You don’t always need surgery to get rid of osteoarthritis.
There are natural treatments that can help you manage the condition. Osteoarthritis is a biomechanical and physiological condition which causes the cartilage present between bones to wear away. Thus, the bones end up brushing against each other causing excruciating pain and discomfort. The natural treatments for osteoarthritis focus on relieving the pain and reducing inflammation through muscle and bone manipulation.
Whether you have osteoarthritis in the feet or the spine, the following natural treatments have the potential to bring you relief. Seek the guidance of a healthcare professional before starting the treatments.
How to Deal with Osteoarthritis Naturally?
Though osteoarthritis is more common among senior citizens, it can also affect people below 65 years old. The symptoms include aching pain in the joints, difficulty in sitting, fatigue, etc. The following natural treatments treat the symptoms and help you recover without surgery.
Exercises
A significant duration of exercise or physical therapy strengthens the muscles around the affected joints. It keeps you active and prevents the condition from worsening. Physiotherapists can guide you through the exercises specific to your symptoms.
Here are some benefits of daily exercises a person with OA can enjoy:
- Strengthens your muscles that support the damaged joint
- Keeps you fit
- Maintains and improves your range of motion
- Reduces pain and discomfort
- Helps people do daily activities hassle-free
Osteoarthritis can occur due to the constant overuse of specific joints. The associated muscles, tendons and ligaments lose their strength and flexibility resulting in limited movement. Physical therapy can help the affected muscles regain their strength without the use of surgery.
Hot and cold therapy
In osteoarthritis, the affected joints swell up and cause pain. The muscles become stiffer and cause discomfort. This is where hot and cold therapy comes into play.
You can apply heat and cold alternatively to ease muscle tension and reduce swelling. Do not apply the ice directly on your skin. Use a towel to wrap it up and then apply. This is one of the most common treatments for OA. But, that doesn’t make it free from side effects. So, you should seek medical attention if the pain worsens after application.
A proper diet
It is important to identify the foods that trigger/reduce your inflammation and swelling of the joint. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, can improve healing and control inflammation in osteoarthritis. So, you can talk to a dietician to understand the right kind of diet for your condition.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, you should keep a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet. The latter consists of plenty of fruits and green vegetables along with whole grains, healthy fats and fish.
Massage therapy
Osteoarthritis causes muscle spasms around the affected joints. And massage therapy can ease these muscles and help you perform daily life activities efficiently.
The massage therapist examines your injury to determine the right type of massage you need. They usually use light strokes or knead the sore muscles which promote the flow of blood in the damaged area.
Orthotics
Orthotics are mechanical devices that provide the necessary support to your joints affected by the condition. You may be prescribed a specific shoe or a customized brace depending on the severity of your pain.
Getting hold of the orthotics is the first step toward recovery. You should know the right way to use them.
Final Thoughts
Osteoarthritis is a painful condition that can take a toll on the overall quality of your life. The good news is you may not need surgery or injections to treat it. Natural treatments such as physical therapy, massage therapy, orthotics, etc. can also reduce the symptoms and help you live a pain-free life.
Looking for OA Treatment in Brampton?
At Physiotherapy First, we provide customized treatments to help people manage OA and improve their lifestyles. We use evidence-based manual therapies and physiotherapy to strengthen the affected muscles and improve joint mobility.
