Arthritis Treatment

 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

The shamans work with the power of the plants in many ways, the colours of the flowers, the perfume, their shape, form, and associations. To illustrate this, another maestro Artiduro Aro Cardenas remarks;

A smell has the power to attract. I can also make smells to attract business, people who buy. You just rub it on your face and it brings in the people to your business, if you are selling, people come to buy. I also make perfumes for love, and others for flourishing. These are the forces of nature, what I do is give it direction with my breath so it has effect. I use my experience of the plants which I have dieted. I have a relation with the plants and with the patient; I cant make these things on a commercial scale.

When I diet I take in the strength of the plant and it stays with me. Later I find the illness or suffering of the person or what it is they want, and the plant guides me and tells me if it is the right one for that person, and I cure them

He also (as do many maestros) works with the plants not only to heal illnesses but to resolve domestic and family problems;

I get people coming for help to give up drug addiction, people with family problems, supposing the man has gone off and left his family, the Mama is here with me and the Papa is far away. I pull him back so he returns to his home so that the family can consolidate again. In a short time he will be thinking of his children and his wife, and he comes back. I dont need to have the actual plants in front of me, I call the plant spirits which work for that, Renaco, Huayanche, Lamarosa, Sangapilla, perfumes and I call his spirit back to the family home. I blow smoke to reunite them.

Another (in a very enjoyable way) the qualities, consciousness or spirit of the plant is used to attract benign forces is los baos florales or flower baths. In this the individual is bathed in flowers which have been soaking in water for many hours. The maestro prepares the water by blowing mapacho (jungle tobacco) smoke and at the same time placing his intention into the flower soaked water. Again these flowers and plants have been gathered from sometimes deep and not easily accessible locations in the rainforest and have been selected for their specific qualities which the maestro feels are needed to help that person.

A friend of mine Alonso del Rio, who has lived with the Shipibo people, and is uniquely well equipped to be a bridge between the indigenous wisdom and modern Westerners, tells the following;

The mind of the traditional maestro is very different from yours or mine. He has lived in the rainforest without contact with the Western world, so to have access to the same visions, the same codes is difficult. But what I have found is that the expansion of the consciousness and the power that the plant gives you to understand many things is perfectly valid.

The magical space to which we are taken – call it the unconscious or any term you want to use depending on your psychological model – is one where all the kingdoms of nature can communicate. That is people can talk to plants, and plants with minerals, minerals to animals and animals with humans all in the same language. It is a very real communication and one of the greatest mysteries which exists. This is something which an English person or a Peruvian born in Lima can experience just as an Amazonian person. Because you can do it without speaking in a native dialect, it doesnt go through the mind but between one spirit and another.

On the edge of the Amazonian town Iquitos is the market river port of Belen, which has the famous street Pasaje Paquito where many of the rainforest, herbs, plants, mixtures, tinctures are sold. Chatting to Juanita the owner of the stall where I buy plants from, I remember her describing some of the potions, lotions, plants, tonics, barks, perfumes, roots, oils, aphrodisiacs and leaves, and remarking when you talk to the plants you will get to know them like friends, they have their own spirits, their own personalities.

A look at a few of the planta maestras

The shamans say that plants connect us with nature because they take their nourishment directly from the earth, as well as the suns rays, the air, and water. They allow us to know and recognize ourselves. A shaman must know this and must love his people to heal them.
Chiric Sanango Brumfelsia grandiflora; this plant is good for colds and arthritis and has the effect of heating up the body, so much so that the maestros advise a cold shower after each dose! This plant can be used in baths for good luck, and bring success to fishing, hunting etc.

This planta maestra also makes possible for people to open up their heart to feel love for people and animals (warms up a cold heart) and bestows the ability to identify with other people as though they were your brothers and sisters.
The plant grows mainly in the Upper Amazon and only a few restingas (high ground which never floods) in the Lower Amazon. The gift of Chiric Sanango is self esteem, and develops a deep connection with your inner self.

On a personal note, I have dieted this plant, and although I thought the terminology of “warming one’s heart” to be a bit “cheesy”, this plant really did have an extraordinary effect on me, I really did feel this inner glow of warmth, and friendship, and to my surprise it is still there! I feel that I returned from my exploration with this plant a changed person.

Guayusa Piper callosum; is good for excessive acidity and other digestive problems in the stomach and bile. Also it is both energizing and relaxing at the same time and develops mental strength.

Guayusa also has the most interesting effect of giving lucid dreams i.e. when you are dreaming you are aware that you are dreaming. The plant is also known as the “night watchman’s plant”, as even when sleeping you seem to have an awareness the outer physical surroundings.

