Rheumatoid Arthritis|Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms|Arthritis Treatment

Arthritis is a rampant disease that does not discriminate, and negatively affects the lives of millions of people in all parts of the globe. It makes the simplest of tasks seem like the most difficult of endeavors, and that is no way to live. Due to the severity and widespread impact of arthritis, dozens of treatments have been developed to combat it. Some of them are standard prescription drugs from pharmaceutical companies, but there are a multitude of alternative therapies to consider. This includes the field of massage services, through which specific techniques have been developed just for the treatment of arthritis.

Massage therapy is great for reducing the symptoms of many types of arthritis. Unfortunately, no amount of massage can cure or physically affect the progression of arthritis, so other medications or techniques would be needed for that. However, temporary relief from pain is the next best thing for those who are out of options or whose current regiment is not very effective. Having a regular massage attacks arthritis from many different angles, which results in great feelings of painlessness and calm.

The main cause of arthritis is inflammation of the joints, and getting a massage quickly relieves inflammation anywhere in the body. When the joints are less inflamed or not inflamed at all, they are safe to touch and move more intensely. Remember, the decrease in inflammation is only temporary, but it can last a good few hours or the rest of the day, sometimes longer.

Extensive movement throughout the day puts a toll on your joints and muscles, and a massage is an ideal way to relieve the stiffness and exhaustion that naturally comes with extended releases of energy. When receiving massage services, the professional exerts his power over all parts of your body, so even parts that are not affected by arthritis receive benefits. In addition, regular massages improves the circulation of your blood, which not only helps ease the pain of arthritis, but can be good for avoiding other debilitating diseases as well.

As you can see, massage therapy is an excellent treatment technique for arthritis, especially if the professional conducting the massage has had experience working with arthritis patients before. Since those with arthritis are more sensitive than those without it, the massage must be gentler than usual and focus on different areas. Since arthritis sufferers regularly go to massage service centers to find relief, odds are that whoever you go to will have experience with arthritis as well.

Dogs who suffer from arthritis can turn to human glucosamine. The substance is one of the most effective ways to treat arthritis. Best of all, they are safe to use for older dogs who may have a more delicate health situation. The only real problem you'll face when administering this drug is the ingestion; dogs don't find it very appetizing. This is an easy problem to solve. You can also find glucosamine in different kinds of food. In fact, they are considered as vitamins.

Glucosamine for dogs are best for those who are older. The drug can cure uncomfortable symptoms of arthritis such as limping and stiffness. It works by supplying a fresh dose of the vitamin into the joints. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring vitamin found in cartilage. However, this can degrade. As a dog ages, it becomes a lot harder for him to produce normal amounts of glucosamine. To produce this vitamin, the body has to start with glucose and synthesize it into the vitamin. Since the dog's normal bodily functions are starting to weaken, it is no longer able to generate regular amounts. While the dog's body can't produce it anymore, you can still work to supply it so he can return to his normal routine.

Before trying this arthritis treatment for your dog, you should consult a veterinarian first. Glucosamine is very safe, but it is still best to ask your doctor if it is compatible with your dog. When starting any type of new treatment, it is a must to have a physical examination done first, so you know if your dog has any reactions.

Keep in mind that glucosamine is not a pain killer. Your dog won't be relieved of the pain arthritis causes. Instead, it will work by renewing the cartilage that has been damaged. By supplying a fresh amount of glucosamine, your dog will be able to rebuild the cartilage. According to studies, it does not usually have side effects. However, some groups suggest that they may be some harm done when the drug is used on dogs. It is said that glucosamine hydrochloride, a variant of the original, works better on dogs. You will find glucosamine in chitin, which is a derivative of glucose. There are many sources of this sugar, but it is most commonly found in shellfish. Most potent glucosamine mixes are usually derived from shellfish. Other components such as protein and calcium are extracted to get a purer mix of glucosamine. Then, another stabilizer is added.

Glucosamine for dogs might be the best ticket to comfort for your dog. Every pet needs a chance to live out their lives as comfortably as they can. Now, even with arthritis, it is possible. If your vet recommends or allows you to use this treatment, there is no reason why you shouldn't try it. For those who are considering this option, make sure that you do your research so you can make an informed decision.

As our dogs get older, it is very possible that at some point, a certain level of arthritis will set in and begin to slow down our pet. Arthritis causes joint inflammation and oftentimes it is accompanied by pain. We must admit that it's not easy seeing our dogs in pain and we do everything in our might to try to save them. An oral supplement like Glucosamine is proven to be an effective treatment for dogs with arthritis. It's all-natural which means that you don't have to worry about harmful side effects and adverse reactions.

Glucosamine is the major sugar found in glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronate, these are the important building blocks in the production and maintenance of cartilage in the joint. Look for something with the combined power of Glucosamine and Chondroitin. These two ingredients give the cartilage-forming cells the building blocks that they need to produce new cartilage. They also help in repairing existing damaged cartilage. Glucosamine supplements do not provide instant relief though but they sure provide long-term benefits. They do not work as painkillers. They actually work by healing the damage making your dog feel better over time. How long does it take for you to see some improvements? It can take anywhere between 4 and six weeks. Glucosamine products are generally safe and do not have known side effects no wonder pet owners consider it as the number one treatment for dogs with arthritis.

A healthy diet combined with regular exercise is proven to be an effective treatment for dogs with arthritis. Stop feeding your dog with food that has added colorings, preservatives and artificial flavorings. Stay away from grains because they tend to worsen arthritis. If your dog is experiencing severe arthritic pain, switch to home-prepared meals with cooked or raw meats and vegetables. Exercise helps provide good range of motion and muscle building, it also limits wear and tear on the joints. If you can't take your dog swimming regularly then walking will do.

I got rid of my arthritis and arthritis pain forever by doing one single thing - read on. There is a little-known natural solution to curing oneself of arthritis pain that I discovered several years ago.

