CBD is available in many forms , including oral tinctures, topical lotions and creams, vape pens, capsules, and edibles. These products do appear to have some positive effects, says Elyse Rubinstein, MD, a rheumatologist at Providence St.

On the advice of a friend, I tried a CBD lotion with a small amount of THC in it. The relief was immediate. It was the first time I felt like there was real hope for me. Though more research is needed, gluten may cause underlying inflammation in some people; eliminating it may help reduce pain and stiffness and increase mobility for some people with arthritis, she explains.

Read more about what the research says on the benefits of a gluten-free diet for arthritis. My knee and elbow pain were so severe they would keep me up at night and I finally decided I was willing to try anything.

By the time I got home I could barely walk but it convinced me the gluten was the issue. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet was the top natural recommendation from all our docs interviewed for this story and one of the most inflammatory foods is sugar — especially when eaten in excess and in processed foods.

On the other hand, sugar that occurs naturally in healthy whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, is totally fine. It was tough to live that way, though so I started adding back in some carbs and the occasional treat.

Sure enough, my joint pain came back, although not as bad as before. Lee Osterman, MD , professor of hand and orthopedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and president of the Philadelphia Hand Center.

He suggests using ergonomic assistive devices like mounted jar openers, saw handle knives instead of flat handles, keys mounted in key holders, spring loaded scissors, and wider pens.

Any way you can reduce the pressure on your hand joints, even if it seems small, is worth the investment, he says. I have to minimize any wear and tear on my joints. Osterman says. These are devices, usually made of plastic and secured with velcro, that temporarily immobilize the joint, which allows it time to rest, he explains.

Paraffin is a type of wax that melts at a relatively low temperature, which allows you to dip your hands, forearms, feet, and lower legs into it without getting burned.

This may sound a little strange but it can really help reduce pain and swelling from arthritis, Dr. The wax coats your skin and as it dries it holds the heat in longer than, say, a traditional foot soak or warm compress, although those can be very helpful as well.

Here are other treatments specifically for hand arthritis you can try as well. Massaging the muscles around inflamed joints can help improve the circulation and decrease painful spasms, Dr. Instead, you can learn some simple self-massage techniques that can be done at home.

Check out these tutorials for massaging joints with arthritis, including your knees , hands and feet , jaw , and neck. You can also talk to a physical therapist who specializes in arthritis to show you some techniques that will target the specific joints that are causing you pain.

Askanase says. Exercises that incorporate low-impact cardio — such as walking or cycling — along with gentle stretching are ideal for home workouts, she says. Consider gentle stretches and movements that borrow from yoga, Pilates, or tai chi.

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Although research suggests essential oils may have some health benefits, it is important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration FDA does not monitor or regulate the purity or quality of these oils. It is also important to always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

A person can use essential oils topically or in the form of aromatherapy. However, before a person applies an essential oil to the skin, they should combine it with a carrier oil. While there is no cure for arthritis, many natural remedies can help alleviate pain, swelling, and stiffness.

A person should speak with a doctor before trying any natural remedies, as this ensures that the treatment is safe for them. Arthritis causes pain in the joints and the tissues surrounding the joints.

The article looks at the types, causes, and treatments, including natural…. A person cannot reverse arthritis, but they can manage their symptoms with lifestyle changes and medication. Learn about the symptoms and treatment of…. There are many types of arthritis.

Learn about the most common ones, including their location, causes, and symptoms, here. Lumbar arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the spine.

In this article, learn about its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Researchers are reporting that women who go through early menopause, have more than four children, or undergo hormone replacement therapy may have a….

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Efficacy Best natural remedy Physical activity Physical therapy Hot or cold therapy Massage Yoga Topical gels TENS unit Acupuncture Tai chi Mindfulness meditation Weight Omega-3s Herbal remedies Lifestyle changes Side effects FAQs Summary While there is no cure for arthritis, natural remedies, such as swimming, acupuncture, and massage, may help to relieve pain, stiffness, and swelling related to the condition.

