3 supplements for joint pain
3 supplements for joint pain guvo59 - Pixabay

KEY POINTS

  • Joint pains affect millions of people worldwide
  • Boswellia can help alleviate the symptoms
  • Physical exercises can treat joint pains

With about 54 million sufferers throughout the world, joint pain is the leading cause of physical disability and impaired quality of life, especially in the elderly population. People suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis experience some of its common symptoms like swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. While there is no cure for this painful condition yet, there are several natural ways that can help alleviate joint pain, which include the use of a supplement called Boswellia.

For starters, Boswellia, a.k.a. Indian Frankincense is a herbal extract obtained from the resin of the Boswellia serrata tree that has been used by natural medicine practitioners for centuries. The therapeutic value of the tree’s Guggulu is known for its great anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-arthritic properties.

A 2004 study, which was conducted to assess the efficiency and safety of Boswellia Serrata extract (BSE) in patients with knee osteoarthritis, found that BSE was not only well-tolerated but the participants also experienced significant improvement in joint pain symptoms including decrease in knee pain, increased walking distance and increased knee flexion - the motion of bending the knees to bring the foot toward.

A 2011 study has reported that ‘Aflapin,' which is a novel composition derived from the BSE, helped reduce pain symptoms and functional ability within five days of treatment.

Staying physically active and following a strict fitness regimen that focuses on moderate exercises can ideally treat joint pain symptoms. Also, Healthline suggested it is necessary to stretch before exercising to keep a good range of motion in your joints.

Losing some extra body weight can help reduce the burden on the joints and ease joint pain in arthritis patients. Physical activity is not only good for weight loss but also to improve posture and alleviate stress, which will together help alleviate joint pain symptoms.

However, if your joint pain symptoms exacerbate, you might need prescription medicines including painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. If these treatments fail too, doctors will recommend surgical options that help repair, strengthen or replace a damaged joint.