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 box is left intact and all links are hyperlinked. _______________________________________________







Related News



Democrat's vision will collide with reality - Washington Post

Democrat's vision will collide with reality
Washington Post, United States -22 hours ago
He would also increase spending in other areas such as alternative energy programs. The problem: Obama's spending plans and middle-class tax relief will ...
Democrat's vision will collide with realityThe Associated Press
Confusing wealth and incomeWashington Times
Our Inequality of OutcomesWashington Post
all 137 news articles

Champaign school district ending its alternative program - Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette

Champaign school district ending its alternative program
Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette, IL -9 hours ago
By Jodi Heckel CHAMPAIGN – Columbia Center, the Champaign school district's alternative program for middle- and high-school students, will close at the end ...

Alternative ed programs move - Adrian Daily Telegram

Alternative ed programs move
Adrian Daily Telegram, MI -55 minutes ago
By Autumn Lee The Adrian Public Schools adult and alternative education programs have moved to a new location. Those programs and the Second Chance Academy ...

Maryland slot opponents propose alternative ballot question - Casino City Times

Maryland slot opponents propose alternative ballot question
Casino City Times, MA -4 hours ago
MARYLAND -- As reported by the Baltimore Sun: "Slots opponents proposed alternative language yesterday for a voter referendum on November's ballot that ...

Let Duluth Vote alternative plan has a shot after all - Budgeteer

Northland's NewsCenter

Let Duluth Vote alternative plan has a shot after all
Budgeteer, MN -2 hours ago
As a result, Superintendent Keith Dixon said Thursday the district will accept the petition— which proposes an alternative long-range facilities plan — as ...
Duluth School District To Accept Alternative PlanNorthland's NewsCenter
Alternative Long Range Plan Possible ReferendumWDIO-TV
Duluth may get to weigh in on school district's building plansDuluth News Tribune
Budgeteer - Budgeteer
all 9 news articles

SISVEL: DVB-T Press Release - MarketWatch

SISVEL: DVB-T Press Release
MarketWatch -10 hours ago
Effective August 26th, 2008, licenses under those DVB-T essential patents will be available from SISVEL as an alternative to negotiate separate licenses ...

Granholm leads town hall meeting on alternative energy - Detroit Free Press

Granholm leads town hall meeting on alternative energy
Detroit Free Press, United States -Aug 26, 2008
... sun of the 2008 Democratic National Convention tonight, hosting a town hall meeting on the main stage in Denver on America’s alternative energy future. ...
Granholm pitches alternative energy at Dem conventionDetNews.com
Granholm moderates energy town hall meetingMLive.com
Granholm to moderate energy town hall meetingChicago Tribune
WXYZ - WWMT
all 39 news articles

TAKE 2: An alternative look at the day in sports - Columbia Daily Tribune

TAKE 2: An alternative look at the day in sports
Columbia Daily Tribune, MO -1 hour ago
As football season arrives, bringing with it the scads of added listings to On Tap and On the Air below, my Friday Take 2’s become more of an exercise in ...

Alternative Energy New Training Facility - WLNS

Alternative Energy New Training Facility
WLNS, MI -22 hours ago
They'll spend much of that time learning about alternative energy, as the company powers up the 21st century. Consumers Energy is getting ready to make the ...
Renewable energy called keyBattle Creek Enquirer
all 5 news articles

Nader Still Follows Cameras, Proudly Offers Alternative - Hartford Courant

Nader Still Follows Cameras, Proudly Offers Alternative
Hartford Courant, United States -Aug 28, 2008
By JESSE A. HAMILTON | Washington Bureau Chief DENVER — - Ralph Nader is absolutely unapologetic. He sees nothing to regret about the super-close 2000 ...