Arthritic joints appear to be larger, are stiff and painful, and usually feel worse the more they are used. Arthritis is usually found in the joints of the fingers, feet, knees, hips, and spine. Unlike some other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis is not systemic - it does not spread through the entire body.

Joints are designed for normal and painless movement and are primarily supplied by the synovium and cartilage. Cartilage contains chondrocytes, water, proteoglycans and collagen; chondrocytes are the basic cartilage cells and are necessary for balance and function. The combination of the collagen meshwork and high water content tightly bound by proteoglycans creates a resilient, slippery pad in the joint, which resists the compression between bones during muscle movement.

Aging cells may be a factor in the development of arthritis. It's generally thought that inflammation plays a minor role in osteoarthritis and is more likely to be a result, not a cause, of arthritis. 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.

Nutrition experts say it takes a combination of supplements, that no one supplement can relieve arthritis pain, build cartilage, etc. Try massaging your fingers or other affected joints with coconut oil twice a day. One natural treatment method involves avoiding all inflammatory foods.

If your osteoarthritis is affecting your load-bearing joints, keeping your weight within a normal range is important. 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. Dried Montmorency tart cherries seem to be helpful for arthritis pain also.

A study in Great Britain touted the beneficial effects of cod liver oil on osteoarthritis; relieving pain and stiffness, and reversing the destruction of joint cartilage within 24 hours. Watch your diet closely - load-bearing joints are affected by excessive weight; they are the hips, knees, feet and spine.

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. If you're not already doing so, make a big effort to watch your diet.

To be on the safe side always seek your doctor's advice before starting or changing your exercise program. Whatever you do, keep moving; don't sit when you can stand, don't stand when you can walk. For arthritic fingers, a good exercise is to put your finger tips together and press hard and release, then repeat several times. Use Taiji health balls, with the chimes, to strengthen the finger joints: hold two balls, move in a clockwise circle with your fingers to rotate them, then try counterclockwise and do throughout the day.

Try to keep painful joint areas in motion, even in a limited manner. 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. Stretching and warming up the joints should always be the first step in your exercise routine to make your joints more flexible.

Be aware that the use of NSAIDs or Cox-2 inhibitors do not halt the progress of osteoarthritis and may even hasten the onset. If you're planning to take any of the non-prescription NSAIDS for arthritis, make sure you understand what bad effects they can have on the stomach, liver and/or kidneys and discuss this with your doctor. At the very least, understand what the side effects and adverse reactions are for any drug you take.

Knowing more about arthritis and how it works will ultimately help contribute to your relief of arthritis pain. One should not only search for relief of arthritis pain but work on preventing it. Your treatment plan should include an anti-arthritis diet, exercise, and a positive mental attitude.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory form of arthritis, affecting almost two million Americans. It is a chronic, complex, autoimmune, systemic disease for which there is no known cure as of yet. It is characterized by joint inflammation and joint damage that eventually leads to functional disability causing significant limitations with activities of daily living.

From many pieces of data, it is known that RA is also associated with a reduced life span as a result of its systemic effects. The most significant source for this shortened life span is the cardiovascular complications that can arise, such as heart attack and stroke. Other organ systems such as the lungs, eyes, bone marrow, peripheral nervous system, and others also can be affected and be responsible for excessive morbidity.

In addition to the above-mentioned health complications, RA also results in lost work productivity. In fact, one study showed that more than one-third of patients with RA were work-disabled after having had their disease for more than 10 years.

In recent years, the concept of treat-to-target has become the treatment approach of choice for patients with RA.

The use of the treat-to-target approach has been bolstered by the new 2010 criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism were developed in order to make the diagnosis of earlier disease a priority. The older criteria from 1987 used irreversible x-ray changes as a criterion. By the time x-ray changes occur, it is evident now, the "horse is out of the barn."

In this treat-to-target model, newly diagnosed patients are started on therapy with an intensive regimen of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs such as methotrexate along with biologic drugs. The patient is then monitored closely at monthly intervals with adjustments in medications made until the patient is in remission.

There are a number of validated methods for objectively measuring patient progress. These include the Disease Activity Score or DAS 28 and the Clinical Disease Activity Index.

It has been demonstrated that this aggressive approach leads to less in the way of imaging changes seen on both x-ray as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is no surprise that patients treated in this fashion reach lower levels of disease activity and have an improved quality of life.

So while the search for a cure remains, the potential for putting a patient with new onset RA into remission is not only a goal, it is a real probability.

The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA), affects more than 20 million Americans. One of the primary targets for this disease is the knee.

OA affects articular cartilage, the gristle that caps the ends of long bones. Articular cartilage is a "pudding" that is made up of a matrix of proteoglycans (arrangements of proteins and glycogen molecules.) In addition, there is a framework of tough collagen fibers. Within this proteoglycan/collagen structure are cells called chondrocytes.

The maintenance of normal cartilage integrity is highly dependent on the metabolic function of these chondrocytes.

Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear disease of articular cartilage. It arises as a result of the lack of ability of cartilage to keep up with excessive breakdown.

The first step that occurs in the process of OA is an alteration in the matrix. This causes loss of cartilage resiliency. In addition, proteins that promote inflammation (called inflammatory cytokines) are produced by the joint lining. These cytokines activate destructive enzymes, called proteases which degrade the matrix and cause the chondrocytes to malfunction.

So far, the treatment of osteoarthritis is mostly symptomatic. Various medicines, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), analgesics (pain-killers), exercises, physical therapy, and injections are used to provide palliative relief. Ultimately, though, patients will go on to have knee replacement surgery.

While this operation has generally been reserved for elderly patients, joint replacement surgery is increasing at an alarming rate among Baby Boomers who want to maintain a certain level of activity.

According to a recent report (Associated Press, Lindsay Tanner), "nearly one in twenty Americans older than 50 has an artificial knee- that's four million people!"