On another personal note, I found the experience with this plant also to be quite incredible. I found that the usual boundary between sleeping and being awake to be more fluid than I had anticipated. Even now, sometime after taking the plant my dreams are more colourful, richer, and lucid than before. When taking this plant, I sometimes wake up not knowing if I have actually woken up or I am dreaming that Ive woken up. For those interested in ‘dreaming’ this is certainly the plant to explore.

Ajo Sacha Pseudocalymma; A very important planta maestra in the initiation of Amazonian shamans. On a physical level it purifies the blood, and is used for people suffering from arthritis and rheumatism. The other benefits are that it brings mental strength, acuity of mind, and it can take you out of saladera (regarded as a run of bad luck, inertia, or a sense of not living to the full). It is also used for ridding spells. The plant is used to enhance hunting skills by covering up human smell with the garlic-like smell of Ajo Sacha.

The Shipibo maestro Guillermo Arevalo also added that this plant opens the shamanic path if we are prepared to live under the obligations of shamanism, to do this we need the qualities of courage, and no fear of extremes or ugly things. We need to understand what role we will play in our community, and have the heart of a warrior. As a personal observation, Guillermo is one of the most highly respected maestros in the Amazonian region and is regarded as the authority on dieting this planta maestra.

On another personal note, I found my senses being altered and enhanced with this plant. I could zoom in and focus on sounds emanating from the rainforest, my sense of smell became sharper, and in some ineffable way I could tune into the breathing or rhythm of the rainforest. The sound of insects and birds was no longer a random phenomenon, these sounds became a rhythmic breath, rising and falling. No wonder that it is used for hunting as one’s sense are heightened in an incredible way.
Reflections
On reflection dieting plant medicine is totally different than pharmaceutical medication which only affects one whilst it is being taken; these kinds of plant medicines seem to have a permanent effect in some way metaphorical or otherwise altering one’s consciousness or “DNA”.

One of the great revelations that we can experience in working with the plant spirit or consciousness is that we are not separate from the natural world. In our culture we perceive ourselves to be separate beings with our minds firmly embedded within our physical being (typically our head). The plants can show you that this way of being is an illusion and that we are all connected, all of us and everything else is a discrete element in the great universal field of consciousness or spirit.

Related Posts:

• Many illnesses may mimic Rheumatoid Arthritis. That is why it is important when diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis to not just isolate one Rheumatoid Arthritis symptom, but to look at the symptoms as a whole. The list of symptoms is plentiful and when determining if you have the illness, it is best to contact your medical practitioner for formal testing. As with any other form of Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis may be characterized by one trait, painful joints.
• Basic facts about arthritis – Part 11
• Osteoarthritis Facts

More people seem to be disabled and restricted by arthritis back pain than most other forms of arthritis. Many people do little more than just lie around the house — not doing much at all.

Heat is a natural form of painkiller that induces muscular relaxation, but it is only a temporary painkiller for arthritis pain. The pain will continue again in about ten minutes after removing the heat.

Let’s take a look at some of the options for arthritis relief in a little more detail. One very popular option is water therapy. Basically, this involves doing aerobic type exercise in a pool – sometimes this is referred to as water aerobics. The advantage of this is that you can still get a good aerobic workout for your general health and fitness, but there’s almost no pressure or impact on your joints. With most types of arthritis, it’s recommended that you keep moving the joint, so water therapy is great for this, as you feel almost weightless in water. So a water workout is much easier for you to do, as well as bringing relief from arthritis pain.

Just Add Water

A great way to get arthritis relief is to get a pass to the local Y.M.C.A or gym. The arthritis relief of being in a pool setting and being weightless, helps take the stress off the joints and other parts of the body that are being affected. This type of arthritis relief helps as well because it improves the mobility in stiff and inflamed joints. Exercising for sixty minutes three times a week has been proven to be a great way to help arthritis relief in a natural way. The best benefit of arthritis relief and water is that the water will actually block some of the pain sensations and giving your body a chance to help heal itself.

Glucosamine is a natural substance which is found in the body. The supplemental form of glucosamine usually originates from sea creatures, such as the shrimp, shark, or lobster. The great thing about glucosamine is that you can use it in conjunction with your prescription medication. You should always tell your doctor when you add a supplement (or use another form of alternative medicine) to find arthritis pain relief. Glucosamine is not a fad. In fact, there are many reputable hospitals which are currently researching glucosamine and how it can aid in arthritis pain relief. So, you should not feel you need hide your intake of glucosamine supplements from your doctor.

The first step in an arthritis pain relief program is to pace yourself. You should begin to learn your body and the signals it sends each day. You may have a daily list of chores to do but they aren’t nearly as important as your overall health. Once you begin to feel tired or pain, slow down. Take a few things off your list and get them done tomorrow.

