Arthritis Knee Pain - Has it Ended Your Independence?

Arthritis knee pain is a symptom that can prevent you from doing a lot of things you enjoy. People who suffer from arthritis would like to be active again but in most cases can't because the pain is so debilitating. As a registered nurse, I see this sad fact every day. I want to shout "your life does not have to be this way". Even though I can't shout as a professional, but I can point you in the right direction.

Knee pain is one of the results of the disease osteoarthritis. Any joint that is used often like hips, fingers, back, neck, knees, and elbows is where the pain is most often felt. Osteoarthritis affects over 50 million people in America and the number is getting larger everyday. When you become over 50 years of age, you notice the stiffness, aches and pains in the joints. The name arthritis itself has many different classifications but rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is what we are most familiar with.

Arthritis knee pain is especially difficult because most of our mobility is done by using the knee joint. When arthritis pain get so bad to point where your mobility is limited , this affects a major portion of your independence. As we get older, maintaining our independence is very important. Losing it is very heart breaking to say the least and it is a major reason for depression in older Americans. But it does not have to lead to this. There are very simple things you can do to control arthritis pain.

Exercise is one of the best ways to keep your joints limber. Walking and water aerobics are low impact and can do wonders for joint pain. Not only that, exercising releases endorphins that improves your mood and as well as masks pain.

Eat healing foods like pineapples, alfalfa, and fish. Pineapples have an enzyme called bromelain that ease joint pain and inflammation. Alfalfa contains lots of minerals that neutralizes the affects of acidosis which is a known cause of arthritis. Fatty fish like mackerel and salmon is very rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 is famous for reducing joint inflammation.

Another thing you can do that is simple but beneficial is to soak in a tub of warm water and 2 cups of Epsom salts. Epsom salts when soaked into the skin allow magnesium and sulfate to work in detoxifying the body of environmental contaminants and excess mineral deposits and it also helps balance calcium levels in the body which is needed for proper nerve conductivity in the joints.

As you can see, there are many simple things you can do to get arthritis knee pain relief. All you need to do is be consistent in your quest to remain independent and enjoy life to the fullest.