Most Joint pains are not directly related to bones. They originate from the surrounding soft tissues which are impacted by bone deformities and aging.
Though painkillers may give temporary relief, the long-term solution comes from natural home remedies to alleviate such bones and joint pains.
Our freedom for movement comes from healthy bones, joints, and soft tissues. It is effortless to sit, get up, walk and run, but as time elapses, the body grows and matures, and you experience discomforts. You begin to realize that you have joints when they begin to pain. What was taken for granted, now its physical manifestation pushes you to understand that your joints need attention.
Joint pain, swelling, and inflammations are disturbing elements of life at some stage. While you might have maintained your body very well, occasionally you will experience joint pains for some obvious reasons and other times without any explainable reason. Irrespective of what causes the joint pain, you will find the following home remedies useful and effective to get rid of your bones and joint pains.
Before you delve into the methods to heal joint pains, understand what causes them.
Table of Contents
- What are the Symptoms of Joint pain?
- 7 Effective Home Remedies for Bone and Joint Pains
- Diets for Joint Pain
- Other Tips and Precautions
What are the Symptoms of Joint pain?
There are hundreds of joints in our body where bones meet. These joints can sometimes feel discomfort, aches, and soreness due to a variety of reasons, aging is one of the main contributors to all kinds of joint pains.
The painful symptoms of joint pain arise mainly from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout, and other similar chronic pain conditions classified under arthritis. Other common causes of joint pain include tendinitis, bursitis, joint injury, and joint strain.
Whatever the cause of the joint pain, it usually manifests as inflammation, swelling, redness, pain, and/or stiffness. Joint pains may increase due to motion-related activities and weight-bearing resistance training.
Most doctors recommend Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) but they do have other painful side effects. Many of these drugs have been pulled out of the market.
7 Effective Home Remedies for Bone and Joint Pains
Many people find natural remedies for joint pain for effective as compared to over-the-counter medicine. and effective in most cases. However, some cases may require medical attention where these home remedies may not work.
1. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is different from common salt. It is rich in magnesium and that is what makes it suitable to reduce joint pain. Magnesium sulfate in the Epsom salt when used with warm water provides pain relief.
You can use Epsom salt in two different ways depending on which joint is paining. For the wrist and elbow pains you can do the following:
- Add a cup of Epsom salt to a large bowl and mix it well.
- Immerse your painful joint in the Epsom salt water
- Continue for 10-15 Minutes. You can momentarily take your hand out in between if you prefer.
If it is your knee, hip, shoulder or back is in pain then do the following
- Fill your bathtub with hot water.
- Add two cups of Epsom salt and mix it well.
- Let the temperature of the water get down to acceptable levels
- Get inside the bathtub and relax
- Stay inside for 15-20 minutes for the best effect to get rid of your joint pains.
2. Hot Shower
Take a hot shower, or soak yourself in hot water for a long time early in the morning.
A hot and cold alternative bath is also useful in reducing stiffness in the joint. This method may not work for everyone as some people just can't stand the cold bath, but it is worth a try. It is called contrast bath therapy.
You immerse the affected joint in the hot and cold water alternatively for 20-30 minutes. Let us say your knee joint is hurting. You don't have to immerse your entire body in hot and cold water alternatively. Just soak your leg up to the knee level in hot water. Keep it there for 2-3 minutes depending on how long you can keep it. Remove the leg and now soak in cold water, Ice cold water for the same time.
This is a labor-intensive activity. Keep the hot water temperature between 95-105 F and Cold water between 45-65 F for a good result. Your real challenge is to make such hot and cold water alternatively available for 30 minutes.
3. Oil Massage
Oil massage is a centuries-old home remedy for joint pain relief. There are many massage oils available in the market that can do a good job. These oils have some herbs added to them for better effect. Oil massage is an art. Doing it the right way produces better results. Get the massage done through specialists in joint pain massage.
Another application though less common than the above is rubbing hot apple cider vinegar on the affected joints. This provides instant relief in some less severe types of joint pains.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric with antioxidant curcumin is antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. It is an excellent remedy for joint pain. Making a tea of turmeric in warm water helps to relieve joint pains and reduces inflammation if any. Add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm water and mix it well before sipping it. If you want you can add one teaspoon of honey to add taste. Honey also is anti-inflammatory so it is helpful.
Turmeric may interfere with some blood thinning and other medications. If you frequently use turmeric then you must consult your doctor to ensure that it is not interfering with any of your medication.
5. Cayenne
Many modern joint pain relieving ointments use cayenne pepper extract in their formulations. A compound called capsaicin with natural analgesic or pain-relieving properties in the cayenne paper has been found to relieve pain. You can make a similar ointment at home. Add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder to 3 tablespoons of warm coconut oil and mix them well. Rub it on the affected joint for 5-15 minutes until the pain is relieved.
Cayenne pepper will sting initially, therefore make sure that you do not ally on any open skin scars.
6. Magnesium
You have already known the benefits of magnesium through Epsom salt in joint pain relief. magnesium is very useful in the development of body tissues. You can use magnesium in many different ways to alleviate bone, joint, and muscle pains.
- Eat magnesium-rich foods. High magnesium foods include avocados, bananas, beans, dark leafy greens, beans, nuts, seeds specifically pumpkin seeds, fish, whole grains, yogurt, dried fruit, and dark chocolates to name a few. The list is big for you to choose
- Apply magnesium oil. It penetrates the skin surface and
7. Exercise
When the muscles get stiff they radiate pain called referral pain, therefore it is very much possible that the stiff muscles in the leg may give pain in the knee joint. Such incidences can happen in any part of the body and you may get joint pain.
Exercise helps to relieve stiff muscles. Get into the habit of mild exercising every day. This will make your muscles stronger and you will have less joint pain.
Chinese use acupuncture as a medical treatment for joint pain. It involves inserting thin needles into specific points on your body. This re-routes energies and restores balance in your body.
You can try this method but you have to find an expert in acupuncture.
Diets for Joint Pain
What you eat and what you don’t can be the difference between pain and relief. Some food products aggravate joint pain and others may help to deal with the pain. Banana is good food for joint pain relief. Carrot juice also provides good pain relief. Avoid citrus fruits.
Garlic is a very useful herb for treating many conditions. Garlic also can provide joint pain relief. Eat a clove of garlic fried in butter twice a day.
Turmeric powder mixed with milk is another useful way to reduce pain. Add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of hot milk. Stir it well and drink it warm.
And last but not least is drinking a lot of water throughout the day. Keeping the body always fully hydrated is the secret of youthfulness. It not only provides joint pain relief but many other health benefits.
Other Tips and Precautions
- Keep yourself active
- Let every joint has some movements daily
- Do yoga and breathing
- Eat more calcium-rich foods to avoid osteoporosis
- Take medical help if required.
Bottom line is that if you are more careful when you are young then you will have less of bone and joint problems. But if you take care when you are old you can significantly reduce your bone and joint pain by leading an active and disciplined lifestyle.