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Are you struggling with the debilitating pain of rheumatoid arthritis?
If so, you’re not alone.
RA is one of the most common autoimmune diseases, affecting at least 1.3 million Americans.
The disease can affect anyone of any age, although it’s most commonly diagnosed in women between 30 to 60.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis generally includes NSAIDs and other painkillers.
While these can provide some relief, they often produce unwanted side effects.
For this reason, more and more arthritis sufferers are seeking natural ways to manage their pain.
Aside from a healthy diet and moderate exercise, what else can you do for the best arthritis care?
Read on to learn seven natural treatments for rheumatoid arthritis care – including one you may have never considered.
7 Natural Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis Care
1. Capsaicin
Capsaicin is the ingredient that makes peppers taste hot.
It also has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce arthritis pain.
If you enjoy the taste of peppers, you can eat them raw or cooked.
You can also buy capsaicin in powder form to use as a dietary supplement.
Alternatively, you could purchase a capsaicin cream or ointment to apply directly to your skin.
It works by first stimulating and then decreasing the intensity of pain signals within the body.
Capsaicin’s benefits don’t end at pain relief.
It can also improve digestion, prevent bacterial infections, and strengthen the lungs.
2. Turmeric
Another supplement that’s great for arthritis care is turmeric.
A relative of ginger, turmeric is usually seen as a yellow powder ground from the root of the turmeric plant.
Turmeric has been part of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.
It’s prized for its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties.
It can help relieve arthritis pain by blocking inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.
It can help relieve arthritis pain by blocking inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.
One study showed that patients who took turmeric supplements saw greater improvement than those who took only NSAIDs.
Turmeric is available as a dietary supplement.
It also makes a delicious addition to your favorite recipes.
3. Ginger
Our list of the best foods for arthritis care wouldn’t be complete without mentioning ginger.
Similar to turmeric, ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties that can curb arthritis pain.
Interestingly, ginger suppresses pain-causing leukotrienes and can even “switch off” inflammatory genes.
Ginger also has many digestive benefits.
It can reduce nausea or H. pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.
To add ginger to your arthritis care routine, look for powders, capsules, oils, or tea.
Foods like gingerbread and ginger snaps may smell and taste wonderful, but they don’t contain enough ginger to be effective.
4. Fish Oil
Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is terrific for your heart health – and for arthritis care.
Fish oil comes from cold water fish such as mackerel, salmon, herring, tuna, halibut, and cod.
The two types of fatty acids found in fish oil are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).
Both of these can reduce the inflammation that causes arthritic swelling and pain.
It may also slow the progression of RA.
These powerful fatty acids also suppress the body’s autoimmune response, helping to reduce RA flare-ups.
All of these factors make fish oil a very potent weapon against arthritis.
Fish oil is most commonly consumed in capsule or liquid form, although it never hurts to add more seafood to your diet.
5. Acupuncture
Dietary supplements and herbs aren’t the tools for effective arthritis care.
Many RA sufferers are seeing terrific results from acupuncture.
How does acupuncture work?
The idea is to balance the flow of energy in the body and boost endorphin levels.
This helps to relieve pain naturally.
Once considered an “alternative” therapy, acupuncture is gaining more respect from western practitioners.
Studies have shown that acupuncture can significantly reduce the blood factors that affect swelling and circulation.
Patients also reported decreased pain and increased mobility in affected joints.
If you’re considering acupuncture for your arthritis care, be sure to use only a certified practitioner.
6. Chiropractic Care and Massage Therapy
A great addition to your arthritis care is bodywork such as chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy.
Chiropractors make small, specific adjustments to the spine and joints.
Depending on the location of the pain, these treatments can provide noticeable relief.
Chiropractors can also help with arthritis care by:
- Improving mobility and range of motion
- Improving flexibility and endurance
- Increasing muscular strength
- Providing nutritional advice and/or supplements to reduce inflammation
Massage therapy promotes relaxation and increases circulation throughout the body.
By loosening tight muscles and easing joint stress, massage can provide effective pain relief for RA patients.
