Alternative Arthritis Pain Relief Methods

Arthritis is one of the most common conditions that causes chronic pain, and unfortunately usually requires long term pain relief and/or medication to make living with the situation bearable. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, caused by a variety of factors including age, infection or trauma to the joint and autoimmune diseases, to name a few.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Classed as degenerative joint disease, this condition can affect not only the elderly, but children and adults as well. It is very debilitating to suffer from arthritis in any form, as often limbs such as the hands will become deformed and cause extreme pain if not treated.

Osteoarthritis has been discovered in the remains of dinosaurs, primarily affecting their ankles. Human arthritis can be traced back as early as 4500 BC, and in prehistoric people was classed as the most common ailment of the time. Historically, treatment for arthitis pain relief has included physical therapy, lifestyle changes, changes to diets and/or dietary supplements and orthopaedic braces, changes to diets and/or dietary supplements and orthopaedic braces. Additionally, drugs has long been considered a 'traditional' option when it comes to treating the pain symptoms - drugs such as NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) and DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) are prescribed by doctors for arthritis pain relief.

However, some people have found that turning to natural arthritis pain relief methods, as well as modifying their lifestyle and making allowances for their condition has helped to ease their pain. It is believed that herbs such as ginger and cayenne contain properties that are beneficial to the body and help boost the immune system and circulation. Other natural methods of arthitis pain relief that people are coming to use include stinging nettles and bio electromagnetic wave therapy. Stinging nettles contain chemicals including histamine, which triggers anti inflammatory actions of the body, so if stung by a nettle, this in theory will help to relieve the pain. If this isn't quite your cup of tea, stinging nettles can also be stewed or eaten to gain the same benefits - the stinging effect is killed when the nettles are cooked.

Bio electromagnetic wave therapy is a more revolutionary method and is quite the newcomer to the arthitis pain relief. Hailed by some as the ultimate method in pain relief for a variety of conditions, including headache, period pain and lumbago, it works by using PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy) to deliver energy fields into the body that work with the body's natural electrical current. The energy agitates the injured or inflamed cells that are causing the pain and improves circulation, lymphatic movements and cell activity. Products that deliver such treatment include the PainWave X4000; a small and simple device that can be used to treat pain through medical dressings, clothing and/or plaster casts. This method is completely drug free and does not use magnets. This means, therefore, that there are no side effects with trying this form of pain relief.

It is well worth researching all the options available to you if diagnosed with arthritis, or indeed any condition that causes pain. It may be that what works for one person does not suit another, and with the nasty side effects causes by so many prescription and over the counter drugs, looking into natural pain relief could be extremely beneficial.