EN
The joints control shoulders, knees, and other parts of the body. In order to function properly, they have to be protected by a rubbery substance known as cartilage, which prevents the bones from rubbing against one another when the body is in motion. For a number of reasons, cartilage can gradually wear down, resulting in friction in the joints that causes chronic pain and discomfort. This condition is known as osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 27 million people in the United States. The demographic disproportionately affected by this condition are the elderly, but young people, particularly those who play sports or are otherwise physically active, and those who have suffered serious injuries, can also get diagnosed with this disease.
This condition can be extremely painful, but there are ways to reduce the symptoms. In addition to whatever osteoarthritis therapy is being prescribed by your doctor, there are also holistic approaches that can greatly improve your quality of life.
Causes and symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knees, hips, and other joints
A lot of factors can lead to the onset of osteoarthritis. The joints of elderly people simply wear out over time, whereas the joints of those who play sports, are employed in blue-collar jobs, or serve in the military are excessively used, resulting in faster degradation. Physical trauma in early adulthood can also contribute to the development of this condition. Examples of such injuries are:
- torn cartilage;
- broken bones;
- dislocated joints;
- torn ligaments.
Regardless of the cause, the symptoms are all the same and take the form of:
- pain in the areas affected;
- swelling and inflammation;
- decreased range of motion;
- grinding and tingling in the joints;
- instability increasing the chances of falling.
These symptoms can be highly aggravating and inconvenient, forcing those afflicted by them to radically alter their lifestyles. Some can even be deadly. Senior citizens with unstable joints can fall and break something, which can result in the fatal outcome.
Holistic options for osteoarthritis home treatment
There is a variety of treatments that can greatly reduce the pain in your joints while increasing the quality of your life. Doctors will generally prescribe different medications such as opioid analgesics, steroid injections, and anti-inflammatories, but there are several holistic solutions that can be used in addition to your treatment plan. Many of them are low cost and even free.
Regular exercise
Exercise can significantly increase your body’s ability to cope with arthritis in several ways, mainly by strengthening the muscles around the joints and keeping them active, so they do not atrophy. Your exercise regimen should be determined by the state of your health, but generally speaking, light to moderate weight lifting, jogging, and aquatic therapy can greatly reduce the symptoms associated with your condition while preventing further joint degradation.
Weight loss
The obese can be severely affected by osteoarthritis. The excessive weight puts increased pressure on the joints, causing the cartilage to erode faster than it would normally. In addition to regular exercise, dieting will increase the longevity of your joints, as well as reduce your risk for other conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Cold and magnetic therapy
This practice is proven to reduce inflammation and swelling in the joints by increasing blood flow and improving the resistance of muscles to stress. There are excellent medical devices for these purposes, such as ALMAG-01 and ALMAG-02. These machines are especially good for osteoarthritis knee treatment.
Natural supplements
There are many herbs and food products that can also reduce your pain and discomfort, such as:
- turmeric;
- fish oil;
- green tea;
- vitamin C;
- Boswellia serrata;
- capsaicin;
- avocados;
- soybeans;
- cat’s claw;
- gamma-linolenic acid;
- ginger.
Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between consuming these items and reduced pain and regeneration of damaged cartilage.
Is there a cure for osteoarthritis?
There is no way to permanently rid oneself of this condition, but there are many ways you can successfully manage it so that you can live a pain-free and normal life. Holistic therapy can reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis without forcing you to incur a heavy financial burden. Before choosing a holistic treatment option, though, be sure to consult with your doctor.