



		Your Path to Healthy Living and a Healthy Life

Pain Relief from Arthritis

by Beth Yim, M.O.M.

Forty three million people in the United States alone, suffer from Arthritis. This degenerative disease can be debilitating and can lead to other serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes and hip fractures.

For those dealing with the pain, it is a constant struggle. Arthritis and back pain are the second most common reason for visiting a doctor, after colds and flus. It impairs daily activity, sometimes to the extent that the individual becomes depressed and can negatively impact relationships.

Many people believe that once they have it there's no turning back, it's part of the aging process and a down hill slide. They may also believe that the best way to relieve the pain is through rest. Both of these ideas are far from the truth and myths that need to be busted!

New research is finding that arthritis can be reversed and that pain does not have to be a part of your daily life. Through a combination of nutrition, complementary therapies and exercise you can live well in spite of arthritis.

Nutrition Therapy

The most important part of controlling or reversing arthritis is through nutritional therapy. This will have the most profound affect on joint health and is the easiest to implement. It involves not just the food you eat but also the specific nutrients that nourish your joints.

There's a bonus to this therapy too! Not only will you reverse arthritis but you will also lower your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. You can't beat that! So where do you begin?

Water makes up 75 percent of muscle and more than 20 percent of bone. Our entire body is 2/3 water. Not only does water help carry nutrients and oxygen to your joints it also moisturizes and give support as well. If you don't get enough water on a daily basis, you can eat all the right foods, take all the right medication and supplements, but you'll be wasting your money as the nutrients won't be able to get where they can properly sustain life. Start your anti arthritis life plan by making a committment to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Fruits and vegetables contain substantial amounts of vitamin C, beta-carotene and folate. These are the nutrients that people with arthritis need. People with certain types of arthritis seem to use up Vitamin C faster than other people so it is important to ensure an adequate intake of fruit. Beta-carotene seems to help reduce the risk of disease progression with osteoarthritis. For information on foods rich in Vitamin C.
The protein requirements for those dealing with rheumatoid arthritis are higher because they experience an increase in protein breakdown, which leads to loss of muscle. The right kind of protein is essential. Cold water fish are rich sources of EPA and DHA, two very effective omega-3 fatty acids that fight the inflammatory process of arthritis. Beef, chicken and pork have small amounts of these necessary nutrients. Vegetable proteins from tofu, beans, nuts and seeds are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids as well.
Grains should be consumed in balance with protein but again the quality and type of grain is paramount. Whole grains provide the body with key nutrients like B vitamins, Vitamin E, zinc, iron, selenium and magnesium. However, if you are sensitive to certain grains you could be doing more harm than good. Find out if you have a sensitivity through Electrodermal Testing.

Complementary Therapies

Many complementary therapies promise relief from the pain of arthritis. Unfortunately, just as our bodies are uniquely ours so must your treatment protocol. A cookie cutter protocol may work for 80% of the people 80% of the time but it can be frustrating for that 20%. It can be discouraging trying a therapy and finding it doesn't work for you. Don't give up! There are several different modalities and one will work for your body type. Here is a breakdown of a few:

Acupuncture-a recognized treatment that stimulates the flow of Chi. In Chinese medicine it is believed that energy flows along meridians. Along these meridians are points that when stimulated can either increase or decrease the flow of energy. Arthritis, in Chinese medicine, is an obstructive force. To correct this imbalance acupunture point are stimulated by inserting small needles and vibrating them. This form of treatment has been shown to lessen inflammation and pain.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin-Both of these compounds are part of the cartilage found in joints. In a normal, healthy joint the production of the components of cartilage are in balance. In the arthritic joint this balance is off, causing more destruction than production. By taking glucosamine and chondroitin the metabolism in the joint is affected positively, increasing the building of cartilage and decreasing the destruction. They may also have some anti-inflammatory benefits as well.
Infrared Sauna-I swear by mine! For more information click here.
BioFlex Low Intensity Laser-This new technology uses special laser lights that allow photon energy to penetrate the tissues. This energy interacts at the cellular level to restore normal cell function as well as enhancing the natural healing process. This non-invasive, non-toxic and easily applied therapy has no known side effects, yet can produce dramatic results. Some of the conditions it helps are: fibromyalgia, headaches and migraines, bulging and herniated discs, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, plantar fasciitis, burns, etc. for more on conditions treated click here.

Exercise Therapy

When you are in pain and find it difficult to move, exercise may seem a bit daunting. It can be a challenge to get your body moving, especially if you have little energy as well as pain. However, exercise is not just for those who are already fit, nor does it have to be overly strenuous. Exercise can be a gradual progression you gage by how you feel. It can be mild, incremental and done in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Here are just a few of the benefits of regular exercise:

Builds muscle which helps with weight loss and blood sugar balancing.
Improves mood and helps relieve depression.
Improves balance so can help prevent falls.
Improves flexibility so can help prevent falls and injury.
Reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Reduces the risk of many types of cancer.
Reduces the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Exercise can also help improve energy, vitality, sexual function and libido. That's a lot of benefits! All it takes is a 30 minute walk every day. If you aren't walking at all then start with 5 minutes every other day, build up slowly as your tolerance and fitness improves. Add weight training with soup cans or dumb bells three times a week and resistance training with Therabands twice a week. Remember, slow and steady is best, not diving in feet first! If you don't want to do it alone, ask a friend to join you and hire a Personal Trainer to set you both up with a program. As your fitness improves you will find yourself able and willing to do more

Arthritis does not have to change your life. You don't have to expect gradual decline and degeneration. You can make the choice to embark on a program that will change your life. You have the power. Just think, pain free days, restful sleep, more mobility and the knowledge that you took control of your health. Can you beat that?