Whether you prefer a tablet or soft gel, whether you want an oil or a cream, whether you like a capsule or a liquid, you can find vitamin e at many of the internet stores advertised in other articles on our site. Vitamin e is an antioxidant, and it can help to stop your joints from their self-destructive processes. Increasing your vitamin c intake may also serve as an arthritis relief natural product for you to try. It comes in tablet, liquid, powder, and capsule form. It, too, is available at many of the stores advertised in our other articles. Increasing your vitamin c intake will help to speed the healing of your joints, thereby preventing arthritis pain. If you want arthritis relief natural style, try increasing your vitamin intake.

Related Posts:

• Arthritis Treatment Ways to Relief Arthritis
• Arthritis Pain Relief – Part 1
• Arthritis treatment & pain relief – Part 4
• Arthritis Pain Relief – Part 2
• A Guide to Finding True Arthritis Pain Relief

Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than fifty-five years.

One type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is often related to aging or to an injury. Other types occur when your immune system, which normally protects your body from infection, attacks your body’s own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of this kind of arthritis. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a form of the disease that happens in children.

Cause of Arthritis

There are two major categories of arthritis.

The first type is caused by wear and tear on the articular cartilage (osteoarthritis) through the natural aging process, through constant use, or through trauma (post-traumatic arthritis).

The second type is caused by one of a number of inflammatory processes.

Joint Injuries: Damage to a joint can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in that joint.

Infection: Many microbial agents can infect joints and potentially cause the development of various forms of arthritis.

Occupation: Certain occupations involving repetitive knee bending and squatting are associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Arthritis Symptoms

Stiff neck, most often one of the very first signs. Neck stiffness tends to grow progressively worse over time.
Radiating pain to the bottom of the skull and/or to the shoulder and down the arm. This radiating pain may seem like a stabbing or a burning, or it might present itself as a dull ache

arthritis is not a condition to be ignored. Left untreated, it can progress to the point where debilitating joint damage severely diminishes quality of life. Inflammation can also cause pain in the eyes and in the chest wall, making breathing difficult. If the inflammation reaches the heart, it can eventually lead to heart failure.

What’s the treatment?

There isn’t a cure for arthritis, but it can be kept under control enabling people to get on with living fulfilling lives.

In conventional treatment, painkillers, such as paracetamol, are essential. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can help with episodes of more severe pain. It’s important to consult a doctor before taking any medicine for a long time. These medications, known as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can damage the lining of the stomach causing ulcers, which sometimes bleed. They should always be taken with or after food.

Steroids. Corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone and methylprednisolone (Medrol), reduce inflammation and pain, and slow joint damage. In the short term, corticosteroids can make you feel dramatically better. But when used for many months or years, they may become less effective and cause serious side effects. Side effects may include easy bruising, thinning of bones, cataracts, weight gain, a round face and diabetes.

Exercise — Exercise is an essential element of treatment for psoriatic arthritis. An exercise program can be done at home or with a physical therapist. Physical activity helps to strengthen, maintain and improve joint range of motion. For best results, exercise should be done on a regular basis.

Related Posts:

• Guide to effective arthritis treatment – Part 3
• Arthritis Pain Relief – Part 3
• Causes of arthritis – Part 3
• Arthritis treatment guide – Part 5
• The different types of arthritis – Part 2

One in 10 people have osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis mainly seen in older adults. In osteoarthritis, joints are damaged as cartilage, the joints’ shock absorbers, wears down.

While there’s no cure for osteoarthritis, treatments are available that can relieve pain and help you remain active. If you actively manage your osteoarthritis, you can gain control over pain.

The good news: A new study shows that massage may reduce pain and improve joint function. Massage therapy is safe and effective in adults with osteoarthritis of the knee, reported researchers at the Yale Prevention Research Center and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Many people report significant benefits in terms of pain reduction and relaxation, the reason why many doctors recommend massage therapy for their patients. Although there are many forms of massage, the type most people are familiar with is Swedish massage, a full-body treatment that involves stroking or kneading the top layers of muscles with oils or lotions.

Massage therapy can soothe pain, relax stiff muscles, and reduce the swelling that accompany arthritis. Massage and gentle stretching help maintain a joint’s range of motion. Research confirms that after eight weeks of massage, patients with osteoarthritis reported less knee pain and stiffness and better knee function.

Massage therapy seems to be a viable option in addition to other treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee. Treatments to date cannot reverse the disease although massage and a good joint supplement may halt its progression.

Weight loss can significantly benefit overweight patients. Relaxation programs and moderate exercise, good nutrition, and education can all help relieve suffering in arthritis patients. Caring family and healthcare professionals can help reduce worries and enable the patient to achieve realistic goals.

Devices such as canes, supports, and braces can take some stress off the affected joint. Avoid aggravating factors such as trauma, excessive weight gain or overly strenuous exercise. Other analgesic therapies, such as heating pads or ice packs, also alleviate suffering. Naturally, care should be taken as in all pain-related illnesses.