The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has issued a recent report showing that knee replacements tripled in people ages 45 to 64 between 1997 and 2009. While it's admirable and speaks to the increased activity level in a group of patients that formerly would be sitting in rocking chairs, in another sense, it raises other issues.

This is particularly disturbing because revision surgery (replacement of the replacement) will be needed in the future and this is a much more difficult and costly endeavor. Revision surgery takes longer, requires more expertise, is more complicated, and has a greater likelihood of complications.

Obviously, there is a public health problem if people with knee OA are going on to get an operation that will add tremendous costs to an already overburdened healthcare system. More in a future article.

Arthritis treatment using diet is one of the most popular and successful types of arthritis treatment.

Here I describe 6 types of arthritis diets that are effective as arthritis treatment strategies.

1. The underlying causes of arthritis for many people is food sensitivities. If you are one of these people, finding out your exact food sensitivities and eliminating these problem foods from your diet can work miracles. The ALCAT blood test is one way to discover if you have any food sensitivities and if so, exactly what they are. Selectively eliminating any suspected problem foods from your diet for a week and then systematically reintroducing them, with at least 24 hours between each reintroduction, is another.

2. Specific foods have anti-inflammatory properties. Including the spices tumeric, ginger, and cumin in your diet, for instance, calm inflammation without the negative side effects of many prescription arthritis drugs.

3. Poor digestion is another underlying cause of arthritis. Healing the digestive tract can often heal arthritis. The types of bacteria that flourish in a health digestive system are called probiotics. Taking probiotic pills or eating foods rich in probiotics (such as miso, homemade sauerkraut, live culture yogurt and kefir, and kim chi) are one way to bring the digestive tract into a state of greater health. This is especially true if you have ever taken antibiotics, even years ago.

4. Cabbage and cabbage juice contain a type of protein called mucins that coat the stomach and allow it to heal. Gelatin also has stomach healing properties, for the same reason.

5. A good broth made wine or vinegar in the broth to extract the gelatin and other joint building components of cartilage (such as chondroitin and glucosamine) from soup bones, is one cheap and very healing arthritis treatment. Sliced pork trotters, beef feet, rib bones, chicken carcasses and feet, and whole fish are all good starting materials for making arthritis treatment broths. Simmer the bones slowly for 4-24 hours to extract the maximum amount of arthritis healing nutrients. These broths are much cheaper and tastier than buying the same thing in pill form.

6. Arthritis is a disease of acidity. The body become acidic when we eat too much protein and carbohydrate, especially refined carbohydrates like sugar and white flour. Eating 80% of the diet as vegetables is a healthy way to bring the body back into the correct pH range. Once it comes back into the correct range, arthritis will often disappear.

If you are highly acidic, it may take several months or even a year or longer on an alkalizing diet (one high in vegetables, low in protein and carbohydrates) to reestablish a stable, healthy pH balance.

Substitute alfalfa and other teas which are alkalizing, for coffee and soft drinks which contribute to acidity.

It takes a while to neutralize all the excess acidity stored in the body. This is why some people have arthritis treatment success by going on a largely vegetarian diet for a year or more and resuming a vegetarian diet for a while whenever they feel like the arthritis might be starting to come back.

You can test your pH by swallowing several times first thing in the morning before you have eaten anything or had anything to drink. Then spit onto a piece of litmus paper. Ideally the pH of your saliva should be around 7 to 7.2. You can purchase litmus paper for testing the pH of saliva and/or urine in most health food stores.

CONCLUSION

Even if you are going the conventional arthritis treatment route, incorporating these arthritis treatment diet strategies can make a big difference in how well you feel.

Raisins soaked in gin are thought to be a cure for arthritis. This popular folk remedy joins the ranks with bee stings, fruit pectin, magnets, and copper bracelets as arthritis home remedies. The gin soaked raisin arthritis remedy indeed may seem easy but the question is, is it effective? There are no proven scientific studies that confirm this cure works for patients with arthritis, but it is not unusual to have a lack of studies backing home remedies. Consequently, the only way to find out for sure is to try it.

Here is how to make gin soaked raisins;

• White raisins or a golden variety need to be used. The standard black raisins simply won't do.


• Place the raisins in glass container and pour gin to completely cover the raisins.


• Allow the gin to evaporate by letting the container set for about two weeks.


• The raisins are ready to use once they have soaked for two weeks.


• Eat seven to ten raisins daily to help relieve arthritis.


• If you do not like the taste of the gin soaked raisins, you can mix the raisins in cereals or snacks.

Different versions of this remedy have been thrown around for decades and there are differing opinions on how many raisins should be consumed daily to help relieve pain in arthritis. Despite numerous variations of this home remedy, many have claimed of its effectiveness. Some may find the gin soaked raisins to be quite funny and weird. How can this work?

While no one knows for sure exactly how gin soaked raisins seem to help arthritis sufferers. One theory states that it is the sulphur used in making white raisins that is responsible for the effectiveness of this arthritis cure. Sulphur dioxide is added to raisin to prevent them from darkening, as grapes often do when they are made into raisins due to enzymatic processes.

Another theory believes that is not actually white raisins, but rather juniper berries that must be soaked in gin. Juniper berries are commonly used as flavoring for gins, and are known to be rich in vitamin C and terpenes. Juniper has long been known for its anti-inflammatory features in herbal arthritis home remedies.

Meanwhile, others believe that the cure comes from the raisins itself. Grapes are known to have pain-relieving benefits which can be used as anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory natural remedies. The final theory is that the only benefit this treatment provides is a placebo effect, providing psychological effects that induce the release of endorphins which are natural pain mediators.

It is important to remember to consult with your doctor whenever adding a natural arthritis remedies to your pharmaceutical treatment regime. If considering this raisin remedy, talk about it with your doctor first so make sure there won't be any unwanted interactions with your current arthritis treatment. As a guideline, when home remedies are considered for arthritis, they should considered adjunct or in combination of current prescription drugs, rather than substitute.

