Educate yourself about alternative medical treatments available for specific diseases and conditions. This site is presented to help you research alternative medical treatments, natural and herbal remedies and different ways of thinking about how to solve specific medical problems.  Please read our disclaimer.

Alternative Treatments for Arthritis

Alternative treatments for arthritis have been used by people in other cultures for many years.  Some treatments are very effective for some people.  Others may only work because the patient believes they will work, much like the way placebos sometimes work in medical experiments.  However, we believe that the more you know about the options, the more you will be able to make intelligent, informed decisions about the medical treatment, which may be right for you and your particular medical conditions.  Please read our disclaimer.

About Arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation of joints, resulting in pain for an individual. Inflammation of joints is most often caused by an infection or miscommunication within a person’s body that causes the body to attack its own joints, the latter representing rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis is most commonly associated with increasing age, but has numerous other causes as well. The pain associated with arthritis can be very painful, debilitating and frustrating. Thankfully, there are many alternative remedies that can sometimes help to ease pain and return an individual to a more normal, functional lifestyle.

• Eliminate as much stress as possible from your everyday lifestyle, most experts now believe that arthritis is exacerbated by higher levels of personal stress due to its suppression of an individual’s immune system.
   
• To the extent possible, cold and damp conditions should be avoided as they are known to inflame joints more. One way this can be achieved is the use of a dehumidifier.
   
• If an individual is overweight, they should attempt to lose as much weight as possible, largely through maintaining a proper diet, to decrease the strain put on joints.
   
• Many people have reported that a combination of hot and cold therapy is effective in relieving pain when applied to joints three to four times a day. Ice packs can be homemade, and reusable ones can be easily purchased in most pharmacies. Heating pads are effective in providing heat therapy. Cold therapy is most effective in preventing pain, while heat therapy helps to reduce pain.
   
• Omega-3 fatty acids are known to help diminish the painful effects of arthritis. These acids can be found in abundance in the following foods: fish, flaxseed, linseed, black raspberries, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts and eggs. People with heart arrhythmias or other cardiac complications, diabetes or high LDL cholesterol should use caution when consuming these acids however.
   
• Vitamin C is also an important part to most diets, and is often deficient in those who suffer from arthritis. Therefore, try to increase your intake of Vitamin C, whether it be through orange juice, other citric fruits, or vitamins.
  
  
• Stretching exercises can help to relieve joint pain. Regimented exercises such as yoga and tai chi are particularly effective.
  
  
• Exercise is beneficial to any individual’s health. Unfortunately, arthritis often inhibits individuals from following exercise routines. Regardless, if possible individuals should follow low-impact aerobic routine. Water-exercises are perfects in this regard for the amount of activity and relief that it can provide.
   
• A warmed combination of oil and water when massaged into one’s joints can help to reduce pain. The best application is often at night, such that the next morning joints are less stiff and can function more readily throughout the day. See also Massage Therapy.
   

Have questions about Alternative Treatments?

We recommend that you review the information about physical therapy on this website, look at the alternative medical treatments on the appropriate websites, do your own independent research, talk with your doctor or other medical professional and learn as much as you can before making the decision that is right for you.  We are not qualified to answer medical, behavioral or health related questions, so please do not ask.