Arthritis affects millions of people around the world each year. While there are several kinds of arthritis, sufferers typically have symptoms of limited mobility and extreme pain.
There have been a number of medical developments that have given relief to some sufferers, but holistic arthritis treatment is gaining in popularity as people look towards natural ways of pain and inflammation relief.
Vitamins and Minerals
Increasing intake of key vitamins and minerals has been shown to help relieve some of the inflammation that causes arthritis pain. Make sure you have a healthy intake of these vitamins in your diet:
Calcium: Increasing calcium intake is usually essential for people with arthritis. This mineral helps to strengthen bones and reduce further bone loss.
Iron: Iron helps to make sure that blood is properly oxygenated, ensuring that all of your body’s processes can work effectively.
However, too little iron can mean both mental and physical problems. People with arthritis are also prone to anemia, and taking iron can help make sure the body gets enough iron.
Magnesium: Helpful in strengthening bones, magnesium also helps to keep your joints healthy, so can be crucial for people with arthritis.
Zinc: This mineral is incredibly helpful in promoting healing and healthy cellular activity. Unfortunately, some people with arthritis may have lower levels of zinc, so taking a supplement may help keep cartilage and immune processes strong.
Vitamin A: A powerful antioxidant, Vitamin A helps keeps bones healthy and strong and may also help to stop inflammation that can lead to arthritis pain.
Vitamin D: This vitamin is essential for bone and heart strength. It can also help boost the immune system, and may help people taking steroids to increase weakened Vitamin D levels.
Vitamin K: Crucial to help increase bone strength, Vitamin K can also help lessen the chance of fractures in adults whose bones are weakened.
Selenium: While it is not quite known how selenium affects those with arthritis, studies have indicated that it may be helpful in preventing diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Supplements
There are a number of supplements promoted to help arthritis sufferers reduce pain, but some have more clinical research backing than others.
It is always important to make sure any supplements you add are discussed with your doctor, to lessen the chance of negative interactions. These supplements are some of the preferred kinds for holistic arthritis treatment:
Ginger: Praised for its anti-inflammatory properties that improve processes throughout the body, ginger has shown to be as useful as using steroids to reduce pain associated with arthritis.
Chondroitin: It used to be though that taking chondroitin would help relieve pain, but it has shown to be more effective in actually helping to slow down the progression of the disease. Taking between 800 and 1,200 milligrams everyday is the ideal amount.
SAM-e: This supplement helps to both relieve pain and reduce swelling throughout the body. It also helps to stimulate cartilage and serotonin, which helps to make the brain feel less pain. Research says it is equally as effective as taking NSAIDs.
Indian frankincense: The acids found in this plant promote both pain relief and reduce inflammation, and it also helps boost immune responses. It has also been shown to help stop cartilage damage in users.
Turmeric: The chemical Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric that helps it to reduce feelings of pain and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Research has been focused on how this can help arthritis sufferers.
Fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acids): Fish oil – despite the occasional aftertaste – is a supplement that is helpful for optimizing a number of the body’s systems, but it is also helpful to relieving joint pain, increasing flexibility, and reduce inflammation.
Gamma Linolenic Acid: This fatty acid is currently being looked at as a way to help improve strength and flexibility in patients. Studies have shown that it is possibly a wonderful natural way to help those with reduced mobility regain their strength.
Topical creams
Creams made from certain minerals or substances that may reduce inflammation have shown to be effective in sufferers of chronic arthritis pain. It should be noted that any time you try a new cream or lotion it is always best to check for allergies in a small patch of skin before applying large amounts.
Capsaicin: Made from the main substance in chili peppers, capsaicin cream has helped many sufferers relieve pain, and it is easy to find a cream over the counter.
Tea tree oil: A lotion or oil made from tea tree oil can help to relieve strained muscles and has powerful antiseptic agents.
Aloe Vera: Used to combat dry skin, Aloe is very helpful when rubbed into sore areas, and can even help repair damaged skin.
Lifestyle changes
There are certain things you can do that will help reduce the pain felt by arthritis. Most of these are easy lifestyle changes that can help you feel better in a number of ways, and these are essential for keeping older adults active and healthy.
Lose weight: Keeping a healthy weight will help make sure that you are not putting excess stress on joints and bones because of extra weight.
Experts say that for every pound you lose it is the equivalent of relieving 4 pounds of pressure on the knees, which means that even small amounts of weight loss can have a major impact.
Exercise: In addition to helping you lose weight, exercise is essential for people with arthritis as it keeps their body lose and mobile.
That being said, certain types of exercise may be more suited for arthritis sufferers, such as trying water aerobics instead of running.
Acupuncture: This ancient practice has shown some positive results in reducing swelling and inflammation in joints, thereby reducing pain felt from arthritis.
Finding holistic arthritis treatment may be easier than you think, and a few simple changes may allow you to reduce your reliance on medical treatments.
Remember, it is always essential to speak to a medical professional before trying any new treatments, as you want to be sure they won’t interact with any medication you are already on.