Effective All-Natural Treatments for Arthritis Joint Pain

Arthritis is defined as an inflammation of one or more joints in the body. This inflammation causes pain that can range from mild to severe. Arthritis has the ability to affect a person’s quality of life which is why it is necessary to manage this condition adequately. Throughout this article, you’re going to learn more about this prevalent but poorly understood problem. How common is arthritis? What are the most common types? How to reduce pain naturally? You’ll find all these answers below.

Arthritis Prevalence

Arthritis is very common and affects millions of people in the US and around the globe. According to the CDC, about 54.5 million US adults or 22.7% have some form of arthritis. Here are more statistics about arthritis and its prevalence in the United States:

• Arthritis is reported by at least 1 in 6 adults in every state
• In the 15 states with the highest rates, arthritis affects 1 in 4 people
• Arthritis rates vary by state, ranging from 17.2% in Hawaii to 33.6% in West Virginia
• It is estimated that by 2040, about 78 million (26%) US adults ages 18 and older will have arthritis. Of these, two-thirds will account for women
• By 2040, about 34.6 million (43.2% people with arthritis or 11.4% of all US adults) will report arthritis-attributable activity limitations
• Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are a leading cause of disability among US adults
• 1 in 25 working-age adults experience work limitations attributable to arthritis
• Arthritis is more common in individuals with other chronic conditions such as heart disease (49%), diabetes (47%), and obesity (31%).

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is not a single disease in fact; it has more than 100 different types. We can categorize different forms of arthritis into these categories:

• Degenerative arthritis – when the cartilage wears away, bones start rubbing against bones, thus causing pain, stiffness, and swelling
• Inflammatory arthritis – autoimmune or inflammatory types of arthritis revolve around your body’s immune system causing uncontrolled inflammation and leading to joint erosion or potentially damage other internal organs as well
• Infectious arthritis – bacterium, fungus, or virus enters the joint and triggers inflammation
• Metabolic arthritis – caused by buildup of uric acid

Now that you know information about arthritis and different categories, it’s important to get informed about the most common types of arthritis affecting people in the US and worldwide.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and it occurs when the cartilage wears down over time. It is considered a degenerative disease. The risk of getting osteoarthritis increases with age and it is more prevalent among women than in men. You are also more likely to develop OA if you are overweight/obese or if you sustained injuries due to the sport, accidents, and so on. The most common symptoms of OA are:

• Bone spurs
• Grating sensation
• Joint pain
• Loss of flexibility
• Stiffness
• Tenderness

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just joints. In some people, RA can also damage other body systems including eyes, lungs, heart, skin, and blood vessels. RA develops when your body’s immune system attacks the synovium, which is the lining of the membranes that surround the joint. You are more likely to develop RA if you’re a woman, older than 40, a smoker, have a family history of RA, overweight or obese, or exposed to environmental influences such as asbestos, silica etc. Symptoms of RA are:

• Warm, tender, swollen joints
• Joint stiffness
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Symptoms occur in the same joints on both sides of the body e.g. knees, wrists etc.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in people with a skin condition called psoriasis. It is an autoimmune disease meaning your body starts attacking itself. Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are:

• Swollen fingers and toes
• Foot pain
• Lower back pain
• Flares
• Fatigue
• Eye problems
• Skin rashes, nail changes

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is characterized by a widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by sleep and memory issues, fatigue, mood changes. The disorder amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your body processes pain signals. Like most other forms of arthritis, fibromyalgia is more prevalent among women.

Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness in joints. It is caused by excessive amounts of uric acid which, later, forms sharp needle-like crystals in the joint or surrounding tissue. Unlike other types of arthritis, gout is more common in men. Symptoms of gout include:

• Reduced flexibility
• Discomfort even after joint pain goes away
• Intense joint pain
• Inflammation and redness

How To Manage Arthritis Naturally?

If you experience joint pain, swelling, tenderness, and other symptoms you should see your doctor who will perform a physical exam and order some tests to make a diagnosis. Although arthritis can’t be eliminated entirely, there are numerous ways to manage your condition, reduce pain, and improve the overall quality of life. Besides following a treatment plan recommended by your doctor for the specific form of arthritis you have, there are many things you can do to manage arthritis naturally as well. Here are some examples.

1. Lose weight
As seen above, being overweight or obese puts you at a higher risk of arthritis because excess pounds form a bigger pressure on your joints and, thereby, induce more pain. Doing your best to lose weight will take that pressure off, improve your flexibility, and reduce the severity of pain you experience. For instance, one study discovered that a reduction of body fat reduces the mechanical and biochemical stressors that contribute to joint degeneration.

2. Exercise
Although it may seem like arthritis and joint pain require no physical activity whatsoever, that’s not entirely correct. In fact, you should find a balance between rest and a regular physical activity. Sedentary lifestyle only contributes to joint stiffness, aggravates pain, and it is needless to mention it’s bad for your weight. On the other hand, regular exercise helps maintain the flexibility of joints. One research showed that exercise improves the functionality of joints without exacerbating disease activity and it is likely to reduce cardiovascular risk. Ideally, people with arthritis should do low-impact exercises, water aerobics is great as well as stretching exercises, and so on.

3. Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy is, by far, the most well-known natural approach to managing arthritis which isn’t surprising because it is effective. Applying hot compresses relieves joint stiffness while ice packs and cold gels numb the pain. Most patients find that a combination of two, alternating heat and cold, works the best.

4. Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on your body. Besides stress relief, this practice also has numerous health benefits and arthritis pain relief is one of them. A research published in the Family Community Health found that acupuncture is an effective treatment measure for pain and physical dysfunction associated with knee OA.

5. Yoga and Meditation
Yoga is well-known for different postures that you can use to do stretching exercises and get more physical activity without forming a large pressure on your joints. It is incredibly relaxing just like meditation. In fact, one study found that mindfulness program combining meditation and yoga helped RA patients relieve tenderness, stiffness, and pain. Mindfulness teaches you to focus on your breathing, postures you’re making, and banish negative thoughts from your mind. As a result, you don’t pay attention to the pain and find a way to cope with it better. As a result, mindfulness also has the potential to ameliorate both physical and psychological symptoms.

6. Eat a well-balanced diet
Arthritis management also requires paying more attention to nutrition. An unhealthy diet leads to weight gain and it is needless to mention some foods only promote inflammation. That is why it is essential to focus on a healthy diet involving, primarily, fruits and vegetables, Omega-3 fatty acids, herbs, and spices with anti-inflammatory properties. Reduce the consumption of alcohol, trans fats, sweets, and other foods with little to no nutritional value.

Conclusion

There are more than 100 types of arthritis and although this joint problem is prevalent, there’s still a lot we don’t know about it. It is crucial to see your doctor if you notice persistent joint pain in order to receive an accurate diagnosis and manage your condition successfully. It is possible to relieve and manage arthritis in a natural manner (as an addition to the treatment recommended by your doctor) with simple lifestyle modifications.