Arthritis pain: This daily exercise can help relieve painful joints during winter
ARTHRITIS can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in joints, making simple daily tasks very difficult. Winter weather can cause joints to become even more painful, so what can you do during these months to help?
This Morning: Dr Ellis on how exercise can help arthritis
Arthritis affects more than 10 million people in the UK, affecting people of all ages,
Symptoms include joint pain, inflammation, restricted movement of joints, and weakness and muscle wasting.
While the condition affects people all year round, many say their joints become more painful and stiff in winter.
According to the NHS, there’s no evidence that changes in the weather causes joint damage, but the health body does offer a top tip to help those that experience this - a daily exercise.
Arthritis - swimming is ideal as it’s easy on the joints
It explains: “Many people get a little depressed during the winter months, and this can make them perceive pain more acutely. Everything feels worse, including medical conditions.
“But daily exercise can boost a person’s mental and physical state.
“Swimming is ideal as it’s easy on the joints.”
Some experts believe supplements can help treat arthritis.
Clinical nutritionist and Healthspan’s head of Nutrition Rob Hobson, Clinical researcher for Phynoca Andrew Gallagher, and medical nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer recommended their go-to supplements to soothe joint pain - one of which includes turmeric.
Turmeric
Turmeric is currently being added to a range of foods, drinks and supplements, and for good reason, said Dr Brewer.
She explained: “The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidant which helps damp down pain and swelling in inflamed joints.”
Rob added: “Most of the studies on turmeric have been carried out using very strong extracts and you’d have to eat an awful lot of curries to get that much curcumin. The other problem is curcumin isn’t naturally water-soluble, so the body struggles to absorb it. To truly gain the benefits you need to take a supplement.”
Healthspan offers Opti-Turmeric, a liquid capsule containing high potency cur curcumin. Alternatively, Rob and Dr Brewer recommend Organic Turmeric Gold Latte.
CBD oil
One of the big health stories of 2018, CBD oil is increasingly being studied for its therapeutic and pain-relieving abilities.
A 2012 review in the Journal of Experimental Medicine concluded Cannabidiol oil (a non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant) is an effective treatment for adults suffering with chronic pain and, significantly, there are no reported side effects. A 2016 study published in the European Journal of Pain showed giving arthritic rats CBD oil significantly reduced the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.
More trials are needed but one theory is CBD contains a neurotransmitter called anandamide associated with regulating and suppressing pain. It may also reduce inflammation in the brain and nervous system which may help people process pain.
Dr Brewer said: “CBD hemp extracts are antioxidant and have anti-inflammatory effects on joints, to help improve pain and stiffness. They also have pain-relieving effects due to their interaction with certain parts of the brain.”
St Paul’s Wort
The plant Sigesbeckia orientalis (also known as common St Paul’s Wort) has been used for thousands of years to treat different types of arthritis and other aches and pains like backache, rheumatic or muscular pains or general aches and pains in the muscles and joints.