Research Faculty. Verywell Health Anti-inflammatory remedies for joint pain only remedeis sources, Anti-inflammatory remedies for joint pain peer-reviewed Anti-inflanmatory, to support the facts within our articles. Last Reviewed: Curcumin and Alzheimers Disease 5, Anti-inflxmmatory Centers for Disease Control and PreventionNational Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health PromotionDivision of Population Health. We avoid using tertiary references. Exercise for treating fibromyalgia syndrome. Published Dec Try turmeric The turmeric root has been shown to have great anti-inflammatory properties and many people add turmeric powder to sauces, smoothies, or tea.

Anti-inflammatory remedies for joint pain -

Some studies show that many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory creams and gels work as well as oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For older people or those who can't take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by mouth, topical NSAIDs might be a good choice.

Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory creams and gels can be used as needed or every day. They work best when combined with exercises prescribed by a health care professional.

For knee osteoarthritis, weight loss also is important for anyone who's overweight. Other topical treatments recommended for knee and hand osteoarthritis are those that have capsaicin kap-SAY-ih-sin.

Capsaicin causes the burning feeling that comes from chili peppers. Examples include Capzasin-HP and Zostrix. Capsaicin blocks a chemical in the nerve cells that sends pain messages.

Capsaicin works best if used several times a day. It might take up to two weeks to feel relief. Many people say topical products help relieve their arthritis pain. But research doesn't always show that they work well.

Compared with other products, topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines have more studies that show that they work and are safe. The other products work only a little better or no better than the controls, called placebos, that are used in studies.

Capsaicin might work better when used with other treatments, such as pills containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Putting capsaicin creams on the skin can make the skin burn or sting. But this might get better within a few weeks of daily use.

If you use a product with capsaicin, wash your hands well after each use. Don't touch your eyes. You might need to wear latex gloves when putting on the cream. Don't use any topical pain relievers on broken or irritated skin. Don't use them with a heating pad or bandage.

If you are allergic to aspirin or take blood thinners, talk with a member of your health care team before using topical medicines with salicylates.

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Request Appointment. Arthritis pain: Treatments absorbed through your skin. Products and services. Arthritis pain: Treatments absorbed through your skin Learn about the various types of topical pain medicines available for pain relief.

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Show references Kolasinski SL, et al. Topical NSAIDs offer joint pain relief. Arthritis Foundation. Accessed April 17, Deveza LA, et al.

Management of knee osteoarthritis. Sharma L. Osteoarthritis of the knee. The New England Journal of Medicine. Meng Z, et al. Topical treatment of degenerative knee osteoarthritis. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Certain illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis cause increased inflammation that requires stronger prescription therapies.

These arthritis drugs—such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs DMARDs , corticosteroids, and biologics—also battle inflammation, but they do so by targeting different molecules in the immune system, so they don't work the same way as NSAIDs. Talk to a healthcare provider about which anti-inflammatory therapy is appropriate for you.

Acetaminophen, a popular over-the-counter pain reliever in Tylenol and many combination drugs, is not an anti-inflammatory drug. Corticosteroids are strong anti-inflammatory medications that are similar to cortisol , a hormone is made by the adrenal gland. Cortisol plays a large role in how the body naturally manages inflammation.

Corticosteroids are fast-acting and are sometimes prescribed for short-term relief until other drugs begin to take effect.

If a healthcare provider prescribes corticosteroids, you might receive them in the form of a shot, pill, cream, or by infusion through an IV line. A common way corticosteroids are used to treat arthritis is through an injection directly in the joint that is causing pain also known as a cortisone shot.

In some cases, dietary supplements can help reduce arthritis inflammation naturally. But some supplements can interfere with prescription medications, so it's important to talk with a healthcare provider before you start any supplement regimen.

Research shows that fish oil omega-3 fatty acids taken in capsule or liquid form can be beneficial for reducing inflammation. Two of the most common supplements used for arthritis, glucosamine, and chondroitin are natural compounds found in cartilage, a tissue that cushions bones in our joints.

Research studies on the value of glucosamine and chondroitin for arthritis are conflicting, however, and experts disagree on whether patients with arthritis should take them. Some studies have shown that they can interact with blood thinners and may cause problems for people with diabetes or kidney disease.

SAM-e , or S-adenosyl-methionine, is a compound that occurs naturally in the body. It works with folate and vitamin B12 to support a number of body processes. Being deficient in folate or B12 can cause you to be short of SAM-e. Some studies have shown SAM-e to be effective in reducing osteoarthritis pain and inflammation.

Our bodies need certain vitamins and minerals to stay healthy overall. Vitamins D and K are linked to healthy cartilage and bone. If you're deficient in vitamins D or K, it may be helpful to supplement. Other antioxidant vitamins—including vitamins A, C, and E, might also be beneficial.

