Thursday, September 15, 2011

Arthritis Home Remedies

Arthritis affects approximately 50 million adult Americans in the present day. It is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. According to the Arthritis Foundation of Atlanta, there are more than 100 forms different forms of arthritis with different causes. Among the more common afflictions of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. The pain from arthritis is the result of an inflammatory process that occurs around the joint area due to tissue damage and muscle strains. This condition has no known cures. However, there are steps which can help ease discomfort and allow the return to normal activities.


While there is no treatment for arthritis, one can adopt a variety of coping techniques that will decrease stiffness and discomfort associated with this condition. The first important thing to consider is to maintaining the normal functioning of the joints. Arthritis is a debilitating condition if left unmanaged. It can make the affected person unable to perform activities of daily living and return to previous job. In this condition, it is important to maintain the movement of the joints as much as possible. This can help keep the joints from functioning better. Doing household chores and gardening are good examples of activities that can keep the joints moving.

Exercises are effective in improving this condition. But these activities should only be down after the inflammation has stopped. There are a few different types of exercises that are used to help people suffering from arthritis. The easiest exercise that can be done by almost anyone who is experiencing this painful condition is the range-of-motion exercises. This form of exercise helps maintain good movement placing the affected joint through its full range of motion. Isometrics and stretching exercises are also effective ways to exercise the joints. It is important to perform warm up, as well as cooling down exercises, before and after each activities in order to avoid injuries to the joints.

Other effective home remedies for arthritis also include natural substances that can help provide relief from the pain and discomfort brought about by this condition. Avocado and soybean extracts are known effective remedies for arthritis as these can improve the stiffness especially if the knees and hips are the joints affected. These are also known to decrease the swelling and tissue healing. However, its safe use on children, pregnant and nursing mothers have not yet been studied and proven. Other substances that can be used as arthritis remedies include glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These substances help keep cartilages strong and elastic preventing further tissue damage.

Massage therapy, as well as acupuncture, are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help relieve pain brought about by certain conditions including arthritis. Many believe that acupuncture functions by helping release natural substances from the body that aid in providing pain relief. Examples of these substances produced by the body are catecholamines like endorphins and serotonin. Relaxation and meditation exercises can also help provide relief from arthritis.  

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