As we age, the bones and the joints in our body lose muscle mass and density, creating pressure on the joints. Ageing promotes a series of events in the body such as the leaking of fluid between the joints, the breaking down of the car start reducing, the stiffening of ligaments, and the weakening of muscles. These events lead to inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the joints. However, with regular care and a few lifestyle changes, you can keep joint pains at bay.

Taking Care of Joints

As you get older, the joints are bound to go through natural changes. However, you can maintain resilience and strength with some basic lifestyle changes to prolong healthy joints. Here are a few ways to take care of your joints. 

1. Staying active: Regular exercise is the best recipe for preserving joint health. Exercise strengthens the muscles, makes the ligaments flexible, and increases blood supply to the cartilage surrounding the joints.

2. Keeping weight under control: An increase in body weight puts extra pressure on joints like the knees. Also, fat tissue builds proteins around the joints causing inflammation and pain.

3. Eating healthy: A healthy diet goes hand in hand with weight management. A combination of a healthy diet and exercise helps maintain a healthy body. Furthermore, an anti-inflammatory diet and homemade massage oil for joint pain can ease joint pain.

5 Massage Oils That Can Ease Joint Pain

Regular joint pain relief oil or homemade massage oil for joint pain can keep away pain and stiffness. Below are five top essential oils for arthritis and pain relief.

1. Lavender oil

The anti-inflammatory, cell-regenerating, and pain-relieving feature of lavender oil makes it an excellent choice as an essential oil for arthritis. Lavender oil helps reduce inflammation around joints, thereby easing the pain. You can either add it to your bathing water or massage it into the skin.

2. Ginger oil

Zingibain, found in ginger, has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce swelling, stiffness, and inflammation in joints and muscles. Ginger oil not only relieves pain but also helps ease joint movement.

3. Eucalyptus oil

Extracted from eucalyptus leaves, this oil is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, thus used as joint pain-relief oil. It also soothes muscular discomfort and tension.

4. Olive Oil

Containing Oleocanthal, a natural compound with anti-inflammatory properties, an olive oil massage helps reduce muscle spasms and soothes aching muscles. A simple homemade massage oil for joint pain recipe with olive oil can help go a long way to bid joint pain adieu.

5. Camphor oil

A common ingredient in pain relief medicine, camphor oil makes an ideal joint pain oil. Massage with camphor oil not only relieves sore tissues and muscles but also improves blood circulation.

How to Use Joint Pain Oils?

First and foremost, never apply any essential oil for joint pain and inflammation directly on the body as it may irritate the skin. 

Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (like coconut, almond, jojoba, etc) before application. As a thumb rule, mix 6 tsp of carrier oil with 15 drops of essential oil. Take a few drops of the diluted oil and gently massage it into your skin, then cover the area with warm clothes.

Joint pain is a common ailment, especially as you age. Regular massage using joint pain relief oil relaxes your joints and soothes muscle aches. However, if the pain persists, it is recommended to get medical help.

For expert advice, 

Consult An Apollo Orthopaedician

Medically reviewed by Dr Sonia Bhatt.