Arthritis is a term that is commonly used to describe more than 100 conditions that affect the joints and the connective tissues that surround the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the two most common types of arthritis which affects approximately 50 million adult Americans. Arthritis is usually characterized by aching, stiff, and hard to move bones and joints.
Apart from loss of mobility and nagging pain, arthritis can also cause many complications. Unfortunately, many conventional medications for this condition don’t address its root causes and they can cause long term dependency. Many patients often turn to natural remedies for Arthritis pain, to reduce the risk of serious side effects associated with many conventional treatments. Here are some natural treatments for Arthritis that have shown promise in providing relief from arthritis-related pain:
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Bone Broth
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everal studies have shown that taking bone broth can benefit arthritis patients. Bone broth is rich in collagen and other nutrients that stimulate the growth of cartilage in joints.
A recent medical study from Case Western University found that taking collagen supplements encourages new cells to grow in collagen tissue.
The scientists examined 400 arthritis patients and treated some with collagen supplements. 93% of the arthritis patients taking collagen supplements reported significant improvement in joint mobility and reduction in pain in as little as 2 weeks. According to a study by the University of Colorado Hospital, bone broth is rich in chondroitin sulfate which works by protecting joints and bones from compounds that destroy cartilage.
The study also states that the sulfate also prevents blood clots that slow blood supply especially to joints, which causes stiffness and pain.Bone broth also contains glucosamine sulfate which also shows positive results for slowing the progression of arthritis.
Although no medical studies have examined how bone broth specifically relates to arthritis, bone broth contains many nutrients that benefit bone and joint health as a whole.
Many recent studies show that nutrients such as chondroitin sulfate, collagen and glucosamine sulfate have positive results for many forms of arthritis including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Ginger Tea
Numerous recent studies show that ginger mimics conventional medications (NSAIDs) for arthritis pain relief, without the various side effects common in many front-line drugs. It works by blocking pain-causing enzymes that are part of the inflammatory response. Use lightly cooked, raw or powdered fresh ginger on food. You can make your own ginger tea by simply buying fresh ginger tea bags, or by simmering fresh slices of ginger for approximately 15 minutes in boiling water.
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Lose Weight and Get More Exercise
Your weight makes a big impact on the amount of discomfort and pain you experience from any form of arthritis largely because extra weight can put more pressure on joints, especially your feet, hips, and knees. Losing weight can help decrease pain, improve your mobility and prevent further damage to your joints by reducing stress and pressure on your joints. Moreover, regular movement and low-impact exercises such as swimming and water aerobics help maintain flexibility without adding further stress to your joints. However, weight-bearing exercises such as walking and running can be damaging.
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Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold treatments can provide natural relief from arthritis pain. Each form of treatment offers different benefits:
Heat spurs blood flow and relaxes your muscles. Warm baths or showers, especially in the morning, can help ease arthritis-related stiffness and pain in your joints. Use a warm damp towel or moist heating pad at night to help keep your joints and connective tissue loose.
Cold treatment are good for relieving inflammation, swelling, and joint pain. Wrap a bag of frozen vegetables or a gel ice pack in a towel and apply gently it to sore and painful joints for relief. Apply for approximately 15 minutes and take 30-minute breaks between treatments.
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Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medical treatment that primarily involves inserting super-fine needles at specific points on the body. The goal is to restore balance by rerouting energies in the body. The World Health Organization recommends acupuncture as a complementary therapy for treatment of more than 100 conditions.
Studies show that acupuncture helps lower the level of chemicals linked to inflammation in the body. It also helps with back pain and other forms of chronic pain. The practice can improve function and reduce pain in people with arthritis who are still in pain despite taking pain or anti-inflammatory medication. However, acupuncture requires patience and it may take up to 14 weeks before patients feel any better.
There are many types of herbs and herbal supplements that claim to provide natural relief from arthritis pain. These herbs include :
- thunder god vine,
- devils claw,
- bromelain,
- boswellia,
- stinging nettle and
- devils claw.
It’s very important to consult your doctor before taking new supplements to help with Arthritis pain – to avoid dangerous drug interactions and side effects.
