Homeopathy is an alternative form of medicine that was developed in the 18^th century by Dr Samuel Hahnemann a German doctor. It is still considered a controversial treatment but some claim it is effective, while others are still awaiting further evidence of its worth.

 The principle of homeopathic medicine is based on treating the patient with a dilute solution of a substance that produces the same symptoms as the disease they are suffering from. These solutions are made from animal or plant extracts and are called remedies.

 There are over 100 types of arthritis. There are also a number of homeopathic remedies for dealing with arthritis pain.

• Calcarea fluorica: this is used for joints that are swollen and have developed bone spurs. It is also good for joints that have lost a lot of mobility.
• Sulphur remedy: this will work well for joint pain that has a burning sensation and can be relieved by cold.
• Calcarea phosphorica: is used for arthritis pain that is aggravated by cold weather.
• Pulsatilla: is used to treat pain that moves around the joints and can be relieved by cold air.
• Rhus toxicodendron: is used for arthritis pain that is aggravated by cold and dampness.
• Belladonna: this remedy is used for acute flare ups of arthritic pain that is accompanied by redness and swelling. Joint pain that is aggravated by movement can benefit from this remedy.

 These are just a few homeopathic remedies that are used for dealing with arthritis pain. As you can see there are many different types of pain and these remedies are for a specific one. These remedies will work for some people but not for others. Some people swear by homeopathic medicine whereas others will not be affected by this form of medicine.

 It is generally advised to use this form of treatment with your current medicines for arthritis. You will be wise to consult your doctor before using these remedies. They are generally administered by doctors who are skilled in homeopathic medicine.

 There has been a lot of new research done for natural arthritis treatment. Some old methods that have been used by people since ancient times are now being found to be effective.

• Acupuncture: this ancient Chinese form of medicine has been used for many centuries to manage pain. A recent study in the UK at Sheffield University showed some positive results. 159 people took part in the clinical trial. Results showed that 50% of these participants showed signs of improvement and after 2 years reported that the back pain had completely disappeared. 
• Willow bark extract: is another old method of natural arthritis treatment. It works in a similar way to aspirin because it has salicin which is made into salicin acid by the body. Its effectiveness was acknowledged by the American Journal of Medicine. A clinical study showed that people taking willow bark extract for lower back pain got relief in as little as 7 days.
• Vinegar: when vinegar is taken regularly it can also help with the pain caused by inflammation from this disease. As a natural arthritis treatment it also works in the same way as aspirin. The amount you need will depend on your own body’s chemistry.
• Vitamin D: the reason for some back pain is a deficiency in this vitamin. Because vitamin D is essential to healthy bones lack of it is thought to weaken the bones causing back pain. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that patients consume 400-800 IU of vitamin D on a daily basis.
• Antioxidants: these substances also work as a natural arthritis treatment and are found in many fruits and vegetables. Vitamin E and C are just 2 vitamins that have these properties. Recently it has been found that Sea Cucumber (known as “Marine Care”) can help to reduce inflammation and even repair damaged cartilage.
• Biolane Green Lipped Mussel Extract:Recent research at The Australian Centre for Complementary Medicine Education and Research (ACCMER), on natural arthritis treatment has shown that Biolane Green Lipped Mussel Extract has been successful in treating osteoarthritis, without the unpleasant side effects of conventional medications.

 There are many different natural remedies for arthritis but because there are over 100 varieties of this disease it is difficult to find an actual cure. Many of these remedies will work with your body’s own natural resources so their effectiveness will depend on person to person.

Arthritis affects millions of people each year.  There are many different types of drugs on the market that are formulated to help the symptoms of this disease, primarily the pain and inflammation.  Many people find that traditional drugs cause too many side effects and the long-term effects are unknown. For these reasons many people prefer to use an Arthritis cure that is natural.

 There has been much research done and much continues to be done regarding the use of a holistic approach to this disease.  One of the most popular substances used in the treatment and prevention of many diseases are antioxidants.  Antioxidants are substances that are naturally occurring in plants.  Research has found that they work well in the body to reduce or rid the body of free radicals. Free radicals are the by-product of the cells use of oxygen but also enter the body from the outside because of pollution and cigarette smoke.  Free radicals damage the cells and can reduce the effectiveness of the immune system.

 An Arthritis cure that is natural uses Antioxidants to rid the body of harmful free radicals. This helps to boost the immune system and restore proper functioning to the cells.  Antioxidants help to reduce aging.  They also have powerful anti-inflammatory properties which is useful for this disease. Research shows that some foods are high in antioxidants, particularly dark red and green fruits and vegetables.  You should try to incorporate these into your daily diet.  However, further research has determined that the normal diet does not have enough antioxidants in it to be useful.  