Do natural remedies work for arthritis? What are the best natural remedies? Physical activity. Physical therapy. Hot or cold therapy. Topical gels. TENS unit. Tai chi. Mindfulness meditation. Achieving a moderate weight.

Omega-3 fatty acids. Herbal remedies. Further resources For more in-depth resources about vitamins, minerals, and supplements, visit our dedicated hub. Was this helpful?

What lifestyle changes can help? Home remedy side effects. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Share this article. Latest news Ovarian tissue freezing may help delay, and even prevent menopause.

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Atlantic diet may help prevent metabolic syndrome. Related Coverage. What are the causes and types of arthritis? Medically reviewed by Nancy Carteron, M. Menthol or camphor topicals have few side effects, but pain alleviation may disappear once the cooling sensation wears off.

Capsaicin cream can also relieve osteoarthritis pain and is available without a prescription. It's made from the substance that gives chili peppers their heat. The National Library of Medicine explains that capsaicin affects nerve cells in the skin associated with pain, which results in decreased activity of these nerve cells and a reduced sense of pain.

Electrical energy can help ease pain and swelling in arthritic joints. Physical therapists often employ transcutaneous electrostimulation, or TENS, which involves placing electrodes around the affected joint and delivering electromagnetic pulses through the skin. A Cochrane review concluded that about half of people who try TENS get a 50 percent reduction in pain.

And there's electroacupuncture, in which the provider uses needles at acupuncture points attached to electrodes to pass an electric charge through the acupuncture needles.

There's some evidence that electroacupuncture can help relieve pain and ease joint stiffness. A study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine concluded that electroacupuncture treatment could relieve the pain of osteoarthritis of the knees and improve comprehensive aspects of knee osteoarthritis and the quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

According to the Arthritis Foundation , chiropractors may offer several adjunctive therapies that can help osteoarthritis, including:. In addition, heat and cold treatments can also help ease these muscle spasms, which aren't only painful but can interfere with sleep, per the National Library of Medicine ,.

The CDC cites physical therapy with muscle strengthening exercises as a common treatment for osteoarthritis. However, most of the time, you don't need to see a physical therapist, said Dr.

Still, in some cases physical therapy can be invaluable. For example, someone who has trouble getting out of a chair can benefit from physical therapy and possibly even have PT administered at home. But the therapist should be experienced in treating osteoarthritis.

Shoe inserts, canes, splints, braces, and other devices that can help redistribute your weight to take the load off an arthritic joint or hip can be very beneficial, said Dr.

They are particularly helpful, for example, if someone has become knock-kneed or bow-legged as a result of having arthritic knees. Unloading braces can help restore normal weight distribution, reduce pain, and prevent your arthritis from getting worse.

While evidence for the benefits of shoe wedges is mixed, according to Dr. Altman, some people will find them helpful, especially if they have leg length discrepancies greater than a half-inch.

It's not a therapy, but learning more about arthritis is a powerful weapon. It's crucial that you understand osteoarthritis and what your limits are—and aren't, said Dr. You also need to find a healthcare provider, possibly a rheumatologist a specialist in diseases of the joints , who can diagnose osteoarthritis and distinguish it from inflammatory arthritis.

Your healthcare provider can take the time to work with you to develop an exercise plan and answer your questions, said Dr. Use limited data to select advertising.

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And according to a study published in May in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases , taking the combination over the course of a year led to less joint pain, and taking it for two years led to less joint space narrowing than a placebo. Early evidence has shown that the natural vegetable extract called avocado soybean unsaponifiables ASU could be an effective osteoarthritis treatment that might even slow progression of the disease and reduce dependence on narcotic drugs, according to a research review published in January in the journal Cartilage.

