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. _______________________________________________

---

Low Back Pain - Ayurvedic Management

Low back pain is one of the most common pain disorders today .It is a chronic condition characterized by a persistent dull or sharp pain per the... Read More

How to Clean-up Your Allergies with 2 Easy Home Tips

It's that time of year again when people who have allergies complain about nasal congestion, coughing, and wheezing, itching, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, hives and other... Read More

Natural Pain Management

Life in today's hectic society is going more and more in the direction of fast food restaurants, sugar in foods you would never think should be there,... Read More

Snoring: A Common Sleep Disorder

Sleep consumes as much as one-third or more of the average human's life. Even if people hope for restful sleep, many types of sleep disorder reduce the... Read More

The Importance of a Parasite Cleanse

A parasite cleanse is required if your body is overburdened with other toxins. A parasite is an organism that derives its food, nutrition and shelter by living... Read More

Teas From Plants Around You and Their Benefits

All teas unless specified are brewed with 1 teaspoon dry material or 2 teaspoons fresh material to 1 cup of water. Always steep. This means pouring hot... Read More

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine, over 2000 years old, is an ancient form of medicine. Consisting of acupuncture, moxibustion (moxibustion - using material made up of "moxa-wool," in a... Read More

Alternative Approaches to Pain Relief

Pain. The great leveler. The rich feel it. So do the poor, the happy, the sad, tall, and short. And, of course, article writers, too. It's therefore... Read More

New Age Torture

I'll admit it ... I'm a spiritual tramp. I've spent the last few years slutting around, looking for a cure for all my aches and pains. So... Read More

Relieving Chronic Pain Through Visualizations: A Three-Part Strategy

The most effective way to use the subconscious for pain relief seems to be to encourage it to attack the pain process from three different directions. Here's... Read More

Substance P ? A Pain Amplifier You May Be Able To Restrict Using Your Subconscious

Substance P is a key neurotransmitter required to produce moderate to intense pain. Here's a natural method you may be able to use to help neutralize this... Read More

How To Lower Cholesterol Without Prescription Drugs

Don't accept that prescription just yet. In most cases it's possible to take control of your cholesterol naturally, without the use of prescription drugs. First, you need... Read More

Hypnotherapy and How it Can Help

Hypnotherapy is the process of using hypnosis to unlock the capacity of the unconscious mind to bring about therapeutic changes by modifying deeply-held assumptions, fears and misconceptions.The... Read More

Colloidal Silver - Time For a Comeback?

I'm sure you know what it's like to be sick. Stuffy head, running nose, sore throat, coughing, fever, and maybe even vomiting. It really sucks. And with... Read More

Hypertension, An Alternative Approach

For many years high blood pressure has been defined based upon actuarial tables prepared by life insurance companies. By that definition, blood pressure of 140/90 is borderline... Read More

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine is the oldest form of health care known to mankind. Herbs have been used in all cultures and form an integral part of modern civilisation.... Read More

Herbe Fraiche Essential Oil : A Combination of Forest Essences

Herb Fraiche essential oil is derived from essential oils complex blended from plant substances such as pine, thyme and mint. The refreshing plant fragrance induces a calming... Read More

Moles, Warts & Skin Tags Remedy

Are you worried about your moles, warts, and skin tags? Are scared about the idea of removing them surgically using laser, knife or some acid?Moles and warts... Read More

Aloe Vera, an Alternative That Will Improve Your Looks and Your Outlook

Do you remember your teen years? Remember that schoolmate that had a less than perfect complexion and always seemed to be the object of cruel comments? Sure,... Read More

How Brewer?s Yeast and MSM Clear Constipation

Brewer's yeast can help to ease, reduce, or clear your constipation. If you can handle the taste, add it to your juices morning and night.Brewer's Yeast contains... Read More

Hypnosis

HYPNOSIS is a state of induced but conscious sleep through the process of suggestion. Hypnosis must be readily accepted by the subject in order for the hypnosis... Read More

Will This Years Flu Paralyze The US And Canada?

According to the Associated Press on August 26th, the US and Canada may have to close schools, restrict travel and ration scarce medications if a powerful new... Read More

Toddler Stuttering

Some parents have the shock of hearing their young child start to stutter as a toddler. I am somebody who runs a speech centre in Birmingham, England,... Read More

Bling Therapy - Healing with Gemstones

From jeweled necklaces to ankle bracelets, and all the tops and bottoms in between, we suddenly see Bling on every one and every thing! You instinctively knew... Read More

Get Hemorrhoid Relief from Herbal Remedies

Here are four different herbs that can give you hemorrhoid relief and help to get rid of your hemorrhoids. Using these herbs is a convenient and cost... Read More

All Natural Shampoo - 5 Tips

All Natural Shampoo - 5 Tips Here are 5 tips to ensure you are buying a true all natural shampoo product, even though the label may say... Read More