In order for an Arthritis cure that is natural to be effective, using these substances antioxidant supplements may be the answer.  Taking antioxidant supplements is a good way to boost the immune system and help reduce inflammation.  Both of these can have long-term effects on this disease.  Antioxidant supplements are widely available and do not have side effects, making them a safe treatment.  In other words, they can’t really do you harm when taken according to directions. 

 Other substances have also been shown to have helpful properties in an Arthritis cure that is natural. You may have heard of glucosamine.  Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is naturally found in the body’s cartilage.  Studies have suggested that it can be helpful with pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis and is especially helpful with knee pain.  The research shows that glucosamine is just as effective in treating pain as ibuprofen, however, the substance needs to build up in the body so effects may not be seen for up to two weeks.

 Chondroitin is another natural substance that protects joints and provides elasticity.  The substance is often taken as a supplement to help arthritis patients.  A large arthritis research study found that taking chondroitin and glucosamine together greatly increase their effectiveness on arthritis symptoms.  There are no toxic side effects so taking these supplements can only help, although it may not help in every case.  You can find combination supplements at many health food stores sold specifically for arthritis patients.

 More research is constantly being done to find out more ways to find an Arthritis cure that is natural as well as ways to slow it or stop it completely.  To stay abreast of the newest research you may want to visit specific websites online.  You can also sign up to receive newsletters and can partake in forums.

The pain from this disease can often be unbearable but there are ways that you can get the better of your Arthritis and get relief from pain. Here are 5 natural ways that you can try.

1. Diet – Diet is an important factor in maintaining good health.  The body works like a finely tuned machine.  It needs the right kind of fuel to function at optimal performance.  If we give if the wrong types of fuel it can function poorly or even break down.  Eat a diet that contains plenty of the right kinds of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to keep it healthy.  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables because these contain nutrients and micronutrients that the body needs. Antioxidants are found in micronutrients.  Antioxidants can boost the immune system and slow the aging process.  They help rid the body of free radicals that can damage the cells and will help you to get arthritis relief especially from the rheumatoid type of this disease.
2. Exercise – Exercise may sound painful to those who have this problem.  But the best way to help reduce joint pain is by keeping the joints nimble.  A good exercise routine will allow you to have cardiovascular exercise at least three times per week.  Include a daily flexibility exercise routine as well.  Flexibility exercises keep the joints from stiffening that can lead to freezing of the joints.  Start your exercise routine slowly and build up to longer times.  Never start an exercise routine with stretching because you need to warm up your joints first to protect them from further damage. 
3. Supplements can help with arthritis relief – Taking dietary supplements can reduce pain and inflammation naturally.  Instead of taking drugs that can have significant side effects opt for natural treatments.  Most are safe so you can try them to see what affect they have on your arthritis.  They contain ingredients that are necessary to the body but you may not get enough of in your diet.   Sometimes you may need to try several types of supplements until you find the one that works best for you. Supplements can be easily found at the supermarket or local pharmacy or health food store.  There are often supplements that are specially blended to provide a formula specifically to help with this disease.
4. Massage – Massage therapy can do wonders for arthritis relief.  The whole body will lose the stress that it keeps in the muscles and joints caused by tension.  Massage relieves this tension and disperses it properly. Massage of the joints can bring increased to them as well.  It can be difficult to move joints that are inflamed.  Massage gently warms the joints and coaxes movements.  The massage helps to reduce pain as well. 
5. Herbal Remedies – Herbal remedies have long been a way of helping the body stay healthy.  Now scientific evidence helps to show why certain herbs actually do help certain problems.  Look for herbs that help the body reduce inflammation, reduce pain and boost the immune system. These are the ones that will give arthritis relief. Herbal remedies are often available in capsules or as tinctures.  You can also drink herbal teas.  Herbal remedies are usually safe when used as directed and don’t have the side effects that many drugs do.  Try herbs such as Cat’s claw, devil’s claw, cayenne and ginger to name just a few.

The first step towards diagnosing arthritis is to understand the symptoms.  There are two main types of this disease, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid.  Both have similar symptoms but they have different causes.  While you may have some of the symptoms of this disease only a doctor can give you a complete analysis. 