Arthritis in dogs is very common in dogs, with around 20% of the US population of our furry friends suffering from the affliction. It is not a nice condition for an owner to have too witness in their pet, due to the drastic effect it can have on your dogs mobility and overall mental and physical health.

Thankfully because arthritis is common in dogs arthritis treatment for dogs is also common and widespread and I will list some of the most effective treatments below.

Heat Treatments - Just like humans, when dogs who are suffering from arthritis are exposed to the cold this can aggravate the condition and cause more pain. But the reverse is applicable if you apply heat. This can be a very effective arthritis treatment for dogs, helping to sooth the pain and irritation. There are plenty of dog hot water bottles that you can invest in for this purpose.

Dog Massage - One of the side effects that your dog will experience if arthritis strikes them is a seizing up and stiffening of their joints. This can make is very painful for them to move and explains why many dogs become lazy and subdued when suffering from arthritis. So a good massage to loosen up your dogs joints can function as an excellent remedy for your dogs arthritis. A word of warning though, if you do have this done, get it done by a professional.

Joint Lubricants - This is by far one of the most effective ways to combat arthritis and act as a treatment for your dogs arthritis. There are supplements out there at the moment which include the compound CM8. This compound promotes joint lubricant production, and joint cartilage regeneration, which a lack and irritation of are two of the main reasons why arthritis occurs in the first place, so if you can solve these problems you have more or less won the battle.

So in conclusion if you use a combination of these methods above, you should notice a drastic effect in your dogs health, especially if you feed your dogs the necessary supplements to target and repair to joint problems associated with dog arthritis.

Fish oil for arthritis treatment is becoming more and more popular as we learn more about how it helps this and many other conditions like hypertension. Once we understand how it works we need to make sure we select the right oil to get the maximum benefits.  

Fish oil arthritis treatment works due to the fact that the omega 3 fatty acids in the oil, namely DHA and EPA help to reduce inflammation.

In fact no other natural substance has been shown to have such a remarkable effect.   Studies have shown that people with rheumatoid arthritis experience less joint swelling and stiffness when they take an oil supplement, with some even being able to come off their anti-inflammatory prescription drugs.  

Fish oil for arthritis treatment is not the only benefit that omega 3 can give as it helps to reduce heart attacks and strokes, saving hundreds of thousands of lives as most people are unaware they are at risk.  

To get the most from your supplement look for a pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled one, as this means all the impurities will have been removed and good sources of fish are cold water species like Tuna and Hoki.  

You should be able to see the amounts of the omega 3 fatty acids it contains clearly, with DHA being the most important according to the latest research. A higher level of DHA also helps to promote brain health and proper functioning.  

For truly remarkable fish oil for arthritis treatment it is essential to select the very best oil and if you follow this brief guide then you will be able to enjoy the maximum benefits.  

If you would like to learn more about the high quality fish oil supplements I personally take, please visit my website.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the most common arthritis problems seen by rheumatologists.

The treatment varies according to the severity of disease. Conventional approaches include topical and/oral anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics (pain relievers), glucocorticoid injections ("cortisone"), viscosupplements (lubricants), bracers, exercises, physical therapy, weight loss, and the list goes on.

Proponents of alternative therapies also tout the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin- the so-called nutriceuticals as well as omega oils, herbal remedies such as garlic, ginger, turmeric, frankincense, stinging nettle, boswellia, and bromolein.

The purpose of this article is to introduce some not so well known but potentially effective remedies that aren't so well known.

The first are leeches. Leeches have been used for centuries for a variety of medical problems. However, one little known area of research is their use to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. In two separate studies, one at Beth Israel Hospital in New York, and the other in Germany, leech therapy, termed hirudo medicinalis, was studied. Leeches were applied in a four quadrant distribution to a patient's knee. Leech saliva apparently contains a variety of substances including hirudin, hyaluronidase, vasodilators, collagenase, and other chemicals that block inflammation.

Bee venom is another type of treatment that has been touted as effective for arthritis. The term for bee venom treatment is apitherapy. Apitherapy has been studied for both its acupuncture like effect as well as for chemical compounds present in bee venom. Its use is particularly common in Korea. Bioactive compounds found in bee venom apparently have profound anti-inflammatory effects.

Another not so weird but intriguing one is the use of pulsed electrical fields to treat arthritis pain. A company called Bionicare makes a device that fits around your knee. Electrical impulses using special wave forms are then delivered to the cuff. Clinical trials have demonstrated improvement in pain that is statistically better than placebo. How it works is still not clear.

Another "weird" treatment is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). DMSO is an industrial solvent found in paint thinner. It was popular in the 1950's as a topical cure for many ailments. Studies showed deleterious changes in the lens of test animals and the FDA eventually approved DMSO only for treatment of a rare bladder condition, interstitial cystitis. Since it comes in both industrial as well as medicinal strengths, it's a substance that should be used very cautiously. DMSO has remained popular among veterinarians who use DMSO to treat racehorses affected with joint inflammation. Interestingly, DMSO has found a niche as the vehicle that drives diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, through the skin by pushing the drug through the small lipids (fats) in the skin. This combination medicine is marketed as Pennsaid.

So in this brief article I've outlined a few weird but potentially effective remedies. Nonetheless, it's important to check with your doctor before considering any type of new treatment.

A natural arthritis treatment is something that many people use in order to live with the condition of rheumatoid arthritis. If you are experiencing any type of pain, due to the chronic condition of arthritis, you may want to find out more about natural treatment options, instead of taking an array of prescription pills each day.

There is still no cure for arthritis and while this can be discouraging many strides have been made in treating arthritis. Natural arthritis treatment has been making great progress in relieving the symptoms associated with arthritis. If you do a simple internet search you will be amazed at the natural treatment options that are out there, and you may want to begin to learn more about natural ingredients and how they can help you.

