Naturopathic Treatment for Arthritis

Problems of the musculo-skeletal systems are for most of population simply a fact of life, ranging from simple aches and pains after unaccustomed exercise or effort, to the inevitable wear and tear on our bodies as we get older.

Although specialists identify up to 200 divisions of arthitic conditions, it is useful to think of arthritis falling into two major categories:

1) Osteoarthritis (OA) and
2) Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Osteoarthritis is the natural wear and tear of the joints that occurs with ageing, as the cartilage surrounding the bones becomes thinner and the surface becomes rougher. This leads to friction and degeneration occurs as the joint gets deformed.

Natural treatments for Arthritis

Aromatherapy treatments

The two principles of many natural aromatherapy approaches to arthritis is detoxification and improving circulation around the joins.

Essential oils:

Cypress, Juniper and Lemon aid tissue cleansing, can be used as bath oils.
Juniper also has an anti-inflammatory and mildly analgesic effect.
Chamomile, Lavender and Rosemary have similar properties as Juniper.
These may all be used either in the bath or diluted in a base oil and gently massaged into the affected areas. You can also use a hot compress.
Black Pepper, Ginger and Marjoram will stimulate circulation.

Herbalism

Herbal approach to Arthritis is to detoxify and stimulate circulation and thus reducing inflammation.
Make a tea from Celery Seed (Apium graveolens) to remove acidic toxins and for alkalizing effect.
Use 5ml or 1 teaspoon of the lightly crushed seeds and add
5 ml or 1 tsp of fresh chopped Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) tea increases elimination via the urine.
Drink 2 cups of this tea daily for couple of weeks.

Ginger (Zingiber Officinalis) improves circulation.
Cut a small piece and make a tea from it or add it to the mixture above.

Use Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) infusion twice daily and Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium)in tablet form for a more direct anti-inflammatory action.

Homeopathy

Bryonia for hot joints, when the pains are worse with warmth or with movements, and seem to be eased by the use of cold applications or compresses.

Pulsatilla for pains and inflammation seem to move rapidly from one joint to another with a quick change of symptoms. Pulsatilla personality feels much better in the fresh air.
Rhus Tox can be used when the symptoms are better with warmth and better for movement. Person feels stiff and painful after resting. Cold and damp weather make the symptoms worse.

Naturopathy

Naturopathic approach to Arthritis is reducing inflammation, joint repair and changing a diet.

Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM tablets.
Dosage: 1500 mg of Glucosamine per day, 500 mg to 1000 mg of Chondroitin per day and up to 1500 mg of MSM/day depending on severenity of your symptoms and pain.

High dosages of Fish oil 1000 mg: 3 cap 3 times a day or 1 to 2 teaspoons of highly concentrated liquid fish oil appr. 2000 EPA per dosage.

You may add Celery seed tablets, take 3000 mg of Celery seed per day.

Very effective is Turmeric, Willow Bark and Boswellia (1000mg/day, 40 % boswellic acids), they have anti-inflammatory properties and work as a natural analgesic.

Clinical trials have found that a high potency Willow Bark extract standardised for salicin has significant analgesic activity but with fewer side effects than conventional NSAIDs.

I have to mention here, that I prescribe and recommend Celery seed for Osteoarthritis because new research confirms findings that Osteoarthritis is caused by build up of blood cloths and because Celery thins the blood and improves circulation to the area and thus removes toxins and blood cloths.

Growing evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that OA is linked to primary cardiovascular disease. Factors strongly associated include hyperlipideaemia and hypertension.

Discruption of microvascular blood flow in subchondral bone may reduce nutrient diffusion to articular cartilage in OA.
Ischaemia in subchondral bone due to microthrombi may produce osteocyte death, bone resorption and articular damage in OA.

OA is not simply mechanical wear and tear and neither it is a solely PGE2 mediated inflammatory disease and the source of pain can be enigmatic.
Insulin resistance and comprised microvascular circulation predispose to this condition.

It is essential to eat plenty of fresh vegetables, raw or cooed and also fresh fruit.

Reduce red meat, cheese, sugary foods and reduce drinking coffee and black tea.

Non-citrus fruit is also protective for OA.

Include alkaline-forming diet. For example, you can have Vital Greens every day.

You can also take Olive Leaf and Probiotics.

Vit B12

Vitamin B12 is well known for its role in maintaining a healthy blood supply. B12 stimulates stem cells in the bone marrow to make red blood cells. B12 also stimulates osteoblasts which is another type of bone cell that generates bone.

Take 20 micrograms of B12 three times daily and 6,500 micrograms of folic acid known as B9 that works in concert with B12.

Vit E

Vitamin E fights inflammation by neutralizing the biochemicals that are produced during inflammation. These biochemicals that are released by immune cells contain free radicals that are damaging to the cells.
Take 500 to 1000 IU of vitamin E a day.

Vit C

Vitamin C stimulates cartilage repair.

It is a well know fact that vitamin C fights infection and helps in collagen production. Clinical research shows that vitamin C encourages the growth of cartilage cells called chondrocytes by stimulating synthesis of these cells' generic material. It is important to mention here that Vitamin C and Vitamin E work well together to protect cartilage from breakdown.

Niacinamide

It is a form of niacin B3. It is helpful in relieving swelling and joint pain and improving muscle strength.
It is recommended to consult your doctor to take hight doses of niacinamide. Take 500 mg to 1,000 mg three times a day. Such a high dosage can cause liver damage.

The Hay Diet

Dr. Hay found The Hay Diet very helpfull. The diet essentially involves avoiding combinations of proteins and carbohydrates at any one meal.

Epsom Salts Baths

Epsom salts is also excellent to ease stiffness and discomfort. Dissolve 4 tbsp of the salts in a hot bath and soak for 20 min.

In an acute inflammatory state of arthritis, with very hot joints, try using an ice-pack or cold compress.
In chronic conditions with cold and stiff joints use a warm compress.

Written by Monica Pavlickova, Qualified Naturopath & Homeopath. For more unique information and fresh content about naturopathy, homeopathy, personal development and metaphysics visit the following sites:

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