If you or your loved one is suffering from osteoarthritis, get a massage and a complete joint health supplement like Phosoplex. Check out www.phosoplex.com to learn how it can help you regain your active lifestyle.

Related Posts:

• Osteoarthritis (oa): Can Chinese Therapy Qigong Treat It?
• Relief From Arthritis: A Whos Who In Arthritis Treatment For Newly Diagnosed Patients
• What Else Works For Osteoarthritis Of The Knee Have You Thought Of Vitamin D?
• 10 Easy Tips For Arthritis Pain Relief
• Whats New For Osteoarthritis Of The Hip And Knee? Orthokine And Other Treatments… Do They Work?

I got rid of my arthritis and arthritis pain for good by doing one single thing. Getting rid of my arthritis pain, without drugs, was one of the best things that has happened to me.

Sometimes arthritis occurs in the wrist, elbows, shoulders, and jaw but you generally don’t find it there. There are more than 100 different types of medical conditions that can affect your joints; it’ll be difficult to treat your condition effectively unless you know exactly what your diagnosis is; get diagnosed as soon as possible. Osteoarthritis affects joints in a different way depending on their location in the body, causing various symptoms.

Cartilage contains a high percentage of water, but it decreases with age. Collagen is the main protein found in all connective tissues in the body, including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The cartilage is slippery tissue that coats the ends of the bones.

One possible cause of arthritis is the inflammatory response due to the over-reaction of the immune system to an injury or other assault in the body, like an infection.

The cause of arthritis (osteoarthritis) and the factors leading to the deterioration of cartilage in osteoarthritis is still not understood. As chondrocytes (the cells that make up cartilage) age, they lose their ability to make repairs and produce more cartilage; this process may play an important role in the development and progression of osteoarthritis.

Make smoothies with fruit only using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale for another highly nutritional boost — no one will ever know.

Nutrition experts say it takes a combination of supplements, that no one supplement can relieve arthritis pain, build cartilage, etc. If your osteoarthritis is affecting your load-bearing joints, keeping your weight within a normal range is important.

Make highly nutritious raw applesauce using a food processor and put in 3-4 cored pesticide-free apples, with the skin on, and mix for a minute; so much better for you than canned highly processed applesauce and add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon or two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed for another boost.

Many have told me that going off dairy products and gluten containing foods relieved their arthritis pain entirely. Try avoiding the eight most allergic foods, wheat being the most allergenic; they are wheat, corn, eggs, milk, peanuts, fish, shellfish and some nuts, not all.

One natural treatment method involves avoiding all inflammatory foods. Natural treatment for arthritis is usually a better choice because it’s non-invasive to the body.

Not a food, but many, including one well-known professional golfer, still wear copper bracelets and swear by them.

My secret is I eat a diet of living foods (fruits, raw veggies, raw nuts and raw seeds) to relieve my arthritis pain and this should be tried for at least 30 days, thus eliminating any foods that might be culprits. I have been arthritis-free since I started eating living foods several years ago.

Exercise is good for joints affected by osteoarthritis. Keep a bedside basket of arthritic aids for arthritic hands (theraputty, hand grips, Taiji chime balls, etc.) to be used at bedtime or while watching television. Even if you don’t think you can exercise, you can do some movements. At bedtime try putting on a pair of stretch gloves to help reduce the pain and swelling in your fingers for those of you who have arthritic hands.

Whatever you do, keep moving; don’t sit when you can stand, don’t stand when you can walk. Your body has 147 different joints that are in motion every day of your life. For arthritic fingers, a good exercise is to put your finger tips together and press hard and release, then repeat several times.

Conventional doctors may suggest the standard protocol for your joint pain; they tell you to take over-the-counter NSAIDS or prescribe COX-2 inhibitors, of which all have side effects. Be aware that the use of NSAIDs or Cox-2 inhibitors do not halt the progress of osteoarthritis and may even hasten the onset. Drugs commonly used for arthritis pain can cause ulcers, heart disease and liver or kidney damage.

Knowing more about arthritis and how it works will ultimately help contribute to your relief of arthritis pain. Following these suggestions can help you get back in the swing of things and allow you to spend your days enjoying life once more. More and more doctors are investigating the benefits of alternative therapies and most don’t object to patients trying them.

Related Posts:

• Effective Arthritis Pain Relief — Tips And Treatments
• Arthritis Pain Relief – You Can Get Rid Of Your Arthritis Pain Naturally
• Arthritis Pain Relief – How To Get It
• Arthritis Pain Relief – What You Need To Know About Natural Treatments
• Basic facts about arthritis – Part 8

‘Rheumatism’ is a traditional and non-specific term used in the East and West to refer to a variety of conditions affecting the bones, joints, skin, heart, kidneys, lungs. This term is rapidly falling out of favour in the West today because modern medical science has discovered that most of these conditions have different aetiologies (causes) requiring very different treatments.

