But the usefulness of fish oil for arthritis is a fairly new finding.

Fish Oil for Arthritis:

When the fish oil is digested and broken down in the body, it becomes chemicals called prostaglandins. These chemicals will reduce inflammation in the body, which then reduces the pain. The body can naturally produce these chemicals as well in certain situations, but in order to alleviate pain, the body needs more than the tissues and organs can provide for day to day functioning.

Fish Oil for Arthritis:

Derived from the tissues of fish, fish oils are also referred to as Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA. All of these labels are correct, and all of these chemicals break down in to the inflammation reducing chemicals the body needs.

In one study in Pennsylvania’s University of Pittsburg, patients who took cod liver oil on a regular basis for 10 weeks were able to completely stop taking their traditional pain medications.

Fish Oil for Arthritis:

What the main problem with fish oil is in relation to pain management is that most patients don’t take enough. Though most supplements come in 1000 mg formulations, you need to take at least 4 times as much in order to help your arthritis pain.

Some researchers have recommended taking up to 8000 mg per day for the maximum effectiveness, in fact.

Some patients will have troubles taking fish oil, however, as it is a fish based compound. Since the oil is derived from an actual fish, there can be a fishy aftertaste after taking these pills. This can be avoided when you take the pills after eating a full meal.

Fish Oil for Arthritis:

There are also some supplements also that have removed the fishy taste or that have added a lemon flavoring in order to help with digestion. Over time, however, your body will become accustomed to taking in these oils and you will not taste the fish at all.

If you find you are sensitive, just try a few different fish oil brands to see if one works better than the other for you.

Fish Oil for Arthritis:

You can also try to get your fish oil supplementation by trying to eat some fatty fishes more often than you eat red meat or poultry. But the trick with doing this is that you have to eat a lot of actual fish in order to even come close to the amount of Omega fatty acids that you get from the concentrated oils.

In addition, eating a lot of fatty fish can increase your chances of mercury poisoning as fattier fishes tend to accumulate more mercury in their bodies as they move through their environments.

Fish Oil for Arthritis:

Mercury poisoning does not occur with the fish oil supplements as they are purified and they are ‘clean’ in terms of outside toxins. Of course, it never hurts to choose a brand that’s well known over those that are cheaper and possibly not as well made.

It’s recommended that you limit your consumption of fatty fishes to no more than 2 to 3 servings of fish a week – which obviously limits your ability to get the maximum arthritis ‘dose.’

If you find you are experiencing symptoms like headaches, a lack of energy, and an overall ill feeling, it might be wise to discontinue your fish oil regimen and talk to your doctor about possibly being tested for mercury poisoning.

Fish Oil for Arthritis:

Make sure you read the label of the fish oil supplement carefully before making your final purchase. You will want to find capsules that are at least 1000 mg each in order to help you limit the number of pills you have to take.

Omega 6 fatty acids are those which are found in poultry, eggs, and plant based oils. These fatty acids are also good for the heart and also good for those who want to maintain good health. However, they are not as strongly linked with the management of arthritis pain, so fish oil is the preferred remedy.

In fact, scientific studies are showing that ingesting too many plant based Omega 6 fatty acids may actually be affecting our ability to process Omega 3 fatty acids, which is what may be leading to more cases of arthritis to begin with – but right now, it is just speculation and deserves further study.

Once again, if you are taking any other medications, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about supplementing with fish oils.

Arthritis Cure Book

However, the use of odorless garlic tablets, found on the market today, have also been found to be very beneficial, if they contain a good amount of the potent compound called Allicin, which is a completely natural extract from Garlic. Many people favor these ordorless tablets, because it doesn’t leave them with garlic breath! You should also be sure to take the tablets with a full meal, in order to lessen gastric disturbances or upset stomach.

Arthritis Cure Book

This ancient herb has been used as a pain reliever for centuries in India. This herb, known as Boswellia Serrata, grows on a tree in India. The pain-relieving compound in boswellia is known as the boswellic acid, and its an anti-inflammatory agent that can be used in a cream for topical pain relief, or taken internally in capsule form. It’s benefits are those much like of an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents), which are frequently prescribed to treat pain.

However, unlike the NSAIDs, the boswellia extract can be used for extended periods of time, without causing stomach problems. This herbal supplement can be found at most health food stores.

Arthritis Ebook

Green Tea is a natural herb, which helps ease arthritic pain. Many Practitioners, of natural healing and medicines, have long expressed a belief in the wide variety of health benefits from green tea.

Green Tea Arthritis – Ancient Chinese Secrets

The Chinese have known, for more than 4,000 years, about the beneficial medicinal qualities of green tea, and have used it to treat everything from headaches to depression. It also has the ability to improve a weak immune system, make your bones stronger, and decrease the risk of cancer…just to name a few.

Green Tea Arthritis – Modern Research

One of the great advancements of this century, in nutritional supplements, is the scientific confirmation of the many benefits of green tea extract. It has been said to have many health benefits, and it is a great remedy for many ailments.

