How to Relieve Joint Pain Naturally

Many people suffer with joint pain for many reasons. Some have arthritic problems, others have been injured and some joint issues can result from chronic muscle tension and spasms that pull or tug on the joints until they are inflamed or stretched too far. There are some natural alternatives for joint pain that can be very beneficial and are alternatives to prescription medication.

Things You'll Need

• MSM herbal supplement
• Epsom salts
• Lavender essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Sweet almond oil or
• Grape seed oil

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Instructions

• 1

  Suffering from joint pain can be very frustrating for people who want or need to stay active. Joint pain can be much harder to treat than other muscular or skeletal problems. Anti-inflammatory prescription medications can have side effects and cause problems that some people do not want to have to deal with. There are alternative therapies that can be helpful while not causing the same side effects or health issues that the prescription drugs can be associated with.

• 2

  Start taking MSM on a regular basis for joint pain. MSM is a herbal supplement found at health food stores, pharmacies and the internet. The powder appears to be the least expensive form of the supplement. MSM works as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. It is also used for problems such as chronic bronchitis, allergies and sinusitis. It helps to repair and restore joint tissue to its former state when it was healthy. MSM should be taken twice a day. The only side effects noted with this supplement are a bit of bloating or gas the first week of taking it. Therefore it's recommended to start on a smaller dosage and work your way up. Start with 2,000 mg per day and work up to 4,000 mg per day. One teaspoon of the powder is equivalent to 4,000 mg and can be increased to 8,000 mg per day if you are still having some issues. Relief has been reported within five days of starting the supplement by users.

• 3

  Soaking affected joints in a hot bath with Epsom salts is another way to relieve swelling and pain in inflamed joints. You can also make a massage oil of 1 cup of sweet almond oil or grape seed oil mixed with 15 to 30 drops of lavender essential oil and 5 drops of peppermint essential oil. Mix this well and massage into the joint area. Rubbing across the joint withe the massage oil causes a friction that allows muscles to relax, which decreases tension on the joint. This also allows the joint to contract again so it can heal itself easier. These procedures can be done on a daily basis.

• 4

  Consulting with a licensed massage therapist or acupuncturist can help to relieve joint pain in a lot of cases. Interview the massage therapist and make sure they are experienced in sports massage or therapeutic work. Find a person who specializes in working on injury and issues such as this. Swedish massage or relaxation massage will not be beneficial for this problem.