Inflammatory Arthritis: Alternative Treatments
By Dan DeReuter
There are two main types of arthritis: inflammatory arthritis
and osteoarthritis. Inflammatory arthritis can be treated naturally without
drugs. Inflammatory arthritis' symptoms (such as Rheumatoid Arthritis) are exactly
what they sound like: inflammation, redness and swelling in the joints. Sometimes
there will even be a temperature change in the area affected. Also, in the hand,
you may notice that some fingers may look like they are turning away from the
thumb (ulnar deviation).
This type of arthritis is primarily an auto-immune response.
This means that the body believes it is under attack by an invader, such as
an infection of some kind. However,this is not the case and the body ends up
"attacking" the toxins that have built up in the joint capsules. Alternative
treatment for this type of arthritis is fairly simple. Since the problem is
caused by toxins in the joints, then the solution is to remove these toxins.
There are actually several ways to detoxify the body. One of
these is fasting. Using juice fasts,fruit fasts or other types of fasts can
be very effective. However, it takes a very disciplined individual to actually
finish one of these programs. There are several good books to help you if you
planon doing a fast, one of my personal favorites is "Dr. Jensen's Guide to
Better Bowel Care"", by Bernard Jensen.
Another way to detox is cleansing the colon with a colonic irrigation
or similar procedure. This procedure should be done by a professional since
there are some minimum hygiene standards that should be followed. In this procedure,
a tube is inserted into the rectum and filtered water is constantly irrigated
into the colon-and fecal matter and other wastes flowing out at the same time.
People that have this performed often report they see waste products from foods
they have not eaten in years.
A third way to cleanse is by supplementing your diet with large
quantities of fiber and herbal supplements. This method is probably best for
most Americans. Not because it is more effective than the other two, but because
of it's ease of execution.
One good way to see if this type of treatment will help is to
buy an inexpensive psyllium supplement and take it three times per day for two
days. If you do notice an improvement in your symptoms,then go ahead and purchase
a complete cleanse program of some kind.
If you are performing a cleanse you should modify your diet
in several ways: increase the consumption of leafy green vegetables, decrease
the consumption of dairy, red meat and other mucus-producing foods. And probably
the most important-increase your intake of clean filtered water to at least
a gallon per day.
One note of caution: when doing any type of cleanse, you may
experience a healing crisis. On the third or fourth day or a cleanse regimen,
you may experience symptoms such as sore throat, headache, lightheadedness,
bad breath or pimples. Don't panic! this is a normal response and indicates
that the cleanse is working and the toxins are beginning to leave your body.
Depending on your toxicity level, you may experience some relief by simply having
a bowel movement.
If the healing crisis becomes too uncomfortable, then be sure
to discontinue the program and consult a health care professional. The goal
is to find the type of treatment that is correct for you and see it until the
end. You will find that these treatments are more successful in helping arthritis
than the traditional medical solution of pain killers and drugs.
© 2000 Daniel DeReuter, D.C.
Daniel DeReuter, D.C. is a chiropractor practicing in Dalton,
GA. He operates a website http://www.deepdownwellness.com
that provides alternative health tips and information.
