Natural Ways to Reduce Joint Pain
By Sara Butler
Your body does a lot for you. It can help you to achieve all sorts of things. But when you have difficulty moving due to pain, your body no longer seems as if it's working with you but against you! Everything from your sleep cycle to your hobbies can suffer when joint pain strikes. But you don't have to take it lying down. Here are a few things you can do to help reduce joint pain naturally.
Chiropractic Care
Your chiropractor can find joint dysfunctions that lead to larger problems, such as joint pain and stiffness. Once these dysfunctions are addressed, your body can work as it was meant to, healing itself and encouraging a full range of motion.
An Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Inflammation wreaks havoc on your joints. Inflammation makes you more susceptible to injury and pain as well as slowing down your body's natural healing process. If you can manage chronic inflammation with your diet, then you can improve your joint health at the same time you improve your overall health.
Some anti-inflammatory foods to consider include:
- Wild-caught salmon
- Probiotic foods such as yogurt and kimchi
- Leafy, green vegetables
- Healthy fats
You should avoid or limit these foods in your diet since they can set inflammation in motion:
- Refined grains and sugars
- Alcohol
- Lard, shortening, and margarine
- Packaged, processed foods
- Processed meats
- Red meat
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are an old treatment but a good one! A relaxing bath in Epsom salt-infused water can help reduce inflammation, relax muscles, and reduce muscle spasms. Run a warm bath (not a hot one!) and add two cups of Epsom salt, soaking for at least 20 minutes. You can make a warm compress out of Epsom salt water too and apply it directly to the joint that's bothering you. Just soak a towel in the water and wring it out.
Ice
Ice is another classic natural treatment. It's great to help reduce pain and swelling to joints that are inflamed. Simply apply ice to the joint that's bothering you, making sure to protect your skin with a cloth. Don't leave it on for more than 20 minutes at a time, either. Plus, if you have poor circulation, you may want to give ice therapy a pass, Ice constricts circulation to the area, which can be a problem if you have issues with circulation. Talk to your chiropractor if you have any questions.
Joint pain isn't something you have to live with. Talk to the chiropractors at The Joint today about how to effectively deal with joint pain.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.