Rheumatoid arthritis is not uncommon in elderly people but it’s possible to slow its progress or reverse it. A chronic disease, rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint and muscle pains which come and go in an unpredictable way. One day you can feel fine and the next you can feel severe pain in your joints or muscles.

1. Massage to Reverse Rheumatoid Arthritis

Massage with sweet-smelling oils is a great way to reduce stress. It’s particularly effective if you have a flare-up of joint pain. Receiving massage regularly will help you send your arthritis into remission.

Elderly woman massaging her hand to reverse rheumatoid arthritis

2. Exercises and physical therapy

One of the main proven treatments to reverse rheumatoid arthritis is exercises and physical therapy. It’s safe and effective when done properly, and under the supervision of a physical therapist. It can build up your strength to help you better control and manage your joint or muscle pain.

Physical therapy can be active or passive and both kinds can help ease any flare-ups. Passive therapy is when someone else, such as a therapist, does most of the work, as in massage. Active therapy is when you do most of the work such as in muscle-strengthening exercises.

Remember, though, that it’s important that you to talk to your rheumatologist before starting such treatments to reverse rheumatoid arthritis.

Gentle exercises, such as walking, swimming or yoga, can be beneficial in alleviating pain and building up your muscle strength. Exercise helps deliver oxygen to the joints, brain, and muscles and has the added advantage of making you feel good.

As with any physical therapy, talk to your doctor first to ensure that you don’t do yourself any harm.

3. Probiotics to Reverse Rheumatoid Arthritis

As with most ailments your diet is very important. Probiotics are living microorganisms and provide health benefits when taken in the right amounts. They help colonize your gut with health-friendly bacteria. You find them in a range of different foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh and kimchi.

One type of probiotic is kombucha, a fermented mixture of yeast and bacteria taken in the form of a tea. Certain types of yeast can also act like probiotics. That’s because different probiotics address different health conditions. Talk to your nutritionist or doctor. They also need to ensure that that they don’t react with any medication you may be taking.

Supplements can also contain probiotics (not be confused with prebiotics—dietary fibers to promote a healthy gut). Some supplements contain a range of different probiotics. Again, seek advice from a nutritionist if you want to reverse rheumatoid arthritis.

4. Other Supplements and Magnesium Oil

These include joint supplements which can help and are beneficial for the joints. Common joint supplements that may assist you include glucosamine, chondroitin (a building block of cartilage) and the well-known pain reliever, turmeric.

Magnesium oil is a mixture of magnesium chloride flakes and water. Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have been found to benefit from its application to painful joints.

Apply magnesium oil regularly if you want to reverse rheumatoid arthritis.

Relieve Pain

Hot or cold compresses or packs can also help relieve rheumatoid arthritis-related aches and pains. Headaches, for example, can be treated by applying a hot or cold pack to the neck or forehead. Likewise, people who have had surgery can benefit from such treatments.

Pain in joints and muscles can occur in the hip, knee, back, shoulder or feet. Hot or cold packs are easily applied to these areas and are a safe and effective pain reliever.

Haym Salomon Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center in Brooklyn NY has a range of equipment and techniques to reduce pain and slow or reverse rheumatoid arthritis . We also have experienced physical therapists well versed in the appropriate techniques to assist sufferers. Contact us for a visit and to find out how we can help you treat and care for your arthritis.