9 Tips to Help Alleviate Joint Pain

Joint pain is a common concern among adults of all ages. For instance, did you know that over 4 million Canadians are suffering from osteoarthritis alone?

Truly, joint pain is an issue  that spans across adults of all ages. Whether you’re siting at a desk, make repetitive movements, or have sudden pain, we understand your struggles.

With that, the Canna Relief team has compiled the following tips to help get a handle on your sore joints:

1. Get moving: Regular exercise supports your joints with flexibility and strength. So try low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming, or tai chi. Consider consulting with a personal trainer who can individualize your workout plan.
2. Change your diet: Did you know that a healthy diet can contribute to reducing pain? According to Healthline, “A plant-based diet provides antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation by eliminating free radicals from the body. On the other hand, a diet rich in red meat, processed foods, saturated fat, and added sugar and salt may aggravate inflammation, which is a characteristic of arthritis.”
3. Stop smoking: How often do you smoke nicotine? We know that smoking impacts our lungs, but it can also encourage joint pain. This is because smoking can be a burden on your connective tissues!
4. Pay attention to your mood: “Depression is more common in people with arthritis,” confirms the Mayo Clinic, which goes on to say: “Negative thoughts are self-perpetuating. As long as you dwell on them, they escalate, which can increase your pain and risk of disability.” So if you’ve been experiencing mood swings or sadness, try addressing your mental health concerns with a psychotherapist or health care provider.
5. Take magnesium supplements: In the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, one study confirmed that low magnesium levels are linked to knee pain! So try upping your magnesium through dietary means or supplements. Try a low-dose supplement first, which is available in tablet or powder form; foods rich in magnesium include leafy greens, legumes, almonds and cashews.
6. Upgrade your vitamin D intake: Research has shown that low vitamin D levels tend to be correlated with joint pain. If you’re already deficient in vitamin D, a supplement may help – ask your health care provider for a blood test to verify.
7. Go to sleep! According to the Arthritis Foundation, “Many people blame their restless nights on arthritis pain. But research finds that the relationship actually works both ways — poor sleep can make your joint pain worse, and even increase the likelihood that you may become disabled or depressed.” So reevaluate your ‘sleep hygiene’ – are you drinking caffeine too late at night? Are you watching a movie on a device right before you sleep? You can also use hemp CBD or your cannabis prescription to encourage a good night’s rest.
8. Take a hemp CBD: Did you know that NSAIDS can trigger stomach issues? CBD and cannabis are natural alternatives and have demonstrated beneficial effects on pain management. For example, “In a study conducted in 2006, patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis who used cannabinoid oil for a period of 5 weeks experienced less pain and reduced inflammation,” wrote Earl Mindell, author of Healing with Hemp CBD Oil. In particular, hemp CBD may be suitable if you want to avoid THC, as THC can trigger that “high” feeling. Hemp CBD is available in various delivery methods, including edibles, drinks, lotions/topicals, capsules, sublingual oils, and more.
9. Get a cannabis prescription: If you want to use THC for therapeutic purposes, a medical prescription can help. You may speak to a medical doctor about dosages and delivery methods (i.e. capsules, oils, etc), that may be suitable for you. Plus, you can write off your cannabis prescriptions for tax purposes! If you’re interested in the benefits of a cannabis prescription, read more here.

At Canna Relief, our educators can inform you about alternative pain relief and how to get a cannabis prescription. Do you have any questions about joint pain, hemp CB Click here to contact us and an educator will respond to you shortly. 

 

References

https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis/arthritis-facts-and-figures

https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/arthritis-natural-relief

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/arthritis/art-20046440

Earl Mindell, Healing with Hemp CBD Oil, Square One Publishers, 2018.

Carr AC, McCall C. The role of vitamin C in the treatment of pain: new insights. J Transl Med. 2017 Apr 14;15(1):77. doi: 10.1186/s12967-017-1179-7. PMID: 28410599; PMCID: PMC5391567.

Ripani U, Manzarbeitia-Arroba P, Guijarro-Leo S, Urrutia-Graña J, De Masi-De Luca A. Vitamin C May Help to Reduce the Knee’s Arthritic Symptoms. Outcomes Assessment of Nutriceutical Therapy. Med Arch. 2019 Jun;73(3):173-177. doi: 10.5455/medarh.2019.73.173-177. PMID: 31404121; PMCID: PMC6643354.

Shmagel A, Onizuka N, Langsetmo L, Vo T, Foley R, Ensrud K, Valen P. Low magnesium intake is associated with increased knee pain in subjects with radiographic knee osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2018 May;26(5):651-658. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2018.02.002. Epub 2018 Feb 15. PMID: 29454594.