As I talk to friends, family and health care practitioners, it seems that getting arthritis as we age is something that is common. What I find surprising is that friends who are just in their 40’s are experiencing painful arthritis and it is getting in the way of enjoying some of their favourite activities. What if you could get back to your normal routine with the support of natural arthritis pain relief?

Arthritis ranges from mild like bursitis and tendonitis to more severe like rheumatoid arthritis. And the pain associated with the different forms of arthritis vary.

According to the Arthritis Society of Canada, there are three causes of arthritic pain:

• Inflammation –pressure on nerves in and around joints due to swelling
• Joint damage – damage to tissues in and around joints, nerves and/or surrounding tissues due to injury or prolonged inflammation
• Pain sensitization – prolonged pain can lead the body to send pain signals to the brain, even in the absence of a specific ongoing pain source

Source:  http://www.arthritis.ca/treatment/pain-management

As more and more people are becoming aware of the connection of what they put into their body and their long term health, it isn’t surprising that natural solutions for pain relief from arthritis are becoming more popular.

Here are three amazing ways to get natural arthritis pain relief:

1. Apply heat

Over 300 everyday people suffering with arthritis responded to the Arthritis Foundation Online Panel and Arthritis Today reader Panel.  The natural solution they found most effective for relieving pain:

• Hot (or cold) compresses 54%

Source:  https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/other-therapies/nondrug-approaches-knee-oa.php

According to the website PainScience.com, cold is applied to injuries, while heat is applied to areas where there is chronic pain, achy muscles or stress.  Note: Do not apply heat on an inflamed joint.

Source https://www.painscience.com/articles/ice-heat-confusion.php

Warmth increases the circulation in that area that it is applied, allowing the body to do it’s natural self-healing.

You can easily create a hot compress at home using hot water and a facecloth, however, the heat  doesn’t last very long.

Heating pads or mats are the next best way to apply heat. You need to take care, as typical inexpensive heating pads from a drug store, pharmacy or department store don’t have very accurate heat controls, or any sort of timer, which can lead to burns. There are also concerns about them emitting harmful EMF rays, just like electric blankets.

Rather than using a typical heating pad, consider using a far infrared heating pad, like the Richway Amethyst Biomat.  It’s larger, so you don’t have to keep moving it around (there is even a model that fits on your whole bed!) The Biomat uses a combination of fabrics and Amethyst stones to generate far infrared rays which is then transferred to the body as heat.

Far infrared rays are the invisible rays emitted by natural sunlight and they have the longest wavelength. Far infrared rays from the Amethsyt Biomat are different than those from the sun, because they don’t contain the potentially damaging  ultraviolet rays.   And while spending time outside is amazing, the type of warmth from the sun for effective treatment is only available seasonably and when, and of course it’s sunny.  That’s why the Far Infrared Biomat heating pad is so beneficial, giving you access to this amazing natural solution whenever you need it the most.

The Amethyst Biomat also has EMF blocking technology to reduce exposure to harmful EMFs.

There has been clinical research on the benefits of infrared hyperthermia treatments on certain forms of arthtritis.

A European research study  demonstrated good tolerance, short-term improvement of pain and stiffness, with use of infrared hyperthermia treatments for 36 clinical participants with Rheumatoid Arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis

Overall, the study found that whole body hyperthermia had direct beneficial effects on the participants, reducing pain and stiffness.  And that infrared therapy as treatment is feasible and well tolerated in patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Source:  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10067-008-0977-y

2. Exercise

According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise is excellent for easing arthritic pain and stiffness.  It increases strength, flexibility and reduces joint pain.  Although it may seem counter intuitive, lack of activity actually increases joint pain and stiffness.

It’s no surprise that in the same Arthritis Foundation reader panel, participants also found that exercise helped them to relieve their pain.  The most popular forms of exercise:

• Stretching 36%
• Walking 32%
• Swimming 28%
• Yoga 14%

It’s important to keep your body moving to reduce arthritic symptoms, but you also don’t want to overdo it.  Personally, I love to get outside and move my body.  Here’s an article about the benefits of getting outdoors.

Always check with your health care practitioner for the best form of activity for your particular situation.

3. Massage

When a license massage practitioner strokes and kneads the muscles in the body, it improves the circulation to that area, aiding in healing.  They can help your muscles relax and feel better.

You can also gently massage achy areas yourself.  Ask your Registered Massage Therapist for suggestions on techniques to consider.  This is a wonderful, proactive self-care solution.

There are many more natural health options for your consideration.  As more and more research is conducted, your local health care provider can provide additional recommendations for you based on the latest findings and your specific conditions.