#HOME REMEDIES FOR ARTHRITIS HOW TO#
#HOME REMEDIES FOR ARTHRITIS SERIES#

#HOME REMEDIES FOR ARTHRITIS HOW TO#

Those who are unsure of how to meditate or practice tai chi should consider a class or find an instructional app or CD.

#HOME REMEDIES FOR ARTHRITIS SERIES#

The practitioner can be just as important as the modality.”Īdditional alternative treatments that have shown good results include meditation (“It lowers stress and helps put a person in a space where they feel in charge of what is going on”), and tai chi, a series of slow movements designed to relieve stress and slowly strengthen muscles. “Be detailed and specific about your symptoms. Regardless of which you choose, “make sure the practitioner understands what is going on with you and your body,” Ferguson says. Acupuncture and reiki (a non-invasive energy treatment) have been very successful in reducing symptoms for some people. For those with a lot of pain in their hands or feet, paraffin massage may be helpful. Similar to diet, people can respond very differently to alternative remedies. Learn more about anti-inflammatory foods and foods to avoid. If you choose to omit something from your diet, Ferguson advises that you avoid it long enough to determine how it affects you: For most people it takes three to four weeks to clear a substance out of their system. Some find that giving up nightshade vegetables (e.g., potatoes, eggplant and tomatoes) is very helpful in others it makes no difference. “Be willing to experiment.”įor example, giving up caffeine may help some people feel better while it makes others feel crabby. “Something that works for someone else may not work for you,” Ferguson says. While there is no special diet that is proven to help RA or PsA, people find relief in different ways. Also, be aware of hidden sugar in foods like flavored yogurt, ketchup and cereal, among others, Ferguson says. In terms of diet, avoiding sugar is crucial.

The exercise does not have to be something special or elaborate – simply walking is a great way to keep the body moving.

“Just having some kind of physical movement each day is important,” Ferguson says. It can be very difficult for people with RA and PsA pain to exercise, but even the simplest of movements can help with symptoms. Laurie Ferguson, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and Vice President of Research and Education for Global Healthy Living Foundation, says there are many options that can improve both physical and mental well-being. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) find relief through alternative remedies and diet/lifestyle changes in addition to their medication regimen.

Home remedies for arthritis