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Alternative Treatments For Arthritis
Pain Relief
by Priya Shah
Copyright © 2005 Priya Shah
Natural, herbal remedies can help arthritis sufferers who have tried traditional
pain medications without success. Many natural remedies and supplements
have been found to actually reduce cartilage deterioration and even rebuild
a patient's lost cartilage.
Many people are also seeking natural remedies because of the increasing
cost of prescription medication. Conventional over-the-counter pain relievers,
such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can be very helpful in decreasing
joint pain, but they do produce side effects and can cause problems in
long-term users.
Before adding any supplements to your daily routine, check with your healthcare
advisor, as supplements can cause adverse reactions and may not be right
for your situation. Before discontinuing a prescription medication, consult
a physician.
However, with a doctor's approval, there are many natural solutions, which
may aid in managing arthritis.
Acupuncture - This is a popular alternative to medication for pain relief.
Although the pain-relieving effects may be temporary, these sessions can
be very beneficial for those who find that drugs or supplements are insufficient
or have unacceptable side effects
Aromatherapy - Aromatherapy focuses on using pleasurable aromatic botanical
oils by either massaging them into the skin, adding them to the bath water,
inhaling them directly or diffusing their scents into the surrounding
environment. The oils have been known to affect moods, help with relaxation,
lessen or end fatigue and anxiety, and help the brain and nervous system
via olfactory nerves stimulation when inhaled. It is another holistic
treatment used by some arthritic sufferers for pain relief and stress
management.
Cayenne Cream - Cayenne peppers contain an substance called capsaicin
which is responsible for their spicy effect. This also causes a burning
sensation when it comes in contact with skin, and inhibits the body's
production of substance P which is heavily involved the relaying signals
of pain to the brain. You may need to apply the cayenne cream to painful
areas two to three times per day for at least one week before you find
relief.
Chondroitin - The most popular dietary supplements for arthritis sufferers
are chondroitin, fish oil and glucosamine. Chondroitin can draw fluid
into the cartilage, improving shock-absorbing ability and weight control,
as more weight equals more joint pressure.
Fish Oil - Fish oils help with controlling inflammation in the body and
may provide relief when arthritis is caused by an immune system dysfunction
as in lupus. A vegetarian alternative to fish oil is flax seed or borage
oil. More information can be found at http://www.omega3fats.com
Glucosamine - Recent studies have shown that the cartilage-building substance
called glucosamine is effective for the long-term relief of osteoarthritis
pain. In some people, glucosamine appears to even slow the deterioration
of joints over time and reinforce joint cartilage. Whether or not it can
actually reverse the disease is still unclear.
Glutathione - Glutathione is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties
and can be safely boosted by consuming its precursors available in the
supplements, N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) or undenatured whey protein. You
can find out more about it here http://www.1whey2health.com
Magnets - Although magnets that are worn as jewelry or placed on bed linens
have been reported by some to be effective pain relievers, results are
still preliminary; doctors claim that these magnets are not strong enough.
MSM - Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane is an organic sulfur supplement that appears
to slow down the degeneration but is not yet proven and approved. It is
used in the reduction of inflammation and can be used in conjunction with
glucosamine, in some instances.
Nettle leaf - Nettles can reduce a patient's need for NSAIDS (non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs) by up to 70 percent.
Vitamin B - It is an effective pain reliever. It works best on the knee
and can help stop degeneration that is caused by free-radical molecules,
not only in the joints but in other areas of the body as well.
Vitamin E - This antioxidant is used primarily for osteoarthritis.
Ginger - Ginger is an antioxidant that acts as an inflammatory with no
major side effects.
These are merely a few examples of what an arthritis sufferer can use
when seeking pain relief from natural remedies. Due to the lack of scientific
study and testing on many of these alternate treatments, there is no proof
of their effectiveness.
Nothing can cure osteoarthritis, but nutritional supplements, the application
of heat or cold to affected joints, exercise, and weight loss can improve
the function and flexibility of your joints, and perhaps even slow the
progress of the disease.
For a comprehensive report on arthritis, visit Arthritis Remedies
http://www.arthritisremedies.org
About the Author
Priya Shah is the editor of The
Glutathione Report and Health
Naturale. This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box
is left intact and all links are hyperlinked.
Resources
Information on this
site is intended for informational purposes only and not to be a substitute for
a advice from a physician or other medical professional. You should not use the
this information contained here for diagnosing or treating medical problems or
diseases. If you suspect a medical problem, contact your physician. These statements
or this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. |
