Arthritis affects a huge number of people. To be exact, at least 54 million adults have been diagnosed by a doctor with arthritis. Arthritis is a painful condition, and some sufferers find the pain difficult to manage. Arthritis pain can make it harder for a person to perform their regular daily activities and can reduce their quality of sleep, which only makes symptoms worse.
What Treatments Have You Tried for Arthritis Pain Relief?
People try many things in an effort to reduce arthritis pain, including massage, dry needling, chiropractic care, dietary changes, rest, acupuncture, and more. While some of these treatments are very effective for various people, a number of individuals don’t find the pain relief they long for. They may turn to over-the-counter or prescription drugs to quell their pain. While medication is a viable option for pain-relief, some people want to go drug-free, whereas others may not find relief from using pain medications and want other treatment options.
3 Ways to Manage Your Arthritis Pain Without Drugs
If you are one of the individuals who want to try non-drug treatments or has not experienced good results from medications, you are not doomed to a life of arthritis pain. Here are a few tips for reducing your pain without drugs:
1. Start a physiotherapy program — If you have arthritis and are not seeing a physiotherapist, consider it. Physiotherapy is a drug-free treatment that has been proven effective for arthritis. “Goals of physical therapy in arthritis include improving the mobility and restoring the use of affected joints, increasing strength to support the joints, and maintaining fitness and the ability to perform daily activities,” stated the Arthritis Foundation. All of this can equate to less pain, although the degree of pain relief will vary from person to person.
2. Take supplements that contain fatty acids — Fatty acids are compounds that can be helpful to arthritis sufferers. “Everyone needs omega-3 fatty acids in their diet for optimum health,” stated Healthline. “These fats also help your arthritis. Fish oil supplements, which are high in omega-3s, have been shown to reduce joint stiffness and pain.” If you don’t want to take fish oil, consider gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which also contains essential fatty acids.
3. Modify your environment — To reduce arthritis pain, it is sometimes necessary to invest in equipment that can make daily life easier and to change up your environment a bit. You may want to purchase an ergonomic chair, which is designed to minimize joint strain and pain. Also, a cushioned mat for your kitchen can make standing and cooking easier on your joints.
Can’t Get Relief From Arthritis Pain? Losing Weight May Help
In addition to seeing a physiotherapist, consuming fatty acids, and modifying your environment, losing weight can help to reduce arthritis pain. For those who have arthritis, it is vital to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight puts stress on your joints and can make pain worse. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agree: “Adults with arthritis can decrease pain and improve function by being at a healthy weight. Weight loss is a non-drug way to manage arthritis and ease joint pain.”
What are some drug-free ways you control your arthritis pain?