Natural Arthritis Pain Relief Is Real!

Natural arthritis pain relief is real and within reach. That's good news for the more than 54 million American adults who suffer from arthritis. And especially encouraging for the 1 in 4 adults of those folks who report severe joint pain from their arthritis.

As you might imagine, all that pain is expensive! It costs $303.5 billion each year between medical expenses and lost wages.

And those are just the people who received a formal diagnosis from a healthcare professional. There are untold numbers of individuals who simply suffer through the discomfort without ever seeking medical intervention.

Many people think of arthritis as something that happens to older people. While it is true that the risk for developing arthritis increases as you age, the fact is it can strike at any time. Sixty percent of all people with arthritis are under the age of 65, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Common forms of arthritis

Arthritis is a term borrowed from the Latin arthrītis, which loosely translates to “pain in the joints.” It is an umbrella term for more than 100 different disorders. They may be different conditions, but they all have one thing in common. All of them cause stiff, swollen, and painful joints.  Here are some of the most common forms of arthritis:

• Gout is a form of arthritis that is sometimes referred to as “rich man’s disease” because foods that can trigger it include wine and red meat. These and other rich foods contribute to increased uric acid levels in the body, which causes inflammation around the joints.
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) affects children and adolescents. JRA is a broad spectrum and never presents itself the same in every patient within this age group. Some children and adolescents have isolated joint pain while others may have widespread joint pain.
• Osteoarthritis is known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis and is the most common form of the disease in older people. It occurs when your bones fail to produce a slippery, shock-absorbing lubricant that allows them to move against one another without pain. When that natural liquid begins to dry up, it causes friction, swelling, and pain. Osteoarthritis is more common in women than men over the age of 65.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its joints and soft tissues. It is the most common in the hands and feet but also can strike the elbows, neck, and shoulders. Joint swelling is severe with RA, making it a very noticeable form of arthritis.

Traditional treatments for arthritis

When arthritis flares, some people immediately reach for over-the-counter pain relievers. Aspirin usually is the first medicine arthritis sufferers try. While it is effective at first, your body eventually gets accustomed to it and requires a higher dosage to get the same relief. Too much aspirin causes serious side effects, including stomach ulcers, intestinal inflammation, and liver damage. This is true of any OTC pain reliever, including ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Take too much, and you can cause more harm than good.

Another popular traditional treatment for arthritis is rest. It may sound like a great idea to stop using joints that hurt, but it is one of the worst things you can do. Staying sedentary will make your joints hurt worse. Research strongly supports both endurance and resistance exercise as effective arthritis relievers.

Exercise also helps with weight control, which is important for managing arthritis pain. Every pound you lose takes up to four pounds of pressure off each knee.

Going natural for arthritis pain relief

The marketplace is flooded with natural arthritis pain relief options. How do you know which ones work best? Here are five well-researched options that can help.

1. Topical analgesics
   These products are not meant as a cure for arthritis, but they are effective at temporarily relieving the pain that comes with it. Premiere’s Pain Spray Mist provides pain relief that lasts for hours without any harmful side effects. It also is available in a roll-in version for more targeted applications.
2. Omega-3 fatty acids
   Endless studies support the health benefits of adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. One of those advantages is omega-3s help the body tip toward an anti-inflammatory state. This means less joint pain from swelling. If you are taking prescription blood thinners, never start any supplement without first talking to your doctor to avoid any contraindications.
3. Hypnotherapy
   More than 75 percent of arthritis sufferers have found significant pain relief from hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is an excellent resource for anyone living with chronic pain. Studies support the finding that hypnotherapy produces significant pain-relief results.
4. Hydrotherapy
   Exercise is one of the best things you can do for arthritis pain. Working through the pain is difficult, which is why hydrotherapy is an excellent option. Performing exercises in a warm pool help keep your joints looser during exercise. Even when not exercising, exposing your joints to warm water is a proven pain reliever for arthritis. Soaking in a warm bath or even a hot tub can offer respite. Soaking for just 20 minutes in water no hotter than 100 degrees produces maximum results.
5. Tai Chi
   This slow-motion martial art offers many health benefits. One of the most valuable advantages is pain relief. Tai Chi is a low-impact exercise, which means it is easy on the joints. That is a good thing when your joints already ache.

Natural relief within reach

Chronic pain from arthritis is no way to live. There are natural options within reach that can quickly and effectively provide temporary pain relief to arthritis sufferers. Here’s to less pain!