What Is Arthritis?
The term "arthritis" refers to a group of ailments causing joint pain and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are two types of arthritis. The primary cause of OA is the friction, damage, and inflammation that occur when bones rub against one another as a result of cartilage wear and tear.
The symptoms of RA are widespread because it is a systemic condition. This autoimmune condition develops when the immune system unintentionally targets healthy joint tissue. In addition to prescribing medications to treat arthritis pain, doctors frequently suggest natural alternatives. Arthritis management with herbal remedies has the potential to be both secure and successful.
What Are the Remedies for Arthritis?
The remedies for arthritis include weight management, exercises, heat and cold treatments, acupuncture, medications, and herbal supplements.
Weight Management:
Arthritis symptoms can be significantly impacted by weight. Increased weight strains the joints, particularly the knees, hips, and feet. The American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation (ACR/AF) strongly advises overweight or obese people with OA to lose weight. A target weight can be established with the doctor's assistance, and a plan can be created.
Losing weight can assist in lowering joint stress:
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Increases mobility.
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Reduces pain.
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Protect the joints from further harm.
Exercises:
Exercises are beneficial for
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Maintaining the weight.
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Maintain flexibility in the joints.
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Strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints, providing more support.
Starting a suitable exercise program is strongly advised by current guidelines. Exercise with a trainer or another person may be especially advantageous because it boosts motivation.
Low-impact exercise is a good choice, such as:
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Walking.
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Cycling.
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Tai chi.
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Water activities.
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Swimming.
Heat and Cold Treatments:
Treatments using heat and cold can reduce inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.
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For relief from morning stiffness, take a long, warm bath or shower. For relief from nighttime discomfort, use an electric blanket or moist heating pad.
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Cold therapies can reduce inflammation, swelling, and joint pain. Apply a frozen vegetable bag or a gel ice pack wrapped in a towel to aching joints for immediate relief. Never apply ice to your skin directly.
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Some topical creams and ointments that can be purchased over the counter contain capsaicin, which is derived from chili peppers. The warmth from these products can relieve joint pain.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is a traditional method of Chinese medicine that involves inserting tiny needles into specific body points. According to practitioners, it reroutes energy and restores equilibrium in your body. The ACR/AF conditionally recommends acupuncture because it may decrease arthritis pain. The risk of adverse effects is regarded as low, despite insufficient evidence supporting its benefits. Find an acupuncturist who is certified and licensed to perform this procedure.
Medications:
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The following NSAIDs may help people with OA:
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Ibuprofen.
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Naproxen.
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Nabumetone. Another over-the-counter pain reliever that can help with arthritis discomfort is acetaminophen (Tylenol).
This medication reduces pain perception in the brain. Although it can decrease pain, it will also reduce joint inflammation.
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Topical painkillers are medications that can be applied directly to the skin. Pain can be reduced with topical medications. They frequently cause the skin to experience heat or cold. Topical treatments have fewer adverse reactions than oral medications because they do not treat the entire body.
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Numerous over-the-counter topical creams, sprays, and gel painkillers can help with arthritis pain. Their components may consist of NSAIDs, which have the same active ingredients as the oral versions, and Capsaicin (main ingredient in chili peppers).
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Some people treat OA pain with supplements, including vitamin D, fish oils, and glucosamine.
However, experts do not advise using these because there is insufficient proof that they are effective, and some of them may interact negatively with other medications or have adverse effects.
What Are the Herbal Supplements for Arthritis?
Although scientific research has not proven that any particular herb or supplement can treat arthritis, many herbal supplements may decrease joint pain.
These herbs include, among others:
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Boswellia.
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Bromelain.
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A devil's claw.
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Ginkgo.
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Stinging nettles.
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Thunder god vine.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate herbs and supplements for quality, purity, or safety. Make sure to purchase from a reliable supplier.
Turmeric:
Turmeric, a spice made from the roots of the Curcuma plant, is used in cooking. Because of its well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, curcumin, a polyphenol extract of turmeric, has long been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic treatments. Curcuma's anti-inflammatory properties can be attributed to a variety of mechanisms.
Much research has recently been done on the anti-osteoarthritic properties of curcuma extracts and curcumin. Compared to ibuprofen, there is less discomfort and pain in the stomach. Additionally, curcumin was linked to effects that reduced weight and prevented ulcers without needing histamine H2-receptor antagonists (H2 blockers).
In a recent study, patients with knee OA who took diclofenac and curcuminoids, such as curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, experienced greater reductions in pain and improvements in functional capacity, as well as better tolerability.
Ginger:
The herb ginger, or Zingiber offcinale, has a strong reputation for reducing inflammatory symptoms. A different study found that taking two 500 mg of ginger daily reduced VAS pain scores, markedly improved patient outcomes, and had no side effects in the control group. Despite having gastrointestinal side effects, ginger extract was linked to decreased knee pain. After 12 weeks of knee OA treatment, the topical ginger extract significantly reduced knee pain, stiffness, physical function, and patient global assessments.
Ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, is a popular Ayurvedic herb for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. By inhibiting collagenase activity, W. somnifera extract also reduced the rate of collagen degradation in bovine Achilles tendon type I collagen. In a collagen-induced arthritis rat model, W. somnifera treatment reduced swelling, redness, deformity, and ankylosis.
Conclusion
The efficacy and safety of the existing pharmacological therapy options for OA and RA are variable, especially when treating chronic pain and inflammation. In addition to or in place of pharmacological agents, certain herbal remedies can be utilized as complementary treatments. An equally effective or more effective alternative to conventional medicine may be provided by herbal medicine. The clinical safety and effectiveness of herbal medicine in treating conditions like arthritis and other chronic pain conditions will need to be investigated further through additional trials.
