Arthritis refers to a group of musclo-skeletal issues characterized by inflammation and joint pain. Joints are the attaching tissues linking two bones, and an inflammation of one or more joints is regarded as Arthritis. On the contrary to the common belief, arthritis can affect men and girls of all ages. More than 350 million individuals in the world are dealing with arthritis.
Whether it’s Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis or any other kind, the one normal feature is the intense pain and stiffness associated with this disorder. While there’s no permanent cure for this disorder, the symptoms are usually manageable with:
* Regular Exercises
* Alternative Therapies
* Natural Pain Relievers
Let’s take a deeper look into each of these arthritis pain management methods.
EXERCISES
Exercising is extremely essential when you have arthritis. Regular and moderate physical activity can work miracles for your joint and muscle pain by strengthening your muscles and bones, decreasing fatigue, increasing flexibility and stamina, and restoring your general sense of well-being. Listed below are a few exercises that are especially beneficial:
* Swimming – Swimming in heated water can relieve arthritis pain and joint stiffness to a great extent. The leg and arm movements gently exercise your joints and furthermore strengthen your muscles. Being in lukewarm water raises your body heat, which causes dilation of blood vessels and increases blood circulation. You can also try hydrotherapy that requires floating in warm salt water, as salt is a natural pain reliever.
* Cycling – Cycling is a great low impact workout option for arthritis patients. Cycling machines can be adjusted in accordance to your needs, so you don’t have to exert too much pressure when riding it. For those with acute joint pain, stationary bikes are the best option and they are equally efficient in strengthening your joints and muscles. Just keep track of your mileage, and go on increasing your goals by tiny margins.
* Walking – Whenever you think about low impact workouts that don’t involve any jarring movements, there is nothing better than Walking. A powerful cardio workout, lubricates your joints, increases muscle strength and diminishes the stiffness in your joints. The most important thing to consider is that the level of your exercises should be neither too low nor too high. Therefore, start at a comfortable and small level, and slowly go on raising the time.
* Yoga – Yoga is unquestionably a wonder cure for most physical diseases such as Arthritis. Regular practice of Pranayama (Yogic breathing) and Yogasanas (physical postures) can lubricate your joints, improve blood circulation, strengthen your tissues and joints, enhance muscle flexibility and provide a complete exercise for all your body parts. Get in touch with a Yoga teacher and learn the many exercises that are recommended for arthritis pain management.
* Tai-Chi – Tai Chi is a form of ancient Chinese workout that involves light, controlled movements focused on sense of balance, improving flexibility of joints and muscular strength. Recent studies conducted worldwide have shown the impressive benefits of Tai Chi for Arthritis patients, as it offers a complete workout for all your body parts, joints, ligaments and tendons. It also helps in relaxing your mind so you can deal with the pain in a better manner.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
* Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a famous Chinese therapy that has been endorsed by the WHO as an effective treatment for pain. Stainless steel, disposable needles are used to promote your body’s energy-channels or meridians to fix the energy imbalances in your body. The needles promote points located near the nerves, which results in the secretion of endorphins (body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals) and prevents the message of pain from being sent to the brain.
* Chiropractic: Chiropractic is a remedial system that centered on the structure of the body. Chiropractic therapy for arthritis will be modified to suit your physical built, age, severity of your disease and your general health. Generally, a chiropractor will work on your spine to correct subluxation and other imbalances, and allow your body to cure itself naturally. It is a well-known therapy for arthritis treatment.
* Biofeedback Techniques: Biofeedback Techniques can help you improve your health by controlling various physiological functions in your body such as your blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature, muscle tension etc. This offers you complete control over your body, so you can cure many health disorders.
Natural PAIN RELIEVERS
From organic herbs that treat inflammation to techniques that influence the brain’s impressive healing powers, nature offers numerous treatments for conditions such as arthritis, and other musculo-skeletal disorders. Listed below are some of the organic pain relievers that you can easily use for getting rid of the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis.
* Capsaicin: Capsaicin is an active component of Chile Pepper. It desensitizes the nerve receptors called C-fibers that are responsible for pain feelings, and also lowers the joint tenderness temporarily.
* White Willow Bark: It consists of salicylic acid (a compound from which aspirin, a pain-relieving drug is made). White willow bark prevents the production of inflammatory prostaglandins and reduces pain to a large extent.
* Fish Oil: Fish oil consists of EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) that work as organic anti-inflammatory agents, by obstructing the production of chemicals that cause inflammation and pain. Fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids that strengthen and lubricate the joints.
* Devil’s and Cat’s claw: Devil’s claw is a South African herb that consists of ‘iridoid glycosides’, which are known for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Named after its hook-like horns, cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a wood vine native to the Amazon rainforest. It’s used to cure a variety of health problems, stomach ulcers, including arthritis, inflammation, dysentery, and fevers.
* Turmeric: Turmeric is a common remedy for cold, cough, inflammation and pain. It consists of curcumin, which is a powerful painkiller and anti-inflammatory agent.
* Glucosamine: Glucosamine is the foundation of cartilage, tendons and other connective body tissues. Not just does it preserves these body tissues, but also suppresses the activity of enzymes that can damage cartilage. A lack of Glucosamine is regarded to the primary causes of arthritis. Glucosamine functions as a ’shock absorber’ for the joints and improves their flexibility in a natural manner.
For long-term relief from joint pain and inflammation, you will need to follow a complete pain management program that consists of regular exercises, a healthy diet, and use of organic remedies as far as possible. While these are not quick-fix options, they can be very efficient at managing your pain and reducing inflammation, therefore, allowing you to live an active and healthy life.
For more information on Arthritis Prevention, please visit our health related website bewellbuzz.com