Have you been told that there’s nothing that can be done about your arthritis?

​This is something that I hear in the clinic almost daily…that my patients have been told that arthritis is just part of “getting old,” and you just have to deal with it, or take medications to ease the pain. However, this advice couldn’t be further from the truth!  […]

More and more studies are showing that the pain felt from arthritis can be eased more naturally…and that’s what I’m going to cover in this blog.

Of course, we cannot take away or cure the arthritis, as it’s an inflammation that occurs in between the joints.  And, everyone’s degree of arthritis is different.  But, for most people that have arthritis, there are a few key things that will help ease the stiffness and pain that come along with this condition:

1.  Exercise!  Motion is lotion for the joints.  The more consistent you are with exercise, the more blood flow gets to the joints, and this helps them move more easily.  It’s important to do the proper types of exercise, though, such as walking, swimming, or biking, along with the proper strengthening and flexibility exercises.

2.  Proper nutrition:  Staying hydrated is important in any case, however if you are also dealing with arthritis, it’s even more crucial.  Think of water as lubricant for the joints, so the more hydrated you are, the easier it will be to move.  Also, avoiding processed foods that are high in sugar and saturated fats can also help reduce inflammation.  Natural supplements, such as fish oil and curcumin, have also been shown to help with inflammation.

3.  Manual therapy:  If you experience pain or stiffness in your muscles or joints, there are many treatment methods that can help, one of which is manual therapy.  Hands on manual therapy such as massage, stretching, and mobilizing can be extremely beneficial when combined with exercise.   It can help you become more mobile and pain free, and get you back to the things you want to be doing!

So, if you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, and you feel like you aren’t able to do the things you once did, don’t be discouraged.  With the proper modifications and the right exercises designed to help protect your joints, you can decrease the amount of pain and stiffness that you may be experiencing.

If this sounds like you or someone you care about, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions…I would love to help.

Cheers to your health,
​
Shaheen