Alternative Treatments for Arthritis

Arthritis affects millions of Americans. Arthritis is a very debilitating disease of the bones and joints that causes pain, swelling, and weakness in most bones and joints in the body. Many alternative doctors believe that medication like aspirin and ibuprofen given to treat arthritis actually makes the condition worse in the long run. They believe there are a number of alternative treatments that can be used to treat arthritis and it's symptoms and does not cause any long-term problems or negative side effects.

The nutritional supplement, glucosamine sulfate, can help rebuild cartilage and slow the disease down. It treats arthritis instead of treating just the symptoms. Take 500 mgs of the supplement three times a day before meals. However, this is not a quick fix treatment, it is a slow process to rebuild cartilage and, therefore, will slow down the progression of the disease. Just remember, arthritis didn't happen overnight it took time for the disease to deteriorate your bones and joints.

To help boost the healing powers of glucosamine, try using turmeric along with the supplement to help reduce pain and swelling. A great benefit is that turmeric has no side effects. Follow the directions on the label when taking the supplement until your arthritis diminishes. Ginger is another alternative treatment that can be used to treat arthritis effectively. Gingerol, which is the ingredient in ginger, works great to reduce swelling and inflammation, which in turn reduces pain. You can eat fresh ginger or take ginger capsules.

There are a number of natural oils that are great alternative treatments for arthritis. For quick relief from the pain of arthritis, rub some mahanarayan oil on the areas where you are experiencing pain. The oil provides quick temporary relief and it is safe. You can also try rubbing your bones and joints with fatty acid oils, which will also help to reduce swelling. Eating more fish, which has fatty acids in it will also help, and you can also take fatty acid supplements. Take between six 1,000 mgs of fatty acids supplements and then reduce it to 3,000 mgs after 3-4 months. You can also take 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil everyday, which is a good source of fatty acids. If taking the supplement, take 5000 mgs a day.

Evening primrose oil is beneficial because it also contains fatty acid oil. Take 240 to 720 mgs of evening primrose a day. For long-term pain relief, you can try some guggul, which is a pain-fighting herb that removes the imbalance in the bones that causes stiffness and swelling. Take ¼ teaspoon of guggul tincture with a ½ teaspoon of water for 30 minutes three times a day before meals. You can take this herb for an extended period of time.