Home Remedies for Arthritis

There are many types of arthritic conditions affecting people of all ages, though arthritis is more common among the older population. Arthritis is a widespread health problem which causes discomfort in daily functioning. This condition damages the lubricating issue in the joints and some forms of arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the body turns on itself and attacks the healthy tissue. Symptoms and causes of arthritis can be varied as there are many different types of arthritis. Self-care and physical therapy apart from medications and surgery in more severe cases are usually advised for treating arthritis.

Home remedies for arthritis usually depend on individual preference and comfort and should not be followed without consulting with your physician. Some of the remedies usually prescribed include rest, exercise, application of heat and cold. Some of the home remedies which are followed by various people are listed below and the safety and effectiveness of following them has not been verified and have to be followed only after consultation with a physician.

Developing a balance between rest and exercise is one of the things that may be followed for people affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Exercise in general can increase energy levels as well as can be followed for maintaining optimal weight, as arthritis often can affect the weight bearing joints. The type of exercise and the intensity depends on the individual person’s condition and should be undertaken after consultation with the doctor if suffering from arthritic conditions. Some of the exercises may include range-of-motion exercises, muscle strengthening exercises and endurance exercises. Some of the other methods practiced would be, general well being methods such as following a nutritious diet plan, loosing weight if obese or overweight, stretching, massages and relaxation. Garlic is taken by some people for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as it helping to improve circulation. Lime juice is taken daily by some others in some types of arthritis like gout as it is supposed to help in dissolving uric acid. Turmeric is also supposed to contain anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidant properties and is considered helpful in treating arthritis. Daily herbal oil massages are used by some others as a remedy for arthritis. Application of heat and cold is also often recommended as a home remedy. Heat packs may be used for relaxation, loosening muscles and increasing the blood flow. Heat packs could be made at home by soaking a towel and heating it. Cold packs are used to compress the affected area and relieve joint inflammation. Cold packs could be made at home using ice in towels or a bag of peas from the freezer. Over-the-counter heat and cooling sprays are also available. Various other complementary remedies like herbal remedies, ayurvedic remedies etc are used by people.

Daily routine and day to day living being improved is one of the goals in the treatment of arthritis. The role of the patient in the process of recovery from arthritis is considered important and methods of self-care as well as a physician educating the patient are encouraged in managing arthritis.

As there are many different types of arthritis and different stages and conditions of the individual person, many home remedies are followed by people all across the world and depend on the combination of individual preferences with the advice of their doctor.