When cartilage starts to wear away and bones begin to rub together, the painful result is osteoarthritis. Affecting mostly people age 60 and above, osteoarthritis can also be a life-altering condition for many younger people. What can be done to reverse the trend of growing numbers afflicted by this painful disease? Many natural strategies are available to prevent degeneration of joints, to maintain or restore joint health, and to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Natural Treatments Can Reduce Painful Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
Many prescription and over-the-counter medications are available for the treatment of osteoarthritis. A physician can advise which medicinal treatments are recommended for particular symptoms. Relief can also be found in a number of natural treatments. A holistic mind-body approach is gaining acceptance as a beneficial option for osteoarthritis patients. Meditation, acupuncture, and hypnotherapy bring pain relief to the many people who use them. How do these techniques work?
- Meditation techniques can raise the threshold of pain and lower the painful effects of fear. A disciplined routine used to quiet the mind and regulate breathing dispels the distress and fear that the brain associates with pain. Keeping a consistent, brief, and focused meditation routine is the best way to start. The results have proven benefits in pain management to those who incorporate meditation into their daily lives.
- Acupuncture relieves pain and also increases the function of arthritic joints. Its benefits, known for thousands of years in China, have recently been proven in Western studies also. Acupuncture works in multiple ways: it releases tight muscles, stimulates the release of “feel-good” endorphins, and alters the brain’s perception of pain. Many of its practitioners believe that acupuncture corrects the blocked or inhibited flow of essential healing life-energy in the body.
- Hypnosis has also been shown to benefit arthritis patients. By changing a hypnotized person’s underlying beliefs about the pain they are experiencing, the symptoms can be resolved. Though hypnotherapy does not benefit everyone, it is a viable option for natural treatment.
Treatment with Glucosamine and Other Dietary Supplements
Many people with osteoarthritis tout the benefits of dietary supplements. A great number of supplements are aggressively marketed to benefit joint health and reduce inflammation, including:
- glucosamine
- chondroitin sulfate, turmeric (curcumin)
- devil’s claw
- ASU (Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables)
- DMSO
- MSM
- cat’s claw
- SAM-e
- Indian frankincense (Boswellia)
- stinging nettle
- fish oil
- vitamin D3
- ginger
Though some of these substances have been widely researched, their benefits are inconclusive. Some osteoarthritis patients may benefit from one supplement more than another. Manufacturers’ recommended dosages may not be ideal for everyone. Interactions with other medications or conditions can minimize a supplement’s beneficial effects. A few may have undesirable side effects in some patients. Research outcomes of such an individualized nature are hard to interpret and do not produce general recommendations. A well-informed trial-and-error sampling of recommended supplements may be the most effective strategy to maximize individual benefit.
Causes and Prevention of Osteoarthritis
Joint health is a life-long series of choices. A proper diet and regular exercise can prevent or minimize the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Being overweight is a significant risk for developing inflammatory and degenerative disease. Losing weight if you are overweight can also slow the progression of joint degeneration.
There is no conclusive nutritional information available at this time that any particular food prevents osteoarthritis. Some foods and dietary supplements may be beneficial to deteriorating joints. Omega-3 fatty acids, especially found in salmon and tuna, are known to reduce inflammation. Conversely, omega-6 fatty acids, such as those found in the oils most commonly used in snack foods, may cause inflammation in the joints and also lead to weight gain.
Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables is highly recommended. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are especially rich in antioxidants that can protect the body’s cells against damage. Moderate amounts of tea, chocolate, and nuts, all of which contain beneficial phytochemicals and antioxidants, may also benefit joint inflammation.
Arthritic Knee Symptoms Can Improve with Exercise
Many patients with osteoarthritis are almost completely sedentary. Some are concerned that exercise will worsen their condition. In fact, just the opposite is true. Exercise increases the likelihood that ideal weight can be reached or maintained. Exercise reduces pain, elevates mood, raises energy levels, increases flexibility, and may even prevent osteoarthritic changes from happening in some joints. General stretching, Tai Chi, and quadriceps (thigh muscle) strengthening exercises have all been proven to specifically benefit osteoarthritis patients.
It is also important for ideal joint health to wear proper shoes and not just during exercise. High heels, even as low as two inches in height, significantly increase the force on the knee joints and the likelihood of developing inflammation and degeneration.
Osteoarthritis Prevention and Relief Can be Tailored to the Individual
The number of people afflicted with osteoarthritis is growing, and this trend is likely to continue unless our aging population adopts important lifestyle changes. Although there is no one best treatment for everyone, healthy strategies can be tailored to bring osteoarthritis relief to each individual. Using diet, exercise, and mind-body techniques to maximize joint potential, the damaging effects of osteoarthritis can be avoided or limited considerably.
References:
- 360-5.com, "Best Diet for Osteoarthritis," "Exercising with Osteoarthritis," and "Mind-Body Treatments for Osteoarthritis," D Sullivan, Cleveland Clinic, September 2009.
- Arthritis Today, "Alternative and Natural Therapies," B Goodman, J Helmer, and J Nash, The Arthritis Foundation, February 2009.
- MayoClinic.com, "Knee Pain: Alternative medicine," Mayo Clinic staff, Mayo Clinic, December 2009.
- WebMD.com, "Alternative Treatments for Arthritis: Experts look at the pros and cons of alternative arthritis therapies," C Sorgen, May 2009.
Julie Nierenberg - My name is Julie (Saeger) Nierenberg. I am a writer, an editor, a curriculum designer, an artist, an educator, an avid reader, and a ...
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