Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many areas of the body, including the legs. It is the inflammation of joints that create stiffness and pain. There are different ways of treating the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis that may or may not require surgery. Surgery is a way of treating the pain of rheumatoid arthritis but is usually reserved for extreme cases. There are many natural rheumatoid arthritis leg pain treatments that you may want to try first.
Losing Weight
Losing weight may help to alleviate some of the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Additional weight may put more pressure on the joints in the knees, feet, and hips, which are common places to experience rheumatoid arthritis.
Losing weight will help to reduce the stress on these joints. It will also likely improve mobility and prevent further damage of the joints, among numerous other health benefits.
Exercising More
Exercising more will not only help with the losing of the weight, but will also keep your body regularly moving. Regular movement in the muscles and joints helps to maintain joint flexibility.
Avoid weight-bearing exercises like walking or running, as these can actually damage joints further. Low-impact exercise is one of the best rheumatoid arthritis leg pain treatments. Low-impact exercises include swimming or water aerobics, and anything that allows you to flex the joints without placing extra stress on them.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Heat therapy, such as taking a warm bath or applying a wet heating pad to the spot, helps to ease stiffness in the joints. Cold therapy, such as ice packs, helps with reducing joint pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Massage
Massaging the arthritic joints on a regular basis can help with reducing pain and stiffness. Massages can also help to improve your range of motion. Be sure to use a professional. They can also teach you the right techniques for self-massaging.
Featured image: khosrork via DepositPhotos
