People who never experienced joint inflammation are unaware of how debilitating it can be.
Chronic pain and stiffness makes it difficult to perform even the most basic of activities, like walking or getting up from bed.
Luckily, there are many ways to reduce joint inflammation and help restore your mobility.
Today, we’ll have a look at some of the most effective ways of reducing joint inflammation and improving joint health. From using natural remedies like MSM to taking anti-inflammatory medications, we will explore all the options available for reducing joint pain and restoring mobility.
Causes of Joint Inflammation
In order to get rid of inflammation in your joints, your first priority should be to find out what is causing the problem. There are many things that can cause joint inflammation, ranging from injuries to medical conditions such as arthritis and gout, to lifestyle choices such as an unhealthy diet with high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids and processed foods.
If you have been diagnosed with arthritis or if you experienced an injury, depending on the severity, your only long-term solution might be medications, depending on your doctor’s recommendation.
On the other hand, you might just have fleeting bouts of joint inflammation that come and go. In this case, a natural solution like a joint supplement or a simple lifestyle modification can make a huge difference in your joint health.
If you are trying to find out what could be causing the inflammation, your best bet would be going to see a doctor and getting a diagnosis. Once you get to the bottom of what is causing your joint problems, you might try one of the following solutions.
Ways to Reduce Joint Inflammation
RICE
RICE is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation – a simple yet effective way of treating joint inflammation. This technique has been used by athletes and physical therapists alike to reduce swelling and pain associated with joint injuries.
RICE helps reduce the inflammation caused by an injury or overuse of a joint. It works by reducing the swelling of the injured area through rest, applying ice to help numb the area, compressing the area to help keep it from moving too much, and elevating it above your heart level to reduce blood flow. All these steps work together to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
However, if your joint inflammation is chronic in nature, you’ll want to read on. We share some more long-term solutions to joint pain and stiffness in the following sections.
Add More Omega-3s To Your Diet
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining a healthy body. Your body can’t make them on its own so you need to get them through your diet. Research has shown that increasing your intake of omega-3s can help reduce joint inflammation and its associated symptoms like pain, discomfort, and poor joint mobility.
Not only do omega-3s help reduce inflammation, but they also provide numerous other health benefits such as improving heart health, reducing cholesterol levels, and helping to maintain healthy skin.
Omega-3s are found in many foods, including fish, nuts, seeds, and certain types of oils. Eating a balanced diet that includes these foods can help ensure that your body is getting enough omega-3s to reduce joint inflammation. Additionally, taking a supplement may be beneficial for those who cannot get enough omega-3s from their diet alone (more on this in a minute).
Reduce Processed Food Consumption
Eating a diet free of processed foods is essential for reducing joint inflammation. Processed foods contain high levels of saturated fats, sugar, and sodium, all of which can increase inflammation in the joints.
By eliminating these foods from your diet, you can reduce the amount of inflammation in your body and improve overall joint health.
Additionally, by eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, you can provide your body with the nutrients such as vitamin C and flavonoids, which are antioxidants in nature. These work to block the damaging of free radicals on your joints leading to not only a reduction in joint inflammation but also long-term joint health.
Get More Sleep
Getting the right amount of sleep is essential for our overall health and well-being. But did you know that getting more sleep can actually help reduce joint inflammation? Recent studies have shown that a lack of sleep can increase inflammation in the body, leading to a range of joint-related issues such as arthritis and gout. On the other hand, getting enough sleep can help reduce inflammation, thereby improving joint health and reducing pain.
This is because when we are sleeping, the body produces anti-inflammatory hormones and proteins which help to reduce inflammation in the joints. Furthermore, getting enough sleep helps to regulate our immune system which can also help to reduce inflammation. So if you experience joint pain or discomfort, try getting more sleep and see if it makes a difference!
Increase Your Sunlight Exposure
Sunlight exposure has been shown to have a positive effect on joint inflammation.
Research has indicated that getting more sunlight can help reduce the pain and swelling associated with joint inflammation, as well as improve overall joint health. This is due to the effects of Vitamin D, which is produced by the body when exposed to sunlight.
Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system, which can help reduce inflammation in joints. Additionally, sunlight exposure increases serotonin levels in the brain, which can also help reduce pain associated with joint inflammation.
Take Anti-Inflammatory Supplements
Many natural compounds, such as omega-3s, curcumin, garlic, Boswellia Serrata, selenium, ginger, glucosamine, and chondroitin have been shown to help reduce inflammation in the joints.
Studies have also found that these compounds can help to improve joint function and reduce pain associated with arthritis. They work by blocking enzymes that cause inflammation, reducing pain and stiffness in the joints, and increasing joint mobility.
By taking these anti-inflammatory supplements regularly, individuals can experience a reduction in joint inflammation and an improvement in overall joint health.
Consider Cortisone Shots With Your Doctor
If your joint inflammation is severe and things like changing up your diet and adding anti-inflammatory supplements don’t help much, it’s worth talking to your doctor about cortisone shots. What are cortisone shots, you ask? Cortisone shots are a corticosteroid (an anti-inflammatory medication) that’s injected directly into the joint.
There are many different types, and in order for a cortisone shot to be effective it needs to be given at the right location so your doctor will know where to inject it. Your doctor may or may not also prescribe painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief while you wait for your joint inflammation to subside on its own. This is especially recommended if you have constant pain and inflammation that doesn’t go away even after trying all of the previous methods.
Final Thoughts
Needless to say, the healthiest way to get rid of joint inflammation is to change your lifestyle and try some of the natural methods mentioned in this article.
However, if none of those work, you should talk to your doctor about things like cortisone shots and medications that will help you manage your condition.
Remember that joint inflammation is typically just a symptom of an underlying condition, most often arthritis and gout. It can also sometimes be the result of an injury, such as those from sports or a car accident.