5 Proven Strategies for Relieving Arthritis Pain

When you have arthritis, making certain changes to your diet and lifestyle can make a big difference to your joint pain. Try one or more of these strategies to help you relieve achy joints and stay active says the Best Knee Replacement Surgeon.

1. Try an anti-inflammatory, plant-based diet

What you eat may have a direct connection with inflammatory flares or pain relief in your joints. Research suggests following an anti-inflammatory, plant-based diet that emphasizes unprocessed, whole foods may help relieve arthritis joint inflammation, thereby reducing stiffness and pain.

This type of diet may also help you control your weight and reduce stress on weight-bearing joints such as knees and ankles. A few examples of foods included in this diet are:

• Nuts
• Fruits
• Leafy greens
• Tofu
• Whole grains
• Green tea

These foods are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent certain chemical reactions in the body that can lead to cell and tissue damages.

Avoiding refined and/or processed foods is also essential, as these foods may cause or increase inflammation.

2. Take a supplement

In addition to eating anti-inflammatory foods, taking a dietary supplement may help reduce arthritis pain. A few examples are:

• Curcumin. Curcumin has been widely researched for its anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin is found to be as effective as pain-relieving medications such as ibuprofen in reducing arthritic joint pain.
• Omega 3 fats. Evidence shows that consuming omega-3 fatty acids can lead to a modest reduction in the symptoms of arthritis.
  See The Difference Between Omega-3 and Omega-6 and Knee Arthritis Pain
• Vitamin D. Vitamin D may help build strong bones and reduce arthritic joint pain especially in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Research suggests people with RA may be at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency and may benefit from supplementation.

It is important to discuss a new supplement with your doctor to make sure it does not adversely interfere with your health or current medications.

3. Engage in physical activities

Research suggests exercising may help reduce joint pain and improve arthritis in some people. Exercising helps release feel-good hormones (endorphins) and can also help you feel relaxed and improve concentration. Exercises such as leg flutter kicks, arm/leg raises, and/or shoulder stretches are easy and can be performed at home.

If you do not like to exercise, performing daily activities that are joint-friendly are also a good way to stay active throughout the day. A few examples include:

• Taking the stairs
• Using a basket for light grocery shopping
• Tending your garden
• Riding your bike
• Parking in a distant spot to get a good walking distance

Research suggests engaging in exercise and physical activity may also help alleviate depression.

It is important to note that exercises must always be performed within tolerable limits.

4. Try heat and/or ice therapy

Heating and/or icing an achy joint is an easy and inexpensive way to relieve joint pain. While this treatment may not improve the joint condition, it may ease the pain and make you feel more comfortable.

• Heat can help relieve muscle and joint stiffness, warm up joints before activity, and/or ease a muscle spasm.
• Cold can help reduce joint inflammation, swelling, and pain.

You can also heat and ice alternately. For example, you can use heat therapy in the morning to loosen up a stiff joint and use cold therapy to reduce swelling a few hours later.

Ice and/or heat therapy must be limited to 15 or 20 minutes at a time with at least a 2-hour break in between applications to reduce the risk for a skin injury.