Tips for Reducing Joint Inflammation

If you consider that more than 92 million Americans struggle with joint pain and inflammation, you realize just how large this problem is. And it’s only expected to grow as our population ages.

If you, too, struggle with inflammation in your joints, there’s much that Dr. Sachida Manocha of Interventional Pain Center can do to address the problem. While our treatments are highly effective, there are several things you can do on your own to regain pain-free movement.

To fight back against inflammation on all fronts, here are some tips you’d do well to follow.

A matter of food

What you eat can play a large role in inflammation, so we want to start with some dietary dos and don’ts.

First, let’s take a look at some foods that can exacerbate or lead to inflammation in your body. The Arthritis Foundation has come up with a list of eight offenders, which are:

1. Sugar
2. Saturated and trans fats
3. Omega 6 fatty acids
4. Refined carbohydrates
5. Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
6. Gluten, which is wheat, barley, and rye, as well as casein, which is found in dairy products 
7. Aspartame, which is an artificial sweetener
8. Alcohol

On the flip side are foods that can reduce inflammation, such as:

• Leafy greens
• Olive oil
• Tomatoes
• Nuts
• Berries
• Fatty fish
• Turmeric
• Garlic
• Coffee

If you pay attention to what you eat, you can use your diet to reduce the inflammation in your joints.

Get up and move

We know that when your joints ache, the last thing you want to do is move, but exercise is one of the best ways to combat inflammation.

When you move, you encourage a better heart and breath rate, as well as a lower blood pressure rate, which encourages the release of anti-inflammatory hormones. One report found that just 20 minutes a day of movement can reduce 5% of the immune cells related to inflammation.

Get strong

Another great way to reduce joint inflammation is to take the pressure off of your joints by strengthening the surrounding muscles. These muscles can then bear more of the burden, relieving the pressure on the cartilage and bones in your joints.

Manage stress

The effects of stress on the human body are fairly large and include inflammatory responses. If you want to reduce inflammation in your body, try to manage your stress levels through meditation, deep breathing exercises, exercise, and simply tuning out and unplugging every once in a while. 

We’re here to help

At our practice, we offer a wide range of treatment options — such as interventional injections, medications, and medical marijuana — to help people dealing with joint inflammation. If you deal with joint inflammation, we can give you a thorough evaluation and design a treatment plan to help you feel better again.

To learn more about combating inflammation in your joints, book an appointment online or over the phone with Interventional Pain Center today.