10 Easy Tips for Arthritis Pain Relief
Think you can’t stop that arthritis pain? Great news! You can act now. Get 10 super easy and effective arthritis pain relief tips from arthritis experts and make your life with arthritis a little easier now.
Protect your joints. Don’t keep your joints in the same position for a prolonged period of time. Balance your rest and work throughout the day. Use the strongest joints available for the job.
Stretch it. Stretching should be part of every arthritis patient’s daily routine. A good stretch helps prevent injuries by warming up muscles and tendons which are more limber and less likely to tear. Spend at least 10 minutes each day stretching, and work each major muscle group.
Cool it down. Stop physical activity. Rest in a cool/shaded environment. Spray with a mist of cool water or wrap an ice pack or cold compress in a towel and apply it to reduce arthritis pain and swelling.
Get moving. Exercise can help reduce joint pain and stiffness and increases flexibility and muscle strength. It can also help with weight control, stress management, and make you feel better overall. The Arthritis Foundation also offers water exercise and other classes.
Get a massage. Massage therapy can relieve your pain, soothe stiff sore muscles, reduce inflammation and swelling. Make sure you use oil or cream on your fingers to make it mroe gentle. Work the area for five to ten minutes a day if possible.
Keep your weight in balance. Being overweight, even just moderately, impacts weightbearing joints and can increase the pain of arthritis. Studies have indicated that losing extra weight lowers the risk for developing osteoarthritis of the knee. Losing weight can help slow the progression of arthritis too.
Get a diagnosis. If you are experiencing symptoms like pain, stiffness, swelling for more than 1 weeks, you should consider seeing your doctor and getting a diagnosis. Remember that there are more than 100 types of arthritis. It is important to get the specific diagnosis for the type of arthritis you have.
Take your medication the right way. Don’t stop taking your medication just because you feel it is not working. Check with your doctor first. You need to understand that it may take several days to several months for a medication to become effective.
Look out for new options. Recently FDA has approved some new drugs for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritis diseases. If feel that the current medication doesn’t work well, check with your doctor about possible new options.
Keep educating yourself. It is important to learn something new about arthritis. Find some good websites online and subscribe to their newsletter if they have it. Join one of two active online arthritis communities like forums or bulletin board. Never hesitate to see your doctors and ask questions.
Arthrits Relief with Simple Dietary Changes
February 16, 2009 by admin
Filed under Arthritis, Back Pain, Joint Pain Relief
The best course of action to take sometimes isn’t clear until you’ve listed and considered ALL of your alternatives. The following paragraphs should help clue you in to what changes the experts think are significant when trying to control the pain of Arthritis..
Arthritis is one of the most prevalent health problems facing today’s aging population.
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which usually strikes weight-bearing joints such as the ankles, knees and hips. Pain is caused by the gradual breakdown of cartilage, the soft “padding” material that cushions the joints.
About 85% of adults who reach the age of 85 will have osteoarthritis–unless they take a proactive approach to prevent it.
Exercise is very important. But what about diet?
For a long time, doctors doubted there could be any link between diet and osteoarthritis. They saw the disease as a natural result of wear and tear on the joints, something inevitable as we age.
But new research is making them reconsider that idea.
It now appears that nutrition plays a vital role in helping to prevent or ease the effects of osteoarthritis. One key element is vitamin C.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, and may protect the joints from the damaging effects of free radicals (unstable molecules that can cause joint inflammation).
Recent research is showing that vitamin C can help prevent bone loss and cartilage inadequacies associated with aging. Specifically, when your joint has cartilage that needs to be repaired, vitamin C is needed for such repairs. It helps to keep your cartilage “young”.
The information about Arthritis presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Arthritis or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.
According to Dr. Timothy McAlindon of the Boston University School of Medicine, “Vitamin C may also help generate collagen, which enhances the body’s ability to repair damage to the cartilage.”
When scientists at the Boston University School of Medicine studied the eating habits of people with osteoarthritis of the knee, they found that those getting the most vitamin C–more than 200 milligrams a day–were three times less likely to have the disease get worse than those who got the least vitamin C (less than 120 milligrams a day).