An anti-inflammatory diet is often recommended for people trying to control inflammation naturally or for those who just want to eat as healthily as possible. An anti-inflammatory diet focuses on cutting your intake of saturated fats and trans fats while increasing your intake of foods rich in nutrients like antioxidants and healthy fats.

Omega-6 fatty acids play a role in the health of our brain and bones, and help regulate our metabolism. In excess quantities, though, they can increase our body's production of inflammatory chemicals.

Limit your intake of meat, dairy products, and vegetable oils and margarine to balance omega-6 fatty acids in your body.

Refined carbohydrates and sugars, along with many processed foods, may also increase inflammatory chemicals and make your arthritis inflammation worse. Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, however, are good for you. Foods that are high in these substances can help you lower inflammation. The Mediterranean diet is considered a good example of an anti-inflammatory diet and is based on the consumption of:.

When it comes to beverages, green tea is a good choice. Research shows that it has anti-inflammatory properties. In recent years, interest has increased in the use of cannabis products cannabinoids to treat arthritis.

The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has grown in recent years, particularly in the treatment of chronic pain conditions such as arthritis. The two main active substances in cannabis plants are deltatetrahydrocannabinol THC, the psychoactive chemical that causes the "high" feeling and cannabidiol CBD.

Both have been shown to improve pain symptoms. Cannabis can taken in capsules, in drops under the tongue, or smoked. Edibles—such as baked goods or oil-infused gummies—are another way to use cannabis. Various forms of CBD supplements are also available that contain no THC. Every U.

state has different regulations regarding the use of medical marijuana and CBD oil, so be sure to understand which laws apply to you. Being overweight can drive up your inflammation. Where body fat is distributed can contribute, as well. For instance, a large waist circumference 35 inches for people assigned female at birth and 40 inches for those assigned male at birth is typically associated with excess inflammation.

Researchers recognize a connection between inflammation and obesity, although more needs to be learned. At the very least, talk to a healthcare provider about working towards a goal of consistent exercise. You don't need to lose a lot of weight to improve inflammation.

Even if no weight is lost, an abundance of evidence suggests consistent exercise improves health significantly. Exercise may be another good option. Experts recommend 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise, five days a week to reduce inflammation.

Many people with arthritis steer clear of regular exercise, as they feel exercise makes their arthritis worse.

However, though caution may be warranted, remember that doing something is better than doing nothing. Start slowly, at whatever pace you consider doable, and then build on that.

Smoking tobacco has numerous damaging effects on your health, and studies show that these include higher levels of inflammatory markers. If you are currently a smoker, try to use the idea of having less inflammation and pain as motivation to quit.

Stress has been linked to higher levels of inflammation in the body. A study found that acute stress raised levels of numerous inflammatory markers. Inadequate sleep has been associated with increased inflammatory markers.

In a review of studies on inflammation and sleep, researchers concluded that sleep disturbance and long sleep duration are linked to increases in systemic inflammation.

When trying to determine how much sleep is adequate, remember that it is not precisely the same for everyone. According to researchers for the National Sleep Foundation, adults generally need between seven and nine hours per night, but that individual needs can vary.

The key is to determine how much sleep you require to feel well. Then, be aware of how much sleep you are getting on a regular basis. A healthy sleep pattern can help reduce inflammation. Inflammation plays a role in multiple diseases, including arthritis. Taking steps to reduce inflammation in your body—such as changing your diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising consistently, or certain medications—can help alleviate your arthritis symptoms.

It depends on the degree of severity. Minor inflammation often responds well to cold compresses and OTC pain relievers.

More severe inflammation may require treatment with corticosteroids taken orally or injected into the joint. The immune system plays a key role in inflammatory arthritis. When the immune system isn't working properly, it releases inflammatory chemicals that can attack joint tissues.

This, in turn, causes your arthritis symptoms, such as increased joint fluid, swelling, and bone and muscle damage. While a healthcare provider can prescribe a number of treatments to treat your arthritis inflammation, there are some key steps you can take without medication. These include losing weight, eating anti-inflammatory foods, getting restorative sleep, and even taking certain nutritional supplements.

A diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation in the body, including inflammation caused by arthritis.

In particular, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce systemic inflammation, which can also ease arthritis symptoms. A flare-up of joint inflammation in arthritis can be caused by:. Arthritis Foundation.

Calder PC. Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: From molecules to man. Biochem Soc Trans. The Arthritis Foundation. Fish oil. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis.

Bottiglieri T.

Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Anri-inflammatory Clinic Health Anti-inflammatory remedies for joint pain locations. Fro about the various types of topical pain medicines available for pain relief. Can they ease your arthritis pain? After an active weekend of hiking or work around the yard, joints might continue to hurt even after taking arthritis pain medicine. Don't want to take another pill?