One of the major advantages of natural arthritis treatment is the cost. Natural treatment can be much cheaper then a prescription. If you are on a budget, you may think that you cannot afford to treat your arthritis, but a natural treatment may be more cost effective and give you a more affordable treatment option.

With a natural arthritis treatment you do not have to visit your doctor and obtain a prescription to get the treatment you need. A natural treatment for arthritis can be purchased online and simply delivered to your door. You do not have to worry about finding your treatment when you run out; it will be there ready for you. This is a great hassle free way to find arthritis relief.

Yoga and Pilates are some of the best natural arthritis treatment plans out there. Yoga like program can provide you with great relief and many of the programs designed for people with arthritis are not very strenuous. This can help you to get the exercise you need without putting unnecessary stress on your joints. You want to be sure that you are doing a program that is on your skill level so that you do not injure yourself. You may want to start at the very beginning of a program and then work your way up from there. As your body is stronger you can increase your fitness and this can help you to feel stronger.

A natural arthritis treatment can help you find an affordable alternative. If you have not been able to afford your treatment in the past, you will need to look at an alternative method to treat your pain.

A bee sting can be painful and dangerous, especially if you're allergic to bee venom. But some doctors claim the latter can help people with arthritis who don't respond well to traditional medications.

That's the buzz from Dr. Christopher Kim, medical director of the Monmouth Pain Institute in Red Bank, New Jersey, who has used bee venom therapy or apitherapy on 3,000 patients. Writing in the German medical journal "Rheumatologie," Kim said that apitherapy is safe, effective, and free of serious side effects.

Kim's endorsement of bee venom therapy follows a two-year- study he conducted on 108 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis who were not helped by conventional painkillers. He first gave the subjects twice weekly injections of been venom and gradually increased the shots. After 12 injections, most of the patients showed marked improvement.

Kim is not the only doctor using this controversial technique. Over 50 American physicians report good results using bee venom to treat not only pain but arthritic conditions, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, asthma, hearing loss, and even premenstrual syndrome.

Dr. Lawrence Cohen of Danbury, Connecticut, said one of his patients suffered pain as a result of two hip replacement operations. Louise Chirasello of Brewster, New York, had tried all kinds of painkillers but none helped her.

"I was so sore, you could not touch my hips without me crying out," she recalled.

The 84-year-old widow claims she was cured by a shot of bee venom. She received several injections of bee venom from Cohen weekly until her dose was reduced to one injection every two or three weeks. After a year, she was still pain-free.

At the eighth annual Asian Apicultural Association conference at the University of West Australia, Nepalese entomologist Ratna Thapa said he had a 50 - 60 percent success rate in treating arthritis with bee venom, and a 90 percent success rate when this substance was used to treat lower back and shoulder pain. But the idea is not new.

"Bee venom therapy has been around for thousands of years. Reference to the treatment can be found in ancient Egypt and Greek medical writings. Also known as apitherapy, the technique is more widely used in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America. Treatments supposedly started after beekeepers, who were stung many times, noticed their arthritis pains were relieved. Some practitioners still use live bee stings to deliver the venom," according to Charles Downey of WebMD.

What's the secret behind the success of bee venom? Cohen says it contains mellitin, an anti-inflammatory agent that is a hundred times stronger than cortisone, and adolapin which also fights inflammation and pain. Practitioners believe these ingredients work together and help the body release natural healing compounds that improve blood circulation and reduce swelling.

Still, others are not convinced of its efficacy, especially since most of the evidence is anecdotal and there are no double blind studies supporting this therapy. Skeptics warn that one to five percent of the population is allergic to bee venom and the injections or bee stings can be painful.

"Evaluations of most US medical treatments are based on double-blind studies - where neither the subject nor researcher knows who is getting the real medicine or a placebo. Most reports about bee venom therapy are anecdotal. Even those studies looking at more than one patient, such as Kim's, have not included a placebo group for comparison," Downey said.

Until we know for sure whether bee venom is safe and effective, it's best to stick to other tried and true remedies for arthritis. One of them is Flexcerin, a natural supplement that stops arthritis pain and restores joint function so you can be where the action is. For details, go to http://www.flexcerin.com.

The word "Arthritis" comes from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation and refers to a condition involving damage to the joints of the body. There are different forms of arthritis and each one has a different set of causes. But all have one common feature viz. joint inflammation and pain which can be debilitating and extremely painful, to the point of agony. Pain patterns may differ depending on the arthritis and its location on the body. There are millions of people all over the world of all ages who struggle with the aches and pains of having some form of arthritis.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in older people. So many people suffer with the pain and discomforts from having some form of arthritis. It is very important to figure out ways to help in relieving some of the aches and pains that often occur with all types of arthritis. A little bit of pain relief will bring so much joy to a patient of arthritis. Sometimes arthritis pain can be so severe that a person may not even be able to get up out of bed, which can lead to depression. It is very important that you figure out which type of pain treatment works best for you. Different people respond differently to pain relievers and other types of treatment. Do some research, talk with your doctor or ask a friend, but remember that it is very important to find some type of relief from your arthritis pain in order for you to feel better overall

The things that you eat have so much to do with how badly your arthritis pain is at times, so changing your dietary intake can really improve your pain level. If you are overweight and eating foods that are not high in nutrition then you are probably suffering from more arthritis pain than you really have to. When you are too heavy, your body is putting too much of a strain on your joints. Being able to lose some weight and changing eating habits can be very beneficial to anyone struggling with arthritis symptoms.

