9 Super Ways to Naturally Achieve Arthritis Pain Relief!

From the nationonlineng.net

Arthritis is a very degenerative and painful condition that is characterized by inflammation within the joints that causes pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis, worsens with age. It is caused by all of the wear and tear that the body is subjected to over the years.
Traditionally doctors have treated arthritis using painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. However, side effects are caused by some medications, and natural pain relief approaches are becoming increasingly popular. Before attempting any of the following natural remedies, be sure to consult with your doctor first.

1. Lose weight

How much pain you suffer from due to your arthritis can be greatly impacted by your weight. Extra weight places additional pressure on your joints – particularly your feet, hips and knees.
Losing weight can help to reduce the amount of stress that is placed on your joints and help to prevent additional damage to your joints, decrease your pain and improve your mobility.

      2.  Get more exercise
Weight loss isn’t the only benefit to be derived from exercise. Regular movement helps with maintaining flexibility within your joints. Performing weight-bearing exercises such as walking and running can cause damage. What you should do instead is to perform low-impact exercises such as swimming or water aerobics in order to keep your joints flexible without adding any more stress to them.

      3.   Use Cold and Hot Therapy

Basic cold and hot treatments can make a significant difference for arthritis pain. Warm and long baths or showers – particularly in the morning – can help to reduce the stiffness that is in your joints. At night, use a moist heating pad or electric blanket for keeping your joints loose.

To relieve joint pain, cold treatments work best. Wrap up a bag of frozen vegetables or gel ice pack inside of a towel and apply it to your joints for fast pain relief.

      4.   Try Acapuncture
Acupuncture is a kind of ancient Chinese medical treatment. It involves thin needles being inserted into certain points on the body. Supposedly this re-routes energy and restores balance within your body.
It is believed that acupuncture can reduce arthritic pain. Make sure you locate an experienced acupuncturist who has solid references if you want to try out this treatment method.

5. Try Meditation for Coping with Pain

Relaxation techniques and meditation might be able to assist you with reducing the pain you are suffering from your arthritis through reducing stress and making it possible for you to better cope with it. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that studies have shown that practicing mindful meditation is useful for some individuals who have painful joints. It has also been found by researchers that those who have both arthritis and depression benefit most from practicing meditation.

     6.   Incorporate Healthy Fatty Acids into Your Diet
For optimum health, everybody needs to incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into their diets. The fats can help your arthritis as well. Fish oil supplements are very high in omega-3s and can help to reduce joint pain and stiffness.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is another beneficial fatty acid. It is found within certain plant seeds like black currants, borage hemp and evening primrose. You can purchase supplements that contain boils from these seeds. However, before taking one, make sure to consult with your doctor first.

7.     Add Turmeric to Your Food

Turmeric, which is the yellow spice commonly, found in Indian food, has a chemical in it called curcumin that might help with reducing arthritis pain due to the anti-inflammatory properties that it possesses.

According to the NIH, when turmeric was provided to lab rats it reduced the inflammation in their joints. There has been little research on humans, however it definitely can’t harm anything to add some of this delicious spice to some of your meals.

8.     Get A Massage

The Arthritis Foundation reports that massaging arthritic joints on a regular basis can help with improving range of motion and reducing stiffness and pain. Find a physical therapist to work with to learn how to give yourself massages, or schedule appointments to see a massage therapist on a regular basis. Make sure that the massage therapist that you see has experience working with individual who have arthritis. Ask your doctor for a referral.

9.    Consider Taking A Herbal Supplement

Many different types of herbal supplements are available in the marketplace claiming that they can help with reducing joint pain. A few of the herbs that claim to help with arthritis pain Forever Freedom, Forever Active HA, and Aloe Heat Lotion.

http://thenationonlineng.net/9-super-ways-naturally-achieve-arthritis-pain-relief/

Arthritis cure? Painful symptoms of condition could be eased by following THIS diet

