Muscle, joint, and bone pain is a common occurrence during the rainy season. Moreover, those with arthritis will also have a tough time. If you are looking for remedies to enhance your muscle, joint, and bone health during the monsoon, then we have got you covered. Take charge of your health, and follow the tips suggested in this article. After all, it’s about your health and you can’t take it lightly, right?
For many people, monsoon can invite health issues such as muscle soreness, stiffness, swelling, fatigue, and pain. Moreover, any injuries that have occurred in the past will ache during the cold weather. There is a surge in the cases of muscle, bone, and joint pain during monsoon owing to unfavourable climatic conditions. Humidity and sudden temperature changes can lead to sore muscles. It is essential to adhere to a healthy lifestyle to manage it. Furthermore, the intensive body pain can make it difficult for you to do daily activities with ease. These preventive measures will be helpful for you:
· Avoid foods causing inflammation in the body – Do not eat foods with trans fats, refined grains, artificial flavours and canned foods jam-packed with sodium that are known to give a tough time to your joints. Likewise, you need to keep away from alcohol and smoking. Moreover, sugar-laden food is not at all advisable as it can trigger joint pain. Stick to fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin that is loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. So, drinking turmeric milk can relieve you from body pain. Similarly, ginger tea can also alleviate joint pain. Foods dense in calcium such as green leafy vegetables, sardines, soybeans, chickpeas, and milk can be helpful. Eat foods containing vitamin C like strawberries, citrus fruits, and pepper.
· Stay warm during the cold weather – You need to use a double layer of clothing during the rainy days. Wear warm clothes and you will feel better. Moreover, a warm bath can also be soothing and calming as it can allow you to enhance blood circulation, and manage muscle and joint pain.
· Massage the joints – Are you aware that a warm sesame seed (til) oil massage can be a boon for your joints and muscles. Even olive, lavender, peppermint or rosemary oil can be beneficial for you to get rid of that excruciating pain.
· Rest enough – Do you have joint pain or muscle stiffness? Are you getting enough rest? If not, then try to relax for a while. Resting is the key to help your joints heal, and you will be able to do your daily activities with ease.
· Cut down those excess kilos – Are you obese or overweight? Then, you need to grill that excess fat. Obesity is associated with joint pain as the excess weight will put that additional pressure on the joints. Thus, you will have to maintain an optimum weight with the help of diet and exercise. You can opt for yoga, strength training or even cycling to reduce the inflammation of the joints and muscles and increase mobility. Opt for any fitness routine only after consulting the fitness trainer.
· Timely tests – Arthritis can flare up during monsoon so get the blood test done as suggested by the doctor. Likewise, if you encounter joint pain, then you may be deficient in Vitamin D. Hence, opt for a Vitamin D test, and other tests such as thyroid to determine the exact cause of pain and get timely intervention. Also, those already having joint pain should go for regular follow-ups with the doctor.
The writer is an Orthopaedic Surgeon, Apollo Spectra, Karol Bagh, Delhi.