

Another fatty acid recommended for those with joint pain is gamma-linolenic acid. Ask your doctor if evening primrose, borage, hemp, or black currants or supplements made from them would be safe in your diet, as these carry gamma-linolenic acid.

If your symptoms are quite severe and impacting your daily life, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. However, addressing them in a natural and holistic way can be a great way to avoid doctor’s fees and having to take traditional medicine. Everyone is different, however, so make sure you do what is right for your unique situation.