By Olivia Lerche

ARTHRITIS can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen - and symptoms of the condition can often be eased if people eat foods with anti-inflammatory foods such as broccoli or kale. However, experts have also revealed one diet could be a successful treatment.
The condition is an umbrella term for different types of arthritis including osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis - an inflammatory disease which can affect multiple joints throughout the body.
Arthritis causes stiff, swollen and painful joints, which are hot to the touch, and even muscle pain.
It commonly affects the hands, feet, ankles, knees and hips.
However, other than taking anti inflammatory drugs eating certain types of food, such as fish, fruit and vegetables - experts have said going without food can also improve symptoms.
Lynne McTaggart, author of Arthritis - Drug free alternatives to prevent and reverse arthritis, said the power of fasting should not be underestimated.
She said: “Carrying out intermittent fasting is a final change to your diet that may offer a powerful way to mitigate arthritis symptoms.
“Fasting for just two days can kick-start the immune system - and might reverse auto immune conditions such as arthritis.
“Going without food for two to four days kills older and damaged immune cells, while generating new ones.
“At the beginning of a fast, white blood cells are killed off before a ‘regenerative switch’ is flipped, which alters the signalling pathways of stem cells responsible for the generation of blood and immune system cells.”
Experts at the University of Oslo found people with arthritis could benefit from a short fast, followed by changes in the diet.
In the two year study, experts found improvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who began to fast, and then adopted a vegetarian diet for a year.

Cutting out meat is also believed to be successful way of reducing painful symptoms in people living with arthritis.Lynne Mactaggart said: “A review of four studies looking at the effect of a brief fasting followed by at lease three months on a vegetarian diet showed a ‘statistically and clinically significant beneficial long-term effect.”
A study published in the Lancet, said: “Fasting is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, but most patients relapse on reintroduction of food.
“The effect of fasting followed by one year of a vegetarian diet was assessed in a randomised, single-blind controlled trial.”
The study looked at 27 patients who were told to fast and placed on gluten-free vegan diets for three and a half months.
After just four weeks patients said stiffness, grip strength, white blood cell count and pain had all significantly improved.

The benefits in the diet group were still present after one year, and evaluation of the whole course showed significant advantages for the diet group in all measured indices.
The experts said: “This dietary regimen seems to be a useful supplement to conventional medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.”
People can fast by consuming fruit or vegetable juices - but are warned not to go completely cold turkey.
Experts suggest people gradually reduce the amount of food they are eating and consult a GP if they intend to start a diet.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/732999/rheumatoid-arthritis-osteoarthritis-pain-treatment-symptoms-diet-food

Lifestyle changes & daily exercises can help control joint pain during winter

By Indira Rodericks

NAVI MUMBAI: Winter might be a pleasant time for many but for those with arthritic and orthopedic problems, it is far from welcoming. The cool weather is not kind to those with joint and bone problems. Though doctors say little can be done to avoid the ill feeling, precautions can be taken to ease it. From keeping oneself warm to making sure one gets enough exercise, inflammation can be controlled if attention is paid.  
Consulting orthopedic surgeon Dr Rajesh Badiyani said people already suffering from arthritis or other orthopedic disease are more prone to morning stiffness.

"For many people winter is welcoming, but for arthritic patients it can be a pain. The weather affects them differently i and it is different from person to person," a he said while suggesting that exercising, walking and moving about are the best way to ensure that joints don't stiffen. Dr Prashanth Agarwal, consulting orthopedic, Apollo Hospital, said, "In some people, frigid temperatures may worsen inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and joint pain, affecting the hips, knees, elbows, shoulders and hands."
Researchers aren't sure why cold weather makes us so stiff and sore, but one theory , based on a small study , is that inflamed joints swell as barometric pressure drops. The swelling irritates the nerves around the joints, causing pain. "There is also less supply of blood to the peripheral regions of the body due to which one's joints become stiff, causing pain," he said.

To keep bones less painful, doctors suggest exercises. Being a couch potato is bad for the joints. Exercises help lubricate them to prevent pain. Walking can reduce joint pain and stiffness, keeping people flexible. "Exercises can boost a person's mental and physical state. Stretching and exercises with light weights are good, as they strengthen the knee muscles and improve flexibility ," added Dr Agarwal.

