3 Ways to Save Sore Hands and Relieve Joint Pain
Do your hands get sore in the wintertime? You’re not alone. Cambridge University scientists have found that inflammation-suppressing genes go on hiatus when the temperature dips, which can leave you with painful, swollen hands and creaky joints. The good news: These three tricks help ease inflammation fast!
Being in pain is never fun, no matter the cause or where it happens in your body. But when you have sore hands, it’s hard to do anything. Try these solutions, and they just might give you your normal life back.
MSM cream offers instant relief.
Wish you could get back to playing a game of cards with your friends or building snowmen with the grandkids pain-free? You can! Just give achy knuckles a gentle massage. University of Miami scientists say doing so for 15 minutes loosens stiff tissues, improves grip, and reduces discomfort by 57 percent. And if you add a dab of MSM (or methylsulfonylmethane) cream, you’ll boost the benefits. UCLA scientists say the anti-inflammatory calms arthritis pain by up to 82 percent. One to try: MRM MSM Cream — Buy from iHerb.com, $8
These supplements get to the root of the problem.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are anti-inflammatory “super-molecules” that help ease swelling in the tiny joints and tendons of your hands. They’re so effective, research in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests a daily dose of 1,500 mg. of glucosamine and 1,200 mg. of chondroitin sulfate has a 79 percent success rate at relieving joint pain and even severe osteoarthritis. That’s as effective as the prescription NSAID Celebrex — without the side effects! Plus, the nutrient duo actually repairs damaged cartilage — something a prescription can’t do. One to try: Mason Natural Glucosamine Chondroitin 1500/1200 — Buy from Walgreens, $32
Cherry juice helps with chronic pain control.
Enjoying nutrient-rich tart cherry juice (or eating 30 tart cherries) daily noticeably eases pain, a study in Nutrients found. This is due to anthocyanins, anti-inflammatories that speed the healing of damaged connective tissues. The key: Look for juice or dried fruit labeled “tart cherry” or “Montmorency cherry” on health food store shelves. Korean scientists say the tart variety of cherry packs twice the healing phenols of sweet cherries. One to try: Cheribundi Original Tart Cherry Superfruit Juice — Buy from Walmart, $6
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
