Lifestyle Interventions and Supplements for Joint and Arthritis Pain: A Narrative Review

Arthritis is a chronic condition worsened by systemic inflammation, inactivity, poor nutrition, and disrupted sleep, yet it is often managed reactively with symptom focused pharmacologic care. Emerging evidence suggests lifestyle interventions may target root causes of disease, offering a proactive approach to reduce pain and preserve joint function. This narrative review examined the impact of lifestyle interventions on arthritis-related pain and joint health, focusing on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar (2000 to 2025) identified randomized trials, meta-analyses, and cohort studies on nutrition, supplementation, physical activity, and sleep. Outcomes included pain and function scores, inflammatory biomarkers, and imaging markers of joint integrity. Lifestyle interventions reduced pain, improved function, and supported joint health. Anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, were linked to lower inflammation and symptom severity. Supplements like curcumin, glucosamine, and Boswellia showed modest benefits with favorable safety. Resistance training and Tai Chi improved strength, mobility, and pain, with added benefits for balance. Poor sleep was associated with greater pain and inflammation, while behavioral sleep interventions improved outcomes. Lifestyle medicine is safe, effective, and feasible to integrate into arthritis care, with strong support for diet and movement therapies.