Apart from starting your day basking in the sun, it is also important to include foods rich in vitamins in your diet. "Foods like spinach, cabbage, tomatoes and oranges are rich sources of vitamins and minerals. These vitamins play a vital role in the production of bone cartilage and tissue," said a doctor.    

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/Lifestyle-changes-daily-exercises-can-help-control-joint-pain-during-winter/articleshow/55533004.cms

FLEXIBLE FITNESS: Managing your arthritic hand symptoms

By Michelle Cormier

If you have been recently diagnosed with arthritis or have been diagnosed for a long time, you are not alone. According to The Arthritis Foundation, approximately fifty million people are diagnosed with arthritis. That is equal to one in five adults. Arthritis is more common in females than males and the symptoms we experience increase with age. Arthritis is also the leading cause of disability in the U.S.
The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis or OA is the most common type and affects us more as we age. In OA, the cartilage or cushioning between the joints wears away over time causing the bones to rub against each other. Symptoms include pain, stiffness and swelling. These symptoms can come and go and can be mild, moderate or severe, leading to a loss of function. In the hands, OA most commonly occurs at the base of your thumb, where your thumb meets your wrist, and in the small joints in your fingers.
Rheumatoid arthritis or RA is an inflammatory disease where the immune system attacks the lining of the joint causing the tissues that support the joint to stretch. As these structures stretch, the joint becomes unstable and causes deformity. RA is a chronic systemic disease that often starts in the hands and feet. Symptoms include warmth, redness, swelling, stiffness and most commonly, pain.
Pain is often the first symptom one experiences and it generally occurs in the hands after gripping or pinching activities such as opening a door or turning a key. There are several ways to manage your hand pain including splinting, the use of heat, joint protection techniques and adaptive equipment.
Splinting helps to rest and support a painful joint. It can correctly position a thumb or digit. Splints can be worn when performing everyday activities, when at rest or when sleeping. There are soft neoprene splints available to purchase at a local drug store or custom splints that can be fitted to you by an Occupational Therapist. A custom splint is made out of a thermoplastic material and is rigid to prevent movement and allow for rest. Neoprene or soft splints tend to be more comfortable to wear. However, if a joint has too much pain or inflammation, these types of splints may not be the best choice because they allow for joint movement. Often a combination of both custom and soft splints works best for people.
Heat treatments such as microwavable hot packs, warm baths or paraffin wax baths can be used to decrease pain and stiffness. Heat relaxes muscles and increases circulation. Cold treatments such as cold packs and ice massage are usually used for inflammation and help to decrease swelling. Cold treatments would not be used for joint stiffness. The benefits of heat or cold treatments are only temporary but can provide that much needed relief to get through the day.
Inflamed arthritic joints feel stiff especially first thing in the morning when you have not moved your fingers all night. Stiffness also can occur following exercise but only when there is significant damage to the joint. Arthritis gloves or Isotoner gloves can help to ease arthritic pain and swelling as they provide gentle compression and are designed to warm the hands.
Another way to help decrease joint stiffness is through light to moderate exercises. These exercises can maintain flexibility of your fingers. Light strengthening can be done to increase grip strength needed for everyday activities, as long as it does not cause pain lasting longer than one to two hours after completion.
Although it is important to keep your hands moving you do not want to place added stress on the small joints in your hands. Arthritic joints cannot tolerate as much stress as a healthy joint. Some principles of joint protection include avoiding a tight grip on objects, taking frequent rest breaks during activities, using both hands to lift an object, or using a larger set of muscles like your shoulder or elbow to carry a heavy bag. Adaptive equipment can lessen the stress on your joints. Using large-handled utensils or pens for cooking or writing and using a jar opener or electric can opener will help to protect your joints and decrease overuse.
If your pain persists despite some home remedies, consult your doctor to determine if occupational therapy should be recommended. Occupational therapists can help provide specific exercises to maintain joint flexibility, increase hand strength, decrease pain, fabricate splints, and provide education on joint protection and adaptive equipment to manage your symptoms and allow you to perform your everyday activities.

http://hanson.wickedlocal.com/news/20161115/flexible-fitness-managing-your-arthritic-hand-symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis patients find condition difficult to diagnose and often misunderstood

