Reasons To Use Natural Remedies For Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative bone disease, which is recognized by the symptoms of painful, inflamed and stiff joints. This is generally thought to be caused by accumulated damage to the connective tissues that the body can no longer efficiently repair, which is why most of the people affected are of more advanced years. While injuries, disease and general wear and tear of the connective tissues are factors that increase the chances of developing osteoarthritis, the exact causes are yet unknown.

Because of this, there is no known cure to osteoarthritis, and most treatments instead seek to relieve the symptoms of the disease. This usually allows most people with osteoarthritis the ability to live relatively normal lives, despite having the disease.

Conventional medicine's first approach is to prescribe analgesics to deal with the pain, while anti-inflammatory medication may also be prescribed to deal with any inflammation in the joints. Stiffness and the loss of mobility are treated with physical therapy, and most will also be advised to follow a regimen of moderate exercise to strengthen surrounding muscles. These methods are usually very effective, though more extreme cases may require other steps, such as surgical replacement of the joint.

Aside from conventional methods, alternative natural methods of treatment are also available. These methods include a wide range of disciplines within the classification of alternative medicine, including but not limited to herbal medicine, acupuncture, and the use of natural supplements. In general, conventional medicine does not advocate the use of alternative methods, though some doctors are beginning to accept the use of some alternative methods.

Despite the lack of support from conventional doctors and medical professionals, alternative natural remedies for osteoarthritis continue to be used, with a growing number of affected individuals admitting to have at least tried out these remedies. In fact, a good number claim to continue to use alternative methods, and testify to the effectiveness of various natural methods.

Why do these people choose to use natural remedies to treat their osteoarthritis? Here are some of the most common reasons:

1. More Practical: In some cases, these natural remedies are considered more practical, as well as economical. Many natural methods advocate the use of remedies that are readily available at home, reducing the expense of treating osteoarthritis. Many of those same methods are also easy to take, or apply, with little need for special instructions or even equipment. In some cases, even using natural supplements for treatment can cost substantially less than prescription drugs.

2. Safe To Use: Most people who take natural remedies for osteoarthritis perceive these remedies to be safer to use than conventional drugs and medications. Most conventional medications, specially those which are more potent in nature, carry with them risks of harmful side effects, particularly through long-term use. Generally speaking, most alternative natural methods do not have such harmful side effects, or if they do, they are relatively minor when compared to the risks carried by conventional drugs.

3. Healthier: The growing perception of many people today is that "natural" equates to "healthy" and that carries over to the remedies and methods used to treat osteoarthritis. While this is not always the case, the fact is that a good number of natural remedies are healthier for the body. Herbal remedies, for example, may also include vitamins and minerals that the body needs, and are also often used to treat more than one condition as well.

4. They Are Effective: Perhaps the best reason that natural remedies are used to treat osteoarthritis symptoms is the fact that they are effective. This is after all the bottom line in any arthritis treatment, and the bottom line for anybody who has arthritis. Proof of their effectiveness may come in the form of a few tests and studies, or even from testimonies of others with arthritis, but for many, these are enough reason to believe that they are effective.

by Meredith Walker 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Meredith_Walker

Important Information About Different Arthritis Cures

Take some time to Google "arthritis cures", and anyone should be able to find a wealth of information on different websites about many different methods, treatments, remedies and cures available to treat arthritis. I am pretty sure that in all these cases, however, that the "arthritis cures" are actually ways to treat the symptoms of arthritis: the pain and inflammation that is common between the different forms, and not actual methods to eliminate the disease.

This is because despite the number of people affected with arthritis, and the amount of research performed to find a cure for the different forms of arthritis, there is no cure for arthritis. Even after many years of study, while we do understand more about the disease, none of the current cures, treatments and remedies for arthritis can actually permanently remove, heal or eliminate the disease.

Given that no known true cure exists, however, it is acceptable to use arthritis cures that deal with the symptoms of arthritis; after all, if that is the best option, why should it not be taken?