Pain 

Pain is the most common symptom in every type of this disease.  It can be intense pain that quickly tapers off or most often chronic pain that is always present.  During the beginning stages of this disease the pain will come and go.  You may notice pain after you exercise too much or overwork your joints. When diagnosing arthritis it is important to note that the most common joints affected by this disease are the fingers, knees, feet and hips although this disease can attack any joints of the body. 

The pain most often associated with arthritis is a deep-rooted one that radiates from within the joint.  It may subside and then reappear for no apparent reason.  Remember that joint pain can also be an indication of other problems or injuries. 

Inflammation and swelling

This disease causes inflammation or swelling and redness in the affected joints.  The joints may be painful to the touch.  Inflammation may be barely noticeable or can be quite profound.  The joints may have redness to them and may even look misshapen. 

Stiffness

When diagnosing arthritis you will notice that the joints that are affected by the disease start to become stiff and hard to move, this stiffness is often most intense after periods of non-use such as overnight.  The rigidity often subsides once you start moving your joints.  Joint inflexibility increases as the disease becomes worse. 

Loss of function

When this disease becomes very bad it can lead to loss of joint function. The stiffness of the joints can turn into frozen joints if left alone.  Lack of movement can cause the joints to freeze in place.  This is most common with rheumatoid arthritis although it can happen with either type.  

Joint damage

When diagnosing arthritis you will see that joints affected by arthritis can become misshapen or out of alignment.  If the muscles and tissue surrounding the joints are weak the disease can cause the joints to become misaligned.  The result is joints that look crooked.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a symptom that is associated with rheumatoid type.  With rheumatoid disease there can be low grade fever and infection.  This can cause the body to become fatigued in constantly trying to fight the disease.  Many people report becoming most fatigued in the middle of the day.  

Testing for arthritis

If you feel that you may have arthritis you should seek the diagnosis of a doctor.  Your doctor will take a complete medical and family medical history. This disease is often genetic so if you have family members who had it you are more likely to get it.  Your doctor may take x-rays of the affected joints and may order an MRI to get a better look at them.  Blood tests are another way your doctor can make a clear analysis of the disease.  This is especially helpful to test for the rheumatoid type.  It is important to get an analysis as soon as possible so that you can begin to make changes to care for this disease.

Using acupuncture for arthritis knee and ankle pain has been tested and shown to be quite effective for a short-term basis. Immediately after treatment subjects experienced some relief from symptoms. However after one year this treatment had little effect. This led scientists to conclude that the effects of this treatment are only temporary at this point. 

It is important to know what this treatment is. It is an ancient form of Chinese medicine where needles are put into the skin at specific points. It is based on the theory that the insertion of needles into certain points in the body will correct the flow of energy and help the body heal itself.  Western scientists are still not 100% sure how this works.

Using acupuncture for arthritis knee and ankle pain is still fairly controversial here in the west although it has been used in China for many centuries. More research is needed to come to a convincing conclusion. Osteoarthritis has shown promising results but other inflammatory conditions like rheumatism have yet to show conclusive evidence.

Experts in sterile and clean conditions should always do this procedure. The needles should be germ-free and disposable to avoid complications and infections. If you want to try this treatment it is advisable to consult your Doctor and not go for this treatment without any prior knowledge of the procedure. 

Using acupuncture for arthritis knee and ankle pain can be quite costly, as it requires 2-3 sessions per week. You need to be sure that it is really helping you before you make a decision to have long-term treatment. At first it will alleviate pain for a short period but as you continue treatment you will then find you only need treatments once a month. The body is meant to repattern itself and break the cycle of pain. This means that the more you use this treatment the more effective it will be according to advocates of the treatment. 

When you using acupuncture for arthritis knee and ankle pain there is evidence to support the fact that it can help with pain relief. This is especially true with Osteoarthritis but not with inflammatory conditions. However only time and more studies will be able to determine the true worth of this treatment for an effective long-term care remedy for alleviating the very painful joint symptoms of this disease.

 There are many ways that can actually help you in prevention against arthritis and certainly relieve the symptoms caused by this devastating disease. Here are 10 ways that you can implement right now.      

1.      Diet – The single best way to help the body fight any illness or disease is with proper diet.  A balanced diet is important in keeping healthy.  Try to eat fewer processed foods that contain preservatives, chemicals and excess salt.  Drink plenty of water.  Keeping the body hydrated helps it to function well.

2.      Exercise – A good exercise regime is a key to prevention against arthritis. Plan on at least three days a week of cardiovascular exercise.  Include flexibility training every day if possible to keep the joints as flexible as possible.   

