11 Home Remedies For Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is referred to as a degenerative joint disease and can affect any joint in the bone structure. It’s home remedies include taking ginger on an empty stomach with a bit of black pepper, taking turmeric in capsule form, taking apple cider vinegar, eating honey with cinnamon, bathing with epsom salt, eating fish oil supplements, using ice packs, eating clean, and exercising.

If you are suffering from any form of arthritis, you will realize that it can hinder your day to day activities to a large extent. This is why management is key and what better way to remedy this chronic illness than home remedies.

Home remedies have been used by people for centuries, there are some that have been carried down generations and they actually work. The ingredients used in most home remedies are naturally derived and have little to no side effects.

However, understanding your disease and getting a proper diagnosis is necessary before you begin treatment.

What is arthritis?

“Arthritis” is a broadly used term to define various kinds of joint pains and inflammation.  Despite being an very common disease, there is little known about it. Science and medicine have derived ways to manage its different forms over the years.

There are almost 100 forms of this disease; it can affect anyone from children to grown adults. In fact, about 50 M grownups and 350,000 young children are suffering from some form of this disease. The most common understanding of this debilitating health complication states that it affects the aging body more and can be found mostly in people who have grown old. This can very well be termed a misconception while it is true that our bones lose bone density as we grow, arthritis can affect the joints at any age, especially in women.

What is Osteoarthritis?

This is the most common form of arthritis; it is also referred to as a degenerative joint disease. This form of arthritis can affect any joint in the bone structure but the most observed pattern indicates that it usually affects smaller joints such as the ones in fingers and the base of the toe.

Osteoarthritis primarily affects the knees, the lower back, hips and the neck bone. Osteoarthritis affects the cartilage between the joints that serve the purpose of a cushion between two surfaces.  This form of arthritis can slowly damage that cushion causing friction which leads to swelling, inflammation and burning pain.

Due to osteoarthritis the shock absorption of the knee or the affected joint is lowered and the impact is directly felt by the bone. Even simple activities such as walking or climbing stairs can feel burdensome for the individual.

In advanced stages of this disease, it becomes impossible for the patient to use the affected joint for any function. The bone on bone rubbing can damage the entire joint to a large extent which causes severe pain and inflammation.

Although there is no specific age at which this can affect you, it is observed to commonly affect people over the age of 65. Obesity, injury in a joint, weakness in the thigh or connecting muscle and even genes can be the cause of this disease.

The symptoms of this disease can be felt differently depending on which part of the bone structure it affects.

• Stiffness and burning pain in a joint
• Clicking noises or cracking each time you move a joint
• Swelling and liquid retention in the joint area
• Extreme pain at the end of the day

The symptoms will depend on the area it affects. For people who suffer from knee joint pains walking, running, climbing stairs, sitting in uncomfortable chairs can be very painful.

11 Home Remedies for Osteoarthritis

There is no cure for this disease; much like diabetes or any other chronic illness, management is your best bet. Besides taking proper medications following are home remedies that can help reduce the pain and suffering

1. Using Ginger

Ginger shots on an empty stomach with a little bit of black pepper can help you manage the pain quite well. Ginger is highly anti-inflammatory which makes it one of the best remedies for osteoarthritis. Ginger can also be added to Luke warm water or eaten raw. You can add a few drops of ginger oil to any carrier oil and massage the inflamed joint for pain relief.

2. Apples Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is full of nutrients vital to the bone structure. It is a good source of magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium which are bone-building nutrients. Apple cider vinegar helps strengthen the bones and remove any toxicity that accumulates around the inflamed joints. Drinking apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water with honey is quite effective.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is the most effective spice used to treat joint pains and even teeth problems. The curcumin in turmeric is a strong anti-inflammatory agent that can reduce the inflammation which causes osteoarthritis to flare up. Golden milk is an excellent way of getting the nutrients in to fight off symptoms. Turmeric is also available in the form of capsule supplements for anyone who finds golden milk difficult to drink.

4. Honey and Cinnamon

Honey and cinnamon is a soothing combination that instantly calms the burning sensation felt in joints Try to drink a warm glass of water will honey and cinnamon on an empty stomach each morning to manage the pain of arthritis

5. Epsom Salt Baths

Epsom salts are known for being an effective method of drawing out toxins and reducing pain all over the body. Soaking in warm water with Epsom salts can help reduce any pain that you may be suffering from. Try doing this twice or thrice a week to remove toxins from the body that cause inflammation.

6. Fish Oil

Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Two spoonfuls each day can help improve the omega-3 levels in your body which in turn helps sooth the friction occurring in inflamed joints.

7. Icing Packs

This is another excellent way of reducing pain after extended activity. Take an ice pack and place it between towels to apply to the affected joint for at least 15 minutes. Change sides and apply for another fifteen minutes if the pain has not subsided.

8. Exercise

Consult your physician and get a list of exercises that help reduce the friction occurring in the joint. If you are suffering from the knee-joint pain you can place a folded towel under the joint and extend the leg forward to exercise the joint. Do this at least 10 times.

9. Massage

This is also a crucial part of pain management. You can either consult your physician for the correct techniques for find online tutorials on exactly how to massage affected joints.

10. Eat Clean

This can help reduce the inflammatory proteins and even prevent them from occurring. Avoiding processed food and especially sodas can do wonders for you.

11. A Positive Mindset

Although this is a chronic illness, it is best to face it head-on.  Staying active eating clean and taking proper medication can be the key to a long pain-free life.