The two best types of massage therapy for rheumatoid arthritis care are:
- Myofascial release. This style of massage therapy involves long, slow pressure on select areas to break up tight connective tissue.
- Swedish massage. This popular massage technique uses long strokes of varying pressures to ease muscular tension. Light to medium pressure is best for RA patients.
Another Natural Option for Arthritis Care: CBD
The six remedies listed above may already be familiar to you.
The next item on our list may surprise you, but it merits serious consideration.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is a natural product derived from cannabis.
Even though it comes from the marijuana plant, it doesn’t give the user any sort of “high.” (That comes from a different cannabinoid called THC.)
Because of recreational marijuana use, there’s a lot of controversy surrounding CBD products.
However, there’s also a growing awareness in the medical community of the many health benefits of CBD.
Consider just a few:
- CBD can help to reduce anxiety, relieve insomnia, and improve symptoms of PTSD.
- CBD can reduce the frequency of seizures in patients with epilepsy.
- CBD can help with disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS).
- CBD can be beneficial during and after chemotherapy treatments.
- CBD may play a role in reducing the ability of some types of tumor cells to reproduce.
- CBD can offer relief for many types of pain – including rheumatoid arthritis pain.
How Does CBD Work On Arthritis Pain?
CBD provides pain relief through the body’s chemical receptors.
It occurs at a cellular level when chemical compounds combine with one another.
In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, CBD reacts with the body’s CBD receptors.
As the body metabolizes CBD, it produces chemicals with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
Because of this, CBD can improve joint mobility and reduce morning stiffness.
In fact, it gives nearly the same pain reduction as prescription drugs like morphine and oxycodone.
It can also reduce the stress and anxiety of living with such a debilitating condition.
Another common symptom of RA is the loss of cartilage around bones and joints. CBD can counteract this by reducing cartilage loss and stimulating new bone growth.
Books, medical journals, and TV series have featured these and other health benefits.
The benefits of CBD have also been well-documented on severe medical conditions like epilepsy.
When CBD metabolizes, its anti-inflammatory effects are comparable to over-the-counter medications.
Unlike those medications, though, CBD rarely produces unpleasant side effects.
7. CBD for Arthritis Care
Because of its origin, it’s understandable that some may feel hesitant to try CBD.
The idea of turning to what was once a highly illegal substance for health benefits may seem extreme.
As more medical research comes out, the results are clear. CBD has numerous healing properties and curative effects for many ailments – including arthritis.
If smoking isn’t your thing, don’t worry. One of the most common and effective ways to use CBD is to apply it topically.
Many companies produce creams, salves, and oils to apply directly to the affected areas.
Apply CBD cream exactly as you would any other cream.
It will absorb through the skin and go to work on the inflammation beneath.
Used before bed, you’ll notice less stiffness and improved circulation in the morning.
CBD: The Fine Print
What do you need to know about the legalities of CBD?
Here are some vital facts:
- CBD is the 100% legal and nonpsychoactive form of marijuana. It’s also found in the 100% legal hemp plant.
- CBD acts on different receptors and enzymes than THC, so you can’t “get high” from it.
- CBD is safe and non-addictive.
- You can legally purchase hemp-based CBD anywhere in America (and in most countries of the world).
Final Thoughts on Rheumatoid Arthritis Care
While the increase in different types of arthritis treatment is good news, there’s also a downside.
Despite all our medical advances, arthritis is on the rise.
By 2040, more than 78 million Americans (26% of the projected adult population) will have some form of arthritis.
On a brighter note, the number of remedies is also on the rise.
This is largely due to increased medical research and evolving perspectives.
The more research that’s done, the better we’ll understand CBD’s benefits.
Existing research already shows that CBD is a natural and affordable alternative for arthritis treatment.
What are your thoughts on CBD?
Have you used it for your rheumatoid arthritis or other medical conditions?
Leave your comments below!
Winter Fruit Salad Recipe (with Agave-Pomegranate Vinaigrette)