There are many different types of supplements and vitamins that if taken on a daily basis could really improve the inflammation and pain that is occurring in your joints. These supplements and vitamins could be purchased over the internet or just go to a store in your town and speak with a pharmacist about the type of supplements and vitamins you are looking for, I am sure they would be more than glad to help you find the right ones. Before you ever start taking any type of medicine, whether it be supplements or vitamins, it would be advisable to consult your doctor about it first. Talk to a nutritionist about what types of foods you should consider switching to eating that could also improve your health in many different ways, as well as helping relieve you from some of the pain that occurs due to your arthritis

Some of the vitamins recommended for relieving arthritis pain are, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B5 and B12 and vitamin E. Even if a person is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis it is a fact that regular doses of zinc can improve their pain level slightly. Magnesium and Calcium are other supplements that can be taken to help improve some of the discomforts that you are having to deal with daily. Any type of relief is better than none at all, so after talking to your doctor, hopefully you will be able to find some relief from your arthritis pain.

People with all types of arthritis need to remember that just by implementing exercise into your daily life will improve your joint pain that has been occurring for so long. You will be surprised by the results and your body will improve in appearance as well as all of your other conditions which earlier were causing you problems in your life. There are a combination of things that you can do at home, on your own time that could truly give you the help that you have been searching for from your arthritis difficulties. If you could do all of these things on a regular basis, you could get your life in control and begin feeling better and looking better. In fact, the changes might be very dramatic in a positive way and your friends and family as well as you yourself will for sure notice the differences.

Arthritis can be hereditary, it could also be from an injury that occurred earlier on in life. Your doctor has to diagnose if you have arthritis and what are its causes. You have to take that first initial step in finding some sort of pain management treatment for yourself and your arthritis suffering. Without this relief, you could end up aging before your time and begin feeling depressed, among many other problems. You also have probably seen different TV commercials and ads, claiming miracle cure for all arthritis sufferers. But what often happens is that people spend their hard earned money on this stuff, just to find out, it does not work. It is so important that you do not allow yourself to blow tons of money searching for a pain relief from your arthritis. There are so many different scams out there, that will take your money and you will get absolutely nothing in return. It is a shame but it is so true.

Get on the internet and do some research about different types of treatment for whichever type of arthritis you have been diagnosed with. You will be able to locate some sort of pain relief medication, supplements, special diets, physical therapy, or something, that will be right up your alley, that can give you that relief which you have been searching for all along. Arthritis can be excruciating; so why wait?

You can continue to search, and you can continue to use the same solutions that have been working with limited effect for you all this time. But I can tell you that you won't be able to get rid of your arthritis for the long haul. I am not a medical person and I do not give medical advice. I do not recommend you stop taking any drugs except on the advice of your doctor. As your doctor sees you getting better, he will reduce and then cancel your medication. But I will advice one natural method of cure which has helped many persons to overcome this agony. You can try this course and Free Yourself of the Swelling, Stiffness and Pain, and Live Your Life Better by Banishing Your Arthritis in Just One Month! And the whole thing is done naturally with no chance of recurrence.

Arthritis is a disease of the joints. People suffering from this disease have a burning feeling, terrible pain and aching in their affected joints. There is swelling, redness, stiffness, and heat in the joints. It is difficult to explain the root cause of this disease as there are various reasons for it. It may be cause due to lack of proper diet, lack of proper exercise, lack of hygienic care, due to poor health and similar other factors. It affects both male and female of all age groups and the most disheartening aspect of the disease is that it does not get easily cured through medicines when it is in chronic stages. But regular practice of some selected yoga asanas can cures this disease within few months.

The most remarkable aspect of yoga treatment is that it cures the disease without the use of any medicines and it gives a permanent cure.

Yogic treatment:

The arthritic patients have to do three things: regular practice of selected yoga asanas, to take proper diet, and to maintain proper hygienic care.

The arthritics are advised to practice the following asanas:

1. 
   Suntulan Asana: For doing this asanas one had to stand on one leg at a time. It removes rigidity and brings flexibility to the joints and also normalized the blood circulation in the affected areas and tones up the muscles. This asanas has curative effect upon the knees, ankles, shoulder joints, wrists, palms and fingers.


2. 
   Trikona Asana: Trikona asana has medical value for curing the pain or any disorder of the neck and the shoulder joints. This asana has good effect upon the spine, the hip joints, the hands and the palms. All the major joints above the waist area are properly activated and their muscles are duly toned up by this asana. The arthritics are advised to practice Santulan asana first and then the Trikona asana. It also develops the visionary power of the eyes; brings flexibility to the spine and provides the quality of mental attentiveness.


3. 
   Veera Asana: It exercises all the major and minor joints in a single process in a very effective way. The external activation enhances the blood circulation in the joint areas and restores their normal health. This asana has also a good strengthening effect on the lungs and the chest. It tones up the muscles of the thighs, the hip and the arms and takes away the fat from these areas.


4. 
   Gomukh Asana: It exercises the finger joints, the elbows, the shoulder joints, the toes, the ankles, the knees and the hip joints very effectively. All the muscles and nerves related to various joints are automatically toned up, activated and normalized.


5. 
   Vriksha Asana: It tones up the muscles of the ankles, toes, knees, hip joints, shoulder joints, elbows, hands and fingers.


6. 
   Setubandha Asana: It has the main impact on the spine and the hip joints. This asana also cures pain and corrects disorders of the soulders joints, neck, arms and the palms.


7. 
   Siddha Asana: This asana has a curative effect on all the joints below the waist area. It has a good effect on the nervous system all over the body.


8. 
   Natraj Asana: For the arthritics it has a great curative effect upon all the joints. It has also a good effect upon the spine. It removes backache, stiffness, and other disorders of the spine.

Diet to be followed by the arthritic people are as follows:

1. Stop eating bananas and curd.
2. Quit smoking.
3. Not more than two cups of tea or coffee a day.
4. Eat lots of fruits (except banana), green vegetables, and germinated grams.
5. Avoid excessive use of hot spices.
6. Should drink 10 to 12 glasses of water everyday.
7. Should eat at least two hours prior to retiring time during night.
8. They should eat four times daily.

Hygienic Care:

The most important thing about hygienic care is to bathe regularly and wear clean cloths. Neatness and cleanliness should be maintained in everyday life.

