Alternative Treatments for Ankle Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that is characterized by the deterioration and loss of cartilage in one or more joints. When joint cartilage is lost, various symptoms may develop and restrict your ability to perform everyday activities. Arthritis occurs at different joints of the body, including feet, hands, hips, knees, and the spine. In your feet, the condition will usually affect the big toe, and also frequently occurs in the ankle and mid-foot.

Natural Pain Relief Treatments

• For non-drug pain relief treatments, try hot and cold therapy. You may either choose hot, cold, or combining the two to help relieve your joint pain. Apply heat to your ankle by using a warm towel or a hot pack, or simply take a warm shower or bath. The warmth will help increase blood flow and alleviate the stiffness and pain in your joints. For cold therapy, apply ice packs, cold compresses, even towel-wrapped frozen vegetables to the affected area. Cold helps reduce inflammation and provides immediate pain relief by numbing the joint.

  TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a procedure that makes use of an electronic device that sends mild pulses to the nerve endings found in the sore area, just beneath the surface of your skin. This can help relieve pain brought about by arthritis. It works by blocking the nerve's pain messages to your brain.

  A massage can also provide comfort for a sore ankle. The ankle suffering from osteoarthriris will be stroked and kneaded for immediate relief. Massages are also known to help increase blood circulation and also warm up the muscles in the stressed part of the body.

Alternative Therapies

• Acupuncture is a method practiced in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that uses very fine needles inserted in particular points on the body. Acupuncture can treat many illnesses and conditions, including osteoarthritis. The strategic placement of needles stimulates the body's release of natural painkillers.

  Nutritional supplements that contain chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine have also been said to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Folk Remedies

• Ancient remedies and rural alternative medicine practitioners have claimed that wearing a copper bracelet, drinking herb-infused teas, and bathing in mud can help treat osteoarthritis. Although there is in no harm in trying out these practices, there is no solid scientific evidence to support these claims. It is always best to first consult your doctor regarding any alternative therapies you wish to undertake.