There are many different types of arthritis cures available for those with arthritis. Here are some of the most commonly used types, how they are used, and how effective they can be:

Medications: there are a wide range of medications that can be used to deal with the symptoms of arthritis. Analgesics are often used to relieve pain, while non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are used to reduce inflammation. While there are some over-the-counter painkillers that are available, some of these medications require prescriptions from your doctor. Use of medication is often very effective in dealing with the symptoms, though there are some concerns about the long-term use of certain drugs, specially in the area of side-effects, and loss of effectiveness over time.

Physical Therapy: for some forms of arthritis, physical therapy is useful to treat stiffness and lack of flexibility and function in arthritic joints. Often the pain of arthritis causes individuals to move their joints less, and this can aggravate the stiffness in the joint, and can even cause disfigurement in extreme cases. Through the use of physical therapy, this can be avoided, and normal function restored. This is often combined with the use of medications, as well as exercises, though it is best to consult with a physical therapist who specializes in arthritis.

Exercise: As previously mentioned, exercise can actually help those with arthritis. One of the reasons that people with arthritis become less mobile is because they allow the pain they feel to dictate how active they can be. Without making light of the pain of arthritis, it is still necessary that those with arthritis have regular, moderate exercise. This can strengthen the muscles around the affected joints, and also has the side-effect of helping to manage weight; weight management is very important as well, as those who are overweight apply greater strain on their joints.

Lifestyle Modification: depending on the form of arthritis, this can be a very important factor in finding an arthritis cure for those with arthritis. A healthy diet that avoids foods that can encourage certain forms of arthritis can go a long way in helping reduce the pain and inflammation of the disease. A proper diet also makes weight management easier. Additional lifestyle changes can include avoiding certain activities, and substances like tobacco and alcohol.

Herbal Remedies: these are considered by some to be the original medications, and rightly so. Before the advent of drugs and medications, diseases were treated through the use of herbal remedies, and even medical doctors know that certain herbs can be effective in treating certain diseases. In the case of arthritis, there are many herbal medicines available, with a wide range of effects. Some may have analgesic properties, and others anti-inflammatory properties, and some may have both in some degree. Effectiveness of herbal remedies can vary, and there are many remedies available. It is best to consult with an expert in herbal medicine in order to get the best effects and results.

Vitamins and Supplements: There is a growing market of available products that offer health supplements to help deal with arthritis. These supplements make use of many different substances, including herbal remedies that are known to help deal with arthritis. They may also make use of natural substances like glucosamine and chondroitin, which the body makes use of to maintain and repair connective tissue. Depending on the actual formulation of such vitamins and supplements, they can either provide little relief or no relief at all, though there are some that are said to be able to effectively relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Be aware of the ingredients, take advice from those who have medical knowledge, and take a look at testimonies of those who have tried the supplements you are interested in, to find one that will be an effective arthritis cure.

Other Alternative Methods: can include therapeutic massage, acupuncture or acupressure, holistic medicine and homeopathy as well. Many have tried these methods, and there is a wide range of responses as to whether or not these methods are effective. Certain methods, such as acupuncture, have recently been found to offer relief, while other methods are constantly criticized as not being effective at all. Again, knowledge is very important, and consulting with an expert in alternative medicine can provide better results than stumbling along to find an effective treatment.

There are many methods used, and many different types of arthritis cures that can provide effective relief. However, the most important factor in all of these cures is the behavior of the individual: if someone with arthritis remains a passive factor in their treatments, then the effectiveness of these cures can be greatly reduced. But being an active participant can make good use of the different arthritis cures available.

With the wide variety of Arthritis Cures available, how can anyone be sure what to use? While this can be a source of confusion, it is also a great benefit, as those with arthritis have more options for successful treatment. Learn more about the different arthritis cures at ArthritisNaturalRemedies.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Meredith_Walker