Arthritis: Four effective remedies to reduce joint pain and inflammation

ARTHRITIS can dampen your mood. Are you experiencing pain and stiffness? If so, here are four effective remedies to reduce inflammation and swelling.

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The symptoms of arthritis can vary from week to week, and day to day. However, you don't need to put up with it. Treatments are available.

Tai Chi

Arthritis Foundation recommends taking up the practice of Tai Chi, which combines "gentle flowing movements, deep breathing and meditation".

Shown to reduce joint pain, the mind-body practice also improves a person's range of motion and feelings of wellbeing.

Tai Chi is most suited for people who have rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Moreover, the ancient Chinese exercise can "reduce stress, improve posture, balance and general mobility", added the NHS.

The low-impact exercise doesn't put too much pressure on bones or joints, so most people should be able to do it and the risk of injury is miniscule.


Arthritis Foundation also suggests yoga as a form of effective pain relief.

Also combining movement, meditation and deep breathing, the Indian practise can decrease joint pain and stiffness.

READ MORE: Rheumatoid arthritis treatment: A herbal supplement has been shown to ease swollen joints

Arthritis: How can you reduce pain and inflammation?

Arthritis: How can you reduce pain and inflammation? (Image: Getty)

The relaxing activity can keep joints flexible and can help maintain muscle tone.

To be specific, "lyengar yoga" is safe for someone with arthritis due its use of props and gentle, flowing movements.

"Almost anyone, at any fitness level can start a yoga programme," testified Arthritis Foundation.

However, do refrain from poses that require balancing on one foot, or bending your joints more than 90 degrees. If any yoga poses hurt, don't do those poses again.

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Lose weight

Another solution for painful arthritis is to lose any excess weight you may be carrying.

Losing even just one pound can remove four pounds of pressure on swollen, painful joints.

You can maintain a healthy weight by combining a balanced, healthy diet with regular exercise.

Thirty minutes of low-impact exercise, such as Tai Chi or yoga, five times a week can help.

Tai Chi could help ease painful joints

Tai Chi could help ease painful joints (Image: Getty)

Topical gels

Doreen Stiskal, PhD, chair of the physical therapy department at Seton Hall University, USA, recommended topical gels.

"These gels work by stimulating sensory nerve endings in the skin," she explained.

"The body [then] responds by reducing pain signals through the nervous system."

Arthritis Foundation added that an anti-inflammatory gel can provide "some relief".

Yoga can help to relieve painful arthritis symptoms

Yoga can help to relieve painful arthritis symptoms (Image: Getty)

The topical gel is rubbed on the skin over sore joints - some are prescribed, and others are available over-the-counter.

Other treatment ideas include: a massage, acupuncture and physical therapy.

If you suffer from arthritis, which pain relief methods mentioned above have worked the best for you?

Let us know if there are any triggers you've identified that lead to an arthritis flare-up.