You can say that it’s a word mainly used in Chinese (& traditional) societies; it’s also used by a minority of Westerners into homeopathic and alternative medicine. The only common characteristics among these conditions are: 1) they cause long-term chronic pain, and 2) they are very difficult to treat.

‘Arthritis’ is a broad term refers to inflammation of the joints, but doesn’t say anything about the cause. Includes conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, infective arthritis, gouty arthritis, etc.

Generally, I’d divide arthritis into 2 big groups:

1) Osteoarthritis (OA)
This is primarily a ‘wear and tear’ condition affecting older people. Arises from overuse (e.g. marathon runners), previous injuries (football players), overweight, heredity. A lot of older Asian women get OA of the knees while the Americans and Europeans get it in the hips. The pain is more mechanical than inflammatory. So you get pain in the later part of the day after a lot of walking and climbing stairs.

Because it’s mainly a mechanical problem, treatment with painkillers is only a temporary solution. Long-term lifestyle changes are more important – reduce weight, mobility and muscle-strengthening exercises, reduce all kinds of weight-bearing activities (walking, jumping, running, carrying heavy objects). In severe cases, surgery may be warranted.

2) Inflammatory (‘Rheumatic’) Arthritis
This group comprises the various types of arthritis which are mainly inflammatory , not mechanical, in nature. They usually result from an auto-immune condition, which causes the body’s immune system to go haywire and attack the joints and other parts of the body. E.g. rheumatoid arthritis (RA), SLE (skin, kidneys, joints, brain), psoriasis (skin, joints), ankylosing spondylitis (back, heart), gout (joints, skin, kidneys), rheumatic heart disease/fever (joints, heart, skin). All these conditions require different forms of treatment.

I’ll talk a bit about RA, the commonest condition in this group. Unlike OA, RA can occur at any age and is usually hereditary (we now have a test for the RA factor in the blood). Pain is usually in the early morning, worse when it’s cold, and gets better with activity and use. That means an RA sufferer suffers from morning stiffness and pain, but gets better in the afternoon when it’s warmer and when he has moved around a bit.

Treatment, unlike OA, is mainly through drugs – painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs like steroids, cytotoxic drugs like sulfasalazine and MTX. In Asia, treatment is mainly through accupuncture, medicated plasters and ointments. With the vast arsenals of drugs and non-drugs alternative treatments available today, RA can be controlled very well and the sufferer can actually lead a very active life. Many OA sufferers on the other hand may eventually require surgery since we don’t have very effective drugs for OA.

Related Posts:

• Learn About Arthritis And How It Can Affect You
• Arthritis Causes And Symptoms
• The different types of arthritis – Part 1
• Psoriatic Arthritis is a form of Arthritis that affects those who are generally suffering from the skin condition, Psoriasis. Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis include pitting of both the toenails and fingernails, silver or gray spots on the knees, elbows, scalp, and the base of the spine, pain, swelling, and inflammation of the joints, and fingers and toes that have become so swollen, that they resemble sausages. At least ten percent of those who suffer from the skin condition, Psoriasis, will also develop Arthritis. For the majority of cases, the skin condition appears before the inflammation of the joints, and for some people, the Arthritis will appear before the Psoriasis.
• Arthritis treatment guide – Part 5

Arthritis is one of the biggest problem that has been faced by million of people worldwide. Arthritis is a general term that literally means pain and inflammation in joints. Though previously it was believed that only old people suffers from arthritis but now it has been seen that people of younger age group are also being affected by this disease. Arthritis is not a disease in itself. There is a general condition in which the joint becomes inflamed and causes great pain. Arthritis can be of many types but commonly three types are frequently seen. These are: -

(a) Rheumatoid arthritis

(b) Osteoarthritis

(c) Gout

(a) Rheumatoid arthritis it is a kind of arthritis that is more associated autoimmune disorder that occurs due to attack of our immune system on the joints. It is also associated with the deformity in the body. It is commonly seen in people who are in their mid forties.

(b) Osteoarthritis it is another form of arthritis that occurs due to age related changes. In this condition there is formation of osteophytes in the joints. The cartilaginous structure gets ossified and gets converted in the bone. This bone formation in the bone leads to the hindered movements and causes extremes pain whenever the joint is made to move.

(c) Gout it is concerned with the formation of uric acid crystals in the joint. Due to any kind of deformity there is decreased in the serum uric acid metabolism thereby leads to the accumulation of uric acid in the joints. It is commonly called as the riches disease as it is more commonly seen in people who are well off.

Causes

Ageing

Over use of joints

Hereditary factors

Wrong feeding habits

Infections

Metabolic disorder

Symptoms

Pain in joints

Swellings in joints

Restricted movements

Redness over joint

Deformity of the joint

Cracking sound on movements.

