The sad truth about arthritis is that almost a quarter of all Americans experience arthritis. According to the CDC, over 54 million people have arthritis, and one in four of all sufferers experience extreme joint pain.

You might think that arthritis is something that only affects people when they become seniors. But, you might not realize that arthritis is something that younger individuals experience – even some school-age children.

Most people diagnosed with arthritis by their doctors will typically be given a prescription medicine to take for their knees, elbows, wrists, and other joints.

If you’ve got arthritis, and you’d rather not depend on the medicine prescribed by your doctor, there are some alternative pain relief options available to you:

1. Hot and cold therapy

You can do some things at home, and virtually for free, to help ease the pain of your arthritis symptoms. One such option is hot and cold therapy. Hot therapy can include taking a long, hot shower or bath in the morning and using an electric blanket at night.

Cold therapy options include wrapping a gel ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and applying that towel to your painful joints. It might sound like a strange idea, but it works and provides almost instant relief.

2. Crystalline THCA

It’s no secret that cannabis provides a raft of health benefits to those that consume it. But, the trouble with cannabis or “marijuana” is that it’s not available in equal potencies. To get the maximum impact from cannabis, smoking, or vaping crystalline THCA is the answer.

Crystalline THCA is a non-intoxicating version of THC. It’s gaining popularity for its therapeutic benefits, particularly its anti-inflammatory properties. The good news is you can find THCA crystalline for sale online and have it delivered to your home.

3. Acupuncture

Acupuncture, in case you hadn’t heard of it before, is an ancient Chinese medical treatment. Many people that experience arthritis have regular acupuncture sessions from qualified licensed practitioners in their local area.

The way that acupuncture works is by inserting very thin needles into specific areas of the body. Doing so “reroutes” energy and aims to restore balance within the body.

4. Meditation

If you experience high levels of pain from your arthritis, you’ll likely be thinking about that pain almost all the time. The trouble with filling your mind with thoughts of pain is that it makes you feel stressed out and anxious.

Meditation is a relaxing way to help manage arthritis pain and lower your stress and anxiety levels.

5. Become a vegetarian

Finally, consuming a diet rich with fresh fruits and vegetables will help boost your immune system. Why is watching what you eat so important when you experience arthritis?

The answer is simple: plant-based diets offer an abundance of antioxidants that reduce inflammation caused by arthritis. What’s more, consuming less meat and foods high in saturated fat and sugar will lower your weight, which may exacerbate your arthritis.