8 Natural Forms of Therapy for Chronic Joint Pain

Joint pain might not sound like a big deal to people who don’t suffer. However, you know how your condition can interfere with your mobility and ability to perform daily living activities if you have arthritis, fibromyalgia, or a similar condition.

Fortunately, advances in holistic healing techniques have expanded your treatment options. Here are eight natural forms of therapy for joint pain that won’t lead to adverse side effects.

People with chronic pain get one piece of advice from their doctors all the time: exercise. While working out effectively reverses the downward spiral of worsening agony, it’s challenging to get moving when you’re already achy. If you have pain in your knee or hip joint, for example, going for a stroll might feel akin to a spin in the iron maiden.

Why not take that stroll in a pool? Research shows that submerging yourself to your chest supports 80% of your body weight. Without the extra pressure on your joints, you can move more freely. Plus, the water creates natural resistance, adding strength training to your cardio without lifting a single weight.

Physical therapy is another natural form of therapy for joint pain. Trained professionals can use assistive devices to stretch your ligaments and tendons, easing pain around inflamed joints.

Use extra care when selecting your health insurance policy. Many cover this treatment regimen, but not all do. You should inquire about limitations — will you have coverage if you injure yourself twice in one year? How many visits does it allow per period, and is there a lifetime maximum?

Many corticosteroid injections slightly stretch the definition of “natural.” This treatment regimen uses a chemically produced facsimile of cortisol, a hormone your adrenal system secretes. The stuff used in joint injections isn’t the same as the “juice” athletes use — you won’t suddenly look like The Rock after hitting the gym.

This treatment works for joint pain resulting from autoimmune conditions. For example, it can reduce the swelling seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Some steroid treatments cause side effects like weight gain and easy bruising — discuss these with your provider if they become troublesome.

Acupuncture developed thousands of years ago. The continued popularity of its use testifies to its efficacy, although experts disagree on how it works. Traditional eastern practitioners believe it stimulates the flow of chi, or vital energy. Western minds attribute the effects to how the needles activate certain nerve fibers, interfering with pain signals to your brain.

You used to have to pay for this treatment out of pocket. However, some insurance carriers now offer coverage — check with your policy to be sure. If you decide to try this approach by paying out of pocket, it will cost anywhere from $100 to $150 for a 30-minute session.

Yoga is glorious for easing chronic pain. However, if your first experience with this ancient exercise form took place in a hardcore Ashtanga Vinyasa or Bikram class, it’s understandable why you would say, “yeah, right.” Fortunately, there are gentle forms of this practice designed specifically to ease joint pain.

Yin and restorative classes are your yoga go-tos if you want natural therapy for your joints. This style emphasizes long, slow, deep stretches. You don’t burn many calories, but you work deep into your connective tissues, easing adhesions that worsen pain symptoms. Arrive at your first class early and discuss your condition with your guide. They can recommend modifications for various poses suited to your needs.

If your joint pain results from inflammation, you might enjoy considerable relief from dietary modifications. Some people suspect undiagnosed food allergies might lurk behind mysterious aches. Even if that’s not a factor, some foods ease swelling while others exacerbate it.

Add more of the following foods to your diet:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables: These contain valuable antioxidants and phytonutrients. Science has yet to define how they affect the body, but getting a wide variety is critical to health. Fill half your plate at each meal with fresh produce in every hue. Different colors correspond to varying nutritional profiles.

• Seafood:Seafood is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These substances may help decrease inflammation. It also has vitamin E to lubricate your joints.

• Nuts and seeds: These foods are rich in minerals like magnesium, which is vital for neurological function. Your nerves carry pain signals to your brain.

Try to avoid the following:

• White processed sugar and flour: These substances absorb quickly, spiking your blood sugar. Over time, overconsumption can lead to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes, exacerbating inflammatory conditions.

• Trans-fats: Although the FDA banned these substances, you can still find them lurking in products like some packaged baked goods.

• Nightshade plants: Some studies implicate plants in the nightshade family with increased flares. Species include eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes.

You can’t get much more natural than a substance from your body. Platelet-rich plasma injections harness the blood’s healing properties to repair damaged tissues like ligament, cartilage, and even bone.

Your doctor performs this treatment by taking a blood sample, which they place in a centrifuge. They then extract the platelet-rich stuff for injection into a joint, typically your knees.

Bone marrow concentrate injections also source their supply from your body. Physicians take the marrow from a large bone, generally your hip.

After putting the cells in a centrifuge, your doctor injects the usable portion into your joint. In most cases, you only need one treatment to substantially reduce pain anywhere from your shoulders to your ankles.

Joint pain can impair your mobility and make formerly pleasurable daily activities excruciating. However, medication isn’t your only option for easing the ache. Talk to your doctor about one of these natural forms of therapy for joint pain and get back to feeling better with fewer side effects.