The average American takes 17 ibuprofen tablets in a month. People with arthritis may take that many in a single week. To many of the 40 million Americans with arthritis, over-the-counter painkillers often seem like the only way to hold on to a full and active lifestyle.
But there are natural, healthy, low-cost approaches to reducing painful inflammation.
Arthritis relief is hiding in our pantries, our closets and our swimming pools. The following natural pain relief practices have fewer long-term harmful side effects than a pocket full of pills, and most of them are delicious, relaxing and even fun.
Feel the heat: Heat is perhaps the handiest way to reduce inflammation without a pill. Keeping your joints warm keeps your circulation strong, which is a great way to minimize muscle and joint inflammation. Hot showers, good insulation and a cozy sweater go a long way toward keeping joints supple and pain free. To combat intense pain in a large region such as the lower back, invest in a heating pad or splurge on a hot stone massage.
