As many as 8.75 million in the UK have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, but plenty of others have not yet seen a doctor. No-one wants to have their lifestyle curtailed so here are a few different ways of controlling it.
One Step Ahead of Osteoarthritis
Cider vinegar
Easy and cheap a dessertspoonful of cider vinegar in warm or cold water every morning can help to make the body more alkaline. Acidic in the mouth, it is converted in the body to alkaline - acidity is not good for inflammation. It’s essential to buy Cider Vinegar with the Mother which means the goodness has not been taken out. It’s a strong taste so a teaspoonful of honey makes it more palatable.
Laser therapy
My old Labrador had chronic osteoarthritis in his legs and walked slowly and painfully. A local vet administered a powerful laser treatment to ease the pain and inflammation and keep him off the strong drugs and their side-effects. Some elite sportspeople use laser for their injuries and It is believed to stimulate healing, improve circulation and act as an anti-inflammatory. Available at a few private clinics or buy a small, less powerful device online.
CBD
People have been smoking cannabis for years to ease the pain and discomfort of serious illnesses but now they can legally buy CBD (Cannabidiol) from a health store to relieve the pain of chronic osteoarthritis and other health issues. A report by the World Health Organisation in 2017 found that CBD could possess numerous health benefits to relieve chronic pain. Quality varies in line with the price – so you could pay £30 for a small bottle or you could lay out £100.
Tai chi
Tai chi is one of the best types of exercise for osteoarthritis, either to prevent it or to help arthritic joints. It involves the whole body yet is gentle enough for people to enjoy who aren’t very mobile. Tai chi involves a series of forms (rather like dance routines) that you follow and learn, whereas qi gong (chi kung) consists of repetitive exercises at a slow pace. It is known as ‘moving meditation’ and is very relaxing as well as improving balance and mobility.
Hydrotherapy
Exercise in warm water is very soothing to those with arthritic joints, and is available on the NHS in some areas and also privately. The temperature of the water provides relief from aching and swollen joints and is relaxing. Even people with limited mobil It’s best to do exercises in the water, even though they can be difficult to do outside it. At home in winter run the tap for a while before washing hands – cold water is not soothing and can make joints feel worse.
Cycling
Cycling is excellent for building up muscle in the thighs and calves so that you protect the joints. It also lubricates the joints, reducing pain and keeps them mobile. Even if it feels a bit painful at first, it’s worth persisting unless you have a problem knee that requires surgery. Start slowly and don’t go for a five mile bike ride after years of not being in the saddle. If you don’t fancy battling the traffic and weather, get an exercise bike so you can go for a 10 minute cycle in the comfort of your own home.
What you eat matters too
The Mediterranean diet is recommended by doctors and is believed to be responsible for living long lives. It focuses on olive oils, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, beans, bread, herbs and spices, but is low in sugar. Foods to try cutting out that can aggravate osteoarthritis are aubergines, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes, and acidic foods such as cheese, meat, bread and wine. Most vegetables are alkaline as are fruits, but some people find citrus foods aggravate inflammation. Add turmeric and ginger to food to ease inflammation and warm the body.
One Step Ahead of Osteoarthritis, Hammersmith Health Books, by Frances Ive
https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Step-Ahead-Osteoarthritis-Frances/dp/1781611645/
https://www.waterstones.com/book/one-step-ahead-of-osteoarthritis/frances-ive/9781781611647