SOS for knee pain

Q:I have arthritis and my knees are constantly aching. I’ve hardly been able to enjoy the summer! A friend told me there are shoes that can help, but they’re over my budget. What else can I try?

A:It’s true. There are so many options for shoes that are engineered specifically to absorb the stress on your joints when you take a step to reduce pain. And they work: A new study conducted at UCLA confirmed that one brand, GDEFY shoes (GravityDefyer.com) can ease knee pain by as much as 85%, plus reduce pain in the back, ankles and feet. But the shoes are expensive, and many women, like you, are wary of making the investment.

I can suggest a few other ways you can get relief. Try using comfrey cream, which is made from an herb that contains powerful antiinflammatories that help ease pain. In fact, a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that massaging the cream into your knees three times daily can reduce pain by 95% in just four days.

Another easy fix? Supplementing with curcumin. Multiple studies have proven the natural turmeric extract helps ease pain-causing inflammation. One study published in the journal Biomedcentral found that taking 500 mg. of curcumin daily reduced osteoarthritis knee pain by 50% for 94% of study participants.

Finally, consider incorporating tai chi into your routine. Tufts University researchers found that regular practice can lower pain by 60% and stiffness by 80% in 12 weeks. That’s because the gentle movement improves range of motion and mobility, and it helps stretch and loosen joints without adding weight or impact that can lead to more pain. To try it for free, search “tai chi for beginners” on YouTube.com.