Which Complementary Remedies Work Best For Your Body?

Though complementary remedies aren’t backed by a wealth of research, it doesn’t mean that you have to dismiss all of them as ineffective. There are some holistic treatments that work extremely well for a variety of women’s health concerns. These four remedies can help you fend off diseases and stay on top of your game. The first of these is glucosamine and chondroitin which can be used to cure joint pain, although it should be stated that they do not cure arthritis. In a study of 1583 knee osteoarthritis patients, many who took glucosamine and chondroitin found that it offered moderate pain relief and alleviated some of their symptoms. Osteoarthritis develops when wear and tear breaks down the cartilage in the joints, and it can develop over age – particularly in women. Most studies recommend a dosage of 1500mg a day of glucosamine and 1200mg of chondroitin. Researchers are unsure how this works, but if you’re suffering with joint pain on a regular basis these two supplements could offer some relief.

 

Vitamin C has been touted as a cold remedy for many years, and some studies support this claim whilst others dismiss it. According to the latest studies, vitamin C can’t actually help defend your body from the common cold but it can help to cut the number of colds you get when your body is under extreme stress, such as soldiers or marathon runners. It’s not the miracle cure that we once thought it to be, but it can make colds milder and helps to defend your immune system in the long run. Experts advise that you take a 500mg dose of vitamin C up to four times a day, from the moment you feel the cold coming on to whenever you feel more like yourself again. Echinacea is another cold-fighting remedy that seems to have been up for debate of late. It seems that this daisylike flower could help to reduce the symptoms of a cold and speed up your recovery as well. It can reduce your risk of catching a cold by as much as 58 percent and shortens the duration of it lingering in your body. Experts state that more studies need to take place before a definitive result can be published, but they admit that standardised tests look promising. However, there are 200 strains of cold virus, so much more research needs to take place to decipher which ones echinacea works against. It also doesn’t appear to work on the symptoms of children. You can take this herb in tea or in a capsule form a few times a day when you feel your cold developing. Follow the instructions on the packet, as doses vary depending on what form you’re taking.

St John’s Wort can be extremely effective in fighting depression when it is still in a mild or moderate form. Some studies even suggest that it can stand up to prescription drugs such as Prozac. It also offers fewer side effects than such medications, such as upset stomach, fatigue, anxiety and sexual dysfunction. In participants taking St John’s Wort, only 8 percent stated that felt any of these side effects, and the majority only complained of an upset stomach. Naturally, if you worry that you’re suffering with depression you should seek medical advice before taking anything – your GP will then be able to assess the severity of your condition and prescribe accordingly. However, if they state that it is safe, most people begin with a 900mg dose of the herb each day.

Categories: body, complementary, complementary remedies, cure, feel, illness, joint pain, Pain, st john, studies, Supplements, upset stomach

Alternative Methods to Treat Arthritis

Around 9 million people in the UK suffer with arthritis and this means that these many people are suffering every day with painful, stiff joints. Osteoarthritis is one of the more common forms of this condition and is caused by the general wear and tear of the joints. The other form is rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease and means that the body begins mistakenly attacking itself – sufferers often suffer with flare-ups in smaller joints, such as the wrists or fingers, and the joints become hot and swollen. Anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers are used to treat these symptoms, and do so effectively for most people, but there are other natural ways of treating the condition and limiting the effect it has on your lifestyle by reducing the painful symptoms.

Lose weight

Being overweight means there is more stress being put on your joints, which can make the symptoms of arthritis worse. Even losing just a few extra pounds can make all the difference. Experts have proven that your knees and hips have to carry ten times your body weight every time you take a step, so losing half a stone in weight could be the equivalent of five stones off your knees with every footstep. If you have arthritis, this could be a massive strain removed from your everyday routine.

