If you have arthritis, you already know it affects the movement and flexibility of joints by causing stiffness, rigidity and pain. Fortunately, there are many natural means of relieving arthritis pain. And one of the first natural arthritis treatments your doctor might suggest is the use of hot and/or cold therapy. The benefits of this particular home remedy for arthritis relief are that it’s costs-effective, safe and free of chemical side effects. Even though it might seem odd that opposite temperatures are used, hot and cold therapy both work quite effectively to stimulate the body’s natural healing force.

When heat is applied to an area, blood vessels dilate and circulation is improved, as is oxygenation to the area where the heat is applied.  There are many ways to apply heat to the body: heated belts, pads and patches, heat lamps, moist heating pads (also sometimes known as “hydrocollators”), warm baths, showers, whirlpools, hot tubs, and warm towels heated in the microwave. In addition, many people discover find that steam saunas are especially useful for arthritis pain relief. Whatever method of heat delivery you choose, it’s recommended to use heat therapy at least twice daily. Make sure to regulate the heat so it’s only as warm as can be tolerated by the body without causing discomfort.

Cold therapy is right up there with heat in terms of effectiveness, so it is also known as one of the more beneficial joint pain remedies. Cold temperature helps ease arthritis pain by decreasing swelling and inflammation in joints. This is achieved because cold causes constriction of blood vessels and decreased blood flow, thus creating numbness. You can apply cold therapy by using ice massages, cold packs, a frozen cloth or soaking in cold baths. Regular application of some form of cold treatment for five to 10 minutes daily has been found to be of great help to arthritis patients.

For some, alternating hot and cold treatment can also be effective. But there is one caveat: using heat or alternating heat and cold shouldn’t be used until after the first 48 hours after pain appears. As a general rule, cold therapy should be used within the first 48 hours and heat should be used for pain that lasts longer than 48 hours. But each body is different, so experiment with each modality or a combination of these two temperature-based natural arthritis remedies to determine which provides the best pain relief for you. If either heat or cold causes your pain to worsen, stop using it. Your own experience should be your guide.

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Think you’re too young? Age doesn’t matter; one of the most popular misconceptions about arthritis is that it’s an old person’s disease. Think it only affects the opposite sex? Arthritis is not gender-specific. In fact, arthritis; a disease characterized by pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling in or around joints; can affect people of any gender and any age, from young children to the elderly.

Although there are over 100 types of arthritis (such as gout, fibromyalgia and lupus), osteoarthritis is the most common. It’s a condition in which there is a breakdown of the plastic-like cartilage on the end of bone joints in the hands, hips, knees and back. Without that protective cushion, bones rub against bones, which ultimately results in pain, swelling and even deformity. The pain and disability caused by arthritis can prevent you from performing everyday activities, and the accompanying fatigue and stress make you vulnerable to other illness.

Unfortunately, no treatment has yet been found that will successfully cure arthritis. Instead, treatment is aimed at reducing pain and discomfort and preventing further disability. Many people turn to alternative remedies to provide natural joint pain relief, and there are a number of different modalities available.

Traditional Chinese medicine
Acupuncture has practiced for more than 2,500 years, and has been scientifically proven to alleviate pain. According to practitioners, pain and illness result when the energy flow in your body is disrupted. Insertion of acupuncture needles is intended to stimulate points along the energy channels, which balances the flow and restores health.

Acupressure is a technique that is similar to acupuncture but it involves the use of fingertip pressure rather than needles. The practitioner presses on the tender areas to disperse the build-up of lactic acid, which then helps relieve pain.

Massage therapy
Massage is an ancient form of pain management, dating back more than 3000 years. Massage can involve application of light strokes, firm squeezing, or “percussion” (using the hands to strike the muscles), but regardless of the type of massage, it can help you relax and allow the blood to flow naturally through your body, which then alleviates pain.

Reflexology is another type of massage, and is based on the idea that the muscles and organs of the body are affected by specific areas of the feet. When pressure is applied to certain areas on the soles of the feet, other areas of the body relax.

Flotation therapy
Flotation tanks are sometimes used to treat the pain of arthritis. Patients float in a pool filled with Epsom salts. Epsom salts have been documented to relieve pain, in part, by stimulating production of endorphins (the “feel good” substances produced in the brain).

Heat treatment/cold treatment
Heat treatment; in the form of a hot bath, hot pack, or a heating pad; is one of the oldest known treatments for arthritis. This therapy sends soothing heat to the small joints in the hands or feet. Cold, wet compresses or ice packs applied to the painful area are often more effective than heat for soothing sharp, intense pain. Just remember not to use cold treatment for more than 20 minutes at a time – excessive cold can damage the skin.

TENS
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses electrical stimulation of the nerves to block pain signals to the brain. Electrodes are placed on the skin and low-level electrical current produces a slight tingling sensation. TENS seems to work best when pain flares in a specific area.

Diet
Adjusting your diet can often help with arthritis symptoms. Foods in the deadly nightshade family (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants) are particularly likely to worsen arthritis symptoms, so you might want to eliminate them from your diet. Decreasing animal products (except fish), and increasing fruits, vegetables and whole grains may also be helpful.

Supplements
Glucosamine sulfate is available as a nutritional supplement. Glucosamine in its natural form is created in the body from sugar (glucose), and it plays a major role in the manufacture and maintenance of cartilage. It’s been shown to not only stimulate the repair of cartilage, but to also inhibit the enzymes that break down this connective tissue. Taking a glucosamine supplement can relieve pain and aid the healing of aching joints.

Because the body naturally has its own mechanisms for rebuilding joints and connective tissue, making sure your body is provided with the optimal levels of essential nutrients will help it do its job. Some studies have shown that fish oil supplements lessen joint tenderness, swelling and stiffness. Supplementation with vitamins and minerals also help to manage arthritis. Vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamins D and E are all important to the development and maintenance of healthy cartilage, as are calcium and magnesium. Additionally, herbal supplements may provide relief for some arthritis sufferers. Devil’s claw (devils claw), boswellia, evening primrose, and borage often ease joint pain due to their anti-inflammatory properties, and white willow is a centuries-old remedy for pain.

The final answer
As with any health treatment, be critical when trying an alternative therapy. Arthritis is characterized by periods of flare-ups and remissions, and particular therapies may be more or less effective on any given day. Just remember not to expect a cure. Arthritis is a lifelong process, but alternative arthritis therapies can help you regain control of your life.