Treatment

Though the anatomical changes are very difficult to be reversed but their have been certain ayurvedic preparations that are extremely helpful in suppressing pain and prevent any further damage to the joint. Belo are few ayurvedic herbs that are very effective in curbing arthritis.

Ashwagandha (withinia somnifera) it is one of the best herb that has the potential to suppress pain and inflammation. It has certain properties that are very helpful in reducing the vata dosha in the body that is solely responsible for causing all pains and inflammation in the body. Ashwagandha is a medium sized plant that is easily found in areas having warmer climatic conditions. The roots of Ashwagandha are the plant parts that are being used to make medicines. Generally Ashwagandha is taken in as powder form but it is now available in capsules and syrup forms also.

Guggul (commiphora mukul) Guggul is one of the most prestigious herbs that has been very popular among ayurvedic physicians. Guggul is vata suppressant and hence is widely used to treat vata related disorders. Guggul not only reduces pain in the body but is also responsible in suppressing any kind of inflammation and edema that occurs in the body. Various preparations like mahayogaraja Guggul, laxadi Guggul, rasnadi Guggul and gokshuradi Guggul that are being widely used to curb any kind of pain in the body.

Rasna (pluchea lanceolata) Rasna is an excellent analgesic and has excellent results in suppressing pain in the body. It is a small plant that can be used in preparing various forms of preparations. It is used as powder, decoction and oils. It has the potential to reduce the vata dosha in the body and is very successful in curbing its effect.

Arthcare oil arthcare oil is one of the prestigious ayurvedic preparations that have been found extremely helpful in treating various pain disorders like arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders, backache, joint pains, wounds etc. It has been empowered with the wonders of certain ayurvedic herbs like errand (ricinus communis), Rasna (pluchea lanceolata), devdaru (cedrus deodara), shuddha Guggul (commiphora mukul), rasone (garlic), marich (black pepper), nirgundi (vitex negundo), ajwain (trachyspermum) and til tail (seasum). These all herbs are famous for their activities in suppressing and curbing any kind of pain and inflammation that might occur in the body. The oil is gently massaged on the affected part and then hot fomentation is done. This is the simple procedure that is all you have to do to get relief from the pain and arthritis.

Related Posts:

• Arthritis treatment guide – Part 8
• What is arthritis?
• Arthritis Pain Relief Through Herbal Massage
• Arthritis Pain Relief 101
• Arthritis treatment & pain relief

An inexpensive, effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis that has no harmful side effects?

Both aerobic (endurance) exercise and strength training exercise have been shown to decrease pain and improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis.

Many people with knee osteoarthritis are fearful of starting an exercise program. People know that osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of wear and tear of the cartilage that covers the bones. It seems logical that exercise would lead to more wear and tear and worsen the condition.

How does exercise help people with knee osteoarthritis? Several theories have been proposed and there are varying levels of evidence for each theory. The more popular theories include (1) improved joint lubrication, (2) improved shock absorption, and (3) decreased joint loading because of decreased body weight.

Synovial fluid is the substance within joints that acts as a lubricant. It is thought that increased joint use during exercise increases the production of synovial fluid and thereby improves the lubrication of the joint surfaces, decreasing wear and tear.

One of the purposes of joint cartilage (articular cartilage) is shock absorption. As this cartilage breaks down a vicious cycle begins. Cartilage breakdown leads to less shock absorbing capability, which contributes to further cartilage breakdown. However, muscles that surround the joint also function as shock absorbers. Strengthening these muscles can improve shock absorption and limit further breakdown of joint cartilage.

One well established risk factor for developing knee osteoarthritis is excess body weight. An exercise program combined with healthful eating can lead to weight loss, which can lead to decreased joint loading through an osteoarthritic knee joint.

How does a person with osteoarthritis get started with an exercise program? If you haven’t exercised recently, it may be helpful to first get an annual physical exam. Your healthcare provider may recommend starting in a supervised exercise program where your vital signs and your exercise progression can be closely monitored. In some areas, the Arthritis Foundation offers the Lifestyle Improvement Series, which includes supervised exercise programs. Local health clubs may also offer exercise programs tailored for people with osteoarthritis.

If you have knee osteoarthritis, give exercise a chance. You have a lot to gain.

Related Posts:

• Arthritis treatment & pain relief – Part 1
• Naturally Treat Osteoarthritis- 6 Tips to Cure Arthritis With No Medication
• Basic facts about arthritis – Part 8
• The different types of arthritis – Part 3
• Degenerative arthritis explained

Part 1.

It’s remarkable that rooster combs have provided the source of a frequently used treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Through a combination of research and serendipity, viscosupplements- a type of lubrication treatment for OA of the knee- originally derived from rooster combs, are widely used by both rheumatologists as well as orthopedic surgeons. But do they really work? This two part article discusses the evidence in the medical literature.

