Overview
Common
Therapies to Consider
You may
decide you want to include some alternative and complementary
therapies to your treatment program. While there are many of these
therapies that may help you manage your pain, it is important to
know that just like with prescription medications, not all therapies
work the same for all people. What works for your friend could have
negative results or no results at all for you. Work with your doctor
to decide which alternative therapies are the best for you. Here are
some suggestions.
- Massage. Massage therapy can be
a great way to ease the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, and many doctors recommend massage to
their patients with arthritis. Research has shown that massage
can decrease stress hormones and depression, ease muscle pain
and spasms, increase the body’s production of natural
pain-killing endorphins and improve sleep and immune function.
Make sure you find a massage therapist who is experienced and
comfortable working with people with arthritis as some elements of
massage may not be appropriate for you.
- Acupuncture and
Acupressure. Acupuncture and
acupressure are ancient Chinese pain relief treatments that are
gaining popularity in the United States. In acupuncture, needles
are used to stimulate specific points throughout the body. In
acupressure, practitioners use their fingers instead of needles.
Studies suggest that these methods release endorphins and may
have anti-inflammatory properties. Make sure your practitioner
is licensed and certified.
- Diets. Your diet affects your
overall health and your best bet is to follow one low in
saturated fats and calories and rich in fruits, vegetables and
grains. See the Diet and Nutrition Center. While there is no
specific diet for arthritis, despite myths, there are
some ways that diet may affect your arthritis.
- Food sensitivities. A
small number of people with arthritis might be sensitive to
certain foods that could trigger symptoms or cause them to
worsen.
- Saturated fats. A diet
high in saturated fats or vegetable oils can increase the
inflammatory response, thereby contributing to joint and
tissue inflammation.
- Overall health. Diet
affects your overall health, as well as affecting any other
diseases or conditions you may have (such as diabetes or heart
disease). This, in turn, may affect how your body handles
arthritis symptoms.
- Poor nutrition. Just
having arthritis can make your diet worse. You may be unable
to shop for and prepare nutritious food for yourself. Pain and
fatigue can diminish your appetite, or make it difficult to
eat and chew.
- Herbs and Supplements. Herbs, supplements and
other such “natural” remedies have a tremendous attraction
for people with arthritis who are frustrated with the solutions
offered by conventional medicine. Although most people realize
there is no magic bullet to cure arthritis, they hope their pain
and other symptoms will be better controlled if they try a
supplement or extract in addition to their formally prescribed
medication. If you do decide to try a supplement or herb,
proceed with caution and keep the following points in mind.
- Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to
ask your doctor, pharmacist or other health professionals for
their opinion or a recommendation.
- Buy wisely. When purchasing a
supplement, buy from a large company, pharmacy or health food
chain. They may have more stringent quality controls than
small companies to maintain their good reputation.
- Read labels carefully. Be aware that no
supplement can lawfully claim to treat, cure, diagnose or
prevent disease. Look for products with the U.S.P. notation,
indicating that the manufacturer followed standards
established by the United States Pharmacopoeia.
- Try products one at a
time. If you try only one
you can keep track of its effect (or lack of effect). If you
notice any side effects, stop taking the supplement right
away.
Prayer
and Spirituality. Public opinion polls have shown that prayer is one of
the most commonly used alternative therapies for arthritis. Research
in behavioral medicine suggests that the interactions of the mind,
body and spirit can have powerful effects on our health. But very
few published scientific studies have examined the effects of prayer
and spirituality. Adding or deepening the spiritual aspects in your
life could be good for you and arthritis, and – unless you abandon
your medication and/or other components of your treatment program
– certainly won’t hurt you.
This information was excerpted from The Arthritis Foundation's Guide to
Alternative Therapies.
|
 |
|
