Alternative Treatments For Arthritis Pain Relief
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 - 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.
Copyright © 2005 Priya Shah
Priya Shah is the editor of The
Glutathione Report and Health
Naturale. For a comprehensive report on arthritis, visit Arthritis
Remedies
This article may be reprinted as long as the resource
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