Viscosupplements are compounds that have been created to mimic the effects of normal synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is the lubricating liquid present in normal joints that permits gliding and also helps with cushioning. Synovial fluid is produced by cells that line the joints and is essential for proper nourishment of the cartilage that caps the ends of long bones. At low levels of shear force (standing and walking for instance), synovial fluid’s primary effect is a lubricating one. At high levels of shear force (running and jumping), synovial fluid has a more shock absorbing function.

The major component of synovial fluid is a substance called hyaluronic acid. (HA). All synthetic viscosupplements also have HA as their major component. In this article I will use the term viscosupplement and HA interchangeably.

The first question is do these compounds work for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee? As with any treatment, there is the possibility of negative studies. Viscosupplementation is no exception. Lo concluded that HA products have only a small effect compared with placebo (Lo GH, et al. JAMA. 2003; 290: 3115-3121). Brandt stated that HA and placebo produce similar results (Brandt KD, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2000; 43: 1192-1203). And Karlsson posited that neither of two HA products did better than placebo at 26 weeks (Karlsson J, et al. Rheumatol. 2002; 41:1240-1248).

However, the majority of studies have demonstrated that there is a significant effect. But how well do they work? The interpretation of how effective these preparations are has been difficult because of a number of factors. These include:

Global use of these compounds with different measuring instruments and techniques in the research studies;

Single versus multi-center studies
Varying inclusion and exclusion criteria
Different statistical outcome measurements
Other study design issues

And comparisons have been made to treatments other than placebo. Two studies looked at viscosupplements compared with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). (Altman RD, et al. J Rheum. 1998; 25:2203-2212; Adams ME, et al. Osteoarthritis and Cart. 1995; 3: 213-216). They found that viscosupplements performed as well or better than NSAIDS. However, design issues of the studies make interpretation somewhat difficult. It must be pointed out that adverse events were noted in both treatment groups. Not surprisingly, systemic therapies (NSAIDS) had more systemic side effects and HA therapies had more local adverse events.

One question that clinicians often wonder about is, “What about corticosteroid injections?” How do they compare? These preparations are used to reduce pain and inflammation, especially in acute knee osteoarthritis flare-ups and are relatively fast-acting

However, there are shortcomings. They include:

Duration of efficacy may not last
Frequent injections (more than 3 per year) may cause cartilage damage
Local adverse effects
Post-injection flares of pain
Skin atrophy
Osteonecrosis (dead bone)

Studies have evaluated the effects of viscosupplements vs intraarticular glucocorticoids. These include the following studies:

[Leardini G, et al. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 1991; 9: 375-381 (both equivalent until day 28 when divergence favored Hyalgan)]

[Caborn D, et al. J Rheum. 2004; 31:333-343 (both worked @ 1-4 weeks post injection; Synvisc better @ 5-13 weeks post injection)]

[Tekeoglu I, et al. J Rheumatol and Medical Rehab. 1998; 9: 220-224. (For first 4 weeks Orthovisc and methylpredsolone acetate similar; @ 5-13 weeks post injection, Orthovisc better)]

Most studies show this divergence of effect occurring at 5-13 weeks post injection.

(Raynauld JP, et al. Osteoarthritis and Cart. 2002; 10: 506-517). This is an interesting study from Canada where they looked at the difference between usual care, meaning all the things you would do for a knee OA patient except viscosupplementation versus another group where viscosupplementation was added. And they found that the usual care group + visco supplementation did better.

So what about repeating treatment? This was one study that looked at patients receiving 5 injections of viscosupplement every 6 months for a total of 25 injections. While the results showed that good safety and positive outcomes, design issues made this study a bit difficult to interpret. (Scali JJ. Eur J Rheumatol Inflamm. 1995; 15: 57-62).

One important bit of information that we can glean from many of these studies, regardless of viscosupplement used, is that the period of maximum onset of relief is @ 5-13 weeks post injection.

Part 2 of this series will discuss more about what the medical literature can tell patients about “rooster comb” treatments.

Related Posts:

• My Doctor Wants To Give Me Rooster Comb Treatment For Osteoarthritis In My Knee? Does It Really Work? Part 1
• Basic facts about arthritis – Part 8
• Degenerative Arthritis is also known as Osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a debilitating disease that affects the joints. There are over 100 forms of Arthritis known to man and Degenerative Arthritis is the most common form. It is called Degenerative because the amount of cartilage in the joints is deterioration and becoming permanently lost. It is said that over 20 million Americans suffer from Degenerative Arthritis.
• Cosamin DS Joint Health Supplement, Capsules, 210-Count Bottle
• Know Your Arthritis Treatment Options

A car lasts 20 years. A microwave could last 25 years. A human body lasts 80 years. And if you suffer from arthritis, you might be thinking that your body will only 40 years. But you’re wrong!

