How to get Relief from Osteoarthritis Pain

Arthritis is a joint disorder which is characterized by chronic inflammation in one or more joints of the body. The literal meaning of the word ‘Arthritis’ is derived from two Greek words; arthro and itis which means joint and inflammation respectively.

Arthritis is a condition which affects the joints [the connection between the bones is known as joint).Arthritis is a debilitating disorder and leads to pain. The most common form of this disorder is osteoarthritis among the 100 forms which is a degenerative joint disease. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and related autoimmune diseases are the other common forms of arthritis. The symptoms of the disorders and their treatments are almost the same but the causes of different forms of arthritis are different.

It can occur in any joint of the any part of the body but most commonly affects spine, knees and hips. It can also occur in neck, toes, thumb and fingers.

Arthritis is a condition in which due to inflammation the patient feels severe pain in the joints. Joint pains and Arthritis have become more common disorders affecting the population all over the world. Both the conditions can cause discomfort and pain to the patient and affect their quality of life.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

The causes may vary according to form or type of arthritis and the possible causes are as below:

• Family history of osteoarthritis
• Overweight
• inheritance like in osteoarthritis
• Advancing age
• immune system dysfunction, as in RA and SLE

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF PAINFUL JOINTS AND ARTHRITIS

• Swollen joints
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Stiffness and soreness of joints
• Inability to use/move the limb properly results in soreness of joints.
• Loss of flexibility of limbs and other affected body
• Difficulty in walking due to stiff joints.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS?

According to modern medicine, treatment may involve:

• medications
• splints or joint assistive aids
• non-pharmacologic therapies
• physical or occupational therapy
• patient education and support
• weight loss
• surgery along with joint replacement

Medications entirely dependon type and form of arthritis. Some of the medications are analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, corticosteroids. Nowadays people believemore on ayurvedic therapy for arthritis and painful joints which is safe, effective, natural and has lesser side effects.

According to Ayurveda, osteoarthritis occurs due to imbalanced vatadosha. Vata symbolizes the air or wind which governs all the body movements. Vata absorbs fluid from any part of the body as vata is dry in nature which leads to destruction of cartilages due to reduction in synovial fluid in the joints.

Natural home remedies for treatment of arthritis and painful joints are listed below:

1. TURMERIC/CURCUMIN

Curcumin is considered as a wonderful natural remedy for osteoarthritis. The effectiveness of Curcumin in treatment of painful joints and inflammatory disorders has been proven to a great extent in several scientific and clinical studies which have been carried out over the last few decades. The medicinal value of turmeric has been widely used for centuries in Ayurveda.

The Curcumin in turmeric is very beneficial in fighting inflammation and relieving painful joints as well. Curcumin helps to tackle the swelling in joints, muscle ache, fatigue, stiffness of joints, loss of flexibility of joints due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potent antioxidant. It helps in fighting against infection.

• Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric on salad, scrambled eggs, soups, sauces everyday. Increase the content after every week.
• Peel and chop on root of ginger and turmeric. Boil it in 2 cups of water then allow it to rest for 10 minutes and then drink this drink on regular basis
• Mix turmeric with coconut oil to make a semi thick paste and apply it on the affected area

These tips will help to treat the painful joints and arthritis.

2. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Apple cider vinegar is rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus. It helps in removing the toxins from the connective tissues and joints. Mix apple cider vinegar and honey in a cup of water. Drink the solution everyday to get relief from pain and osteoarthritis.

3. GINGER

Ginger has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger can be consumed as a capsule, gel, paste form to get relief from painful joints and osteoarthritis.

• Mix 6 teaspoon of dried ginger with 3 teaspoon of black pepper powder. Take this mixture daily to treat arthritis.
• Ginger oil can be applied to affected area to get relief from pain, inflammation and stiff joints.

4. MUSTARD OIL

Massaging the mustard oil on the affected area can help to get rid of pain of arthritis and painful joints. This oil acts like a natural ointment and increases the blood circulation.

• Massage slightly warm mustard oil on the affected area on regular basis.
• To treat swollen joints, mix onion juice with the mustard oil and massage this oil on the painful joints.

5. CINNAMON

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties as well as antioxidant properties, cinnamon helps to relieve arthritis pain and pain in joints.

• Mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder with honey in a cup of warm water. Drink it on regular basis on an empty stomach. This will help to get rid of arthritis pain.
• Mix cinnamon powder and honey and make a semi thick paste. Apply it over the affected area to treat the pain in arthritis and joint pain.

6. ASHWAGANDHA

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant properties, ashwagandha is a root plant to treatosteoarthritis and joint pain. It can be used in powder or capsule form.

• Mix and drink Ashwagandha powder with hot milk or hot water on regular basis. It will help to get rid of the pain in arthritis.
• One ashwagandha capsule thrice a day will also help in treating painful joints.

7. BOSWELLIA

It is also known as shallaki which is a famous herb for the treatment of muscular pain and osteoarthritis. Nowadays it is considered as modern pain killers.

• Take 400mg of boswellia extract daily to treat the pain in joints and arthritis