Natural, herbal remedies can help arthritis sufferers who have tried traditional pain medications without success. Many natural remedies and supplements have been found to actually reduce cartilage deterioration and even rebuild a patient’s lost cartilage.
Natural Remedies
Many men and women are also seeking natural remedies because of the rising cost of prescription drugs. Conventional over-the-counter pain relievers can be very helpful in decreasing joint pain, but they do produce side effects and may cause problems in long-term customers. Before adding any supplements to your daily routine, check with your healthcare advisor, as supplements can cause adverse reactions and may not be perfect for your situation.
Natural solutions
- Acupuncture – This is a popular alternative to medication for pain relief. Although the pain-relieving effects may be temporary, these sessions can be very beneficial for those who find that drugs or supplements are insufficient or have unacceptable side effects
- Aromatherapy – Aromatherapy focuses on using pleasurable aromatic botanical oils by either massaging them into the skin, adding them to the bath water, inhaling them directly or diffusing their scents into the surrounding atmosphere. The oils have been known to affect moods, help with relaxation, lessen or end fatigue and anxiety, and help the brain and nervous system via olfactory nerves stimulation when inhaled. It’s another holistic treatment used by some arthritic sufferers for pain relief and stress management.
- Cayenne Cream – Cayenne peppers contain an substance called capsaicin which is responsible for their spicy effect. This also causes a burning sensation when it comes in contact with skin, and inhibits the body’s production of substance P which is heavily involved the relaying signals of pain to the mind. You might have to apply the cayenne cream to painful areas two to three times every day for at least one week before you find relief.
- Fish Oil – Fish oils help with controlling inflammation in the body and might provide relief when arthritis is brought on by an immune system dysfunction as in lupus. A vegetarian alternative to fish oil is flax seed or borage oil.
- Magnets – Although magnets that are worn as jewelry or placed on bed linens have been reported by some to be effective pain relievers, results are still preliminary; doctors claim that these magnets aren’t strong enough.
- Nettle leaf – Nettles can reduce a patient’s need for NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) by up to 70 percent.
- Vitamin B – It is an effective pain reliever. It works best on the knee and can help stop degeneration that is caused by free-radical molecules, not just in the joints but in other areas of the body too.
- Vitamin E – This antioxidant is used primarily for osteoarthritis.
- Ginger – Ginger is an antioxidant that acts as an inflammatory with no major side effects.
These are only a few examples of what an arthritis sufferer can use when seeking pain relief from natural remedies. Because of this lack of scientific research and testing on a number of these alternate treatments, there’s absolutely not any evidence of their effectiveness.
