There’s no shortage of suggestions when it comes to natural treatments for arthritis sufferers. In fact, the Arthritis Foundation reports that two-thirds of people with arthritis have tried an alternative therapy. A lot of natural treatments are bogus, while others have been proven effective with scientific studies to back them up. Here are those worth trying:
YOGA The slow, controlled physical movement of joints during yoga is helpful for arthritis patients. It improves the blood circulation in joints, while removing unwanted toxins and other waste products. A study published in the British Journal of Rheumatology found that people with rheumatoid arthritis who took a yoga program over a three-month period had greater grip strength than those who did not practice yoga. Another study in the Journal of Rheumatology reported that people who practiced yoga showed a significant lessening of pain and tenderness, and an increase in finger range of motion.
TAI CHI This ancient martial arts exercise is not only calming, helping to reduce stress, but recent studies have found that the exercise can improve balance, and offer arthritis pain relief. A study released last fall by researchers at Tufts Medical Center in Boston found that tai chi can specifically lessen the pain and physical impairment of people with severe knee osteoarthritis.
ACUPUNCTURE According to Chinese medical theory, arthritis arises when the cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians becomes blocked. This blockage is called "bi" type pain and has been widely studied. In one Scandinavian study 25 percent of arthritis patients who had been scheduled for knee surgery canceled their operations after acupuncture treatment. In another study, researchers compared acupuncture with advice and exercise for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. Thirty-two patients awaiting a total hip replacement were separated into 2 groups. One group received one 10-minute and five 25-minute sessions of acupuncture, and the other group received advice and hip exercises over a six-week period. Patients in the acupuncture group showed significant improvement over the other group.
GLUCOSAMINE AND CHONDROITIN Several studies have examined the benefits of these nutritional supplements on arthritis pain and inflammation. In one recent study, the effects of chondroitin in 372 patients, over a three month period was reported. The study combined the data from other smaller studies and found that patients had significant improvement in their symptoms of arthritis pain.
A note of caution: always speak with your health care provider before taking any supplements.