Arthritis could now be labeled the newest epidemic to plague all industrial countries. And I emphasize ‘industrial’. And if you have researched the statistics on arthritis and treatments, you would know that both cases and costs for arthritis have literally quadrupled in recent decades. But why is this? Could arthritis pain relief be as simple as looking into our past?

What our past tells us about arthritis pain relief

A close friend of mine grew up on a farm in Iowa and during his childhood he worked! In fact, their whole backyard was a garden growing produce for the 12 member family’s meals for the rest of the year. And as I picture a dinner table with 12 hungry mouths, my mouth drops to consider what things would be like only 50 years ago. But recently, I asked my friend a question.

“Did your dad or mom ever suffer from arthritis?” I wondered. My friend reflected and to the best of his ability he never thought arthritis was a problem until their late 70s. Can you imagine not feeling the pain of arthritis up until you are 70+ years old?

But how come we are part of the first generation that arthritis is affecting so young?

Could your diet and activity level be the problem? If you consider how most people lived 100 years ago (pre-industrial), you might speculate how diets and activity levels differed. But what does this have to do with arthritis? Everything!

How Nutrition, Breathing and Exercise Cure Arthritis

Obviously things have changed over the course of a half of century. For one, our diets have completely changed because of our now fast-lifestyle. Secondly, our exercise patterns have also changed in the past century. Instead of working out with a ‘blue collared’ job; we now take the stairs instead of the elevator for our daily workout. And thirdly, because of our sedentary lifestyles, our bodies are also starving for oxygen which is typically not a problem if you work on your feet all day.

The result of our 21st century lifestyle! Almost 100 million arthritis sufferers in the United States alone and billions elsewhere. That is about 1 in every 3 adults sufferer from one form of arthritis or another. And as gas prices rise so will arthritis cases!

But what are we to do? Fortunately, arthritis pain relief might be simpler than you expect if you watch your diet, begin to slowly work into an exercise routine and increase your oxygen levels with simple breathing exercises you can do right in your work office!

Arthritis Pain Relief Tips

1. Nutrition! What you put in your mouth has the greatest impact for hurting or helping your arthritic symptoms. You must begin to think of your diet as your treatment as opposed to satisfying your palette. The basic rule for eating arthritis pain away is eating fresh and raw foods in their natural state. Stay away from fast foods, processed foods and anything that is canned. Large amounts of additives and preservatives will wreak havoc on the joints.

2. Working out! Did you know that you need about 20 minutes of moderate activity level for your body to reach the level to release chemicals for a ‘runner’s high’. Unfortunately, most people exercise for about 15 minutes and never get that addicting ‘runner’s high’ to keep the momentum going. Start working out slowly and eventually work your way up to at least 20 minutes a day. My friend’s 70 year young, ex-arthritis mother is arthritis-free and now works out an hour each day. You can do it too!

3. Water! This needs to become your drink of choice in all situations. Avoid caffeinated and carbonated drinks at all costs. Drink 10-12 tall glasses per day.

4. Breathe! Did you know that those who have poor posture are also getting less oxygen to their body? It is kind of a vicious cycle! But if you can learn simple breathing exercises, you can actually feel years younger and your joints will too!

5. Vitamins! The average person knows very little about vitamins. And unfortunately, the average arthritic sufferer knows even less! Our report gives a detailed report on what vitamins are essential for rebuilding cartilage between worn joints and which ones are a waste of your money. Are you taking your vitamins?

6. Alkaline vs. Acidic Foods! You might not realize what foods are acidic or alkaline but you should if you have joint pain. You should be eating a composition of 70% alkaline compared to 30% acidic. For a list of foods please see our report.

7. Deer Antler Velvet? You might be scratching your head on this but if you know anything about the male deer you know that they regenerate their deer antlers. And the same compound could regenerate cartilage in your joints.

8. Stress! Finally, you need to play again. Do you remember when you had a little fun and forgot about the bills, job and busyness. Find that thing that makes you come alive and do it again.

Are You Ready for Freedom?

I have this favorite quote I live by, “Don’t ask what the world needs, but ask yourself what makes you come alive. Because what the world needs are people who come alive.” Are you ready to live again? Are you ready for the freedom of arthritis pain relief? If you are serious about a guaranteed arthritis treatment cure, please visit our website which will lead you to a beacon of everything you need to know about arthritis and natural health. What heals and why it heals is at your fingertips! My company’s researchers, personal natural health doctor and I would love to help you save thousands of dollars and naturally treat arthritis with a step-by-step treatment.

Related Posts:

• In Focus Natural Arthritis Treatments And How To Cope With The Disease
• Arthritis Pain Relief and Prevention
• Arthritis Treatment for Dogs
• Arthritis Treatment Ways to Relief Arthritis
• Arthritis treatment & pain relief – Part 4