Dr. McAlindon recommends that people get a least 120 milligrams of vitamin C every day. “That’s the amount in a couple of oranges,” he says.
Dr. Michael F. Roizen and Dr. Mehmet C. Oz, co-authors of “You: The Owner’s Manual”, recommend even more. “Shoot for 1200 milligrams of vitamin C a day–spread between your diet and supplements throughout the day.”
Be careful not to overdo it. Some data suggest that more than 2,500 milligrams a day can have the opposite effect and actually increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Dr. Eve Campanelli, a holistic family practitioner in Beverly Hills, CA, recommends black cherry juice. She advises her patients to drink two glasses, twice a day, of four ounces of the juice diluted with four ounces of water.
Other fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C include oranges, cantaloupe, broccoli, strawberries, peppers and cranberry juice.
A healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, has been recommended by nutritionists for years. Now there’s another reason to pay attention–it can help your joints to stay young!
Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of Arthritis. Share your new understanding about Arthritis with others. They’ll thank you for it.
Arthritis Diet – Relieve Your Pain
February 12, 2009 by admin
Filed under Joint Pain Relief
People who suffer from arthritis are always looking for ways to relieve their pain. One way to ease or even prevent it is through an arthritis diet. There are some arthritis diets that some people will swear by, but have never been proven to make a difference. There are some diets that make a definite difference according to health experts.
First we’ll take a look at some arthritis diets where there’s little or no evidence that they actually make a difference. One of the most common arthritis diets is to eliminate potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and most peppers. While the diet won’t do any harm, it hasn’t been proven to affect arthritis at all. Another arthritis diet seeks to reduce the acids in one’s body eliminating sugar, coffee, red meat, most grains, nuts, and citrus fruits. It’s intended to be followed for just one month. People may feel better because they lose weight which reduces the stress on their joints, but again there is no evidence to support this. It also excludes many sources of vitamin C which is essential in fighting arthritis. Drinking green tea has been shown to reduce the effects of rheumatoid arthritis in mice, but there are no conclusive results on human studies yet. Shark cartilage is supposed to relieve arthritis. Animal and lab studies show promise, but there are no human studies to support this yet.
Not let’s take a look at some arthritis diets that have been shown to work. Switching fats can reduce inflammation. Eating fats found in red meat and poultry have actually been shown to increase inflammation. Switching to cold water fish can help reduce the inflammation. Using corn, safflower, and sunflower oils also helps. Another arthritis diet is the ASU (avocado-soybean unsaponifiable). It has been shown to relieve osteoarthritis, stimulate cartilage repair, and lessen a patient’s need to NSAIDs to control pain. Ginger has been shown to ease pain and inflammation as well as protect the stomach from gastrointestinal effects from taking NSAIDs. Glucosamine is a supplement that relieves pain in some patients with osteoarthritis. It helps the body rebuild cartilage, but can take up to two months to see the effects. If you are allergic to shellfish, check with your doctor before taking this as it is derived from crab, lobster, or shrimp shells. Before taking any supplements talk with your doctor as some can interfere with or worsen side effects from your medications.
Of course the best arthritis diet is a good old-fashioned well balanced diet. Eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables, and go easy on fats and cholesterol. A heart healthy diet is especially important to patients with rheumatoid arthritis as studies have shown a link between this disease and heart failure. Vitamin C is good for repairing body tissue. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, build bone mass, and prevents bone loss. Calcium helps strengthen your bones. If you are on medication, ask your doctor if he/she recommends taking vitamins. Some medications can create vitamin or mineral deficiencies. When choosing your arthritis diet, be sure to talk with your physician as different types of arthritis have different needs.
DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
Arthritis Pain Relief: Not Just for the Senior Citizens
February 11, 2009 by admin
Filed under Joint Pain Relief
There is a general misconception that arthritis is an age-related medical condition that afflicts only the senior citizens or the elderly. It may be true with osteoarthritis, the most common type of joint disorder that usually affects adults of both sexes in their middle age. But what most people don’t understand is that there are other types or causes of arthritis.
