Home remedies for osteoarthritis

17 Jun Home remedies for osteoarthritis

Are you not sure what osteoarthritis is? When we talk about osteoarthritis, we refer to a degenerative disease that affects the joints and causes pain and even body immobility. This disease usually affects mainly women and is caused by the wear of joint cartilage.

Unlike what is believed, osteoarthritis is not a disease associated only with old age. It can also appear in young people due to genetic causes and notable wear of the joints, among other reasons. Although there are no miracle cures to deal with this disease, there are recommendations, remedies, and tips to relieve pain and improve your health. Here, we explain in detail Home remedies for osteoarthritis.

Home remedies for osteoarthritis

Eat good foods for osteoarthritis

Taking care of your diet is essential if you want to know how to combat osteoarthritis. The consumption of fish and nuts, for example, will provide you with high levels of Omega-3. At the same time, foods rich in vitamin C and vitamin A will help you maintain an active immune system and collaborate in the regeneration of bones and cartilage.

Other essential foods for osteoarthritis are those rich in collagen, as this substance helps to rebuild bones and skin. Collagen is present, especially in red meat. However, these foods are usually rich in purines and can increase your uric acid levels, which is why they are not recommended. There are foods such as fruits and vegetables rich in lycopene (strawberries, grapefruit, watermelon, blueberries, etc.), cheese, or soy milk that are also great allies in the natural production of collagen.

Consuming broths with meat bones can be very beneficial since through cooking, you will be able to dissolve the collagen present in these foods and you will not have to consume meat high in purines.

Do exercises for osteoarthritis

Exercise is important to prevent stiffness from osteoarthritis; however, it should not be abused. Avoid high-impact sports like jogging, running, jumping, etc. On the contrary, walks are the most recommended because they help the joints and stimulate circulation.

To stop osteoarthritis in the knees and hips, it is good practice to pedal, whether it is stationary or common bicycles. Swimming is also an excellent option to reduce joint pain, play sports without much effort and slow down the effects of osteoarthritis.

Maintain an adequate weight

Obesity is a trigger for osteoarthritis, so avoiding it is essential if you wonder how to improve osteoarthritis. Taking care of body weight helps the joints not be further injured and reduces the pain you may feel in the knees and hips.

You must consult with your doctor about exercises that can help you lose weight without further damaging your joints.

Infusions for osteoarthritis

If you are looking for natural remedies for osteoarthritis, you should know that many medicinal plants can help you better cope with the pain of this disease. These plants are normally packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can contribute to rebuilding affected cartilage. In this case, the best medicinal plant for osteoarthritis is the horsetail. However, the following infusions can also be very beneficial:

• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Arnica
• Hypericum
• Nettle
• Rosemary

Take care of your posture

Increasing osteoarthritis deforms the joints and, with it, often, posture. Having improper posture increases the chances of stiffness, so when sitting down, place both feet on the floor and keep your back straight. It is also important to use a suitable mattress, preferably orthopedic or flat.

In addition, it is important to avoid carrying a lot of weight and use some support on days of greatest discomfort (you can use a cane, for example).

Wear proper footwear

If you want to know how to improve osteoarthritis of the hip or knees, wearing the right footwear is essential. You will want to get a soft, supportive shoe that is low and fits your footwell. Heels and sandals are completely discouraged, not only because they will force you to adopt a more uncomfortable posture but because they can cause falls and make the situation worse.

Consider acupuncture

The benefits of acupuncture are uncertain and difficult to argue, recent studies show that this treatment notably relieves pain caused by arthritis in the short term and can improve physical function long-term.

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