Hampered mobility or reduction in mobility of a joint is known as stiff joint. It can be caused due to certain factors such as; osteoarthritis, osteomyelitis, Reiter's syndrome, gout, bone cancer, leukemia, common injuries, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and medication side effects or allergic reaction to some drugs. Common symptoms of stiff joints may include pain, stiffness and swelling.
Home Remedies
There are several home remedies for stiff joints which are simple to follow and easy to use. Some of the common home remedies are:
1. One of the most effective home remedies for stiff joints is the use of apple cider vinegar oil. Consume a mixture of apple cider vinegar, honey and water to get relief from this problem.
2. Cinnamon is also one of the efficient home remedies for stiff joints. All you need to do is take a tablespoon of honey and add half teaspoon of cinnamon powder to it. Make it a daily habit of consuming this mixture every morning just before the breakfast. It will help in loosening up your joints.
3. You can try weight training which is basically a strength building exercise. It will build muscles which will make them capable to absorb impact instead of the joints.
4. Water therapy is also effective in treating stiffness in joints. All you need to do is enter a pool and twirl your legs or simply kick in the water in order to increase flexibility by loosening the joints.
5. Massage therapy is also effective in treating stiff joints. It basically involves moving the soft tissues and muscles of the body by stretching and applying pressure. This results into breaking up of fibrous tissue which helps the stiff joints to become loose.
6. Consuming food rich in omega-3 fatty acids is very beneficial in treating stiff joints. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and helps in reducing the pain and stiffness of arthritic joint. Some good source of food rich in omega-3 fatty acids are oily seeds such as flaxseeds and cold water fish like the salmon and tuna. Consume one tablespoon of flaxseed three times daily.
7. Drink two glasses of water every morning on empty stomach. Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking. Do not expose yourself to the excessive cold weather conditions.
8. Herbs such as wintergreen, cat's claw, devil's claw, dried ginger and boswellia are very effective in treating stiff knee joints.
9. Take some goat milk or clarified butter and add some castor to it. Make a paste out of it and apply on the affected area.
10. Take steam bath on regular basis to reduce the pains caused by this problem.
11. Applying cold compress or ice on the affected area is also very effective in treating this problem.
12. Olive oil is very helpful in treating stiffness in joints. You can massage the affected area with warm olive oil in order to get relief from the pain. Or you can even try consuming olive oil by using it as a substitute for other fats.
These were some of the common home remedies for stiff joints which are simple, safe and easy to be tried at home.
Read more Home Remedies for Stiff Joints. Also know useful Home Remedies for Stiff Neck.