Thus, if the arthritis patients follow the above mentioned system of yoga therapy they should feel assured of getting fully cured from this disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory form of arthritis, affecting more than 2 million Americans. It is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that causes systemic problems, meaning it can affect internal organs, such as the lungs, heart, bone marrow, and eye. It is also a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular complications such as stroke and heart attack.

Added to these concerns is the major issue with rheumatoid arthritis which is that if not treated aggressively, it can lead to irreversible joint damage, chronic pain, and functional disability.

While there is still no cure for the disease yet, RA can be treated and even put into remission if diagnosed early and treated with urgency.

While many of the new medicines that have been developed in recent years are effective, there is still no consensus on which one to use first, which one to use second, when to switch drugs, when is the right time to discontinue one drug and move onto another, and so on.

Perhaps, in time we will be able to individualize treatment programs. Progress in the field of what are called "biomarkers"- tissue evidence that will give us a unique profile of any given patient- will take us to the next level of treatment.

A bright spot is the continued development of newer therapies with different modes of action that will allow more choices, fewer side effects, and more convenience.

Nonetheless, what is clear right now is that delaying proper treatment leads to functional decline that is difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.

This loss of physical function leads to reduced productivity and increased healthcare costs.

A number of studies have viewed various treatment options and shown that a combination of methotrexate, the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) of choice along with a biologic drug leads to a significantly greater chance of improvement and less likelihood of unemployability.

Another study has demonstrated that length of time of disease and degree of functional impairment correlate with higher medical costs and greater disability.

And an additional study by Maetzel and colleagues indicated that RA costs also appear to be higher than that due to other common medical conditions such as osteoarthritis and hypertension (Maetzel A, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2004; 63: 395-401).

The major hurdle today is getting patients with early RA to a rheumatologist early and having the rheumatologist initiate aggressive treatment as soon as possible. More about this in future articles.

So much is written about arthritis and you can get confused as to what causes arthritis and what arthritis treatments are effective. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition. This inflammation come from infections. Infections come from a variety of conditions such as:

Bacteria, viruses, pathogens, yeast that you ingest or that is already in your body

Air pollution from cars or from your work environment

Unnatural food that you eat that is processed or irradiated

Food additives such as dyes, colorings, preservatives, enhancers, gases, sugar

Contaminants in your water such as fluoride, chloride and other substances

Stress from your work and home life

This small list gives you an idea of the many chemicals and emotional sources that can lead to infections in the body and result in arthritis. You can see that all of these sources are part of your regular diet and lifestyle. Now if you couple this with a weak immune system, you set the stage for some serious arthritis conditions. A weak immune system can not control and eliminate these infections so these infections can turn into serious inflammations.

Because of toxins and infections, there are very few people that will escape developing arthritis in their life time.

But for those of you that are health conscious and look to prevent various illnesses, here are some arthritis treatments and arthritis preventive measures.

Arthritis Treatment

The first step you need to take is to take daily antioxidants. You get antioxidants in the deep dark red, blue, black berries and other fruits. Pomegranate juice is one of the most powerful antioxidant juices and provides arthritis protection. Recently I have been using Purity Products Super Reds and New Vitality's Ruby Reds Powder. I put one scoop of powder in some apple juice or other juice and add a dropper full of green tree extract. This gives me a high dose of antioxidants to fight off the heavy dose of free radicals that I consume from the air, food, and thought. Remember free radicals attack tissue causing infections and inflammation in every part of your body.

These powders are great tasting and are good for the kids in the morning.

So now, if you add juicing to your morning habit, you will be adding high levels of antioxidants and in addition many minerals and vitamins that buildup your immune system. Use pineapple, alfalfa sprouts, cantaloupe, apricot, cabbage, and cucumber juices. And, you can add a bit of ginger juice to gives you anti-inflammatory protection.

In a recent article, I wrote about Lion's Mane. Here you have a powerful immune system enhancer. It contains 3 Chinese mushrooms - Lion's Mane, Maitake, Reishi -that will buildup your immune system and in addition improve your memory. I have been using this for only a week and I can sense a slight improvement in my memory and how quickly words come into my thought as I express myself. Build up your immune system and this is a powerful arthritis treatment. You body will be able to fight of toxic matter and at the same time protect your joints from infection and inflammation.

This is just a start in dealing with pain and inflammation wherever it maybe in your body - in your joints, organs, or tissues. Use antioxidants and red powders to prevent inflammation. Use juices to give you minerals and vitamins to help improve your immune system. And then give yourself a powerful immune stimulator by take Lion's Mane. Now you have an arthritis treatment that can start protecting your joints and other parts of your body from arthritic infection and inflammation.

So you believe that arthritis is a joke? Maybe you think that people are over exaggerating about the pain associated with their swollen joints. When it's cold outside the pain worsens. How do I know about people with swollen joints and arthritis pain? One day, I was scheduled for a follow-up visit from a foot operation at Detroit Receiving Hospital. Due to the fact that the orthopedic department at Detroit Receiving hospital has a great reputation, the wait to see the doctors can be long even if you are scheduled for an appointment. On this particular day I waited for three hours for an appointment that was scheduled for one o'clock pm. During the wait the waiting lobby was filled with people complaining about back pain, knee pain, swollen joints and things of the sort. Many were middle age but some appeared to be younger than 30 years of age. While there, I spoke with people who had suffered so badly that they opted for joint replacements either in the knee or hip. The pain that they were going through did not seem like anything that I wanted to be affiliated with.

After going home and doing more research on swollen joints and arthritis, I learned something that I could not believe. I discovered that arthritis is something that can be treated through nutrition. You mean to tell me that those people at the hospital could have avoided joint replacements? Harvard Medical School did a study confirming that it is possible to treat and possibly cure arthritis through nutrition.

