Do you suffer from arthritis pain? Are you looking for natural ways to manage your symptoms without relying on medications? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore seven effective home remedies recommended by Dr. Diana Girnita, a board-certified rheumatologist. These remedies can provide relief from arthritis pain and improve your joints flexibility and strength and the overall quality of your life.
Cold Therapy for Arthritis Pain Relief
Cold therapy is an excellent home remedy for reducing inflammation, swelling, and pain associated with arthritis. Cold therapy numbs the skin nerves and decrease the pain, swelling and local inflammation.
According to a study from 2003, applying ice cold packs and performing ice massages for 20 minutes, 5 days per week, for 3 weeks, demonstrated a clinically significant benefit for knee osteoarthritis, increasing range of motion, function, and knee strength.
You can use menthol-based creams like BioFreeze or apply an ice pack to the affected area to numb the skin nerves and alleviate arthritis pain.
Capsaicin Cream: A Spicy Solution for Joint Pain
Capsaicin, the compound responsible for the spicy taste in chili peppers, has been shown to provide topical pain relief. When applied to the skin, capsaicin may decrease the pain perceived by the nerves in the affected area. For knee osteoarthritis, capsaicin creams have been found to be equally effective as topical NSAIDs like diclofenac gel. The recommended dose of capsaicin is typically 0.025%, applied four times per day.
The 2019 ACR guidelines in osteoarthritis support the use of capsaicin, especially for knee osteoarthritis. When it comes to hand osteoarthritis, be cautious and use gloves to avoid eye irritation.
Topical NSAIDs: Targeted Relief for Arthritis Pain
Topical NSAIDs, such as diclofenac gel (Voltaren Gel) can provide targeted relief for arthritis pain. These creams and gels are less likely to cause side effects compared to oral NSAIDs.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines from 2019 support the use of topical NSAIDs, especially for hand osteoarthritis. Creams based on salicylates (Aspercream), are also used to decrease joint and muscle pain.
Dr. Girnita often recommends topical NSAIDs over oral NSAIDs because the local therapy has fewer side effects, as the drug is not well absorbed into the blood. This is particularly important for individuals with a history of heart disease, gastrointestinal bleed, gastric ulcers or kidney disease, as oral NSAIDs can be dangerous in these cases.
Heat Therapy: Soothing Relief for Stiff Joints
When you’re experiencing arthritis pain, the muscles around your joints, neck, or lower back may contract, causing tension and more discomfort. Heat therapy is a simple, natural way to decrease pain by relaxing the muscles and increasing blood flow to stiff, painful joints or a painful back.
You can use ThermaCare wraps or an electric heating pad for your shoulders, neck, lower back, or even knee osteoarthritis. ThermaCare wraps are easy to use – just open the package and apply it to the painful area. Electric heating pads are recommended for 10-15 minutes at a time but should not be used overnight to avoid burns.
Paraffin Wax Bath: Soothing Relief for Hand Arthritis
For individuals with osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affecting their hands, a Paraffin Wax Hand Bath can provide soothing relief. The paraffin wax provides heat, which can increase flexibility, range of motion, and decrease stiffness and pain in the fingers and thumbs. You can perform a paraffin wax treatment in the comfort of your own home.
CBD Creams and Oils: Emerging Natural Relief
While research is ongoing, there are many CBD topical creams or CBD oils gaining popularity for arthritis pain relief. Some studies suggest that CBD might have anti-inflammatory properties that can help decrease inflammation and pain. If you want to learn more about them, check out this video on Dr. Girnita’s Youtube channel.
More high-quality human trials are still needed to fully understand the benefits and appropriate dosing of CBD products for arthritis relief.
Joint Supportive Braces & Splints: Stabilizing Relief
For individuals who use their hands extensively for work, such as typing or playing an instrument, wear-and-tear arthritis in the thumbs can be a common issue. Women are also more predisposed to developing arthritis in their hands. Arthritis of the thumbs can be very painful.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can develop carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which can cause pain, tingling, and numbness in the hands and wrists.
Simple braces, sleeves, and splints are effective home remedies that can stabilize the joints affected by arthritis. Dr. Girnita often recommends that her patients use arthritis gloves, thumb splints, wrist braces for carpal tunnel, and knee sleeves or braces. By offloading the pressure and keeping joints properly aligned, these devices can help decrease pain.
While these natural remedies do not cure arthritis, they can help decrease pain, improve joint function, and enhance your overall quality of life.
If you’re struggling with arthritis symptoms and need professional diagnosis and treatment, consider consulting with the experts at Rheumatologist OnCall. Our team of experienced rheumatologists can provide personalized care and develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step towards improved arthritis management.
FAQs
Q. Can home remedies cure arthritis?
A. No, these home remedies do not cure arthritis, but they can help alleviate pain, improve joint function, and enhance your overall quality of life.
Q. Are these remedies safe for everyone?
A. While these remedies are generally considered safe, it’s always best to consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or are taking other medications.
Q. How long should I try these remedies before considering other treatment options?
A. The duration of trying these home remedies may vary depending on the severity of your arthritis symptoms and your individual response. If you don’t experience significant relief after a reasonable period, about 3 months, you should consult with your healthcare provider to explore additional treatment options.
Q. Can these remedies be combined with prescription medications?
A. Yes, most of the time they can be combined. However, it’s important to discuss the use of any home remedies or over-the-counter products with your healthcare provider, especially if you’re taking prescription medications, to avoid potential interactions or adverse effects.
