Arthritis is a degenerative condition, which means the symptoms tend to worsen over time. Whatever the severity of the situation, the pain that a person feels in their body due to arthritis is unbearable. Whether it is osteoarthritis (OA) orrheumatoid arthritis (RA), the severe pain lasts for years and may even get worse with age. The only way to manage this pain is by taking medicines fromprescription drug savings, recommended by doctors. There are also natural ways one can manage their pain by making certain changes in their lifestyle.

Manage your weight

Your body weight can have a significant effect on your joints which are the most affected areas by arthritis. Extra weight can put pressure on joints and may cause breakage of bones as well. Doctors recommend losing excess weight if you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA). You can either try to lose weight on your own or hire a trainer or dietician to help you lose weight faster.Losing weight can help:

decrease pain
improve your mobility
prevent more damage to your joints

Get enough exercise

Exercise is a great way to:

keep your joints flexible
manage your weight
strengthen muscles around the joints.

However, experts recommend starting a moderate exercise routine that is not too much strenuous on your body. Engage in light exercises that do not put pressure on your joints. Hiring a trainer is a good option as they will guide you through your fitness program according to your condition.

Use hot and cold therapy

Cold and hot treatments help relieve the pressure off your joints and ease the pain.

Heat treatments include taking a warm bath or shower to help ease stiffness in the joints and then using a moist heating pad toreduce nerve pain overnight.
Cold treatments help relieve swelling, joint pain and inflammation. Wrap a bag of frozen vegetables or a gel ice pack in a cloth and apply it to painful areas for quick relief. Never apply ice directly to the skin as it may damage the skin.

Try acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical treatment being practised for hundreds of years, which involves inserting thin needles into specific pressure points on the body. Acupuncture helps reduce arthritis pain, and the ACR/AF recommends it. Before going for acupuncture, consult your doctor first and then make sure to find a certified acupuncturist with proper training to carry out the procedure.

Follow a healthy diet

Your diet play's a huge role in your physical health. No matter what the disease, a healthy diet routine rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole foods can give a boost to your immunity and your overall health. Healthy dietary choices can not only help you bear the pain but also heal ease the symptoms of arthritis. Go for a plant-based diet that provides antioxidants, so your body can reduce inflammation in the joints by eliminating free radicals from the body.

Yoga

Yoga increases the flexibility of the body and improves the joint mobility by stretching in different poses. A regular yoga session helps to release hormones in the body that promote better well-being. There are countless different yoga poses especially designed for arthritis patients that help with releasing the pressure off the joints. If you wish to perform yoga regularly, keep the following points in mind:

Begin with gentle yoga practice that includes easy poses which do not put much strain on your body. This helps your body get used to the minimum pressure on its joints. Once you have mastered the easy poses, you can gradually move on to more advanced yoga practice.
Consult your doctor before starting yoga once they give you the green signal, find an instructor that specializes in yoga practice for arthritis patients.
Try to practice yoga in the second half of the day, after your joints have loosened up.

Swimming

Swimming is a great form of exercise for every one no matter their physical condition. Swimming provides good pressure on the joints while being easy due to the buoyancy of water. If you have been diagnosed with Arthritis, start going for at least 10 minutes of swimming session daily. You will soon feel a light weight and your joints will not have much pain.

Massage

Massage is an amazing therapy for not only the body but also the mind. If you have been having body pains or pain in a specific part of the body, you can book a massage session with a certified therapist. Make use of different blends of essential oils that provide calmness and soothes the pain. There are many different oils that help in reducing pain such as Eucalyptus oil, Rosemary oil, Lavender oil etc. A regular massage will help relieve the stiffness in the joints and muscles and improve the blood circulation throughout the body. With these natural methods in mind, make sure you consult your doctor before doing any of these methods as their results might intervene with the effects of medicines you might be having for Arthritis.