- Tin-can massage
A cold, unopened 375-ml drink can makes a great back massager, no matter what it’s filled with. To help loosen muscle tissue and spur blood flow to the area, stand against the wall with the can on its side, wedged between your back and the wall. Then move from side to side to make the can roll. This impromptu massager does an especially good job of relaxing the muscles next to the shoulder blades and lower down the back.
- A back support for drivers
To make a lower back support to use while you are driving, fold a medium-sized bath towel lengthways, then roll it up; the roll should be about 30cm long. Cut the leg of an old pair of pantihose to fit the width of the rolled-up towel then slip the towel inside. Tuck the makeshift cushion between the small of your back and the car seat and you should be able to ride in comfort, with a back-friendly posture.
- A mustard plaster for muscle aches
To give this favourite old pain remedy a go, combine powdered mustard seed and plain flour in a bowl (1 part mustard seed to 2 parts flour) and slowly stir in water to make a paste. Spread the mixture on one side of a 30-cm square of cheesecloth and fold. Now place the plaster on the ache, securing it with a bandage or slipping it under a tight, dark T-shirt. Leave the plaster on for no more than 20-30 minutes at a time. If any skin irritation occurs, remove the plaster immediately.
- Painful leg cramp relievers
Standing barefoot on a cold floor decreases blood flow and could help to relax tightened leg muscles, so if you’re hit with painful leg cramps in the middle of the night, get out of bed and stand on a cold floor.
- Quinine for cramping
To prevent cramps, make a glass of tonic water part of your total daily water intake (about 2 litres a day). Quinine, from the bark of the South American cinchona tree, is the only drug that has actually proven to be effective for leg cramps, but its serious side effects, including irregular heartbeat, put neat quinine on the prescription -only list. What you can buy instead is tonic water — so-called because it is flavoured with small doses of quinine.
- More curry = less arthritis pain
Turmeric, one of the principal spices in curry powder, is as medicinal as it is culinary. The active ingredient in turmeric, called curcumin, has been shown in clinical trials to reduce swelling associated with arthritis. If you find curries too spicy, use powdered turmeric as a seasoning, sprinkling it over meat, eggs and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach.
- Eat and drink ginger
Incorporating ginger into your diet may bring some relief from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritic pain. Take 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger or 6 teaspoons fresh ginger once a day, either in food or tea.