Natural Medicine for Arthritis

Arthritis is a painful condition that affects your joints and can limit your mobility. Arthritis can stem from a variety of causes, including immune dysfunction, injury and infection. Natural medicine offers a variety of treatments for the pain, swelling and fever associated with the various types of arthritis. With the help of your doctor's advice, you can use natural medicine to gently alleviate the joint pain, discomfort, swelling and mobility problems associated with arthritis.

Identification

• Though there are over 100 types of arthritis, according to Holistic Online, the three most common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, redness and swelling. Increased pain when changes in the weather take place can also occur. Some patients who suffer from arthritis experience weakness in the painful joint, and some have joints which frequently crackle when they move. If you are experiencing joint pain, contact your doctor to find out if you have arthritis.

Flexibility Treatment

• Holistic Online recommends flexibility exercises as one type of natural treatment for arthritis. The right stretches can strengthen and relax your joints and muscles and help relieve some of the pain of arthritis. Practicing yoga can teach you stretches that can help strengthen your body and reduce stiffness. Check your local community center for a beginner yoga class, or search your library catalog for a book or DVD that teaches yoga stretches, especially those for back or joint pain.

Prevention/Solution

• According to Holistic Online, a poor diet can contribute to arthritis flares, so eating healthy can prevent some of the painful symptoms. If you are looking for a preventative natural treatment for arthritis pain, adopt a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and avoid tomato, dairy and red meat. A nutritious diet that encourages a healthy body weight can help prevent attacks and reduce arthritis inflammation.

Other Methods

• Acupressure, acupuncture, herbal supplementation and aromatherapy are other types of natural medicine used to treat arthritis. Herbal supplementation uses herbs and herbal extracts to prevent or treat arthritis. Acupressure is the practice of applying precise pressure which relieves pain and inflammation in the affected joint. Acupuncture is the practice of inserting tiny needles in the certain points to encourage healing and treat pain. Aromatherapy is the use of scent to treat arthritis; anti-arthritis herbs included in aromatherapy include chamomile, rosemary, ginger and other herbs with relaxing scents.

Warning

• Natural treatments for arthritis offer a powerful way to increase your healing when coupled with traditional medical attention. Arthritis can stem from a variety of causes, including infection, so you should not treat or diagnose unexplained joint stiffness on your own. Herbal treatments can interact with traditional medications, so talk to your doctor before embarking on a path of natural treatment for your arthritis and stiff joints.