Seniors who experience pain due to arthritis often take prescription medication to relieve their aches. However, there are many popular natural treatments offering similar benefits without the side effects of medications. Mississauga, ON, home care experts discuss a few ways the elderly can treat arthritis naturally.
Massage Therapy
According to research conducted by Tiffany Field at the University of Miami, seniors who regularly have their joints and muscles massaged by a licensed therapist can greatly reduce their pain. Field’s many studies on the effects of massage for arthritis indicated this simple treatment led to a substantial decrease in pain and increase in range of motion and gripping strength.
Acupuncture
When carefully pricked with the tiny needles used in acupuncture, the body discharges endogenous opioids, which are natural painkillers. Scientists at the University of Maryland conducted a study that found people with knee arthritis decreased their pain by 40 percent after having acupuncture twice weekly for 6 months. After the initial study, the acupuncture treatments were reduced to once a month.
Swimming
High-impact exercises take a greater toll on the body and cause more pain, but doing a low-impact exercise like swimming can help your loved one get into shape without putting additional pressure on his or her aching joints. If possible, swimming in a heated pool would be ideal because the warmth can relax the muscles. Swimming can lubricate the joints, reducing the friction between them, which is a wonderful bonus for seniors with arthritis.
Lose Weight
Your loved one’s weight can greatly impact how much pain he or she will have from arthritis. Extra weight puts added pressure on the joints, and reducing the stress on the joints by losing some weight can help decrease your loved one’s pain, increase his or her mobility, and stop further damage to the joints.
Meditate
Meditating about 15 minutes each day can help your loved one reduce the pain he or she experiences because of arthritis. When seniors meditate, their breathing becomes slower and deeper, which relaxes the muscles and keeps their minds off the joint pain. Seniors can also sit with their eyes closed and listen to music to clear their thoughts and reduce their pain
Chronic pain from arthritis or other conditions can make it difficult for seniors to accomplish important everyday tasks. If your loved one needs help in and outside of the house, turn to Home Care Assistance. Our expertly trained caregivers can assist with mobility and exercise, provide transportation to physical therapy appointments, and help with a wide array of daily tasks. In addition to our respite and 24-hour care services, we also provide specialized Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke care Mississauga seniors can rely on. To learn more about our high-quality in-home care, call one of our qualified Care Managers at 905-337-1200 today.