Green Tea for Arthritis – How to Make Relief?

The compound in green tea, which has the ability to produce such wonderful results, is called EGCG (polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant). The EGCG compound has also been shown to be effective, not only in helping to relieve arthritis pain, but also, in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots, which are the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Did you know that pure green tea is said to be 100 times more effective than the vitamin C, which comes from other sources, and 25 times better than a vitamin E supplement, which may come from other sources?

Green Tea Arthritis – Ways To Use

You can reap the benefits of green tea by drinking it, or you may opt to take green tea capsules or tablets, as an effective method of getting these wonderful medicinal benefits.

There are many other old herbal remedies recommended for arthritis pain relief, such as, boswellia, ginger, nettle, and willow bark, as well as, fish oils and the already well-known cartilage constituents, Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Let’s discuss some of these other herbal remedies in more depth.

Natural Arthritis Ebook

Natural Supplements For Arthritis

While the downside of using herbal supplements for arthriitis is that they may often take longer, before you see any noticeable results, the upside is that you aren’t introducing synthetic foreign compounds into your body, and therefore, you are at far less risk of dangerous side effects, which can affect your overall body health.

Natural Supplements For Arthritis : Glucosamine and Chondroitin - This is one of the most common alternative supplements, and has proven to be an amazingly safe and easy to use combination, especially when you compare it with other available forms of treatment. However, there is one thing to keep in mind, all forms of glucosamine originate, and are extracted from, shellfish. So, if you are allergic to shellfish, you may want to consult with your doctor before using it.

Natural Supplements For Arthritis : Bromelain – A compound found in fresh pineapple is also valuable. This enzyme in fresh pineapple juice, can help reduce swelling and inflammation in both Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Natural Supplements For Arthritis : Tart Cherries
A preliminary study, done by a group of ARS scientists and their university colleagues, suggests that some natural compounds found in plump, juicy Bing cherries may reduce painful arthritic inflammation. Not just any cherry will do. They must be a tart cherry, and best results seem to come from eating them fresh, as opposed to taking a cherry extract supplement.

Arthritis Pain Guide Ebook

Homeopathy is the practice of using very small amounts of herbs, flowers, and other ingredients in order to stimulate the body’s own healing response.  It can be likened to the idea of a vaccine in which the dead virus or bacteria is injected into the body in order to persuade the body to make the appropriate white blood cells in order to prevent the disease.

Arnica for Arthritis – How to Make?

With arnica, this flower is a part of the sunflower family, and the hairy leaves are what has given it its name, derived from the Greek for ‘lamb’ or ‘arna.’

There are several types of arnica, but the most commonly used type is arnica Montana.  Within this compound is the chemical helenalin, which is actually toxic when taken in larger amounts.  However, when used in very minute measurements, it helps to reduce the inflammation of joints, while also helping to prevent and to heal bruising of the skin.

Arnica for Arthritis – How Act Against Arthritis?

It is thought too that the roots of the arnica plant contain thymol, which helps to also prevent fungal infections, which might have something to do with preventing the inflammatory reaction.  Again, science is still studying how this homeopathic process works.

Arnica for Arthritis – Usefulness of It.

The main finding of the usefulness of arnica is that it seems to help stimulate the transportation of blood from one part of the body to the affected and afflicted body part.  This helps to take away any accumulation of fluids in the joints and in the skin, which allows the body to be free of pain, while also helping to stimulate the natural healing process.

By helping the blood capillaries dilate, the body’s blood transport system is much more efficient and a patient can move their joints more easily and without aches and pains.

Arnica for Arthritis – Safety Tips

The actual ingestion of arnica is not recommended, unless it has been prepared by a reputable homeopathic company or practitioner.  Those who ingest arnica can have severe stomach upset and even internal bleeding as a result.

Arnica for Arthritis – How to Use?

Arnica is easy to find in most drugstores, and is founds as an ointment that is applied directly to the skin in order to promote the alleviation of pain and swelling.

Arnica for Arthritis – Some Helpful Tip

You can apply this ointment to the skin as often as you like, taking care to wash your hands before moving onto your next task.  You will also want to make sure the skin is clean before applying and that there are no open sores or cracks in the skin that might become irritated by this therapy.

Arnica for Arthritis – Oral Use

If you choose to use arnica orally, you can find it in small pellets of which you take 3 under the tongue, up to 6 times per day, or as recommended by the manufacturer or the homeopathic practitioner.

Arnica for Arthritis – Ask Your Doctor Before Use

While arnica does not seem to interact with any other medications or prescriptions, it is recommended that you alert your doctor when you begin an arnica regimen of any kind.

Overall, arnica is seen to be safe and effective, while also being a gentle way to help your body heal itself as a complementary practice to traditional medicine.

One of the more interesting additions to the arsenal against arthritis pain is something you might have eaten for dinner at some point – capsaicin.  Or, it’s also commonly known as a chili pepper.