Arthritis, also known as joint inflammation, is defined as an inflammation of one or more joints and involves the breakdown of cartilage resulting in pain, swelling, and limited movement.
Cartilage is responsible for protecting the joints and serves as a shock absorber when pressure is placed on the joint during walking or running. It allows for the smooth movement of our limbs. Without cartilage, the bones will rub together and can cause pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness. Doctors usually prescribe arthritis pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs to help alleviate the pain.
Arthritis, or joint inflammation, can be due to the following causes:
· Broken Bones;
· Infections that are usually caused by bacteria or viruses;
· An autoimmune disease (the body attacks itself because the immune system believes a body part is foreign); and
· General “wear and tear” on joints.
Generally, as soon as the injury heals, the inflammation disappears. The infection is treated and the disease is cured. However, there are some injuries and diseases wherein the inflammation remains stubbornly and continuously causing pain that may lead to deformity. This condition is known as chronic arthritis.
People suffering from arthritis experience the following symptoms:
· Joint pain
· Joint swelling
· Stiffness, especially in the morning
· Warmth around a joint
· Redness of the skin around a joint
· Reduced ability to move the joint
Arthritis is a condition that can occur in men and women of all ages. Other types of arthritis include:
· Rheumatoid arthritis (in adults)
· Osteoarthritis ( middle age and above )
· Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (in children)
· Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
· Gout
· Scleroderma
· Psoriatic arthritis
· Ankylosing spondylitis
· Reiter’s syndrome (reactive arthritis)
· Adult Still’s disease
· Viral arthritis
· Gonococcal arthritis
· Other bacterial infections (non-gonococcal bacterial arthritis)
· Tertiary Lyme disease (the late stage)
· Tuberculouus arthritis
· Fungal infections such as blastomycosis
Osteoarthritis, being the most common type, is a chronic disease which causes the cartilage between the bone joints to deteriorate and may cause painful sensation and/or stiffness. New pieces of bones, called bone spurs, may grow around the joints as a result of osteoarthritis. Until now, there is no known reason yet as to the cause of osteoarthritis but it is generally being associated with aging. However, factors such as metabolism and genes can play a role in its development.
There are many factors to consider before your doctor can prescribe arthritis pain relief treatment plan such as the particular cause of arthritis, affected joints, severity of arthritis, and how the condition affects your daily activities. Age and occupation will also be taken into consideration.
Eliminating the underlying cause of the arthritis is one of the goals for treating arthritis. However, not all cause are curable like in the cases of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Relieving pain and discomfort as well as prevention from further damage becomes the focus.
Lifestyle changes and exercise can greatly help in improving the condition of those suffering from arthritis. Medications such as arthritis pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken in addition to exercise and lifestyle changes.
Best Joint Pain Supplement Reviews
Top Rated Joint Supplements
February 7, 2009 by admin
Filed under Joint Pain Supplements
The need for top joint supplements has become all the more important with joint related problems topping the list for having a negative impact on quality of life. Over the past decade or so joint related ailments like arthritis has spread like an epidemic.
You will find will commercials for joint supplements everywhere these days. But what should you believe when one day they tell you Glucosamine is “good for joints” one week… and “bad for you” the next ? What should you believe that drinking coffee hurts your heart ?
Well, you can keep on being confused by contradictions in the media – or you can get a free trail of a product and find out for yourself. Get it free here.
It seems that there are thousands of voices out there dispensing ” joint health”and ditery advice–
.. and the distressing news is that so much of that advice lack scientific authority and clinical trials. You often get misleading or unsound nutrional advice .
Which leads to the question how can you choose the best joint supplement . We have been following the latest in the joint health and joint supplements for sometime now. And we have compiled a list of the best brands of joint supplements available today.
You can find it at Natural Joint Reviews.What are the key things to look for in a joint supplement? Fundementally a good joint supplement should support the follwing functions.
- Maintain Joint Tissue and Cartilage and Integrity
- Support for Joint Mobility and Joint Function
- Bioavailability and Absorption In The Body
- Helps Joints From Incurring Further Damage
If the supplements you bought to help ease arthritis pain hasn’t helped, the reason might be that the pills don’t contain the ingredients they’re supposed to have.
