Studies show more than 50 million Americans are living with arthritis. But health experts say when you’re trying to manage the pain of arthritis there are treatments other than medication available. 

Dr. Victoria Yorke, a family medicine physician for Lee Memorial Health System, says diet and appropriate exercise can also play an important role in managing arthritis. “We have found that physical activity is one of the most important things for any kind of arthritis. Physical activity not only helps to increase the movement of the joint but it can increase something called endorphins. These are natural opiates. They actually help a patient feel better.”

Dr. Yorke says low impact exercises like yoga or swimming can decrease the pain caused by arthritis. “There’s more than 100 different kinds of arthritis. The most common one is called osteoarthritis. I like to tell patients it’s a wearing down of the joint.”

Certain foods and ingredients can also help soothe inflammation while others can cause more pain. 
“Green tea has something called ECGC, which is a polyphenol that’s been shown in multiple studies to decrease inflammation and to help with the joints,” said Dr. Yorke. 

Other things that can help with arthritis pain are organic diets that are high in fruits, vegetables, and omega threes, like fish and walnuts. “Ginger has a compound called gingerol and gingerol decreases prostaglandins, so here’s an herb that works similar to ibuprofen. Studies also show that when you use turmeric and pepper together it helps it go into the blood stream to help with all kinds of things. It’s very good for arthritis,” said Dr. Yorke.

Whatever you choose, she says don’t dismiss your prescription medication without talking to your doctor first.