Home Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
There are a numerous of home remedies as well as alternative therapies that are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis like; assistive devices, acupuncture, stress management, diet, exercise, and many other. Few self-care measures, if used alongside the rheumatoid arthritis medications, can help you to manage the signs and symptoms well than by simply using medications alone.
Regular exercise is one of the important factors to health and especially vital for those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis. Gentle level of motion exercises can strengthen and tone the muscles around your affected joints, and also it can aid in eradicating the fatigue usually felt due to rheumatoid arthritis. Walking is one of the best exercises that one can start slowly and then gradually increase the pace as well as distance, as tolerated. Swimming and moderate water aerobics also are other exercises for rheumatoid arthritis and today most of the health clubs as well as local pools offer classes for swimming.
Always remember that if you have tender joints which are inflamed, you must avoid exercising. Also, if your exercise is causing new joint pain, you must cut down on the exercise till the pain dissipates.
home remedies for arthritis
Another health tip for rheumatoid arthritis patients is application of heat and cold packs as it proves to be very beneficial. Heat packs will help you relieve the pain and it will also relax tense, tender muscles. Taking a hot water bath for about 15 minutes is the simplest way in applying heat to painful joints. You can even try a heat pack or may be an electric heating pad with the lowest setting to prevent burning of the skin. While alternatively, cold can numb the sense of pain. Cold also gives a dulling effect and decreases spasm of muscles. Few methods might include usage of cold packs, or drenching the affected area in cold water, and massaging it with ice or ice packs. Few people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can also find relief by drenching their paining areas in warm water for a few minutes, and then soaking it in cold water for about one minute.
In rheumatoid arthritis, usually the joints in the hands are affected initially. As, our hands are used in many activities every day, and so it is especially bothersome. Various hand exercises help maintaining the flexibility, strength and range of motion. There is no such generic exercise or method that will help people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis so it is always recommended to seek advice from physical therapists, rheumatologists or an occupational therapist who will help you and plan exercise regimen for the hands.
Finally, looking out for ways to eliminate stress in from your life will go a long way in recovering and improving the symptoms. Methods like guided imagery hypnosis, deep breathing, muscle relaxation and progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, visualization, and tai chi all can be used to reduce and control pain and they are excellent more as a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.