Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects over 1.5 million people in the United States alone.
The worst part…Healthline.com shares that over 100,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.
As of today, there is no cure for this autoimmune disease that causes debilitating…
- Joint pain.
- Muscle weakness.
- Muscle tenderness.
- Anemia.
- Fatigue.
- Occasion physical deformities
The good news…there are several natural ways that people with rheumatoid arthritis can manage and relieve these awful symptoms.
Keep reading to discover 5 natural solutions for managing rheumatoid arthritis.
Solution #1 – Adopt an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
When you have an autoimmune disease, the body often attacks and damages its own tissues, which causes inflammation.
This is what causes the pain and swelling in the case of rheumatoid arthritis.
The best way to keep the inflammation from causing pain and discomfort is to eat a diet that prevents the inflammation from occurring.
In order to do this, I recommend that you throw out sugary, processed foods and add the following menu items into your meal plan…
- Leafy Greens
- Purple colored fruits and veggies
- Whole grains
- Beans
- Nuts
- Fish
- Herbs and spice
You can also try out this tasty turmeric-based anti-inflammatory drink recipe that might help relieve some pain and stiffness.
Solution #2 – Keep Your Stress Levels in Check
The best time for your body to heal is when it’s calm and relaxed.
Therefore, it’s key for those with rheumatoid arthritis to keep their stress levels low in order to let their joints and muscles rest and heal.
In order to reduce your stress levels, I recommend that you…
- Make time to enjoy your favorite activity/hobby.
- Add self-care routines into your day.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Stay away from situations that cause stress flare-ups.
- Incorporate meditation, yoga, etc., into your weekly routine.
Solution #3 – Stay Active
Exercising might not sound like a ton of fun if you have pain in your joints.
But, if you just sit around all day, it will do nothing to help relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Staying active helps keep your muscles strong, reduces inflammation, and can also help keep your joints lubricated.
There’s no need to run a marathon to feel the benefits of this solution. A simple 30-minute walk every day is enough to help keep painful symptoms at bay.
Solution #4 – Take a Fish Oil Supplement
Fish oil supplements contain two types of omega-3 fatty acids that are vital for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
These omega-3s are docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid.
These oils are important because they do a great job at reducing inflammation, which causes swelling and pain in the joints.
Aside from reducing inflammation, these fatty acids have also been proven to help suppress the immune system.
This suppression helps lessen the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Solution #5 – Give Massage Therapy a Try
Regular massage treatments provided by a licensed professional is a great way to naturally manage the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
The reason: Massage techniques help relieve muscle tension and alleviate stiffness, and help a person relax and destress.
Overtime, massage therapy helps keep rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups from happening, which in turn allows a person to live a less painful and more active lifestyle.
We offer professional massage therapy services at Carolinas Natural Health Center.
To find out more about what we offer and to book an appointment, get in touch with us today!
To learn more about autoimmune diseases and to discover if you’re at risk, check out my latest post on 4 autoimmune disease risk factors.