Research has identified a number of foods that can reduce inflammation and swelling — the cause of much of the pain associated with osteoarthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids appear to play a role in controlling inflammation and improving wound and joint healing, which might slow the progression of osteoarthritis, according to research published in November in the journal A nnals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

The Arthritis Foundation states that following a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet , which emphasizes plenty of vegetables, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats, could help reduce inflammation and be a treatment for osteoarthritis. The ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture may be treatment for osteoarthritis.

It involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain , explains the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Research into acupuncture is still ongoing, with some studies showing that acupuncture is better for osteoarthritis treatment than doing nothing, but perhaps not as good as other options. One hour of massage each week for at least eight weeks has been shown to be a treatment for osteoarthritis and relieve arthritis pain and stiffness as well as increase mobility, according to data from an article published in June in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

Muscles that spasm around the joints in osteoarthritis can be soothed using massage therapy , Altman says.

The massage therapist lightly strokes or kneads the sore muscles , which can stimulate blood flow and make a stressed area become more warm and relaxed. Be sure to see only massage therapists who have experience treating people with osteoarthritis , because arthritic joints are very sensitive and must be handled with care.

Ask your doctor for a referral for this natural treatment for arthritis. It may seem a bit frivolous, but going to the right spa has been shown to be an effective osteoarthritis treatment, according to a research review published in August in the I nternational Journal of Biometeorology.

The researchers report that hydrotherapy, which involves soaking in very warm water or water containing minerals, can help relieve joint pain. Sulfur-rich mud baths are also a known natural remedy for arthritis symptoms. But the mechanisms by which spa therapy works as treatment for osteoarthritis are not entirely clear.

Mechanical devices called orthotics can be used as treatment for osteoarthritis by supporting and protecting arthritic joints and relieving osteoarthritis pain , according to the ACR. A brace placed on an inflamed joint can provide pain relief by supporting the joint and relieving some of the stress caused by body weight or daily use.

Braces can also help realign joints that are being distorted by arthritis. Shoes are another form of orthotics that are used in osteoarthritis treatment; soles that absorb some of the shock of walking can be very beneficial.

Altman notes that one of the most common orthotics — a cane — is often used incorrectly. He suggests getting properly measured for the correct length of cane for your height and learning how to use it to your best advantage. Certain practices that focus on the interaction between mind and body can be a natural treatment for arthritis as people relax and stretch muscles while allowing the mind to focus itself away from the pain.

Yoga can improve your flexibility and strengthen muscles — both important for the support of arthritic joints. Tai chi can also ease symptoms in the short term, specifically pain, stiffness, and movement in people who have osteoarthritis in their knees , according to a research review published in August in C omplementary Therapies in Medicine.

Guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology ACR on managing osteoarthritis recommend aquatic, or water-based, exercise as osteoarthritis treatment.

Kaeley says. Find a program that uses a heated pool, and ease into the routine, starting in the shallower end without any equipment and then increasing your workout as your comfort level increases, the Arthritis Foundation recommends. Water-based exercise is a natural treatment for arthritis and can help older adults with osteoarthritis feel more confident about exercising, as well as improve mobility and the ability to perform daily tasks, according to research published in in the J ournal of Geriatric Physical Therapy.

TENS, short for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, uses a handheld device that sends electrical charges to disrupt pain signals, usually through patches placed on your skin, according to the AAOS. A study published in August in T he Journal of Knee Surgery found that three months of TENS use — under a doctor's guidance — is good treatment for osteoarthritis as it reduces pain and improves function.

Ask your healthcare provider whether TENS might help your pain and how to properly use it at home, the ACR suggests. But TENS isn't for everyone; it's not an option if you have an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator , or if the cause of your pain has not yet been diagnosed, the AAOS says.

It can be tough to sleep if you have joint pain, but improving your sleep could actually be a good treatment for osteoarthritis. According to a study published in February in the journal S leep , researchers who worked with adults with osteoarthritis to improve their sleep found that cognitive-behavioral strategies to reduce insomnia appeared to both improve sleep and reduce pain.

