Showing posts with label joint pain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joint pain. Show all posts

Monday, December 19, 2011

Home Remedies and Natural Treatment for Athralgia (Joint Pain)

Athralgia or joint pain is a condition that affects individuals above the age of 40 years. Arthritis including rheumatoid or osteoarthritis are the most common causes associated with pain in the hip and knee joints. With limited options for management of this condition available in contemparary medicine, there are several natural treatments and home remedies that are beneficial to deal with this condition. In most cases, the beneficial effect ranges from reduced pain to significant relief in stiffness and improved joint mobility. 

Joint pains commonly occur in people of 40 years and above. The commonest cause for joint pain is arthritis, either rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Pain is often accompanied by stiffness and reduced mobility. While the condition can affect any joint, it is more frequently observed in weight bearing joints namely knees, hips and ankles. Occassionally joint pain in the wrist and fingers may also be observed.
Joint Pain results in
Limited Mobility
Home Remedies for Reducing Joint Pain and Improving Mobility

Here are some simple home remedies that have been found beneficial in treating athraligia. These home remedies are usually effective, irrespective of the joint involved,
  • Carrots: Carrots are loaded with Vitamin A, which is a powerful antioxidant and neutralizes the free radicals that are responsible for damage to the joint tissue. Experts recommend consumption of one carrot each day, to reduce the symptoms of athralgia. Other foods that supply this anti oxidant include mangoes, parsley, apricots, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, peaches, etc
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Vinegar is another simple home remedy which is considered to be beneficial in sustained and immense pain relief for joint pains. Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a tablespoon of honey and consume at least once a day.
  • Epsom Salts: Add about five spoons of Epsom salt to bath water and then soak the affected joints. Epsom salts contain magnesium, which has strong anti inflammatory action in the joints and helps reduce stiffness and pain.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
    is beneficial for
    Joint Pains
  • Olive Oil: Local application of olive oil is considered to reduce pain and discomfort associated with athralgia. Olive oil should be applied to the affected joints just prior to retiring to bed.
  • Papaya Seed Extract: Boil the papaya seeds in a bowl of water and consume the decoction about once each day for a month. This will not only reduce the pain and stiffness but also helps in improving joint mobility.
Massage and Simple Streching Excercises help reduce Joint Pain
 
Regular simple stretching exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the affected joint and improve the mobility of the joint. Regular exercise also relieves the pain in the joint efficiently. Athraligia when associated with muscular fatigue can be effectively managed by massaging the affected joint with essential oil namely lavender, cardimon, etc. Note that the essential oil should be adequately diluted before being used.  

Effective Diet for Athralgia

Including the following diet in the food for about three months can yield beneficial results. This diet is beneficial in the management of chronic conditions like arthritis which is primarily responsible for joint pain and athralgia

  •  Grapes: Grapes contain resveratrol, which is a natural anti inflammatory agent. Resveratrol helps reduce stiffness, swelling and inflammation of the joint and in turn helps improve the overall mobility of the joint. The anti inflammatory agent blocks the inflammatory pathways to bring about sustained relief
  • Vegetarian Diet is
    good for Joint Problems
  • Salads and Vegetarian Diet: It should be remembered that non vegetarian diet including chicken, eggs, dairy products and meat contain arachidonic acid which tends to get converted to leuckoterienes and prostaglandins, which exert an inflammatory action. Reducing animal sources of food and focusing on veggies can help in reducing chronic inflammation.
  •  Flax seeds and Fish are loaded with essential fatty acids namely omega-3 fatty acids which has strong anti inflammatory effects. Increasing omega-3 in the diet is very important in management of joint pain and athralgia
  • Soy: Soy is also packed with anti oxidants like phytoestrogens and isoflavones. Further soy is also a great source of plant protein which in turn in beneficial in preventing cartilage erosion.
Treating Joint Pain with Vitamins

Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Vitamin B complex play a crucial role in the management of joint pain and athralgia naturally. Though calcium and magnesium are important for bone strengthen and mineralization, these vitamins play a crucial role in managing joint pain.
  • Vitamin A contains antioxidants that help destroy the free radicals which result in degeneration of the joint tissue and prevent inflammatory response
  • Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in the reconstruction of joint cartilage by preventing demineralization. its contribution in joint care and checking bone pain is vital.
  • Vitamin C is an integral component of ligaments, cartilage, bones and tendons along with other types of connective tissue. Vitamin C plays an important role in synthesis of collagen which makes it’s supplementation critical in the management of athralgia
  • Vitamin B complexes are essential to maintain healthy joints and bones.