It seems the older we get, the more our bodies become susceptible to sudden, inexplicable aches and pains, especially in the joints. After all, we use them all the time. Aches and pains in the hands are a particularly common complaint. And it can be difficult to enjoy life when you’re constantly in pain.
If you’ve been suffering these symptoms, you should know that it could be arthritis that’s localized in the joints in your hands. But, rest easy; there are some natural ways to help treat it or even prevent or slow its onset.
Arthritis in Your Hands
Your hands consist of several joints that facilitate movement, grip, and heavy lifting. These include joints in your knuckles, fingers, and thumbs, all of which are interconnected.
All of these joints are covered in a lubricating tissue—cartilage—that allows the different joints in your ligaments to work together to complete tasks without rubbing up against one another and creating friction. As you age, your body’s production of cartilage slows down or deteriorates altogether. When this happens, your joints make direct contact with one another every time you use them and eventually, the pressure causes them to become inflamed. This results in pain, stiffness, swelling, difficulty moving the joints, and even a grinding feeling when you move the affected part of your body.
This is what’s known as arthritis and there are many different forms of it with a variety of causes. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is prevalent amongst the older population in the United States.
Treating or Preventing Arthritis Pain
Even though there’s no known cure for arthritis, there are several effective natural relief methods depending on how advanced your arthritis is. There are also a few preventative measures you can utilize in your everyday life if you have a family history of arthritis.
1. Natural Relief Methods
- Maintain at least a mildly active lifestyle (stretch every day, do yoga or tai chi, walk regularly, etc.)
- Press a damp and lukewarm compress, heating pad, or towel on your hands for at least 15 minutes prior to exercising
- Apply an ice pack for about 10 to 15 minutes to reduce joint swelling, stiffness, or pain
- Do various gentle hand and wrist exercises (e.g. slowly rotating wrists in both directions)
- Consume apple cider vinegar daily with a teaspoon of warm water; this acts as an effective natural anti-inflammatory
- Have ginger tea with turmeric in it, an excellent and tasty all-natural anti-inflammatory remedy that you can enjoy daily to help soothe inflamed, painful, and stiff joints caused by arthritis
2. Preventative Measures
Some of the above-mentioned relief remedies can also be used as preventative measures. If you don’t already have arthritis but suspect that you might develop it over time due to your family history, then it makes sense to engage in a few of the preventative measures as a preemptive strike. Regular exercise doesn’t have to include anything too strenuous, like daily high-intensity workouts, to be effective. In most