 Visit an osteopath

Osteopaths are trained to use physical manipulation to stretch and massage the joints, to increase mobility and relieve tension. By improving your flexibility, you can make the joints less stiff, which is one of the most common signs of arthritis. It;s not right for everyone, but if your joints become more painful after having a bath or swimming, it may be because they are compressed and tight. Visiting an osteopath could help to take the stiffness away from your joints and you may find that you benefit enormously from manipulation.

Remove stress from your life

Studies show that stress can actually increase the inflammation in the body, which can aggravate existing joint pain and make arthritis worse. You should aim to set aside at least one evening a week where you devote your time to relaxing and staying calm – go out with friends, have a nice meal or watch a film. Whatever gets you calm and stress-free, be sure to make time for it.

Eat pineapple

Pineapple is a surprising addition to this list, but it is a fruit which is rich in bromelain – this group of enzymes works as an anti-inflammatory and can help with painful joints. But don’t forget to eat the tougher core of the fruit too, as this is the art which has the highest concentration of bromelain. If you find it too tough to eat, you could try to juice it with celery and a small knob of ginger for a healthy, nutrient-rich drink that could help with arthritic pain.

Have a bath

Everyone likes a relaxing bath, but for sufferers of arthritis it could be the best medicine. Take a warm bath with a few drops of essential oil or epsom salt, which is high in magnesium and relieves joint pain. Follow it up with a gentle massage with some body oil or lotion. This time relaxing not only soothes the pain in your joints, but it also means you can take the weight off your joints for an hour, giving them time to relax and recuperate. You could even tie this into your relaxation time each week and tick two tasks off your list in one!

Categories: alternative therapy, anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, arthritis worse, bath, joint pain, joints, lifestyle, time, treatment, weight

Tennis Elbow: What Is It And How Can You Spot The Signs?

Tennis elbow develops when the tendon which attaches your forearm to the muscles of the upper arm becomes damaged and swollen – the medical term for this is lateral epicondylitis or common extensor tendinopathy, as it affects the outside of your elbow bone. This is a common condition which studies show affects up to three in 100 people, and it’s common in people aged between 40 and 60 – however, anyone can develop it. It can last up to two years depending on the severity. It’s caused by repeatedly overusing the muscles in your arm, or by a minor injury, and gets worse if you continue the activity which leads to the pain. If you feel pain or tenderness on the outside of your elbow, or in the muscles in the forearm, it’s likely you may have tennis elbow, as these are common signs. Common symptoms involve pain when gripping something, such as a pen or shaking someone’s hand; twisting your forearm, such as turning a door handle; using a keyboard or a mouse, or fully extending your arm. There are self help treatments which can help to ease the pain, but if your symptoms don’t improve after a few weeks, you should seek advice from your GP or a physiotherapist.

 

The condition gets its name from the fact that playing racket sports, such as tennis or badminton, can lead to this pain in your elbow. This is because repeatedly overusing your elbow and forearm leads to pain and swelling in the joint, but of course there are other activities which can cause it. For example, using a screwdriver, using a keyboard and mouse, sewing or knitting, painting and gardening. It’s rare, but sometimes you may even damage the tendon after a single and minor incident, such as through lifting something heaving, which can lead to a small tear in the tendon. On these occasions, tennis elbow can be caused through an injury rather than a repetitive activity. You don’t ever really need to see a doctor for tennis elbow, but if your symptoms get worse and don’t improve with self-help measures, then you should seek medical advice. Over the counter painkillers can help to ease the pain and swelling that you may experience with tennis elbow. Self help consists of resting the elbow, in order to give the tendon chance to recover, and applying a cold compress to ease the pain and swelling. You may find it helpful to wear a strap or brace, in order to relieve the strain placed on your tendon. You should also change the activity which is causing the problem, to stop it developing again – this may meaning changing up your routine at work, or easing up on the exercise of an evening.

