I see many patients who suffer the constant nagging pain of arthritis, or inflammation of the joints. My approach to health and wellness always comes from a natural standpoint first. Many sicknesses and diseases can be greatly improved by simple, natural changes.
Traditional medicine would recommend certain prescription drugs to help that also carry with them a host of negative side effects. Since prescription pain medications such as Vioxx and other similar ones have been removed from the market, many people are now searching for alternatives. Over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen, if taken regularly, can actually increase your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, while Tylenol, taken regularly, can be harmful to the liver.
Simple modifications to diet and lifestyle can make a huge difference!
Changes in Your Diet
It comes as a surprise to many people that your diet can actually effect and contribute to arthritis. You may be eating things that are actually causing inflammation in your body. I recommend being tested for food allergies to determine what you may need to eliminate from your diet to help with the arthritis symptoms. You can read more about food sensitivity testing here.
Many people notice a difference in their symptoms when they eliminate the ‘night shade’ plants from their diet for a minimum of six weeks. These include white potatoes, tomatoes, all peppers except for black, eggplant and finally tobacco.
Exercise
Exercise is very important for the health of your joints. If you aren’t regularly exercising, walking is an easy place to start. Yoga can be very beneficial as well. Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center has some wonderful information about yoga and arthritis that you can view here. Also, a helpful book on the topic is Yoga for Arthritis: The Complete Guide by Dr. Loran Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall. Pool exercises are also worth considering as they are easy on the joints. It’s important to stay active and incorporate movement into your lifestyle.
Supplements
Certain vitamin deficiencies can also contribute to your arthritis symptoms. For instance, Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common and can exacerbate arthritic pain. I recommend having your vitamin and nutrient levels checked to determine specifically what your body is lacking. You can read more about the necessary testing here and in our blog here.
Some Supplements that have been shown to improve cases of arthritis are:
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- MSM
- Niacinamide
- Fish Oil
- SAMe
- Wobenzym
- And as mentioned previously, Vitamin D
