Search:
 
Sign up for our health emails.
First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
We will not share your email with anyone.
 
 
Home > Articles
 

Advertisement


 
Notice:::
The articles presented are provided by third party authors and do not neccessarily reflect the views or opinions of HealthStatus.com, Inc. They should not be construed as medical advice or diagnosis. Consult with your physician prior to following any suggestions provided.
 

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

Advertisement

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.

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.


Advanced Search HealthStatus.com:::

including all words :
exact phrase :
any of the words :
excluding words :

Other Articles:

Probiotics & Their Use As A Dietary Supplement
Many people are unfamiliar with probiotics, but there are studies to show that these supplements may be beneficial in the treatment of various ailments. Probiotics are dietary supplements that contain possible beneficial bacteria. Certain types of yogurt, for example, contain probiotics...

Eat Healthy and Lose Weight - Part 1
If you accept the analogy that our bodies are like an engine, then it follows that this engine will perform better if it receives the type of fuel that it was designed to run on. In years gone by, before artificially processed and manufactured foods, our bodies normally received the...

Walk, or Run, to Achieve Weight Loss
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Original URL (The Web version of the article) ------------ target=_blank>Walk, or Run, to...

 
 
 
HEALTH TIP ::::
  Try to eat regularly and don’t skip meals. If you do, your energy levels will be low and you’ll be more likely to overeat during your next meal.
 
 
 JUST FOR YOU::::
 
Advertisement

 
Try our Body Fat calculator today!
  * Fat Loss Product Reviews
OUR NEWSLETTER
 
 
 
 
     

   
Copyright 1998-2009 HealthStatus.com. All rights reserved.