Arthritis pain is a leading cause of disability in the United States. For many patients, the arthritis pain is due to the progressive deterioration of bone, joints and cartilage associated with aging. For others, however, the pain may be attributed to an injury or recent surgical event. When suffering from arthritis pain, you may consider the use of alternative healing methods as a way to compliment, or supplement, traditional medicine.
When considering alternative healing options for your arthritis pain, there are many products on the market that claim to promote healing, reduce inflammation and store mobility and functionality of your joints. But, not all products have been found effective.
For example, many arthritis patients have been misled into believing Echinacea is effective at alleviating arthritis pain. Echinacea, a North American wildflower, is a leading herbal product for the natural treatment, and prevent, of infections, such as the common cold. While the product is sold in tablets, capsules and even as a power or tea, individuals who suffer from arthritis, especially that which is related to an autoimmune disease, should not use Echinacea. While the jury is still out on the effectiveness of treatment infections, it is believed that Echinacea will respond adversely to prescription medications and, as a result, may impede your traditional medical management of your arthritis.
In addition to Echinacea, arthritis patients should also avoid the use of a rather strange concoction known as gin-soaked raisins. While some individuals who suffer from chronic pain may strongly encourage the use of gin-soaked raisins in alleviating arthritis pain, the fact is that grapes and raisins carry no anti-inflammatory or pain reducing properties and, if any relief is obtained it is most likely attributed to the effects of alcohol. When treating arthritis, however, patients should avoid alcohol consumption. This, then, is not an effective remedy for arthritis.
Even stranger is the recommendation that guaifenesin, commonly found in cold medicine, may alleviate your arthritis pain. With many controlled studies performed, guaifenesin is not found to alleviate pain and, in fact, may provide nothing more than a dry mouth and alleviate any lingering symptoms you may suffer from simple allergies or the common cold. Using guaifenesin, therefore, will not improve arthritis pain and, if you suffer from co-morbid complications involving gout or kidney stones, you may only further exacerbate those conditions by using guaifenesin in attempting to remedy arthritic pain.
As with any alternative healing practice, the key to your management of arthritis lies in your communication with a healthcare professional. When considering traditional medication management for arthritis pain, consult your healthcare professional regarding the use of alternative healing products as another viable option to resolving pain naturally. But, when doing so, steer clear of these remedies as they have not been shown to provide effective relief of arthritis pain.
