Arthritis
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- What is arthritis?
- Symptoms of arthritis
- Causes of arthritis
- Prevention of arthritis
- Risk factors for arthritis
- Complications of arthritis
- When to see a doctor about arthritis
- Diagnosis of arthritis
- Conventional treatment of arthritis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of arthritis
- Living with arthritis
- Caring for someone with arthritis
Alternative / complementary treatment of arthritis
People who have any type of arthritis can usually implement the dietary and lifestyle modifications without any issue, but any of the other treatments need to be discussed with a doctor to ensure they do not conflict with any medication or health condition.
Always use this advice as supplementary to your doctor's advice and always let your doctor know if you intend to use any of the alternative/complementary strategies for your condition.
Herbs
There are some herbs which work on reducing symptoms of asthma:
- Ginger - the herb ginger has excellent anti-inflammatory properties and should be used in cooking, as well as raw in freshly squeezed fruit juice or smoothies
- Ginkgo biloba - this herb inhibits the the inflammatory signal from the substance platelet activating factor (PAF) from causing inflammation, which may help to reduce pain and inflammation in the joint(s)
- St John's wort - the herb St John's wort (hypericum perforatum) is beneficial in reducing pain, reducing feelings of anxiety and depression and it even promotes detoxification of any types of toxins through the liver
Vitamins
There are a number of vitamins which may help reduce symptoms of arthritis:
- Bioflavonoids - studies show that the antioxidant bioflavonoids, together with vitamin C help to increase the production of the cortisone in the body. Cortisone is the hormone which has vital anti-inflammatory properties (synthetic corticosteroids drugs work to mimic the effect of cortisone). Bioflavonoids help to reduce the amount of histamine that is released from the mast cells, which reduces the amount of swelling in the joint
- Folic acid - the B vitamin folic acid helps to reduce inflammation and pain, which can reduce the reliance on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Vitamin A - studies show that the antioxidant vitamin A may be useful in significantly reducing production of inflammatory substances in the body, reducing pain and reducing destruction of the joint(s)
- Vitamin B3 - studies show that niacinamide (which is a form of vitamin B3) may help to significantly increase joint mobility and reduce pain in people with osteoarthritis
- Vitamin B6 - studies show that vitamin B6 may be useful in reducing symptoms in women who have carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as in people with non-articular osteoarthritis
- Vitamin B12 - studies show that vitamin B12, if taken in an intramuscular injection may be useful to help reduce joint pain and damage in people with osteoarthritis
- Vitamin B complex - the B vitamins are necessary to promote better functioning of the nervous system and reduce stress and they may also help reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis
- Vitamin C - studies show that the the antioxidant vitamin C, together with the bioflavonoids help to increase the production of the cortisone in the body. Cortisone is the hormone which has vital anti-inflammatory properties (synthetic corticosteroids drugs work to mimic the effect of cortisone). Large amounts of vitamin C may aggravate the symptoms in some people, so should be used with caution. To minimise this effect, try to use to ascorbate form
- Vitamin D - several studies show that people with arthritis may have vitamin D deficiency and recommend supplementation to help reduce the amount of calcium that is lost from the bones and displaces as reticulation in the joint for people with osteoarthritis and is especially recommended for people also at risk of osteoporosis
- Vitamin E - the excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of vitamin E may help reduce symptoms of pain and inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis especially, but in all forms of arthritis. Conversely, one large study has suggested that vitamin E supplements may not significantly prevent rheumatoid arthritis from occurring, but these results are preliminary, more studies need to be done to confirm this study
Minerals
There are a number of minerals which may help reduce symptoms of arthritis:
- Calcium - the mineral calcium is necessary for maintaining good bone health and a deficiency is associated with osteoporosis
- Magnesium - the mineral magnesium is vital for the health and proper functioning of the muscles in the body. This means that magnesium may play a part in ensuring the muscles around the joint function more effectively, reducing stiffness in those muscles, which may help to reduce pain and swelling
- Selenium - studies show that even mild selenium deficiency may be associated with a more rapid progression of all types of arthritis and researchers believe this could be due to the antioxidant activity of selenium which may help with a reduction in inflammation and worsening of the joints
- Zinc - the antioxidant mineral zinc, may be required to help reduce worsening of symptoms, faster healing of the joint tissue and reduction in general inflammation
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Other nutrients
There are a number of other nutrients which may help reduce symptoms of arthritis:
- Chondroitin - either from shark or bovine cartilage, chondroitin is also of vital importance in maintaining healthy cartilage. Studies show that chondroitin, especially when it is combined with glucosamine, help to reduce pain and inflammation, as well as reducing worsening of symptoms in people with osteoarthritis
- Fish oil - several large studies have suggested that taking fish oil is beneficial for people with rheumatoid arthritis, as it can help to reduce pain (and inflammation), reduce morning stiffness and reduce reliance on pain medications (especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs). The studies also showed that fish oil may slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and may also reduce disease severity. The omega-3 essential fatty acids are the active component in fish oil which help to provide such benefits through modulation of the inflammatory processes that cause symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
