Joint pain, medically known as arthralgia or arthritis can be defined as pain that occurs in the area where two bones meet. This pain can be caused by a number of medical conditions, including but not limited to autoimmune disease, gout, various infectious diseases, injury, fracture, osteoarthritis, chondromalacia patella, tendonitis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and sprains and strains. The intensity of pain can vary from mild discomfort to severe constant pain, which can interfere with day-to-day activities and restrict the quality of life of an individual.
Most forms of joint pain can be treated at home using some effective home remedies for joint pain. The simplest way to deal with a pain in the joints is to give rest to the painful joint. Resting helps reduce inflammation and irritation of soft tissue. Exercises such as stretching exercises, range of motion exercise, and aerobic exercises are considered to be good for easing arthritis pain. They are beneficial to strengthen the muscles that support joint, increase the range of motion of joints, improve the strength of bones, and maintain an adequate body weight. Non-arthritic pain can also be reduced by doing appropriate exercises. However, it should be noted that extreme activities can lead to the exacerbation of joint pain and too much rest can result in stiffness of the joints.
Deeply massaging the affected area with massage oil for 20 minutes is a great way to alleviate the pain from joints. Massage improves blood circulation to the soft tissues in the affected area and reduces inflammation and swelling of the joints. Application of heat is one among the successful home remedies for joint pain. Apply a hot towel or hot water bottle to the aching joint for about 20 minutes. You can also use an electric heating pad to administer heat therapy. Taking warm baths is also a good home remedy for joint pain.
Add some Epsom salts to warm bath water and soak yourself in it. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate, which is known to have anti-arthritic and ant-inflammatory properties. The hot bath is also useful to increase blood flow to the aching joint.
Following a proper diet is one of the best home remedies. It is very important to increase your daily calcium intake to the recommended 1000 mg a day. Raise the consumption of vitamin C to increase the synthesis of collagen in joints. Moreover, vitamin C taken in combination with calcium is helpful to reduce pain in the joint. Vitamin B6 has anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce joint pain and inflammation. People with pain in joints are often advised to take glucosamine and chondroitin supplements daily to improve their joint health and to alleviate their pains.
Eliminate foods that contain high carbohydrates or refined sugars from your diet, as these foods can exacerbate your joint pain. Medicinal herbs like white willow bark and ginger are good home remedies for joint pain. Topical application of cayenne pepper salve or nettle leaf over the painful joints is also an effective way to get rid of this problem.