Arthritis is a common joint disorder, often characterized by joint inflammation. About 100 types of arthritis affect people of all races, sexes, and ages. Common symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness in joints, and painful movement. Often the symptoms come and go, vary in severity, but the condition worsens with time. Arthritis impairs one’s ability to perform daily tasks. All of the above symptoms also impact people with arthritis in the legs.
Certain home remedies have been proven over the years to help in relieving the discomfort that comes with arthritis. Try out some of the home remedies for arthritis in the legs below to feel relief from your symptoms.
# Weight LossThe CDC has discovered that the prevalence of arthritis rises with body mass index (BMI): almost 16% of adults whose weights are normal have arthritis; nearly 23% of overweight adults have arthritis, and almost 31% of obese adults have the disease. This is because extra weight puts more pressure on the joints at the knees, hips, and feet.
A very effective way of dealing with arthritis is to maintain a healthy weight, and lose weight if the BMI is high. Laura Robbins, senior vice president of education and academic affairs at the hospital for special surgery in New York City, says that every pound shed off is fewer pounds less pressure on the knees. Reducing weight to reduce the pressure on your joints helps to improve your mobility and reduce the symptoms of arthritis in the legs.
# Alternating Hot and Cold CompressesHaving a warm bath twice daily helps to ease stiff joints. At night, use a moist heating pad to loosen the joints. Joint pain can be relieved by cold treatments. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and put on the painful joints.
# TurmericTumeric is a common Indian yellow spice. It contains curcumin, a chemical that helps to reduce arthritis pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Simply add more turmeric to your meals to get relief from your pains due to your arthritis in the legs.
# Juniper Berry Tea
Juniper berries have a component called terpinen-4-ol. Terpene suppresses monocytes, a type of white blood cell which responds to inflammation signals. When taken every day, juniper reduces the inflammation around the joint s.To make juniper berry tea, boil one cup of fresh water. Pour a tablespoon of dried juniper berries into a mug. Pour the boiling water over the berries and leave to steep for twenty minutes before straining. Drink a cup of this tea twice daily to get the best results.
WarningPregnant women should not drink juniper berry tea.
# MassageRegular massaging of the inflamed joints can help reduce pain, stiffness, and as well as improve motion. It is important that your therapist has an experience in working on arthritic patients. You can massage your legs as often as needed to get relief from pain due to arthritis in the legs.
# Homemade Capsaicin CreamThe level of a compound called substance P which transmits pain signals in the body can be reduced by applying capsaicin to the affected joint. You can make capsaicin cream by mixing some ground cayenne with enough olive oil to form a paste. Rub this on your legs as often as once a day to get relief. Rinse off the paste once it dries.
# Anti-inflammatory DietFresh foods should take the place of junk food, processed foods, and fast food in your daily diet when arthritis kicks in. Consumption of fish, vegetables, olive oil, and fresh fruits helps to reduce the inflammation when one has arthritis in the legs.
# Omega-3Omega-3 fatty acids are requisites for optimum health. This fat also plays an active role in alleviating arthritis symptoms. You can take in this fatty acid by eating foods that are naturally rich in it, like seafood, fish, and seeds. If you do not like these foods, you can instead take omega-3 supplements.
# Ginger TeaYou can make this in your home by boiling slices of ginger for fifteen minutes in water. You can alternatively buy pre-packaged ginger tea and make it as directed on the box. It has been discovered that ginger can curb the production of chemicals in the body that causes pain due to the body’s inflammatory response. You can drink this tea up to three times a day to get relief from pain and inflammation from arthritis in the legs.
# Chamomile TeaMake strong chamomile tea by putting four tea bags of chamomile in a cup of hot water. Cover it for twenty minutes, then squeeze and remove the chamomile bags. Drinking chamomile tea helps to reduce arthritis pain because it is an anti-inflammatory.
# Vitamin CVitamin C helps to rid the body of destructive free radicals and also produces collagen, an important component of joints. Consumption of Vitamin C reduces the progression of arthritis in its patients. Eat fruits such as oranges and strawberries, which are rich in vitamin C, daily.
# ClovesA chemical known as eugenol is present in cloves, and it impedes the process that activates arthritis in the legs. Cloves contain antioxidants, which slow the detriment of bones and cartilages. Take one teaspoon of cloves daily. You can make cloves into a tea, which is likely the most appetizing way to ingest them.