Lots of people, and particularly the older ones, as the cold weather approaches, they say they can feel the aches in their joints starting.
Not as much in the past, but in modern times, it doesn’t matter about your age.
You could start to become arthritic at any age [1].
It means at all times, no matter your age, it is never too late to start taking care of your joints.
Joints are the tissues that connect bones
The joints help to support movements throughout the body.
Millions of people, each day, are affected by joint pain; and tied to a host of different disorders.
Sometimes it can feel as if your joint pain originates from a muscle or the surrounding bones, but in the meantime, it is actually coming from inflamed joints and surrounding soft tissues [2].
Bone pains and muscle aches can sometimes occur along with joint pain.
This just makes matters even worse.
These symptoms can occur at any time if you are experiencing an underlying health condition, such as osteoporosis or an autoimmune disease.
These can cause very painful symptoms.
There are well over 40 million Americans who suffer from joint pain and arthritis
What causes all these people to experience joint pain?
- Older age
- Arthritis or osteoarthritis
- Overuse of the joints due to performing repetitive movements.
- Poor posture
- Injuries, impact, or trauma
- Inactivity or a continual sedentary lifestyle
- An autoimmune disorder such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or fibromyalgia increases inflammation in the body
- Your joint pain can get worse if other conditions start to weaken the muscle or cause bone pain, for example, osteoporosis, a fracture, or bursitis
- Maybe, in rare cases, a virus, infection, or illness that causes ‘aching’ in the joints, like the flu
- Lack of sleep can contribute to fatigue, aches, and stiffness [3]
Want to know how you can really improve your joint health naturally?
We’ve got some fantastic ways to do it, and they work!
1) Eat Curry
Curry is a staple spicy in Southeast Asia and it contains turmeric, the yellow spice that gives curry the yellow color.
Turmeric is called curcumin, and this wonderful substance is associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Turmeric [4] has been associated since ancient times for the relief of joint pain.
In one study, 107 patients with knee osteoarthritis received either 800 mg per day of Ibuprofen or 2 grams every day of Curcuma domestica extract.
Both groups showed improvement in pain when they participated in walking and climbing stairs.
2) Try Traditional Chinese herbal therapy
Maybe you haven’t heard of this amazing herb, from traditional Chinese remedies.
It is called eucommia and is known for strengthening bones, tendons, and ligaments.
Both the leaves and the bark of the eucommia have compounds that encourage the development of collagen.
Collagen is an important part of connective tissues such as skin, tendons, and ligaments [5].
3) Practice exercises that are gentle on your joints
In order to best protect your joints, they will need regular exercise.
Exercises improve circulation, distribute the blood flow to your joints, and stimulate the body’s regeneration mechanisms [6].
Exercising also strengthens the muscles that surround the joint.
They prevent them from rubbing against each other and wearing down the cartilage.
Another bonus is that exercise keeps your weight under control which is ideal.
The more you weigh the more stress you put on your joints, particularly the hips, knees, feet, and back.
Gentle exercises that improve overall flexibility are tai chi and qigong exercises.
They do a fantastic job of strengthening the joints.
Qigong has been clinically shown to strengthen the joints and bones.
It also helps to prevent arthritis [7].
It is known to be far less strenuous and stressful than other types of physical exercises.
4) Posture perfect
If you value your joints, you need to make an effort to stand up straight.
It is a good posture [8] that protects the joints in the neck, hips, back, hips, and knees.
Over time, gravity starts to make sure that if you are slumped over in your gait, you probably have joint problems.
You can be assured that once you are used to sitting up and standing up straight, your muscles are going to feel overall ease in stress.
They won’t be constantly being used to maintain a body form that is not fully supported and even off-center.
In order for you to get proper posture, you need to pull your chin inwards and pretend there is a string pulling you straight up from the top of your head!
Natural remedies to give relief and help for bone and joint pain
1) Epsom Salt Soak
This is very high in sulfates and magnesium.
They are also easily absorbed through the skin.
They provide quick relief as they are able to help to lower inflammation, reduce muscle spasms, and relax tense areas.
You just add two cups of salts to warm bathwater and soak for at least twenty minutes.
2) Hot and cold packs
If you want immediate joint pain, you should try out hot-and-cold packs.
3) Essential oils
Another excellent approach for joint pain is to apply peppermint essential oil or eucalyptus oil to inflamed spots that are swollen.
Other good essential oils to try are frankincense, orange, myrrh, and turmeric oils.
4) Getting plenty of exercise and movement
Regular exercises will help to strengthen and stretch the affected joints and muscles.
Exercises help to improve circulation and reduce pain.
Some excellent low-impact exercises for people who experience joint pain include swimming, cycling, water aerobics, using an elliptical, yoga, and walking.
5) If necessary, lose weight
When you are overweight, you are actually putting unnecessary strain on your joints and bones.
Even shedding just a few pounds can ease pain and could prevent future problems.
Experts recommend that you should aim to lose around 5–10% of your total body weight in order to see if symptoms improve.
6) Diet modifications
By trying to include an anti-inflammatory diet, bone and joint pain caused by swelling and inflammation will in all likelihood start to decrease.
7) Collagen and other supplements
Collagen is a type of protein. It is found in our bodies. It helps to build strong joints.
It also keeps our connective tissues strong.
Other supplements are:
- Proteolytic Enzymes
- Anti-inflammatory herbs
- Essential fatty acids
- Electrolytes
- Calcium and Vitamin D
- Glucosamine
- SAMe
Conclusion
If you’re one of the millions of adults who take painkillers for the pain you’re suffering from your ongoing joint or bone pains, you will know now from reading this article about safer and natural alternatives to taking drugs.
You might feel the pain in your lower back, your knees, your hips – anywhere – but there are amazing natural remedies that have proven to help relieve symptoms of joint pain like reduced range of motion, stiffness, and difficulty walking.
Research shows that about one-third of adults experience joint pain in some form every month.
A lot of joint pain results from the areas that include repetitive movements or that take the brunt of the body’s weight.
These could be areas like your lower back, the neck, shoulders, hips, shoulders, and ankles.
If you know about really painful and uncomfortable joint pain, you will find these natural treatments worth a shot.
These can include a combination of what we have mentioned above – diet changes, supplements, diet changes, exercises, salt baths, an anti-inflammatory diet, and more.
They will all help to naturally ease inflammation and swelling.
Remember if you are used to a sedentary lifestyle, now is the time to make the change.
You will probably wonder why you never started earlier!