Blog
#60: Arthritis Pain? Holistic Medicine
Can Help!
Arthritis is one of the most common ailments in the U.
S., causing in pain and limitation for millions of people. The more than 100 types of arthritis share
one thing in common: inflammation of the joints. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability
in workers in the U. S., affecting over 50 million people today. This blog will
discuss three main types of arthritis: osteoarthritis, gout and rheumatoid
arthritis (RA).
Of the three, osteoarthritis is the most common,
affecting 32 million people in the U.S. Osteo is by far the easiest to address with
holistic medicine. Although osteoarthritis
can affect any or all of the joints in the body, it is not as inflammatory as
most other types of arthritis, and usually responds well to heat, regular
exercise, an anti-inflammatory diet, and weight loss, if needed. Osteo is often
found among the middle aged and elderly, or in the joints of those people who
have been injured. Helpful exercises
include swimming, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Chi Gong. Also helpful are therapies that
improve blood and energy flow in the body, such as chiropractic, massage, and
acupuncture, especially including moxabustion, the use of a special type of
heat produced by burning the herb mugwort at or near acupuncture points.
Gout is quite different from osteoarthritis. Gout is more likely to develop when a person’s
diet is very rich, and high in purines, alcohol, fat, sugar, and/or caffeine. Symptoms
include swollen, inflamed great toes.
Sometimes ankles, knees or hips are also involved, as well as low back
pain associated w/kidney damage from uric acid crystals depositing in joints
and forming kidney stones. Certain foods tend to break down into large amounts
of uric acid. These foods include red
and organ meats, turkey, some seafood, such as scallops, alcohol, especially
beer, sugary drinks, caffeinated foods like chocolate or coffee, and greasy or
fried foods. Holistic treatment of gout
includes eliminating or greatly reducing the above foods, following an
anti-inflammatory diet, chiropractic adjusting, acupuncture, massage, gentle
exercise, such as Yoga, Tai Chi or Chi Gong, and sometimes Chinese herbal
supplements. Consumption of organic
cherries and/or cherry juice can be helpful in reducing pain and swelling.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition seen
in adults as well as children. It
results in warm, painful and swollen joints that eventually become
deformed. Most commonly, the wrists and
hands are involved, often symmetrically, though other joints may also be
affected. Range of motion eventually
decreases. Anemia and fatigue may
develop, and heart and lungs may become inflamed. Smoking increases the incidence of RA, as
does stress. Pregnancy may diminish the
symptoms temporarily, though they often increase after giving birth. It is believed that the disease sometimes has
a genetic component. Prescription
medications are often used to control Rheumatoid arthritis. Exercise is helpful, and Tai Chi, Chi Gong,
and yoga can help increase the joint range of motion. Sometimes fish oil and vitamin D are helpful,
as is an anti-inflammatory diet and a life of low stress. Gentle mobilization of the joints through
massage and chiropractic, and acupuncture therapy can be very helpful in
slowing the progression of the disease and reducing pain.
This month’s offer:
contact my office with questions about arthritis and to find out how
holistic treatment can be helpful in your particular case.
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