Natural Remedies for Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common ailments affecting American adults today. Over 40 million Americans suffer from the painful and sometimes crippling disease. As demographics change over the next decade, the number of people suffering will rise above 60 million! Arthritis prevents people from enjoying the things they love and makes everyday activities more difficult. Fortunately, there are ways to ease the symptoms of those that suffer. Unfortunately, but there is no permanent cure at the moment. We are looking at natural remedies for Arthritis here.

Can You Prevent Arthritis?

Although arthritis is often caused by genetics and other uncontrollable factors, there are still habits and activities that can make symptoms less severe, or prevent them altogether. It is never too late to begin, but the earlier someone makes positive lifestyle changes, the less likely and less severe their arthritis will be.

Light to moderate exercise is one of the best ways to prevent the onset and symptoms of arthritis. In addition to being a good habit for overall health, exercise strengthens the immune system. Problems with the immune system are one of the primary causes of severe arthritis, so a natural and healthy activity like exercise is a great way to reduce one of the risk factors. A healthy diet goes hand in hand with exercise. Eating unhealthy junk food is hard on the body, specifically the immune system, kidneys, and liver. Reducing the ability of the body to filter toxins disrupts and weakens the immune system. This can aggravate or initiate arthritis symptoms sooner than they otherwise would have surfaced.

Stretching and flexibility exercises should be a part of the everyday routine as well. Arthritic symptoms are aggravated by a lack of motion, so incorporating a comprehensive stretching regimen can delay symptoms and reduce their severity. Strengthening and lengthening the muscles reduces the amount of strain on joints. Over the course of a lifetime, this reduction will help prolong the health of joints.

Along with good exercise and dietary habits, regularly taking vitamins can reduce the risk of many diseases, including arthritis. There are countless high quality multivitamins available on the market, each specifically designed for a particular age group, gender, and heath situation. Speak with your doctor about which brands are best for your specific situation.  In addition to a multivitamin, there are other supplements that are beneficial as well. These include vitamin D, the B vitamins, and Omega-3 fatty acids, among many others. Each individual has a unique health situation and should speak with a knowledgeable professional they trust before making any long-term decisions.

How to Manage Arthritis

Despite the various preventative measures available, some people are simply unable to avoid the onset of arthritis. It is unknown exactly what causes arthritis, and in fact there are over 100 different types of what is commonly called arthritis.  Some scientists believe that genetics are a significant factor, while others believe environmental conditions and stress are drivers of the disease. Regardless of the cause, the disease is almost always chronic and can only be managed, not cured.

All of the previously stated techniques for preventing and delaying arthritis can also reduce symptoms and reduce the rate at which they become more severe. In addition, using heat or cold therapy can decrease inflammation caused by arthritis and the pain associated with it. Using a heating pad on inflamed joints stimulates circulation by dilating the blood vessels while also reducing the frequency and severity of muscle spasms. The sensation of heat on painful joints can also override some of the pain by giving the mind something else to focus on. Be sure to keep the heating pad on the affected area for at least 15 to 20 minutes in order to give it enough time to be effective.

Ice packs and cold compresses reduce suffering by constricting blood vessels in the affected area. This helps reduce the swelling, which in turn reduces the level of pain. Ice packs also relieve pain by numbing the affected area. The best time to apply ice or cold compresses is when inflammation first flares up.

As arthritis symptoms get progressively worse, having a discussion with your doctor about the pharmaceutical treatments available can be worthwhile. Although there are no prescriptions currently that can cure the disease, there are still many drugs that can reduce the impact arthritis has on daily life.

Treatment for Arthritis – The Natural Way

For those that would instead prefer a natural treatment, or for those that would like to supplement their prescription, Provailen is widely considered to be one of the best natural treatments for arthritis. Provailen uses three active ingredients to reduce the effects of arthritis: Tongkat Ali, Reishi Fungus, and Capsaicin.

Tongkat Ali is a root extract that naturally boosts the strength of muscles around joints and bones. This puts less pressure and strain on arthritic joints, often reducing the severity of inflammation and pain. Reishi Fungus detoxifies blood and bolsters the immune system. Inflammation flare-ups are less likely when the immune system is balanced. Capsaicin increases blood flow to joint muscles, reducing the severity of inflammation.

Many choose to use Provailen as a safe, natural alternative to a prescription medication. In conjunction with the aforementioned healthy habits, it can offer significant relief to arthritic pain without the potential for side-effects common with pharmaceuticals. Because it is made completely from natural ingredients, there is a very low risk of negative reactions among those who choose or require prescription medications; however it is important that any decisions be discussed with your doctor beforehand.