If you have pain in your joints and are facing trouble in moving around, you could be suffering from arthritis. It is a joint disorder caused due to inflammation of joints. When we talk about pain, the first cure that comes in our mind is painkillers. Painkillers like ibuprofen or Advil have many side effects. Some of the side effects of such drugs include abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea and indigestion. To avoid these side effects, more and more people are taking a natural approach to arthritis. There are many natural ways to cure arthritis. Some of them are quoted below.

Foods That Are Anti-Inflammatory

Anti-inflammatory foods can be used to reduce arthritis pain. Oily fishes like mackerel, tuna etc have high contents of omega 3 fatty acids which help to reduce inflammation. By keeping polished products like rice, white bread and pasta away from your diet can also help you with arthritis. You can use whole grains as they reduce C-reactive protein levels. Foods that are anti-inflammatory also include fruits like tart cherries which are said to have maximum anti-inflammatory content. Turmeric is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric helps in turning off a NF kappa B protein which is said to cause inflammation. Other anti-inflammatory foods are ginger, garlic, onions and green leafy vegetables. Foods that are anti-inflammatory also include herbs like eucalyptus. Leaves of eucalyptus trees are used to treat the pain of arthritis. Apart from foods that are anti-inflammatory, we also have foods that cause inflammation. Arthritis patients are advised not to consume such foods. Refined carbs should be avoided by people suffering from arthritis. Dairy products can also increase arthritis pain due to the high content of protein in them. Smoking and drinking should be avoided by arthritis patients.

Acupuncture and Warm Baths

Other than foods that are anti-inflammatory in nature, there are other natural methods of curing arthritis pain also. One such method is acupuncture. In this medical treatment needles are inserted in some specific points of your body. These selected points are used to cure many diseases including arthritis. A survey shows that people who use acupuncture along with other medications of arthritis experience less pain than people who do not use acupuncture. One more way of reducing morning joint pains is a long warm shower. It helps in reducing the stiffness of the joints. You can also use heating pads or an electric blanket in the night to minimize the stiffness of the joints.

Healthy Lifestyle

One more factor that plays a big role other than using foods that are anti-inflammatory and acupuncture is a healthy lifestyle. Your weight plays an important role in deciding the amount of pain that you will experience due to arthritis. Extra weight means extra stress on joints. Hence, it is very important to regulate your weight. Exercise is the best way to shell out extra weight as well as reduce pain of arthritis. Flexibility of joints can be maintained by regular movements.

So, if you are suffering from arthritis choose natural options like exercise, acupuncture and use foods that are anti-inflammatory and lead a healthy and happy life.

The most important step to a healthier life is the change to a healthy diet. Get more information from the free copy of my e-book to make better choices!