Anyone who has suffered from arthritic pain knows that some flairs make you feel that death would be preferable to enduring this agony. The worst aspect of any kind of arthritis is that it is an autoimmune disease, which means that there is no permanent cure. It needs to be managed to cause least possible distress to the patient. Some lifestyle modifications like getting adequate exercise, avoiding repetitive actions, destressing, and choice of certain foods will go a long way to relieving pain. If you or a loved one suffers from osteoarthritis, or rheumatic arthritis, then read on to learn how you can ease arthritic pain without living off painkillers.
Turmeric is so common in Indian life, that most people have forgotten the medicinal properties of the herb which made our ancestors include it in our daily life. The most beneficial form is the raw turmeric which resembles ginger. Peeled, finely sliced, and eaten with a soaked Bengal gram and jaggery, raw turmeric becomes a wonder food as it cleanses the blood. If eating turmeric is not practicable for you, get high quality turmeric powder from a trusted source, and have a teaspoon once each morning and night. It is God’s own gift to ward off inflammations, infections (it is a natural disinfectant), aging due to its antioxidant properties, and pain.
You would be astounded to find how many food items there are which can provide you with major relief from arthritic pain without dangerous side-effects that are normally associated with painkillers. Capsaicin in green chilies has been found to be an unexpected painkiller. When eaten by themselves, or in a dish, green chilies release heat which works as an effective painkiller. so, go ahead and eat spicy food, or better still chew on green chili or two with your lunch and dinner. For reduction of inflammatory cytokine levels, and protection against joint destruction, you have enormous fruit options ranging from the universal favorite mangoes to peaches, dried plumes, prunes, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and pomegranates. Yogurt helps reduce swelling in the joints. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli help fight arthritic inflammation and pain.
Flax seeds, nuts like walnuts, cashew, pistachios, even peanuts are loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids. Make sure that a generous proportion of your daily diet includes them. Cold water fish like mackerel, tuna, salmon, trout, and sardines are full of Omega 3 fatty acids. Unless you are a vegetarian or vegan, add them to your menu regularly to reduce arthritic inflammation. Lean fish doesn’t benefit you in fighting arthritic pain and inflammation, since it is fish oil which eases stiffness and tenderness of the joints, as well as pain. Cooking your food in virgin olive oil, or dressing salads with extra virgin olive oil serves the purpose too.
Since ginger and garlic are usually part of the recipe of many Indian foods, most people lose sight of their medicinal properties, especially anti-inflammatory and pain killing capability. Add ginger juliennes to salads, or add ginger juice to the tea after it has been boiled and strained to gain maximum benefit. Topical application of ginger juice aids in pain relief. However, remember that garlic tends to lose most of its goodness when cooked. Most north Indian foods require the spices to be bhunnoed, i.e., stir fried in oil till the spices leave the sides. You are likely to gain maximum benefit from garlics, if you can swallow a peeled garlic pod whole daily. Cinnamon paste can be applied topically to relieve pain.
Strengthening the bones is vital, especially for osteoarthritis. This means you must get adequate Vitamin D to help your bones absorb the calcium you ingest in your food, or via supplements. The sun is the best source of Vitamin D. Try and catch the early morning rays on your skin to absorb it. In case, that is not a practical proposition, as during the monsoons, look for other sources of Vitamin D. Other sources of Vitamin D are fatty fish, soy milk, cheese, mushrooms, beef liver, orange juice, and egg yolks. Calcium-rich foods like low-fat dairy products; shellfish; green, leafy vegetables like spinach; and calcium-fortified foods like cereals are a great way to strengthen your bones.
Stress can increase your perception of pain; while arthritic pain could cause you to bunch up the knee muscles. You can beat arthritic pain by practicing yoga daily. It will improve your range of motion, and flexibility, while destressing you. You would be able to sleep better when your mind is calmer. Massages, hot and cold compresses, magnets, and acupuncture have also been to known reduce your pain naturally. You could try to exercise away your pain with mild non-impact things like tai chi, and aqueous exercises.