| Arthritis is a term used to describe more than 100 | | | | chemicals in the body. On the other hand, foods that |
| different conditions that affect and cause pain to your | | | | contain omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, sardines, and |
| joints. However, along with medication and exercise | | | | mackerel) may have an anti-inflammatory effect. |
| therapy, here are some other helpful ways you can | | | | 5. Antioxidants |
| try when treating arthritis: | | | | Not having enough antioxidants (molecules that help |
| 1. Physical therapy | | | | fight against free radicals - destructive molecules |
| This form of therapy restores or keeps the range of | | | | made in the body by a chemical process called |
| motion in your joints and strengthens the surrounding | | | | oxidation), such as vitamins E and A, and |
| muscles. A physical therapist can help you learn how | | | | beta-carotene, could be a precursor to rheumatoid |
| to use supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, | | | | arthritis. People with rheumatoid arthritis had lower |
| and braces, and also teach you to do everyday tasks | | | | levels of several types of antioxidants, including the |
| with as little pain as possible. | | | | beta-carotene and vitamins A and D. Additional studies |
| 2. Heat and cold therapy | | | | have found that vitamin E may help ease swelling, pain, |
| Apply heat to your joints to increase blood flow and | | | | and morning stiffness associated with osteoarthritis |
| loosen the joints. Apply cold to your joints to relieve | | | | and rheumatoid arthritis. |
| pain. | | | | 6. Dietary supplements |
| 3. Hydrotherapy | | | | Supplements such as chondroitin and glucosamine, two |
| Not only is soaking in a whirlpool or hot tub pleasurable, | | | | compounds found in healthy joints, have shown |
| but it may also help to loosen tight joints and reduce | | | | promise in relieving pain and improving mobility. They |
| some of the pressure on your aching joints by | | | | are taken separately or in combination - either in a pill |
| providing heat and buoyancy. | | | | or as a powder that can be mixed with a liquid. |
| 4. Diet therapy | | | | Because these are sold as dietary supplements in |
| Certain foods are linked to arthritis symptoms. Milk and | | | | your local health food store, they are not monitored or |
| cheese were found to cause symptoms. Other | | | | tested for safety and efficacy by the FDA. |
| research shows foods in the nightshade family (chilli | | | | 7. Herbal therapy |
| and bell peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, and potatoes) | | | | Some herbs that may help to relieve arthritis pain |
| trigger arthritis flare-ups. | | | | include arnica, feverfew, meadowsweet, and stinging |
| Other studies show that foods containing omega-6 | | | | nettles. However, because not all herbal therapies are |
| fatty acids (vegetable oils such as safflower, soy, | | | | effective or safe for everyone, you should speak with |
| sesame, and sunflower) can produce inflammatory | | | | your doctor. |