People who suffer from arthritis are desperate to reduce the pain they are experiencing. Arthritis pain can be all-consuming and therefore has a negative impact both for the health and way of life of a person. The pain has proven to be a hindrance on the performance of the activities of daily living specifically.

Arthritis is the inflammation of bodily joints. This condition can be both acute and chronic in nature. The inflammation causes a characteristic stiffness, swelling and pain in the joints of the body. There are over a hundred types of arthritis. The most common are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Exercise

One way to reduce arthritis pain is through exercise. Exercise keeps the joints flexible and sturdy. It reduces inflammation and joint stiffening. Perform passive range of motion exercises. These types of exercises have been proven to lessen stiffness and inflammation. Movements must be smooth and gentle and be careful not to overdo it as it can aggravate the inflammation in the joints. If you force your joints, this may contribute to further inflammation, swelling and stiffness. Also, exercise increases muscle mass around the joints. It does not benefit people with arthritis alone. Exercise has an over-all positive benefit for the health and wellness of a person.

Diet and Food Intake

Another way of providing arthritis pain relief is through the proper intake of food and nutrients. Foods that are rich in anti-inflammatory properties like omega 3 fatty acids have been scientifically proven to reduce significantly the pain, swelling and inflammation in arthritis. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in oily fish, flax seed, walnuts, canola oil, and olive oil. It will do arthritic patients to stay away from foods rich in caffeine, tomatoes, eggplants, pepper, red meat, spices and sugar. These foods can worsen the inflammation.

It will also be advisable if arthritic people take necessary supplements to promote bone and cartilage growth. Vitamin D promotes muscle strength and lessens pain. Vitamin E, lessens swelling, joint pain and inflammation.

Others

It will also be beneficial if people who are overweight start shedding those extra pounds. Remember that weighing extra exerts more pressure in the joints of the body. If you have arthritis, then the pain will worsen. For those who do not have arthritis, then it is very good if they start maintaining a healthy body weight appropriate for their stature.

Heat application is known to reduce arthritis pain. For the longest time, it has been used to reduce the swelling in the joints, tendons and ligaments. Heat promotes a smooth blood circulation in the body thus facilitating healthy circulation around the joints.

Medications are one of the major solutions for arthritic pain. If all efforts have been exhausted and yet the pain still persists, then analgesics or pain relievers with anti-inflammatory properties are prescribed by the doctors to ease the pain. A particular group of drugs known as NSAIDs or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually prescribed as it acts to reduce prostaglandin production, which is ultimately responsible for pain reaction.

Employing a positive attitude has been widely known to reduce arthritis pain as well. Try not to focus so much on the pain and make use diversion activities.