Inputs given by Dr Manoj Kutteri, Wellness Director, Atmantan Wellness Centre
Isn’t it strange to find some old injuries starting to pain again as the weather changes? Come monsoons and some people start witnessing discomfort and pain in their knees, ankles and other joint pains. This is a common phenomenon during monsoons. Besides arthritis, there can be several cases behind joint pains, but with the weather turning a little more humid and the increase of the barometric pressure the sense of discomfort in the joints only seems to increase.
High humidity and change in pressure cause the muscles to become stiff. Hence the ache and the difficulties in activities! The struggle is real. Here are some ways to overcome joint pains in monsoons to get some relief as the weather turns charismatic.
Make exercise a daily routine
Exercising daily is essential to keep the body fit and strong. For people experiencing physical health problems and joint pains during monsoons, it becomes a little more important. Exercises help in contracting and relaxing of the muscles which help soothe the pain and control the stiffness of the muscles. Be it morning walks, Yoga, a few stretches or working out in a gym – there are special exercises meant to calm the pain in the muscles. Instead of choosing to exercise rigorously, get smart and target your problem areas. A physiotherapist will guide you with exercises that are meant for the joint pains. Few minutes of cardio also helps to keep the body warm and increase the metabolism.
Follow a nutritious diet
When the body isn’t getting proper nutrition the strength of the body deteriorates. The body isn’t able to handle pressure and starts aching in the least of activities too. A balanced and nutritious diet is essential to give the body the strength to fight with muscle stiffness, aching muscles and more. A diet enriched with Vitamin E, K, B, and essential minerals etc. are essential to get antioxidants that fight with the free radicals and prevent from damage. Add on more greens, fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils to give strength to the body.
Losing weight can help!
With joints already aching, excessive weight can intensify the pain. When the muscles aren’t strong and turn stiff, any excess weight can result in unbearable pain. The quickest respite is to lose a few pounds. With daily exercises and balanced eating, the few extra kilos can be shed to find relief. Skip on the junks and fatty foods to cut down on the body fat. Weight reduction not only helps to relieve pain on weight-bearing joints but also on smaller joints in the body as well.
Hot and cold compress for extreme pain
Sometimes the pain in the muscles can get unbearable. For people experiencing regular joint and muscle pains, the hot and cold compress can help in soothing the pain to a great extent. After application of pain-relieving oils or ointments, the hot gel compress can be put on the aching area to give the muscle the warmth it needs. This stimulates the muscles and calms down the pain too. The cold compress formula also works for discomfort in muscles or fresh aches that arise during monsoons. Alternating the hot and cold compress on a regular basis controls the pain. There are many other herbal compresses also one can consider for specific pains.
Massages and Oil Therapies
Ayurveda has some known treatments for the muscle and joint pains in the form of herbs and medicinal ingredients. Consider using a Vitamin E enriched soothing balm, Olive Oil or special oils made with ingredients like crushed garlic, cloves, tulsi, etc. These oil massages with steam therapy help alleviate the pain and soothe the muscles. Oil therapy can be taken in the form of massage to cure muscle pain on a daily basis. These oils act as an anti-inflammatory and give a soothe in times of extreme pain.
Acupuncture can be miraculous
Over the years Acupuncture has come up as a reliable treatment for joint pains. The fine needles are inserted on the patient’s body to stimulate certain points that control the flow of energy across the acupuncture meridians. Without any chemicals or medicines, this therapy has the power to relax the pain and open up the joint movements. Acupuncture also allows for added energy and strength into the muscles.
With heavy rainfall, confusing weather increased barometric pressure and high humidity levels, the muscle stiffness and joint pains can be a little too hard to handle. Practice the therapies and exercises regularly to experience some change and soothe your pain!
