Are your aching joints interfering with your quality of life? With 80% of the world's population affected by joint inflammation, you're not alone. The good news is that most cases of joint inflammation can be treated at home with simple remedies. Whether your joint inflammation is part of a chronic condition like arthritis, the result of working too hard at the gym or an effect of getting older, try these four home remedies to help ease the pain and swelling.
Classic first aid for sore joints and muscles is to apply ice followed by heat. An ice pack helps reduce inflammation and dull pain by numbing the affected area, while heat facilitates blood flow to relax the pain away. You can also try the RICE method, which stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Wrap the sore joint in an ace bandage for compression, then rest and elevate it with a pillow or cushion and add an ice pack.
A class of over-the-counter drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDs, is very effective at reducing joint inflammation and numbing pain. These drugs include ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen sodium. NSAIDs are most commonly sold in oral tablet form, but you can also find them in topical formulations. Remember to carefully read and follow all instructions when taking over-the-counter medications.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, and it has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease joint inflammation. Topical products like the icy roll-on gel from Hemp Mountain CBD work best to soothe away the pain and swelling of inflamed joints, but oral and inhaled forms are also available. Direct topical application is typically best, as it allows for the solution directly soak into the skin and muscle in a targeted fashion, but severe cases can also benefit from CBD taken orally.
Other essential oils can also help reduce swelling, such as lemongrass oil and peppermint. Most essential oil mixes come in gel rollers as well, making it easy and convenient to apply to sore areas.
An Epsom salt bath is an old, time-tested home remedy for aching joints. The warm water of the bath combined with magnesium-rich Epsom salt is very effective at reducing inflammation and soothing pain away. Magnesium is an essential mineral that helps to relax muscles and draw excess fluid out of inflamed joint tissues. Run your bath water as hot as you can stand, add one cup of Epsom salt and soak for 15 to 20 minutes. This is the minimum time to get the true benefits of the magnesium soak, and less than that likely will result in less absorption.
While mild to moderate joint inflammation can often be treated successfully at home, it's important to see a doctor if your pain persists, gets worse or interferes with daily activities. Some causes of joint inflammation are very serious and require prescription drugs, physical therapy or even surgery to avoid irreversible joint damage.
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure.