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As we all
know, many of our elders are very much affected
by joint and muscle pain these days. It is also a surprising fact that the
number of younger people are also experiencing chronic joint pains which effect their quality of life
Although today there is a wide range of medicinal assistance readily available,
the best pain relief solution is to first try a natural joint pain relief
method.
Exercise
The best
conventional treatment for joint pain, such as osteoarthritis generally
involves prescribed exercises to keep the joints flexible, encourage
nourishment of the cartilage, and strengthen the surrounding tissues; joint protection,
often based on the suggestions of a physical or occupational therapist, to
limit further damage; and, when necessary, both drug and non drug measures to
ease discomfort and decrease stiffness.
It is the
movement of a joint that forces oxygen and nutrients into the cartilage and
removes waste products, thus helping to keep the cartilage healthy. When the
pain and stiffness sets in, however, moving the affected joint is the last
thing on many peoples' minds.
Range-of-motion
Exercises
Range-of-motion
exercises are used to put a joint through the full range of its natural motion
without excessive stress. They are essential to any treatment plan for joint
stiffness such as osteoarthritis. Your doctor or a physical therapist can show
you appropriate exercises.
Reflexology
To help relieve pain in a joint, reflexology
may prove helpful. The ancient healing art of reflexology has been known to man
for many thousands of years.
It was first practiced by the early Indian, Chinese and Egyptian peoples.
Reflexology is the application of pressure
using thumb and fingers on reflex points in the feet and hands to stimulate a
physiological change in the body. IT IS NOT A MASSAGE! If a body part is
not functioning correctly, uric acid, calcium and mineral deposits may
accumulate in the reflexes, impeding energy flow and circulation. A skilled,
professional Reflexologist can assist in breaking down and dispersing these
deposits, helping to restore the body to better health.
Weight
Management
Losing
excess weight, and eating a nutritionally balanced diet often can help diminish
inflammatory actions.
Diet
Food choices
can help greatly. For example: diary products, citrus fruits along with meat
category such as meat, pork and lamb, alcohol and vegetable oil when avoided
helps to prevent joint pain caused by such foods that provide inflammation.
Water
Water is extremely important to the joints.
Because the synovial fluid contains water, if you become dehydrated
less synovial fluid is available to protect the joints. Synovial Fluid
is a fluid in the body that reduces friction between the articular
cartilage in joints to lubricate and cushion them during movement.
Failure to keep yourself hydrated will play havoc on your joints.
Remember, by the time you are thirsty, your body is
already dehydrated. Once dehydrated endurance is diminished, strength
can drop, and the effect can last into the following day(s). Instead of
relying on a thirst signal, drink water at regular intervals regardless if
you're thirsty or not to help maintain your overall health, including your joint health!.
Hydrotherapy
(e.g., hot/cold water treatment, hot/cold compresses
Additional measures to help ease the joint
pain and stiffness include heat and cold treatments. Simple hot or cold water
treatments are easy ways to soothe joint pain. To relieve stiffness and
dull, penetrating pain, warm (not hot) compress applied directly to the
affected area is the best option. For sharper, more intense pain, a cold
compress or an ice pack wrapped in a plastic bag and placed over a towel on the
skin for 10 to 20 minutes, and repeat every four hours as needed is a standard
successful treatment plan. never apply a cold treatment for more than 20
minutes at a time, or you’ll risk damaging your skin.
Hot showers
or baths or heating pads may also help by improving flexibility, especially
before exercise or other physical activity.
Natural
Supplements
There
have been several studies showing potential benefits of dietary supplements for treating osteoarthritis. Potential treatment
options may include:
- Glucosamine sulfate. Glucosamine
sulfate is one natural substance that has been shown useful for osteoarthritis
pain relief.
- Chondrotin. One of the
most popular remedies you can use at home is chondrotin. Many scientists
have made study of this natural product and found it to improve the way
your bones are protected from impact. Many people begin to have problems
with arthritis when the cartilage in their bodies wears away due to age.
Taking a regular chondrotin supplement can help conduct more fluid into
your cartilage, helping it to take the shock of simple impacts on a daily
basis. You can find more information on chondrotin in many of the other
articles on our website. You may also find a few places to purchase it if
your local drug store does not carry it with their regular supplies.
- MSM, methylsulfonylmethane.
MSM provides sulfur, a vital building block of joints, cartilage, skin,
hair and nails, and methyl groups, which support many vital biochemical
processes in the body, including energy production. MSM is a
naturally-occurring nutrient found in small amounts of many foods. As a
dietary supplement, MSM is synthesized. When made correctly, it is
identical to that found in nature. MSM can be taken alone or in
combination with other joint health supplements, such as glucosamine and
chondroitin.Published, peer-reviewed clinical research in the U.S. has
shown MSM is safe and effective in increasing joint comfort and supporting
a normal range of motion.
- Vitamins
B9 (folate) and B12 (cobalamin). Both taken in large doses
significantly reduced osteoarthritis hand pain, presumably by reducing
systemic inflammation. B vitamins also balance the nervous
system, reducing pain.
- Vitamin
D. Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in patients with
osteoarthritis, and supplementation with Vitamin D3 is recommended for
pain relief.
- Vitamin C. itamin C is an anti oxidant that also helps promote
healing, calcium builds stronger bones and the B vitamins balance the nervous
system, reducing pain.
- Calcium. Calcium builds stronger bones.
-
Vitamin/Mineral combination therapies. Some People with joint pain may get relief
from the following daily nutrient intakes: 5,000 milligrams of vitamin C, 800
to 1,400 milligrams of calcium and a B-complex supplement containing the six
important B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B 6, vitamin B12 and
pantothenic acid). Vitamin C is an anti oxidant that also helps promote
healing, calcium builds stronger bones and the B vitamins balance the nervous
system, reducing pain.
- Antioxidants, including Vitamins C and E. Antioxidants, including Vitamins C and E
in both foods and supplements, has shown in studies to provide pain
relief from osteoarthritis.# Pycnogenol. A new study to be published
in the April 2008 edition (Volume 22, issue No 4) of the journal of
Phytotherapy Research shows Pycnogenol (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant
plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, was shown
to reduce all osteoarthritis symptoms by 56 percent. The study revealed
a particularly high efficacy of Pycnogenol for lowering joint pain by
55 percent. Moreover, patients required dramatically less standard pain
medication (-58 percent), which greatly improved the gastrointestinal
complications resulting from the pain medication by 63 percent. In
addition to the osteoarthritis results, 76 percent of the patients in
the Pycnogenol group and 79 percent in the placebo group showed visible
ankle and foot edema at inclusion of the study. After the three
months, edema decreased in 79 percent of the Pycnogenol patients and
only one percent in placebo-treated patients. A even larger more
detailed study on osteoarthritis carried out at the University of
Arizona Tucson (published in Nutrition Research) prior to this study
had discovered that Pycnogenol was effective for improving pain and
joint function. After three months in the Pycnogenol group, there was a
reduction of 43 percent in pain, 35 percent in stiffness, 52 percent in
physical function subscales, respectively. The placebo group showed no
significant scores throughout the entire study. Based on the studies
the benefits of Pycnogenol for arthritic joints are suggested to result
predominantly from the anti-inflammatory potency of Pycnogenol. There
are more breakthrough studies on Pycnogenol and osteoarthritis expected
to be published next year allowing for development of innovative,
natural formulas for joint health.
- Selenium.
Selenium deficiency has been correlated with a higher risk and severity
of osteoarthritis.
- Boswellia.
Boswellia is an herbal supplement in Ayurvedic medicine also know as
Indian frankincense, salai guggal, and boswellin. The proper botanic
label for boswellia is Boswellia serrata. It is derived from the resin
of the bark of the Boswellia tree. While it grows in other parts of
Southeast Asia, it is found abundantly found in the Indian
subcontinent. The condition for which boaswellia has had the most
supporting evidence for a beneficial effect is arthritis. The most
convincing study was published in 2003 (Phytomedicine. 2003
Jan;10(1):3-7) when a research study examined patients with
osteoarthritis of the knee. Half of the patients received daily
supplementation with 333 mgs of Boswellia. The other half received
placebo. After the first intervention, washout was given and then the
groups were crossed over to receive the opposite intervention for eight
weeks. All patients receiving boswellia reported decrease in knee pain,
increased knee flexion and increased walking distance. The frequency of
swelling in the knee joint was decreased. Radiologically there was no
change. The observed differences between drug treated and placebo being
statistically significant, are clinically relevant. The conclusions of
the study were: “Boswellia serrata extract is recommended in the
patients of osteoarthritis of the knee with possible therapeutic use in
other arthritis.” Other studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and
analgesic properties. Diseases that have been studied where good
results have been reported include rheumatoid arthritis,
osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and bursitis.
- Ginger (rhizome) extract. Ginger has shown in some studies to improve knee osteoarthritis symptoms moderately.
- Hydrolyzed collagen (hydrolysate).
Hydrolized collage (a gelatin product) may also prove beneficial in the
relief of osteoarthritis symptoms, as substantiated in a German study
by Beuker F. et al. and Seeligmuller et al. In their 6-month
placebo-controlled study of 100 elderly patients, the verum group
showed significant improvement in joint mobility.# Omega-3 fatty acid,
a vitamin supplement comprised of important oils derived from fish has
shown to benefit bone health. In fact, recent studies have shown that
plant-based omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contained in
such foods as flaxseed and walnuts may have a protective effect on bone
health, according to a team of Penn State researchers who carried out
the first controlled diet study of these fatty acids.
- Oil Herbal Remedies. An herbal remedy includes ingredients
such as boswellia, ashwagandha, ginger, menthol and camphor. All this
tends to give a natural way of immune system modulation. Generally the oil
when rubbed over the pain zone provides good result by improving the blood
circulation and giving a warm and relaxing sensation from pain. Where as
medicines and syrups have to be continued with the adjoin diet suggested.
This gradually leads to comfortable movements of joints and muscles. Additional natural joint pain
relief action includes ayurvedic medicines, capsules, syrups, medicated
artho oil etc.
Other
Natural Approaches
- Electrical stimulation
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure, etc.
Non
Prescriptive Medications
If these
measures don't give adequate pain relief, your doctor may recommend medication.
Most often, it will be acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
(NSAID). Some NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium, are
available over the counter.
These
medications can be quite effective in relieving joint pain. As with many other
drugs, however, they can have some uncomfortable and even dangerous side
effects, especially if you must take them on an ongoing basis.
Aspirin and
other NSAIDs, for example, may irritate the stomach lining and cause severe
internal bleeding in some people. Taken in large amounts over the long term,
they can also cause kidney and liver damage. Some research even suggests that
these drugs may actually inhibit cartilage repair and increase the progression
of the disease.
About Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
The term arthritis is used to describe
inflammation and pain in a joint. There are many types of arthritis, including
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
(osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis,
degenerative joint disease), is a condition in which low-grade inflammation
results in pain in the joints, caused by abnormal wearing of the cartilage that
covers and acts as a cushion inside joints and destruction or decrease of
synovial fluid that lubricates those joints. As the bone surfaces become less
well protected by cartilage, pain is experienced upon weight bearing,
including walking and standing.
Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint
disease, is the most common form of arthritis. It may also occur in
joints that have suffered previous injury, been subjected to prolonged heavy
use, or damaged by prior infection or inflammatory arthritis. Nearly 70 percent
of people over the age of 70 have x-ray evidence of the disease, but only half
of these people ever develop symptoms. Due to decreased movement because of the pain,
regional muscles may atrophy, and ligaments may become more lax. Arthritis
is considered an autoimmune disease, where the body attacks itself
(i.e. allergies).
Health Impact
- OA
is the most common type of arthritis
- OA
affects more than 21 million Americans.
- OA
is a leading cause of disability in the U.S.
- Virtually
everyone over the age of 75 is affected in at least one joint
- OA
most often affects middle-aged and older people, involving the neck, lower
back, knees, hips and fingers.
- Women
are generally affected at a younger age than men.
- Patients
with OA experience pain and loss of function. OA results from degeneration
of the joint cartilage. The causes of cartilage loss are multiple. Some
kinds of OA are known to be hereditary, including the common form that
causes enlargement of the knuckles.
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