Some have even tried spraying sore joints with WD-40 as they would to fix a squeaky, door hinge. But this folk remedy is not proven to work and may even be harmful. WD-40 contains petroleum distillates than can cause drying and irritation of the skin.
Supplements for joint lubrication can be quite effective.
These include glucosamine, chondroitin, fish oil, turmeric, and S-adenosyl-L-methionine. Always speak with a doctor before taking a new supplement as they may interact with other medications or cause adverse side effects.
Solutions: Use a heating pad or take a warm bath or shower to loosen the joint and relax stiff muscles. Apply ice packs for swelling. To prevent the muscles from shortening, try exercises that require straightening your elbow, such as pushing away light objects or “pushing” pretend objects up to the ceiling.
Several nutritional supplements have shown promise for relieving pain, stiffness and other arthritis symptoms. Glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, SAM-e and curcumin are just some of the natural products researchers have studied for osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
WD-40 Does Not Help Arthritis
Due to the myth that WD-40 helps arthritis, the WD-40 company website includes the following statement regarding the myth (amongst other cool myths, legends and facts)… Fact: This popular headline, appearing at least once a year in the tabloids, is completely FALSE.
The natural lubricant of the joints is called hyaluronic acid (HA). This lubricant in concentrated form can be injected into a joint to increase lubrication.
Water helps to keep your joints lubricated and flexible; the Synovial fluid that directly lubricates your joints is made up primarily of water. This fluid reduces the friction between joints and helps to maintain healthy tissue and joints.
Bananas and Plantains are high in magnesium and potassium that can increase bone density. Magnesium may also alleviate arthritis symptoms.
Other Health Benefits of Olive Oil
The compound mentioned earlier— oleocanthal— may also benefit brain function. In addition to helping joint function and relieving pain, extra virgin olive oil is thought to help prevent maladies associated with chronic inflammation.
Lemon water has several health benefits thanks to its high vitamin C concentration, flavonoid content, and acidity. Both flavonoids and vitamin C are strong antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory effects, therefore they may protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation in the body.
Cartilage Regeneration Options
MACI is a surgical procedure that uses cartilage-forming cells from your body to restore damaged cartilage in the knees. It involves a biopsy to harvest chondrocytes (cartilage-forming cells), which are allowed to multiply in a lab, and surgery to implant them into the damaged area.
Drinking more water keeps the cartilage in your joints softer and more hydrated. Some supplements such as glucosamine that are made to reduce joint pain actually help to relieve pain in this way—by boosting water absorption levels in the cartilage in your joints.
Skin Contact: May cause moderate skin irritation with short-term exposure with redness, itching and burning of the skin. Prolonged and/or repeated contact may produce defatting and possible dermatitis. May cause an allergic skin reaction (sensitization). Eye Contact: Contact may be irritating to eyes.
Olive Oil. High in monounsaturated fats and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, olive oils are among the best-studied fats, with many known health benefits. Extra virgin olive oil, the least refined type, is pressed mechanically rather than processed with heat or chemicals that change its properties.
Furthermore, it can irritate skin, so ignore any advice to use it on your skin to “lubricate” your joints.
Glucosamine (G) 1,500 to 2,000 mg/d and chondroitin sulfate (Cs) 800 to 1,200 mg/d and avocado-soy unsaponifiables (ASU) 300 to 600 mg/d, taken together or alone, are useful as adjunct therapies in cartilage disorders. Each is sold as prescription, over the counter (OTC), or as supplements, depending upon the country.
In laboratory studies, Stanford School of Medicine researchers have found a way to regenerate the cartilage that eases movement between bones. Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered a way to regenerate, in mice and human tissue, the cushion of cartilage found in joints.
PROBIOTICS FOUND IN GREEK YOGURT SHOWN TO DECREASE INFLAMMATION OF ARTHRITIS. Probiotic supplementation was found to reduce rheumatoid arthritis pain and inflammation in a recent randomized controlled study.
In addition to its use as a natural sweetener, honey is used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial agent. People commonly use honey orally to treat coughs and topically to treat burns and promote wound healing.
If you are suffering from joint pain or arthritis, honey is an effective natural remedy to consider. It has antioxidant properties that help reduce inflammation and can help fight off disease-causing bacteria in your body.