Natural Remedies for Managing Winter Arthritis Pain

Those who struggle with arthritis, joint pain and stiffness, often say that pain and discomfort increase as the temperature drops. While the actual reason of why the symptoms of arthritis amplify in the cold is unknown, there are various theories. What we do know for sure is that there are a number of things one can do to help manage our joint health in winter.

While prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, including NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), cortisone and other prescription medications for joint problems can offer some relief, side effects can include digestive, heart, adrenal and kidney problems. Natural remedies have many decades of traditional and effective use in relieving inflammation and pain, without unwanted side effects!

These simple and natural suggestions could save your joints from a lot of pain this winter:

Heat therapy

One of the oldest and most affordable forms of arthritis treatment is the application of heat. Taking a warm shower, applying a heat therapy bag or soaking in the bath are just a few examples of heat therapy that helps to relieve pain, aches and stiffness. When you warm up a sore or aching joint or muscle, your blood vessels dilate. The dilation allows more blood, oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the affected tissues, which brings relaxation for those stiff muscles and joints.

Caution: If you have an injury or flare-up, rather use cold therapy for the time being. 

These Flaxseed & Lavender Heat Therapy Bags ease away your pain and discomfort, and are 100% eco-friendly! These diverse bags provide targeted relief for arthritis, muscular pain, PMS, back pain, restless leg syndrome, tension, fibromyalgia, rheumatic disease, headaches and more! The best part is that if you prefer cold therapy, simply pop them in the freezer and voilà, you now have a Cold Therapy Bag!

Vitamin D

During the winter months, most of us stay inside. The trouble with this is that Vitamin D is produced in your skin when your skin is exposed to sunshine. Since sunlight helps us produce Vitamin D, less sun exposure in the winter can lead to a Vitamin D deficiency which can result in muscular and joint pain.

A Vitamin D supplement can help improve symptoms of winter arthritis by addressing the Vitamin D deficiency - start taking Vitamin D supplements at least a month or two before winter begins to prevent joint troubles from settling in as the weather changes.

Vitamin C

Collagen is a critical building block of cartilage, ligaments and tendons, all of which are often damaged as arthritis worsens. Vitamin C is essential to help your body produce collagen! There is growing research to suggest that regular supplementation with Vitamin C may ease pain, reduce inflammation, and protect against cartilage and joint damage!

Luckily, Vitamin C is sold as a dietary supplement at most health stores. Feelgood Health stocks Ester-C, a buffered form of Vitamin C that is better absorbed and easier on the digestive tract, meaning that you can take higher doses when needed! Foods high in Vitamin C include citrus fruits, cauliflower, cherries, bell peppers and cherries.

Low impact exercise

One of the best ways to keep joints working is to use them! Although you might not be in the mood to get your exercise gear on when it's cold outside, doing physical activity is a great way to get your body temperature up AND keep your joints flexible! Not only that, but regular exercise keeps your weight down (being overweight puts strain on your joints, which worsens arthritis) and also strengthens the muscles around the joints, which offers more support.

Low impact exercise is ideal for those with arthritis, as you will want to avoid putting extra strain or impact on your joints. Go for walks, swimming, yoga, cycling, etc.

Add turmeric to your diet

While turmeric has been a staple ingredient in South Asian cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, modern research shows that turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help those with arthritis. Turmeric powder can be added to food dishes, sauces, soups and drinks like tea and milk! It is best to have on an empty stomach. 

Tip: Most turmeric found in stores has been irradiated which removes the beneficial therapeutic properties, and may also be adulterated with colorants to make it look like 100% genuine turmeric - so make sure that you only use non-irradiated pure turmeric powder!

You can either use  100% non-irradiated turmeric powder in your food or drinks, or take a quality supplement. This quality Vitamin C + Turmeric Supplement also includes black pepper to ensure optimal absorption and bio-availability of the turmeric. It is proven that absorption of curcumin is modest, but can be increased by up to 2000% when co-administered with black pepper.

Know your foods

It's strongly recommended that those who have arthritis become familiar with which foods cause inflammation, and which foods can help reduce inflammation. A plant-based diet has been proven to be best! Cherries, berries, grapes, cabbage, kale, spinach, and plums, combined with omega-3 rich foods like fish and nuts, can help decrease swelling. Avoid processed foods, red meat, saturated fat, sugary treats, and fast foods - these aggravate inflammation and provoke arthritic flare-ups.

Browse our range of superfoods containing high potency ant-inflammatory and antioxidant properties!

Massage

Regular massage that involves moderate pressure, including self-massage, should help relieve arthritis pain and ease tension. Massages can help reduce pain and inflammation by relaxing the muscles around the joints and helping to increase blood flow to them. Getting regular massage has also shown to help increase range of motion and reduce stiffness, therefore improving quality of living.

Using a targeted massage oil like this Arnica Massage Oil is effective in the treatment of muscle pains, stiffness, inflammation and bruising. Apply a thin layer after bath or before bed to the entire body or areas that need some special care! Massage slowly into affected areas. You can also locally apply a CBD Topical Salve to specific areas of pain.

Supplements

Adding certain supplements to your daily routine can greatly reduce the risk of developing any joint problems. Additionally, if you already suffer from arthritis, including these supplements can help reduce your symptoms drastically and naturally, without turning to prescription drugs:

• MobiLive - herbal anti-inflammatory which assists with arthritis, fibrositis, myalgia or rheumatism, and improves stiffness and mobility.
• Arthro Synergy - blend of tissue salts which reduces inflammation and joint pain and increases mobility
• Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM Supplement - For joint and cartilage health. Prevents joint deterioration and builds up cartilage, increases joint flexibility & reduces stiffness.
• CBD Topical Salve - USDA Certified Organic, that provides soothing relief for pains and aches when applied topically over the affected area (Strength: 200mg / 100ml)
• CBD Oil - perfect for people seeking a safe, low to mid potency CBD supplement and contains no psychoactive cannabinoids (THC). Helps alleviate symptoms of pain, inflammation, stiffness.

If you have any health-related questions, please contact us or leave a comment below for FREE advice. We always love hearing from you!