3.      Watch your weight – Being even slightly overweight can cause excess stress on your joints, particularly those in your feet and knees. Try to maintain a healthy weight by eating well and exercising.  Avoid crash diets that can cause harmful stress to the body.

4.      Be conscience of using your joints.  Lift items properly by using your muscles and not your joints and back.  Don’t overwork your joints.  When you find that you are using too much of your joints take a step back and find a better way to do it. Take help from tools and gadgets designed to help with prevention against arthritis.

5.      Reduce stress – Stress is a negative factor in many illnesses.  Excess stress takes your body away from its normal functions so it doesn’t properly fight disease.  Many people report that they have flare-ups of this disease during times of stress.  Try learning yoga, meditation or breathing exercises to dissipate excess stress.

6.      Take supplements – Supplements can help the body to fight against illness.  Supplements help supply necessary nutrients and minerals that you may be missing in your diet. A good diet as mentioned is very important for prevention against arthritis. An important substance to consider taking is an antioxidant.  Antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body.  Free radicals can cause cell damage and can break down the immune system, which can leave an opening for diseases to take hold. Antioxidants boost the immune system. 

7.      Keep good posture.  Good posture helps to keep everything in alignment.  This helps to ensure that the joints are used in the right way.  Sit in an ergonomic chair when using the computer.  Always try to keep your back aligned when walking or sitting.  

8.      Use proper shoes to help with prevention against arthritis – Whether exercising, walking or just doing chores, you need to wear shoes that have good support.  Cushioning is important to allow the joints to be protected from impacts.  Running with the improper shoes can cause joint damage.   

9.      Don’t overwork your joints – Stay focused on what you are doing.  You may not be able to do the things you used to be able to do before you had this disease.  Learn to understand your body’s signals as to when your joints have reached their limits and then stop.  Use good posture and use proper procedures when lifting heavy objects. 

10. Keep your muscles toned for prevention against arthritis.  Good muscle tone helps to keep the joints in their proper place.  Muscle tone also helps assist the joints in doing their job and keeping the pressure off the joints.

Holistic medicine is another form of therapy that doctors use for treatment of arthritis. This is an alternative medicine that takes into account physical, mental and spiritual health of the patient. Some suffers of this disease have turned to this form of non-medical therapy as an alternative to more conventional methods.

 With the emphasis on treating the body as a whole skilled physicians are looking at this method as a viable way of reliving the painful symptoms of this disease and helping patients who have not had much success with conventional methods.  Chronic pain  is a very debilitating thing and people who suffer with this are at their wits end. They are desperately looking to alternatives to alleviate their suffering.

 There are a wide variety of holistic medicine skilled doctors can use for treatment of arthritis. They include Yoga, aromatherapy, naturopathy and homeopathy. Now the old way of prolotherapy is being used in a new form, “Ultrasound Directed Prolotherapy.”

Yoga has been used for many centuries to help with overall body health and the postures can help muscles and joints. Yoga itself is a discipline that encompasses all parts of the body and mind.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants to affect the mood and health. These oils can promote healing.

Naturopathy is the method of healing by natural means. This is in effect encouraging the body to heal itself. It includes diet and using only natural not synthetic drugs. Again there is some controversy about the effectiveness of this method.

Prolotherapy is when injections of an irritant substance are given to an effected joint area to stimulate healing by causing inflammation. Supposedly there can be 30-40% strengthening seen in damaged joints. However more studies need to be done to verify this fact. Treatment is given every 2-6 weeks.

There is of course the usual controversy between conventional methods and alternative methods, with arguments for both sides. However this method has a lot of good potential because by looking at the patient as a whole some symptoms can be apparent that may not have been revealed by just looking at the disease itself.

When a patient uses holistic medicine together with skilled Doctors for the treatment of their arthritis they can experience some relief of their symptoms. A combination of conventional methods as well as alternative techniques will not cure this disease but will go a long way in alleviating symptoms.

Arthritis symptoms often begin slowly.  As we age, the joints may begin to lose cartilage.  Cartilage is what covers the ends of bones to keep them from rubbing together.  When the cartilage begins to wear away the bones start to rub together.  The result is pain, swelling and reduced movement.  Keep in mind that this disease can affect some joints and not others.  The most common places to develop this problem are the hands, knees and hips.

There are two main types of this disease:  Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid.  the former is the most common of the two types.  Some of the signs and symptoms of this disease are the same as for Rheumatoid.  This form of the disease is caused by a slow wearing away of the joint cartilage usually due to general aging.  Rheumatoid form of this ailment is caused by the body itself breaking down the cartilage because of a faulty immune system.

