Ten simple ways to tackle joint pains
Joint pains are quite common, especially among the elderly and are usually caused by several reasons like various injuries or clinical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes stiffness and pain in the joints while osteoarthritis involves growth of bone spurs and degeneration of cartilage at a joint. It is very common in adults aged over 45 and causes excruciating joint pain.
Joint pain may also be caused by bursitis too. Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae. The bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion and pad bony prominences, allowing muscles and tendons to move freely over the bone.
If the joint pain is caused by any of these diseases, it is important to address the underlying problem first. The pain caused by common injuries and pains can be tackled by practising some techniques and home remedies. We present a list of nine such remedies:
1) Try to maintain proper posture while sitting, walking and lying down
2) Simple exercises in yoga, cycling, swimming and walking can control the pain. Keep the exercises simple and do not overexert. Exercising while standing in chest level water also relieves the pain
3) Have lots of fruits containing vitamin C like guava, oranges, and gooseberries. Cut down on milk and potatoes
4) Apply some ointment on the affected area before going to bed every night so that you may be get some relief from the joint pain the occurs early in the mornings
5) Apply eucalyptus oil in the painful area. Steam the affected area or rinse a towel in boiling water, squeeze the water out and apply it to the affected area
6) Being overweight can also cause the joints to pain. If you are overweight or obese, control weight by reducing food and doing exercises
7) You can try one tea spoon of cod liver oil every day
8) Avoid use of too many pain killers especially those containing narcotic and sleeping tablets
9) Cut a lemon into small pieces and fry them in gingelly oil. Put the pieces in a clean cloth and tie it. Apply this warm pack to the affected area
10) Boil tamarind leaf in water and add salt. Keep pouring the liquid on the affected area. This helps reduce the pain