Joint Stiffness – All Natural Solutions
Joint stiffness is primarily characterized by a loss the range of motion in joints and pain. Joint stiffness can result from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, overuse of the joints and injury. Some people experience joint stiffness only at certain times, such as in the morning or the onset of inclement weather while others must deal with it on a chronic basis. While there are many pharmaceutical products on the market that can help alleviate Joint Stiffness, you can employ more natural methods that do not involve unpleasant side effects. Here are a few options you can employ to regain use of your limbs.
Heat Therapy – Heat has long been used to treat muscle stiffness and can be used similarly to alleviate joint stiffness. There are several ways you can apply heat to affected joints. One way is to wrap the joint in a warm, wet towel. Set a wet towel in the dryer for a few minutes until it is warm but still moist. Wrap it around the joints and let it set for 20 minutes. Another option is to use a heating pad. You can use the traditional kind or try the new portable heating pads that are applied directly to the body and provide continuous heat for several hours.
Exercise – Not only can exercise help alleviate Joint Stiffness, it can also help you recapture a lost range of motion. Regular exercise, such as walking, can keep joints in good working order. However other exercises, like pilates and yoga, can help make stiff joints flexible and limber again. If it has been awhile since you’ve done any exercise, then start off slow with a few minutes of stretching everyday and work your way up. You may feel some soreness at first but that should wear off after awhile.
Supplements – Some vitamin and herbal supplements can help reduce Joint Stiffness, particularly if arthritis is the underlying cause of the problem. For example, glucosamine with chondroitin has been shown to improve joint health for people suffering from osteoarthritis. Capsaicin and natural oils, like eucalyptus oil and camphor oil, can help reduce inflammation and mitigate joint pain which in turn will relieve joint stiffness. The nice thing about all natural methods is that they don’t adversely interfere with other remedies. So even if your doctor has you taking prescription pills to ease Joint Stiffness you can still use these methods to further improve your joint health.
