A great number of people suffers from some kind of arthritis, and sometimes the pain of inflamed joints is raging or even unbearable. The pain obviously gets worse when it is not treated. However, keeping in mind Celebrex and Vioxx scandals, people are now turning to alternative or unconventional therapies to ease their arthritic pain. The main advantage
of most natural remedies is the fact they do not cause any meaningful side effects.
Here is a list of some common herbal preparations and holistic methods that may — or may not be helpful for you. However, you should consult your physician before you start trying any of the following therapies.
GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE & CHONDROITIN – These supplements taken together preclude the progression of arthritis, lessen inflammation and bring pain relief. Glucosamine is a natural sugar produced in the body and it helps preclude arthritis by keeping both the joint tissue and its fluid properly lubricated. Chondroitin is also a substance found in the human body. It occurs in cartilage and helps to slow down cartilage breakdown.
SAM-e – it is a natural substance for depression treatment. However, it also mitigates moderate pain and reduced mobility that results from arthritis. SAM-e means
S-adenosylmethionine, a molecule that accompanies a few chemical reactions in the body.
SAM-e delivers sulfur to the cartilage, which helps with building the collagen bonds that reinforce the joints. It also brings pain relief and lessens inflammation.
TURMERIC – it has strong medicinal properties. Tumeric is a spice of the ginger family, and is employed to treat inflammation as well as mild arthritis pain. The spice has been used for ages in the cure of inflammation in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine system.
It operates by holding the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which mediate the inflammation.
VITAMIN D – Research have proved that vitamin D plays an essential part in keeping cartilage in good condition. According to a study, arthritic females with low or moderate level of the vitamin lost greater amount of cartilage in their hips than arthritic females with the higher level of vitamin D. The vitamin doesn’t bring pain relief but it does hinder loss of cartilage.
GINGER EXTRACT – often referred to Zinaxin, it is a natural anti-inflammatory supplement, which removes perilous oxidizing agents from the body.
WILLOW – old and well-known arthritis treatment. It is a natural form of aspirin that shows little or no side effects.
COD LIVER OIL – it helps to reinforce bones and prevents cartilage breakdown.
Here are some holistic methods and techniques that can bring pain relief in arthritis:
ACUPUNCTURE – Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical technique that has been employed for over 2,500 years. Scientists of West state that acupuncture can work, although they are not able to say why. In acupuncture the body is described as a bioelectric system with certain energy pathways. It is said that there are 14 energy channels, or meridians running through the body and along these energy channels there are 361 acupuncture points. When energy is disrupted along the meridians, it causes pain and illness. To restore and stimulate balance and health, acupuncture uses needles.
ACUPRESSURE – Acupressure, a technique similar to acupuncture, uses pressure of fingertips. The pressure is involved on tender areas, so as to bring pain relief by distracting lactic acid that results in pain.
CHIROPRACTIC – Chiropractic therapy is based on the belief that many disorders are caused by pressure on nerves, especially made by the vertebrae. A chiropractor works by acting on the spine and other body structures.
MASSAGE THERAPY – it is an ancient form of bringing pain and stress relief. It helps us to relax as it allows blood to flow easily through our bodies.
REFLEXOLOGY – it is based on the belief that the organs and muscles of the body are affected by particular areas of the feet. When pressure is made on these areas, parts of the body start to relax.
ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE – according to this therapy, poor posture is in part a reaction to stress, which can act negatively on body’s functioning. Alexander technique re-trains the body to obviate unhealthy postures.
FLOATATION THERAPY – the mix of weightlessness, relaxation, and the Epsom salts brings pain relief, in part by stimulating production of endorphins. This therapy is frequently used to cure people who experience anxiety and chronic pain as well as addictive behaviors like smoking of cigarettes.
HEAT TREATMENT – This is probably the oldest method of curing arthritic. For centuries people have been using hot baths, hot pack or heating pad to cure arthritis.
COLD TREATMENT – Cold compresses or ice is applied to an inflamed area. It works by easing the sharp pain of the disease flare-up.
TENS–TENS – (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) employs electrical stimulation of the nerves in order to block sending pain signals to the brain. Tens-Tens is performed only by a professional and is usually carried out if all other methods of pain relief have been unsuccessful.
BIOFEEDBACK – Nowadays, it is being taught by numerous doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists. You familiarize with several relaxation techniques and thanks to sensitive monitors attached to your body, you can notice how your body reacts on your efforts to relax.
VISUALIZATION – this technique helps pain become less acute by taking patient’s attention away from it. You shut your eyes, start breathing deeply, and imagine that you are in a tranquil and pleasant place.
MEDITATION – similarly to visualization, meditation works by relaxation and the reduction of stress. It slows the breathing and the heart rate and in this way it leads to stress reduction.
AROMATHERAPY – Aromatherapy employs essential oils from trees, plants and flowers. Sometimes it is combined with a massage or it uses scented candles.
YOGA – this technique is a combination of exercise and breathing to defeat stress and improve both circulation and movement of the joints.