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About DailyOM Most Popular Courses New Releases Trending Courses See All. By Dennis Thompson Jr. The authors concluded that chondroitin alone or in combination with glucosamine was better than placebo in improving pain in participants with osteoarthritis. However, the benefit was small to moderate.

The authors also noted that chondroitin had a lower risk of serious adverse events compared with control. They're fairly well tolerated. However, the ACR conditionally recommended for patients with hand osteoarthritis.

Other supplements have shown promise, but the evidence isn't that strong, said Dr. However, safety information has not been sufficiently available. There's evidence that rose hips and highly concentrated ginger could be helpful, said Dr.

Although fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties, more research is needed. Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. The effects of supplements vary from person to person and depend on many variables, including type, dosage, frequency of use, and interactions with current medications.

Please speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplements. Strong-smelling mentholated rubs and creams may make your skin tingle, but many have limited value for osteoarthritis, said Dr. According to the Arthritis Foundation, topical remedies that use menthol or camphor are called counterirritants.

These remedies "work" by producing a cooling sensation to distract from the pain. They do not affect pain signals or inflammation. Menthol or camphor topicals have few side effects, but pain alleviation may disappear once the cooling sensation wears off.

Capsaicin cream can also relieve osteoarthritis pain and is available without a prescription. It's made from the substance that gives chili peppers their heat.

The National Library of Medicine explains that capsaicin affects nerve cells in the skin associated with pain, which results in decreased activity of these nerve cells and a reduced sense of pain. Electrical energy can help ease pain and swelling in arthritic joints. Physical therapists often employ transcutaneous electrostimulation, or TENS, which involves placing electrodes around the affected joint and delivering electromagnetic pulses through the skin.

A Cochrane review concluded that about half of people who try TENS get a 50 percent reduction in pain. And there's electroacupuncture, in which the provider uses needles at acupuncture points attached to electrodes to pass an electric charge through the acupuncture needles.

There's some evidence that electroacupuncture can help relieve pain and ease joint stiffness. A study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine concluded that electroacupuncture treatment could relieve the pain of osteoarthritis of the knees and improve comprehensive aspects of knee osteoarthritis and the quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

According to the Arthritis Foundation , chiropractors may offer several adjunctive therapies that can help osteoarthritis, including:. In addition, heat and cold treatments can also help ease these muscle spasms, which aren't only painful but can interfere with sleep, per the National Library of Medicine ,.

The CDC cites physical therapy with muscle strengthening exercises as a common treatment for osteoarthritis. However, most of the time, you don't need to see a physical therapist, said Dr. Still, in some cases physical therapy can be invaluable. For example, someone who has trouble getting out of a chair can benefit from physical therapy and possibly even have PT administered at home.

But the therapist should be experienced in treating osteoarthritis. Shoe inserts, canes, splints, braces, and other devices that can help redistribute your weight to take the load off an arthritic joint or hip can be very beneficial, said Dr. They are particularly helpful, for example, if someone has become knock-kneed or bow-legged as a result of having arthritic knees.

Unloading braces can help restore normal weight distribution, reduce pain, and prevent your arthritis from getting worse. While evidence for the benefits of shoe wedges is mixed, according to Dr.

Altman, some people will find them helpful, especially if they have leg length discrepancies greater than a half-inch.

It's not a therapy, but learning more about arthritis is a powerful weapon. It's crucial that you understand osteoarthritis and what your limits are—and aren't, said Dr.

You also need to find a healthcare provider, possibly a rheumatologist a specialist in diseases of the joints , who can diagnose osteoarthritis and distinguish it from inflammatory arthritis.

Your healthcare provider can take the time to work with you to develop an exercise plan and answer your questions, said Dr. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources.

Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. Health Conditions A-Z Rheumatic Conditions Osteoarthritis.

By Anne Harding is a health and science writer with experience covering topics in psychology, neuroscience, nutrition, and ecology.