Harvard Medical School took roughly 30 people who were scheduled to get joint replacement surgery and asked if they could hold on for a short time longer to be a part of an experiment to re-grow cartilage. What they did was give them a large tablespoon of ground chicken cartilage in a cup of orange juice everyday for three months. This study was performed to debunk the myth that collagen and glucosamine (animal cartilage) were being used by some doctors to treat and cure arthritis on humans. In the midst of trying to prove another study wrong, Harvard Medical School proved them to be correct! For many years animal cartilage has been used on racehorses with swollen joints and knee problems. The study showed three things:

繚 Within 10 days, there was a significant decrease in the patient's swollen joints.

繚 Within 60 days, most of the patients could open up a new pickle jar.

繚 Within 90 days, 28 out of the 29 were "clinically cured".

You will never see this study broadcasted on television stations or on the radio for many reasons. The primary reason is money. If the world was able to find out about this study the orthopedic industry would take a big blow and lose millions or possibly billions of dollars. The truth of the matter is that joint replacement surgeries act as a band-aid to swollen joints and joint problems. The problem is that the root cause of the arthritis is not being addressed. Prescription drugs will only ease the pain of your arthritis and swollen joints over a period of time. After that period, your system will become immune to the drugs and they will have little to no effect.

There has been an explosion of interest in the possible remedial effects of mesenchymal stem cells (SCs) on osteoarthritis. In fact, in the November 2011 issue of the journal, Arthroscopy, there were two articles on mesenchymal SCs and three articles on the use of enhanced platelet rich plasma.

In addition, descriptions of mesenchymal SCs being used with various matrices for osteoarthritis are coming out of the rheumatology literature as well.

In fact, the use of materials such as mesenchymal SCs and platelet rich plasma has spawned an entire specialty, regenerative medicine.

With each new article, there is more and more evidence that SCs and associated growth factors can help the body to heal connective tissue disorders.

In previous articles I've discussed the science, the rationale, the various types of stem cells, and the variety of techniques used to perform a stem cell procedure.

With this article, I will highlight some of the dangers.

As with any new area of medicine, there are specific concerns that need to be addressed.

SC treatment is no different. The obvious first concern is infection. Since administration of stem cells involves an invasive set of procedures, it is important to realize that infection is a potential problem.

Special care to ensure the technique is performed in a sterile environment, preferably a surgical center, is advisable. Strict adherence to sterile preparation, as with any other operative procedure, is imperative.

The administration of perioperative antibiotics should be considered.

Another possible problem- less so with autologous (a patient's own) SCs, but definitely with donor or induced pluripotential SCs, is rejection. The SCs are viewed as a foreign protein by the host when considering a donor or an induced pluripotential source. The use of anti-rejection therapy is a consideration but should be administered with the utmost caution. Anti-rejection drugs carry their own set of issues.

Dove-tailing with rejection is the possibility of graft versus host reaction. This can be a complication of any organ transplant and SCs coming from any source other than the recipient can be the cause of this.

Another potential problem with SCs is the development of malignancy. The danger is probably less with autologous SCs than it is with other types. Malignancy has been reported with the use of embryonic SCs on at least two occasions in the literature.

Transmission of genetic disorders is also a danger, particularly with donor SCs. Despite careful screening, this remains a very real problem.

In summary, SC science and clinical application is an exciting new area for both research scientists as well as clinicians. Special precautions need to be taken in order to ensure, this new technology is administered in both a safe as well as effective manner.

Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States. It is also one of the most common causes of physician visits.

One major misconception is that there is just one type of arthritis. Not so.

There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis. The most common remains osteoarthritis which affects between 28 million and forty million people in the U.S., depending on the source.

Osteoarthritis is a disease of articular cartilage, the gristle that caps the ends of long bones. There are two major types of cartilage. The "gristle" is also known as hyaline cartilage. It is responsible for cushioning, gliding, and shock absorption.

The other kind of cartilage, called fibrocartilage, also helps protect from compressive forces but is somewhat weaker. An example of fibrocartilage is the meniscus material found in the knee.

Osteoarthritis occurs as a result of cartilage degeneration. The development of osteoarthritis is a complex interplay of various factors including genetic predisposition, injury, and local inflammation.

Since cartilage does not have nerves or blood vessels, healing of cartilage injury is problematic.
To date, most of the therapies aimed at treating osteoarthritis have been essentially palliative, pain relief only.

The Holy Grail of cartilage treatment would be to find treatments that aid in symptom relief and which also slow down or reverse cartilage damage.

A variety of treatments have been used with dismal results.

Only recently have there been attempts to heal cartilage injury using a variety of techniques such as mosaicplasty, chondrocyte (cartilage cell) transplantation, and microfracture.

These procedures may be useful for small discrete lesions but apparently are not effective for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Promising reports describing the use of autologous stem cells (a patient's own stem cells) have been published.

Upon closer scrutiny though, these various attempts at inducing cartilage healing with SCs have met with mixed results. The results appear to be highly dependent upon the following factors: age of the patient, body mass index (BMI), extent of cartilage loss, degree of anatomic deformity, and the technical expertise of the center performing the procedure.

Age appears to be a factor due to the decline in qualitative response of stem cells. They don't appear to multiply or divide as quickly as younger cells.

Weight is a key factor for obvious reasons. The more load on the joint, the less likely osteoarthritis will respond to most treatments. Encouraging reports from a Swedish study has demonstrated that load reduction of the weight-bearing compartment of the knee can lead to cartilage healing. Following a stem cell procedure, it is critical to unload the joint.

Significant anatomic deformity can probably not be overcome. Also, complete cartilage loss is another reason to pass on stem cell treatment.

The last factor is probably the most important in that an effective procedure involves more than just injecting stem cells. Each patient has a different set of issues with a difference in terms of anatomic problem, procedural approach, and so on.

Ultrasound guidance is critical to assessing the correct approach. In addition, it may be that more direction using arthroscopy can also be helpful.