6 Alternative Treatments for Arthritis Pain
Reviewed and approved by the doctor Maricela Jiménez López
Arthritis is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation, deformities, and stiffness in one or more of your joints. Even though it’s a common ailment in older adults, in some cases, it can occur at a younger age. Medical treatment is often necessary; however, alternative treatments for arthritis have also been proven to help patients deal with the symptoms of the illness.
Usually, the most affected areas are the joints in the knees, hands, and feet, but in more complicated cases it can also affect the muscles and other tissues in the body. Despite heredity seeming to be one of the main causes behind the illness, arthritis can also be triggered by injury or even chemical imbalances related to high acidity levels.
However, regardless of the cause, it’s important to get the proper treatment in order to preserve your quality of life as much as possible. Therefore, in this article, we’ll share six excellent alternative treatments for arthritis that can complement your regular medical treatment, and will help you deal with its uncomfortable symptoms.
List of Alternative Treatments for Arthritis:
1. Garlic and lemon treatment
The combination of garlic and lemon gives your body the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds it needs to reduce the effects of free radicals. It does so while improving circulation and stimulating your natural detox. Daily consumption of these two ingredients also helps eliminate toxins and reduce fluid retention, both of which can lead to increased pain in the joints.
Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 lemon
How do you make it?
- First, crush two cloves of garlic and mix them with the juice from a lemon. Keep them overnight.
- Then, the next morning, take this remedy on an empty stomach.
- Try it at least four times a week in order to see improvement.
You might also like: What are the Health Benefits of Garlic?
2. Baking soda treatment
In addition, baking soda diluted in water fights inflammation and promotes joint health. This is true because it lowers uric acid levels and alleviates other chemical imbalances that worsen this disorder. Also, it’s very easy to make. By just diluting baking soda in water you will have a powerful remedy for the symptoms of arthritis.
Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (2.5 g)
- 1 cup of water (200 ml)
How do you make it?
- First, dilute the baking soda in a cup of water. Then, drink it on an empty stomach.
- This is one of the more powerful alternative treatments for arthritis pain. Nonetheless, limit your intake to two teaspoons per day. Don’t take more than what’s recommended because it could cause unwanted side effects.
3. Apple cider vinegar treatment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (20 ml)
- 1 cup of water (200 ml)
How do you make it?
- First, dilute two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. Then, drink immediately.
- Take this twice a day, every day.
4. Chamomile treatment
Moreover, chamomile is a herb that has anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties, thus promoting pain relief in the affected joints. These properties make it an excellent alternative treatment for arthritis pain since it eases the pain without the need for medicine.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers (20 g)
- 1 liter of water
How do you make it?
- First, bring the water to a boil and add the chamomile flowers. Remove from heat and allow them to steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Then, while it’s still warm, dip a cloth in the liquid and apply it to the areas that are causing pain.
- Repeat this treatment as often as needed to alleviate pain. Also, keep in mind that you can drink chamomile tea up to three times a day.
5. Green tea remedy
Ingredients
- 1 bag of green tea
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
How do you make it?
- First, bring the water to a boil and add the green tea bag.
- Then, let it steep for 10 minutes before drinking.
- Avoid consuming too much green tea, as it can have a laxative effect.
Read also: 6 Important Benefits of Drinking Green Tea
6. Turmeric and lime treatment
In addition, a warm paste made using turmeric and lime is a very effective and natural way to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Turmeric contains antioxidants that reduce the damage caused by free radicals that can lead to degenerative disorders.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of turmeric (20 g)
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice (10 ml)
- Warm water (as needed)
How do you make it?
- First, mix all ingredients until they form a thick paste and apply it directly to the inflamed areas.
- Then, cover the area using plastic wrap and let the remedy work for a few hours or overnight.
- Repeat the application every day.
Finally, whichever natural remedy you choose, remember they are only intended to complement the medical treatment prescribed by your doctor. Above all, be sure to discuss your planned course of action with them first to ensure that there are no harmful interactions or unwanted side effects.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Ban, J. O., Oh, J. H., Kim, T. M., Kim, D. J., Jeong, H. S., Han, S. B., & Hong, J. T. (2009). Anti-inflammatory and arthritic effects of thiacremonone, a novel sulfurcompound isolated from garlic via inhibition of NF-κB. Arthritis research & therapy, 11(5), R145. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/ar2819. Accessed 09/04/2020.
- Caturla, N., Funes, L., Pérez-Fons, L., & Micol, V. (2011). A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of the effect of a combination of lemon verbena extract and fish oil omega-3 fatty acid on joint management. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17(11), 1051-1063. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2010.0410. Accessed 09/04/2020.
- Daily, J. W., Yang, M., & Park, S. (2016). Efficacy of turmeric extracts and curcumin for alleviating the symptoms of joint arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Journal of medicinal food, 19(8), 717-729. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2016.3705. Accessed 09/04/2020.
- Mayo Clinic (2019). Artritis. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772. Accessed 09/04/2020.
- Pirouzpanah, S., Mahboob, S., Sanayei, M., Hajaliloo, M., & Safaeiyan, A. (2017). The effect of chamomile tea consumption on inflammation among rheumatoid arthritis patients: randomized clinical trial. Progress Nutr, 19(Suppl. 1), 27-33. Available at: https://doi.org/10.23751/pn.v19i1-S.5171. Accessed 09/04/2020.
- Singh, R., Akhtar, N., & Haqqi, T. M. (2010). Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechi3-gallate: Inflammation and arthritis. Life sciences, 86(25-26), 907-918. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2010.04.013. Accessed 09/04/2020.
This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.
