Alternative Medicine For Arthritis
Masni Rizal Mansor
The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage--at least it seems that way. If you've been thinking you need to know more about it, here's your opportunity.
Alternative medicine is the preferred choice of more than 90% of arthritis sufferers in the United States. Studies have shown that patients with arthritis and other rheumatic disorders tend to resort to alternative medicine more frequently than the general population. Studies have also shown that the users of alternative medicine for arthritis tended to be younger and better educated.
The upbeat trend in the popularity of alternative medicine continues to grow. Some alternative treatments, like chondroitin and glucosamine have been found to have potential benefits. Many others don't have sufficient scientific support for their use. Although most of them don't harm, there are a few that do. Here are a few therapies that don't really harm.
Eat more natural food and significantly reduce processed food. The link between arthritis and the stomach is as old as the hills. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, believed that our digestive system has a great influence on the development of rheumatic diseases. Arthritis patients should reduce significantly or even eliminate certain foods like eggs, beef, nuts, milk and grains. Many scientific studies have shown that the exclusion of dairy alleviates pain. A good, balanced, healthy diet is the first and safest alternate medicine for arthritis.
Gammalinolenic acid, commonly found in evening primrose and borage seed oils has been found to reduce tenderness in joints and has been concluded as beneficial in reducing pain arising from arthritis.
If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
Celery extracts have been used successfully in Japan. Though there are no clinical studies to prove the effectiveness of celery, patients have experienced significant reduction in pain. Celery is a diuretic and bound to make you take frequent trips to the toilet. Since no other side effects were reported, celery is worth a try. There have been reports of the pain coming back after the usage of celery was discontinued. Nevertheless, it's safer than the pills your doctor prescribes.
Other alternative therapies:
Here are a few useful herbs that have an effect on arthritis: Devil's claw, capsaicin, Phytodolor and avocado/soyabean unsaponifiables. Magnetic Therapy: Several studies have been conducted on the use of magnets as a treatment for arthritis, but most of them have conflicting results. There have been interesting results from the use of magnets for the rheumatoid arthritis of the knee but it is not possible to arrive at a verdict on this treatment technique. Many people have reported reduction in pain after being treated by magnets.
Studies on the effects of fasting have proved that it can help in the control of body ailments. Fasting at least once a month is believed to be good even for healthy people. This is now widely used as a supporting therapy for various conditions including arthritis. Since it is free of side effects and naturally incurs no cost it can be tried out by any arthritic patients. A combination of fasting and healthy vegetarian diet is a potential alternative therapy.
A study conducted in Norway has shown that patients subjected to vegetarian diets and fasting showed significant improvements in the condition of tender joints, duration of morning stiffness, Ritchie's articular index, number of swollen joints, grip strength. C-reactive protein and the duration of morning stiffness. The study concluded that the above dietary regime is useful to patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Now you can understand why there's a growing interest in arthritis. When people start looking for more information about arthritis, you'll be in a position to meet their needs.
About the author:
Masni Rizal Mansor provide tips and review on arthritis alternative medicine and arthritis back pain.