 There are some common signs of this disease.  Joint pain is the most common complaint .  The pain is a deep pain that seems to radiate from the inside of the joint.  The pain is different than muscular aches.  The pain worsens with use and lessens with rest in the beginning stages.  As this disease progresses the pain can be steady and may often occur at night.

 Another common  symptom of this disease is stiffness or loss of movement in the joint.  As the disease worsens you may have joints that tend to freeze into a position.  You may also experience tenderness, redness or warmth around the joints.  This happens most often with knee joints and finger joints and is usually caused by overuse of the joints. 

 Cracking joints is another sign of this disease.  If your joints make a popping sound when you move them you may have osteoarthritis.  As the problem progresses you may notice bony lumps on your finger joints. 

 Rheumatoid types of this disease has many of the same arthritis symptoms  along with some additional signs.  A sign of rheumatoid type is often joints that are affected in a symmetrical pattern.  The pain or stiffness from rheumatoid type doesn’t go away after you wake up and move around. 

 Another sign of rheumatoid type is a marked loss of mobility.  Many people report having a sick feeling or a general feeling of illness.  Sometimes there is an increased period of fatigue and weakness midday.  Additionally, people with rheumatoid type of this disease may have period low-grade fevers and sweating

 As the rheumatoid type progresses the signs tend to worsen.  The joints may become enlarged, deformed or frozen into positions.  Eventually it can start to attack other parts of the body and cause serious damage to the lungs, heart or blood vessels. 

 Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may start so slowly they are almost unnoticeable.  Symptoms worsen as they progress.  There are some ways to help control the signs of this disease generally through medication, exercise and diet.  Everyone’s problems are slightly different.  If you think you may have this disease you should get a medical diagnosis done by seeing a doctor.  He can determine the problem and help you deal with it

Traditionally certain remedies for this disease have been used with some success.  Many of these drugs have significant side effects.  The long-term effects of taking these drugs are also not known.  Many people are concerned with using traditional remedies and prefer to try using alternative treatments for arthritis. If you are considering using natural remedies here is some important information.

Natural remedies

There are many herbal and natural remedies that have been shown to have positive effects on taking care of this condition.  Herbal medication can have interactions with drugs so be sure to check before starting to take any new care. 

• Devil’s claw – Another root used as a remedy for inflammation and pain, it is often effective for use in taking care of this condition.  It can be taken as a capsule or in tincture form.   
• Cat’s claw – This root is a remedy for inflammation and is also used to boost the immune system.  It is a useful method of treatment for arthritis. 
• Cayenne – Cayenne is the natural form of capsaicin, which is often used in topical medication.  Cayenne has been shown to be effective in reducing the pain.  It is particularly effective when used as a cream and rubbed onto the affected joints.  

• Ginger – Ginger root helps with treatments for arthritis pain and inflammation because it blocks the action of chemicals in the body that cause pain and swelling.  You can take ginger root in capsule form or use it in cooking.

Supplements

 There are many supplements available that help with treatment for arthritis. Read the label follow the directions when taking any supplements.

 Glucosamine – Glucosamine is an amino sugar that if found in the body’s cartilage.  It is thought to be beneficial for pain and stiffness and is particularly effective on the knee joints.  Do not take this supplement if you have an allergy to shellfish.  It is often best when combined with chondroitin.  Glucosamine has a cumulative effect so you may not see results for 2 weeks. 

 Chondroitin – chondroitin is a substance that is found naturally in the body.  It s used as a treatment for arthritis to protect cartilage and gives it elasticity.  It has no toxic side effects so it may be worth a try.  You should see results within a few months. 

 Fish Oil – Fish oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids which are important for brain function.  Recent studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids may help to inhibit the development of the rheumatoid type of this disease.  There are some possible side effects reported such as nausea, diarrhea and nosebleeds, however if you take the supplement with food you should be fine.

 Flaxseed oil – Another good source of omega-3 fatty acid, this substance has anti-inflammatory properties.  It is a good alternative source of omega-3 if you prefer not to take fish oil.  It can be taken in capsule form or may be sprinkled onto food as a treatment for arthritis.

 Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)- This substance is found naturally in the body as well as in grains, fruits and vegetables.  It is thought to be a remedy for inflammation caused by arthritis.  It can be taken internally but it is also found as an ingredient in topical lotions or gels that can be applied to the affected areas.