 

There are ways to prevent tennis elbow from developing, such as warming-up before exercise to give the muscles chance to adjust to the extra strain they will be under. You should try to take regular breaks where possible, to give the muscles and the joint a chance to recover briefly, and rest between sessions so that you aren’t placing constant stress on your joints. If you notice any pain in your joints, you should avoid playing sport or carrying on with any activity that you notice worsens your symptoms. You may find getting professional advice on how to play racket sports more efficiently, too, which could limit the strain you place on your joints. If your problem repeatedly returns, or the symptoms don’t improve, seek advice from your GP who can advise of ways to reduce the pain.

Categories: exercise, joint pain, tennis elbow

Young Adults Diagnosed with Arthritis Demand More Support

Imagine being a young person with an active, fulfilling life. Maybe you are studying for a degree at University, or are settling down and starting a family. Then, imagine that you are diagnosed with arthritis. Suddenly the normal life of a 20 to 35 year old is shaken up, and everything that seemed easy becomes difficult. Arthritis is a disease commonly associated with ageing and not many people realise that it can affect young people too. For someone in the prime of life, the diagnosis of arthritis can be devastating. The impact of chronic pain, limited mobility and constant medication can be hard on an older sufferer, but for a young person it severely limits their ability to socialise, work or raise a family. Recently, young sufferers of arthritis are speaking up about the lack of care and information they receive about their condition. Whilst medication can be provided after diagnosis, many young sufferers say that this is not enough and more information and help is needed for young people to live a healthy, normal lifestyle.

 

Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease which most commonly affects older people. Around 8 million people in the UK suffer from arthritis or osteoarthritis, which can be diagnosed by assessing family history and through x-rays. It has a variety of causes, and can be hereditary or developmental, and can cause loss of cartilage. Symptoms of arthritis are painful and debilitating, and include stiffness, locking, and limited mobility. It can affect all the joints of the body, including knees, hips, hands and feet, and lower back. Recently a young researcher in New Zealand was given funding from Arthritis New Zealand to investigate the experiences of young arthritis sufferers, in particular interviewing them about their experiences when diagnosed and with healthcare providers. It was found that many were dismayed and disappointed by a lack of empathy and information. The results of this project have encourage charities and healthcare professionals to focus on providing specialised advice and services for young sufferers of the disease.

Categories: Arthritis, joint pain, Osteoarthritis

Fighting Back Against Arthritic Symptoms

For some, joint pain is as natural and normal as waking up and hitting the snooze button for the third time. The discomfort and aches that sit hand-in-hand with problems like osteoporosis and arthritis are not uncommon.

As you age, so does your body and this includes your joints and bones. Knowing that your body was not the same as it once was, it can be difficult to imagine how such aches can be prevented, when all the while, you can’t help but age little by little.

At least one-third of adults go through a bout of joint pain, with the majority finding complaints in the knees, hip or shoulder. Despite that, pain can happen anywhere, head to toe, some of which can be difficult to tolerate.

If you suffer from joint pains, you aren’t alone. It’s a very common occurrence, with a variety of ways to ease the pain. Here are a few ways to treat your joints at home:

 

• Protect the joint with a brace or wrap.


• Rest the joint and avoid activities that cause you pain.


• Ice the joint for about 15 minutes, several times each day.


• Compress the joint using an elastic wrap.


• Elevate the joint above the level of your heart.

 

Painkillers are also a good way to dull down the issues of joint aches. These can usually be found over-the-counter, but remember that discussing the problem with your doctor can make the decision of which to take far easier. These medicines can provide relief for moderate or severe pain with swelling in tow.

Remember that taking any medicine over a period of time can damage your health. The alternative to this is to use proper sports gear and training. By doing exercises such as swimming and bicycle rides, it takes the pressure off your body, whilst helping you to lose weight at the same time. Losing weight also helps to take the problem off your body. Avoid high-impact sports.

The path to achieving pain relief is an unsteady road, but worthy of your time. In the long-run, slowing the speed of which your body ages throughout the years can improve you, your physicality and even your temperament.

The question is – when do you start?

Fighting Back Against Arthritic Symptoms

Categories: aches, Arthritis, body, exercise, joint, joint pain, joints, Pain, painkillers, time