Hand pain can occur due to several reasons, ranging from a simple muscle ache to more serious problems like arthritis or carpel tunnel syndrome. In any case, the pain and discomfort experienced can sometimes immobilize the hand completely, and make it difficult for the concerned individual to even lift the hand let alone use it for several hours (even days) on end.
Home Remedies For Hand Pain
Although finding out the reason for the hand pain and treating it medically would be considered a wise option, there are certain home remedies that would offer quick and effective relief from the pain and discomfort experienced in the hand. Given below are some of the most common home remedies often recommended for hand pain.
Turmeric Powder
The anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help it to become an active ingredient in several medicines and treatments. While the antibacterial properties would eradicate bacterial and viral infections causing hand pain, the anti-inflammatory properties would reduce the pain and swelling to an extent. The antiseptic properties would then promote quick healing.
Make a fine paste consisting of turmeric powder (1 teaspoon) and mustard oil (a few drops). Apply this paste over the swollen hand, making sure you cover the fingers as well. Wash the paste off with lukewarm water after about 30 minutes. You can also opt to mix turmeric powder (1 teaspoon) in warm water or milk (1 glass) and drink it regularly to get relief from hand pain. This would also help reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
Hot Water
Soaking the affected hand in hot water for some time would help improve blood circulation to the area. This in turn would relax the joints and muscles in the hand, thereby reducing stiffness and pain. You can soak your hand in hot water for about 10 minutes, take a break for a minute or so, and then soak your hand in the water for another 10 minutes and so on.
Continue this for about 30 minutes (make sure you reheat the water in between as well) at least thrice a day to keep the joints flexible and painless. Follow up each soaking session with some light exercises (basic hand movements) to increase mobility in the fingers.
Cinnamon And Honey
Combining cinnamon powder and honey can be considered very beneficial for individuals with hand pain. While the anti-microbial properties of cinnamon powder help keep of infections that could cause hand pain, the anti-septic properties of honey promote quick healing. Mix cinnamon powder (1/2 teaspoon) with honey (1 tablespoon) and consume the mixture the first thing in the morning every day. This would reduce the pain and discomfort in your hand considerably. Make sure you have it on an empty stomach for more effective results.
Garlic
Garlic contains potent anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce the pain and inflammation caused in the hand by conditions like arthritis. A substance called allicin in garlic also helps to suppress the growth of microorganism in the body, thereby preventing infections from setting in and causing more pain. Mash a few cloves of garlic and heat them in some mustard oil. When the oil becomes warm enough to bear, apply it over the swollen hand, massaging it into the skin as you apply it.
Continue massaging the hand until the pain dissipates. Repeat this remedy at least thrice a day to get relief from hand pain. Alternatively, you can also opt to eat a few cloves of raw garlic, or add some garlic to your meals on a daily basis. This would also help reduce the pain and inflammation in the hand.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt contains plenty of magnesium, a mineral that promotes the increased usage of oxygen by the body, prevents the arteries from hardening and reduces the formation of blood clots. Mix a handful of Epsom salt in warm water nicely until the salt dissolves completely. Soak your hands in the salt solution for about 30 minutes. This would effectively reduce the hand pain and inflammation. You can opt to add rock salt (a handful), juniper oil (a few drops) and fennel oil (a few drops) to the Epsom salt solution, and soak your hands in it for about 15 minutes every day in order to increase the mobility in your hands.
Olive Oil
A substance called oleocanthal in olive oil helps reduce the inflammation caused by conditions like arthritis. Warm up a few drops of olive oil and lavender oil, and massage the same over the swollen hand. Wash the mixture off after about 15 minutes. Repeat this remedy once in the morning and night for extended relief from hand pain. You can also add more olive oil to the dishes that you cook in order to promote quick recovery from within the body.
Castor Oil
Castor oil contains a substance called Ricinoleic Acid which helps reduce the pain and inflammation caused in the hand due to conditions like arthritis. Warm up some castor oil and apply it over the affected hand, making sure you massage it gently onto the skin. Follow this remedy twice a day in order to get relief from hand pain. Alternatively, boil castor oil (about 2 times a day) and mix it in a glass of orange juice. Drink the juice first thing in the morning every day for at least a week or so to notice desirable results.
Potato
Not many know potato is a potent anti-oxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory agent. As such, it can be used to treat hand pain, providing effective results in a very short span of time. Cut a potato into very thin slices and soak them in cold water overnight. Strain the resultant solution and drink it the next morning. Alternatively, you can also peel a potato, grind it, add some water to dilute the paste, and drink the resultant juice once in the morning every day. Follow these remedies every day to get relief from hand pain and improve the flexibility in your joints.
Hot/Cold Compresses
Placing an ice pack on the affected hand for about 5 minutes at periodic intervals can help reduce hand pain to an extent. Alternatively, you can try placing a hot towel on your hand if you don’t seem to get any relief with a cold compress. You can also alternate between hot and cold packs to get relief from conditions like carpel tunnel syndrome and its side effects, mainly hand pain.
