Arthritis Pain: Natural Remedies
By: Cynthia Drasler, MBA
The Arthritis Foundation estimates that approximately 50 million Americans currently have arthritis. In fact, their statistics show that arthritis affects 1 out of 2 people age 50 and older. Although more than 100 different forms of arthritis have been identified, two types are most prevalent and of greatest concern: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis, tends to damage larger weight-bearing joints (i.e. hips, knees, shoulders), and is far more prevalent than rheumatoid arthritis, which attacks and inflames the smaller joints, (i.e. fingers, wrists and toes). Under the age of 45, osteoarthritis is more common in men; after age 45, it is 10 times more common in women. The National Rheumatism Foundation estimates only about 8 to 10 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis, the majority being women aged 36-50.
Traditional allopathic medicine treats arthritis with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) despite the fact that they only mask the symptoms of the disease. NSAIDs can cause many serious side effects over years of use by arthritis patients. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 1994, reported people taking NSAIDs over several years had an 800% increase in renal (kidney) failure and that these drugs directly led to about 75,000 hospitalizations and 7,500 deaths each year. I’m sure you’ve heard about the FDA recently pulling the drug Vioxx (a drug approved for the treatment of arthritis and joint pain) off the market because of the increased risks of heart attack and stroke. The Vioxx recall was the largest recall ever in the pharmaceutical industry!
Because of the dangerous drugs that have been prescribed for arthritis pain, it is important for everyone to become educated about some of the natural remedies available. Try the natural remedies first and reserve the pharmaceutical drugs as a last resort.
Glucosamine Sulfate is officially classified as a remedy for osteoarthritis and considered a superior long term strategy for arthritis by the World Health Organization. It is the most common natural product used for the treatment of arthritis pain. Glucosamine is present in high concentrations in the body’s joints, and is formed from glucose. Through the aging process glucosamine levels can decrease, causing a thinning of the cartilage, which will contribute to the onset of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine sulfate is the preferred source of glucosamine used for the treatment of arthritis pain. It provides the raw materials necessary to re-build cartilage in the joints reducing osteoarthritis pain. Also, glusosamine sulfate has been the subject of many double blind studies all concluding that it not only relieves pain, but also promotes healing of the cartilage. Finally, it is virtually free of side effects.
Pregnenolone is a human hormone derived from cholesterol that helps reduce inflammation. The FDA considers pregnenolone a food additive and is sold as an over the counter nutrient as described by the Dietary Supplement Law of 1994. It was originally researched heavily in the 1940’s for the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. The studies showed that patients experienced between a 70% and 75% reduction in pain. Also, no side effects were reported with the use of pregnenolone. The American pharmaceutical industry studied pregnenolone seriously in the 1950’s for inflammatory pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory processes with very good results. But, since pregnenolone is a natural product, and it couldn’t be patented, they worried about the financial viability of recouping the research and development costs. Then, at just that moment, Cortisone was invented. Cortisone is a synthetic drug that was able to be patented. It showed good short term results for relieving rheumatoid and other inflammatory pain so, research on pregnenolone in the pharmaceutical industry came to a screeching halt. Cortisone gave great immediate pain relief, but a few years later Cortisone’s harmful side effects, including immune suppression and osteoporosis emerged. At this point, it was too late – the pharmaceutical industry was off and running with Cortisone and they weren’t going to stop. A few years later, cortisone’s equally dangerous side kick – Prednisone was invented.
Ginger is an herb with anti-inflammatory properties. It actually has the ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory compounds in the body, particularity in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) sufferers, and bring relief from the pain. The benefits of ginger have been scientifically tested in clinical studies. For instance, one study was conducted on 7 RA patients who had failed on conventional medical drugs. One of the 7 patients was treated with 50 grams of lightly cooked ginger each day, and the remaining patients were treated with either 5 grams of fresh or .1-1gram of powdered Ginger each day. Despite the difference in the form of the ginger and the dosage, all 7 patients reported a noticeable improvement in their symptoms of pain, joint mobility, stiffness and joint swelling. In a follow up study, 56 patients with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis plus 10 patients with muscle pain were evaluated. After 3 months of taking powdered Ginger 75% of the arthritis patients and 100% of the muscle pain patients experienced relief of pain and swelling.
EMU Oil has been used by Australian Aborigines for the treatment of muscle and joint pain for generations. Emu oil, containing many essential fatty acids, has been found to be the greatest skin ellollient in the world. It penetrates the skin deeper than any other natural oil. Emu Oil is found to reduce the pain and swelling best in joints that are close to the skin’s surface, like the hands, feet, knees elbows and back. Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers receive the most benefit by massaging Emu Oil into painful joints 2-3 times per day.
M.S.M.- Methylsulfonymethane, a biological sulfur, is the 4th most abundant mineral in the human body. It is important for keeping connective tissues strong and healthy. Many doctors today believe that most people don’t consume enough dietary sulfur to keep them healthy. Sulfur rich foods are red peppers, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and fish. Dr. Stanley Gerlinger, professor at the department of surgery at Oregon Health Sciences Center states, “MSM is a fascinating life-enhancing agent. I’ve studied a number of individuals who have taken MSM that have degenerate or rheumatoid arthritis, disc problems in their back, acute injuries, tendonitis, bursitis and the like, and it is certainly an important adjunct that gave long-lasting relief.” Even muscle pain associated with multiple sclerosis and muscle cramps have responded well to MSM.
© Copyright 2004 by Cynthia Drasler, MBA. Permission is granted by Cynthia Drasler to to use any or all of this article if Cynthia Drasler and www.HealthyLivingIsEasy.com is credited as the source of the information.
Return to top
