Treat Joint Pain Naturally

As we age, most of us will deal with some painful joint issues. Especially those of us who are--or have been in the past--very active. Former and current athletes, dancers, gymnasts, and trainers are likely to suffer from pain in the joints they use (or used) the most. I've been dancing and practicing yoga for more than 30 years, and I can feel the wear and tear in my ankles, knees, spine, shoulders, and wrists.

Of course all this physical activity is good for you! I would never suggest anyone give up exercising. But it's impossible to push the body hard and not end up, at least to some degree, with pain.

Luckily for us, there are ways to alleviate mild to moderate joint pain without surgery or prescription pain killers. (NOTE: I am not a doctor. This blog is not meant to diagnose or treat any disease. Please see your licensed health practitioner for medical advice, should you need it!)

Joint pain often involves some level of inflammation. Reducing overall inflammation in your body can help to reduce pain in the joints and is important for other reasons. Inflammation is at the root of many serious diseases, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.

MOVE MORE. SIT LESS. Move it or lose it! Gentle movement--yoga, t'ai chi, qi gong, walking, gardening, swimming, biking--is better for your joints (and muscles and bones and every part of you!) than sitting still. The more we move, the better we feel. 

FOAM ROLL, MASSAGE, AND STRETCHING. Make it a habit to spend some time every day caring for those areas of your body that are stiff, tight, and painful. You don't need to spend a lot of money having someone else do this for you. Grab a foam roller and/or a tennis ball and massage your own muscles.

AVOID OR REDUCE SUGAR AND REFINED CARBS. A diet high in processed foods, refined carbs, and sugar creates cellular inflammation. Eating more whole foods, especially veggies, can help reduce overall inflammation in the body.

ADD MORE OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS. Vegetable oils like canola, soy, corn, and cottonseed are high in omega-6s which create inflammation. Try eating more fatty fish--salmon, sardines, mackarel--as well as grassfed beef, butter, and dairy products.

SUPERFOOD SUPPORT. Spices like turmeric show promise for reducing the inflammation that causes pain in the joints.

SUPPLEMENTS: Some people seem to find relief from joint supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin. Studies show these work, but not for everyone. Bone broth contains similar compounds and you can make it yourself at home.

CBD OIL: This is another anti-inflammatory and may help with issues of joint pain.

Do you suffer from painful joints? What have you found helps?