From eurekalert.org

Philadelphia, November 16, 2016 - Psoriatic Arthritis In America 2016, is a new national survey by Health Union of over 500 individuals suffering from psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The results reveal that the diagnosis process is often frustrating and lengthy, and that most patients experience multiple symptoms before leading to a diagnosis. In addition, respondents reported difficulty explaining often invisible symptoms that progress and become more debilitating over time.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory condition closely related to and most often co-occurring with psoriasis. Both are chronic life-long autoimmune conditions. While psoriasis affects the skin, causing red, scaly patches that are often painful and itchy; PsA has highly variable symptoms that present in different patterns with different patients. Some of the most common symptoms are pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints; inflammation and pain of ligaments and tendons at attachment points; and fatigue.
In the majority of cases psoriasis precedes psoriatic arthritis, with PsA often developing within five to ten years after the onset of psoriasis. However, in about 10 to 15 percent of patients, PsA will develop before psoriasis. Almost two-thirds of survey respondents were also diagnosed with psoriasis, with 71% of these diagnosed with psoriasis first. Forty-four percent of respondents went more than 10 years between diagnoses.
Psoriatic arthritis is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. There is no definitive test for PsA, instead patients are evaluated most often with Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (or CASPAR). On average, survey respondents went 6.6 years from symptom onset prior to diagnosis and underwent an average of 4.9 diagnostic tests. Forty-one percent visited four or more healthcare professionals. This difficulty in diagnosis is made even more problematic because early diagnosis is critical. Treatment not only helps manage painful symptoms, but also can slow the potentially disfiguring progression of the disease.
The story of Diane Talbert, a Psoriatic-Arthritis.com community advocate, is representative of the diagnostic difficulty. "I have had psoriasis for 50 years and psoriatic arthritis for 25. The problem is that I have always seen a doctor over this time, but nobody ever put two and two together that I had psoriatic arthritis. It was extremely hard to get a diagnosis. The doctors knew my medical history and did plenty of blood tests over the years. I had MRI's and x-rays done. I had the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, but it was only 10 years ago that a doctor finally said I had psoriatic arthritis. It was quite a long hard road."
On average, survey participants experienced a combination of six different symptoms that led them to being diagnosed with PsA. Some of the initial symptoms reported were joint involvement (83%), musculoskeletal lesions (76%), and nail involvement (37%), with 28% reporting all three of these symptoms.
Similar to other autoimmune diseases, there is currently no cure for PsA. In addition, over time symptoms progress and can cause permanent, irreversible joint damage. The most common symptoms are also the most difficult to manage. When asked to identify the most difficult symptoms to manage, 82% note fatigue; 80% painful, swollen, or stiff joints; and 61% lower back and/or neck pain.
"But you don't look sick - I hear this often. It's hard to explain that you go to bed in pain and wake up in pain. Having inflammation in your joints is hard to explain," said Talbert. "I take care of myself, so I look the picture of health. My symptoms have been achy joints to swelling of the fingers and toes and inflammation in the joints. Sometimes this pain can last 24 hours a day or more. Anyone living with this disease knows that you can have your good days and your bad days. Other people often don't understand."
Most PsA symptoms are largely hidden. This invisibility can lead to feelings of isolation. As well, the physical limitations and impact on their life are often misunderstood and underestimated. When survey participants were asked which aspects of PsA where most difficult to explain to others, 82% cited that PsA can cause serious fatigue, 71% that it causes different types of pain, 66% that there are other symptoms not related to joints, and 55% that PsA is different from osteoarthritis.
"The fact that so many people with PsA feel misunderstood and isolated shows the value of a site like Psoriatic-Arthritis.com. This online community provides a place for people with similar experiences to come together for much needed support," says Tim Armand, President and co-founder of Health Union. "In addition, there is a lot of great, new research out there and Psoriatic-Arthritis.com serves as an invaluable outlet for the PsA community to learn from each other and find information on the latest treatments."
The Psoriatic Arthritis in America 2016 survey was conducted online between June 20 and July 27, 2016. More details about the survey are available upon request.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-11/hu-pap111516.php