- Glucosamine - studies show that glucosamine is an effective and safe treatment to reduce joint pain and inflammation. Glucosamine is one of the most important alternative treatments for arthritis as it helps to reduce worsening of symptoms and enables more cartilage to be produced. Glucosamine is 75% proteoglycans, a substance that synthesises into cartilage
- Lyprinol - this is highly-purified oil extracted from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), which has proven and effective anti-inflammatory that has potent omega-3 fatty acid content. Studies have shown that a combination of lyprinol and fish oil (EHA/DPA) are an effective alternative treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, to significantly reduce pain, inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis disease progression, as well as being able to significantly reduce usage of anti-inflammatory medication. Studies so far have not found any side effects with using this supplement
Dietary modifications
There are a number of dietary modifications which may help reduce symptoms of arthritis:
- Avoid soft drinks - this is because most soft drinks have very high levels of phosphorus, which competes with calcium in the body and this may cause the parathyroid glands to remove the calcium from the bones and deposit it around the joints, especially around the articulations. In addition to this, soft drinks contribute to acidity in the body which further aggravates inflammation and causes further pain in the joints
- Eat more fruit and vegetables - studies show that the antioxidant content (especially vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E) of fruit and vegetables have a positive effect on the symptoms of people with arthritis, especially osteoarthritis as these antioxidants help to stop worsening of the joint, reduce pain and inflammation
- Eat more oily fish - it is recommended to eat more oily fish, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids about 2-3 times a week, to help reduce inflammation and reduce pain. The best types of oily fish which contain the highest levels of the omega-3 fatty acids are: mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna. The wilder the fish the more omega-3 they contain
- Limit certain foods - there are certain foods which are known to produce inflammation and pain, especially when eaten in large amounts and should be limited in the diet: citrus fruits, fried foods, cow's milk dairy products (especially high fat), refined carbohydrates, sugar, alcohol, salt, tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, peppers, tobacco
- Limit intake of processed foods - most processed foods are high in fat (especially saturated fat), high in refined sugar and high in calories, which can all cause further inflammation and pain, due to their highly acidic nature as well as imbalanced and lower levels of their nutrient content
- Limit intake of refined carbohydrates/sweets - this is because these foods (high sugar, white grains, high GI) contribute to a more acidic environment in the body and this may exacerbate inflammation and pain, which is especially important in rheumatoid arthritis
- Limit intake of saturated fat - high dietary intake of saturated fat (from high fat dairy foods, red meat, processed foods) contributes to the inflammatory processes in the body, which is detrimental for people who have rheumatoid arthritis especially
Lifestyle modifications
There are a number of lifestyle modifications which may help reduce symptoms of arthritis:
- Epsom salts bath - the minerals in epsom salts (especially magnesium) have a beneficial effect on the joints and muscles, as they help to reduce pain and inflammation. If epsom salts are not available, then plain rock salt can be used
- Exercise - when pain is not prohibiting it, physical activity should be part of a daily routine. The most highly recommended forms of exercise are: walking, swimming, dancing, cycling, pilates, yoga as they have less of a jarring impact on the bones than other more physical forms of exercise
- Rest - this is recommended when pain is at its worst to prevent further exacerbation of inflammation and pain
Alternative treatments
- Acupuncture - many studies show that acupuncture can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and knee joint's motor function of patients with knee osteoarthritis, reducing pain, inflammation and bring better mobility. Other studies show there is some evidence that acupuncture may have some beneficial effects on the symptoms of people with rheumatoid arthritis, but the results have been conflicting, so more studies are needed to confirm the benefit
- Chiropractic care - a chiropractor uses pressure and manipulation of the structures of the body, especially the spine to decrease pain and restore normal function in the body. Only an experienced chiropractor should be used for any type of manipulation to avoid any possible nerve or spinal cord injury, which while very rare, can happen in complicated cases
- Hold and cold packs - alternating hot followed by cold packs on the affected joint(s) helps to stimulate better circulation and reduce pain and inflammation. The cold pack should be used for about 20 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of the hot pack. If hot and cold packs are not available, alternating hot and cold water in the shower are also useful as the wet heat/cold are an excellent way to relieve pain and inflammation
- Massage - regular massage is recommended to help increase circulation, reduce toxins through the stimulation of the lymphatic system which helps to remove toxins and may have to reduce pain and inflammation. Massage should be less firm (softer) on the sensitive joints which are usually painful to touch
- Moxibustion - studies from Japan and China have suggested that moxibustion has a significant and beneficial therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis. Moxibustion is often part of traditional acupuncture treatment and is a form of fire heat treatment that stimulates specific acupuncture points of the body to relieve symptoms of various health conditions
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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< 9: conventional treatment 11: living with arthritis > Last reviewed: 3 January 2009 || Last updated: 8 February 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