Lack of monitoring is the big problem, said Dr. Joan Von Feldt, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
“These nutraceuticals aren’t monitored or regulated in the same way as prescription drugs are,” said Von Feldt, an arthritis specialist. “And this issue has been identified with a lot of joint supplement products. And it’s not just a problem with the dose of the therapeutic agent, but also with the possibility of contaminants.”
For further details visit www.JointHealthReviews.com
Arthritis Pain Relief
Arthritis is one of the most debilitating conditions affecting mostly people over the age of 55. It doesn’t only affect that specific age group, but also a percentage of young adults. It’s not just a simple disease but a group of conditions that may cause damage not only to your bones but also to other organs in the body.
Different forms of arthritis manifest different symptoms. Common symptoms of arthritis include: persistent joint pain; tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by movement; inflammation indicated by joint swelling, stiffness, redness, and/or warmth; pain and stiffness in the body, especially around the joints; joint deformity; loss of range of motion or flexibility in a joint; unexplained weight loss; non-specific fever; and crepitus (weird crackling sound in the joints.)
There are over 100 different types of arthritis affect approximately 46 million Americans today. The three most common types are: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Osteoarthritis is more commonly called as degenerative arthritis. This develops from a simple breakdown to an eventual loss of cartilages of one or joints. Cartilages are protein-based mass that serve as cushions in between joints. This type of arthritis usually attacks weight-bearing joints such as the hands, feet, and spine. It is mostly related to aging and it progresses further as the years pass. It usually occurs at the age range of 45-60. Men are at higher risk for osteoarthritis before age 45. Women, however, are more prone to it around age 55 specifically around the hand, foot and knee joints. Severe cases of degenerative arthritis require total joint replacement, mostly of the hip and knee joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis may also affect different joints, and as previously mentioned, it may affect some body organs and even our blood. It mainly affects the synovial lining of the joint. The synovium is a soft tissue that lines the non-cartilaginous surfaces within joints. This issue comes as a secondary effect of infections. In this case, the body’s autoimmune system malfunctions and attacks healthy joint tissue, causing inflammation and joint damage. Although it is not as degenerative as osteoarthritis, it may cause joint deformity in a mild level.
Gout is caused by displacement of uric acid crystal to the joints. Also known as hyperuricemia, which literally translates high uric acid content in the blood, it is a metabolic ailment wherein uric acid builds up in the blood and crystallize in the joints of other parts of the body. Chronic gout attacks may lead to hard lumps of uric acid deposits around the joints, and in the process decrease kidney functions and form kidney stones.
There are different kinds of treatment for the different forms of arthritis. There are medications available that aid in arthritis pain relief. Antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as relieve pain and decrease inflammation on affected areas. It has to be paired with constant visits to a physical or occupational therapist to ensure that mobility and range of motion is maintained.
Arthritis isn’t just a simple joint pain that we can disregard. The pain alone is difficult to ignore, let alone the complications it will bring if it remains untreated. Nobody is safe from getting arthritis as there are forms that have causes yet to be defined. Bottom line is, take care of your body – be mindful of your diet and exercise constantly. You’ll never know when this sneaky disease will catch up with you.
Arthritis, Joint Pain, Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, Muscular Ache :Herbal Approach
Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. According to Ayurveda arthritis is primarily a vata (air) disease which is due to accumulation of toxins in the joints and is known as amavata.This can be caused by poor digestion and a weakened colon, resulting in the accumulation of undigested food and the buildup of waste matter. Poor digestion allows toxins to accumulate in the body, and problems with the colon allow the toxins to reach the joints.
Symptoms : Fever Immense pain & stiffness in affected muscles in case of chronic muscular rheumatism. Pain or tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by any movement or activity, such as walking, getting up from a chair, writing, typing, holding an object, throwing a ball, turning a key. Excruciating pain and stiffness in the joints in case of chronic articular rheumatism.
The following are a few simple cures that might just help relieve you from the pain of arthritis. Try any of them to see what works for you.
Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of warm water taken twice a day is good for curing arthritis. Two teaspoons of juice from fresh leaves of bathua, drink every day on an empty stomach for 2-3 months. Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water helps cure arthritis. Taking alfalfa tea twice a day makes a good cure. Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey dissolved in a small glass of warm water taken once or twice a day brings relief. Rub the aching joints with hot vinegar to get some relief from pain. Two parts pure olive oil and one part kerosene makes a wonderful liniment to bathe afflicted joints. Add one tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, whip and drink before sleeping. One raw clove of garlic every day is very beneficial. This clove can be fried in ghee (clarified butter) or castor oil. Take for 2 months. Guggulu is very helpful in curing arthritis. Eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water. Exercise the afflicted joints in a tub full of hot water. Drink carrot juice, cucumber juice, eat cooked vegetables and/or vegetable soups, and drink coconut water for a healthy body & massage your joints daily to cure arthritis. On an empty stomach eat 2-3 walnuts or some coconut. Avoid mental tensions that lead to stress. Lose weight, if necessary, to get close to your ideal weight. If you weigh less, there is less weight on your joints and less pain.
Effetive and Proven Results For – Arthcare Oil (Anti Inflammatory and Muscle Relaxant Herbal Massage Oil) :
Arthcare Oil is the best natural solution for your problem, manufactured under the guidance of renowned MD Ayurveda Specialist doctor. Arthcare is an anti-arthritic herbal oil which not only gives a sure relief in rheumatic arthritis but also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems, giving a comfortable movements of joints and muscles. It is a powerful antioxidant and increases the energy level. Arthcare penetrates the body tissue faster than any other ointment because of its strong anti-inflammatory action. It removes stiffness and improves mobility of limbs. It brings relief from backaches, muscular strains, rheumatic pains, joint pains etc. Body massage with Arthcare oil, relaxes an asthmatic person. Arthcare is scientifically proven Ayurvedic formulation containing the herbal combination of well known traditional herbs described above. Within few minutes of application you will feel relaxed from pain. For Best Results Take 2 Arthcare Capsules twice a day and massage the affected area with Arthcare Oil 2-3 times a day.
Herbal Remedies:
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. The following have been used traditionally to treat rheumatoid arthritis:
Shallaki also known as boswellia (Boswellia serrata), comes from a tree that yields gum when its bark is peeled away. In clinical trials, promising results were observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic colitis, Crohn’s disease. Researchers found that standardized Boswellia extract significantly reduced swelling and pain and usually reduced morning stiffness for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Ashvagandha (Withania somniferum) is an Asian plant of the potato family. Its roots have long been used to treat “rheumatism,” high blood pressure, immune dysfunctions, erection problems and also to ease inflammation. Because of all this, it’s sometimes called the “Indian ginseng.”
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) may be among the best-studied of the four. Research suggests ginger root inhibits production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are involved in pain and inflammation. In an uncontrolled 1992 Danish study, 56 patients who had either RA, OA or muscular discomfort took powdered ginger. All of those with musculoskeletal pain and three-fourths of those with OA or RA reported varying degrees of pain relief and no side effects, even among those who took the ginger for more than two years.
Herbal oils are applied to the arthritis to loosen stiff joints, restore mobility, remove pain, inflammation or swelling, nourish tissues and relieve pain. The experienced hands dipped in the pleasantly warmed oil will travel all over the body with pressure. Arthcare not only increases blood circulation but also gives a sure relief for rheumatic arthritis, spondylosis, paralysis, muscular disorder, slipped disc, asthma and tuberculosis. Brings in relief from stress, strain and tensions. It is also very good for tonning of one’s muscles and nerves. Get instant relief within minutes of application of oil. For more information please read at
Advice:
Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate): Magnesium has both anti-inflammatory and anti- arthritic properties and it can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is one of the most important of the essential minerals in the body, and it is commonly deficient in the American diet. A New England remedy for arthritis is a hot bath of Epsom salts. The heat of the bath can increase circulation and reduce the swelling of arthritis.
Dosage and Directions: Fill a bathtub with water as hot as you can stand. Add 2 cups of Epsom salts. Bathe for thirty minutes, adding hot water as necessary to keep the temperature warm. Do this daily as often as you’d like.