Capsaicin For Arthritis – How Act?

This fiery arthritis reliever works just in the way you think it would – by warming the skin and making the joints and muscles around the area relax.  But that’s only a part of the process.

What capsaicin does is helped to desensitize the skin as well.  Within our skin are receptors to pain that cause us to feel the aches and the throbbing.  But when these receptors are desensitized, you can be pain free for months at a time.

The substance P is what is associated with pain in the body.  By interfering with or depleting this substance, the brain does not receive messages of pain and so you don’t feel the pain.

Capsaicin For Arthritis – Latest Research Information

In one University of Oxford study, it was found that 4 out of 10 arthritis patients were able to reduce their pain by almost half after using capsaicin cream for a month.  This is a dramatic difference and it can certainly help arthritis sufferers as well.

In fact, capsaicin has also been recommended for those suffering from neuropathy, from muscle pain, from joint pain, from nerve pain, and from shingles, a painful condition that affects older patients.

Capsaicin For Arthritis – Safety Tips

Since capsaicin is derived from the chili pepper, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind as you use it on your body.  First of all, just like the chili pepper, it can be quite hot – often too hot for some people’s sensitive skin.  If you feel your skin might be too sensitive, use a very small dose on a patch of skin near your hand to see what the reaction is.

Capsaicin For Arthritis – Where to Buy?

Just like other topical ointments, capsaicin is easy to find in your local drugstore, making it a favorite among those who don’t want to run to their doctor each time they have an ache or a pain. 

Capsaicin For Arthritis – How to Use?

To use capsaicin, you will want to take a small amount and rub it into the skin where the pain is situated.  Immediately after, you should wash your hands of the cream so that you don’t feel the burning sensation there too.  However, if you want to use this cream on your hands for pain or stiffness, you can – just remove it after a half an hour to ensure you’re not transferring the cream to other parts of your body.

Capsaicin For Arthritis – Precautions

Getting the cream in your eye, for example, is quite painful and can necessitate a trip to the hospital in rare cases.

Like the other arthritis ointments, capsaicin should only be applied to clean and healthy skin which is free of cuts or open sores.  Getting the cream into these types of skin openings will be painful, more painful than the arthritis itself.

That said, one of the perks of capsaicin is that it doesn’t seem to have any known drug interactions.  So, you can be taking oral pain medications and still use this cream.

Capsaicin For Arthritis – Dosage

However, it is recommended that you limit the application of capsaicin to no more than 4 times a day.

Capsaicin For Arthritis – Some Helpful Tips

Capsaicin is not for instant pain relief.  While some people will find they feel better after the burning sensation, long term relief will still take up to 2 weeks to notice.  Be patient, however, and you will find the power of chili peppers is quite effective in your fight against arthritis pain.

Over the counter capsaicin comes in a variety of strengths, so make sure to start with the lowest dosage before moving up to a strong dose.  Chances are good the lower dose will be all you need.

The surrounding muscles of the tight and aching joints of your body are often more tense than you may realize at first.  Over time, you can become accustomed to having your muscles clenched up, so much so your body’s stiffness becomes something you expect, something that you don’t worry too much about.

But when you are having arthritis pain, that tightness and that stiffness is that last thing you need to have present.  You need to loosen things up a bit by taking the time to stretch.

Stretching is something anyone can do anywhere, anytime, and the more you do it, the more benefits you will feel.

Stretching will:

Improve your flexibility

Improve your balanced

Soothe stiffness and tightness

Help to prevent pain from arthritis

Our bodies were designed to move and to move easily, but when we’re sitting down a lot of the time, the muscles clench up from a lack of use.  In addition to exercise, stretching needs to become a part of your daily routine.

Stretching also doesn’t have to be a lengthy chore in order to give you the results you need.  You can spend just a few minutes a day stretching in order to keep your joints and ligaments limber and supple.

Here are some of the easiest stretches you can do:

Wrist stretches
You can be sitting or standing for this stretch.  Take one hand and put it out in front of your body as though you are making a ‘Stop’ sort of gesture.  Take the other hand and gently pull back on the fingers of the outstretched hand to feel a pull in the underside of the arm and wrist.  Switch sides.

Shoulder circles
To help loosen up your shoulders and neck, put your arms to the side and slowly move your shoulders (not using your arms) around in small circle patterns.  Do this a few times and then reverse the direction of the circles.

Backs of the arms
Take one arm and pull it across your body so that the wrist touches the opposite shoulder.  Gently push the elbow of the arm that’s across the body to feel a stretch in that back of that arm.  Switch sides.

Chest stretches
Take your arms and reach behind yourself to try to hold your hands at the small of your back.  With the hands locked and fingers interlaced, slowly lift up your arms to feel your shoulders and chest stretch.  Do not try to lift too high, just enough to feel the stretch.  Then lower your arms back down slowly.

Abdominal stretches
Lie on your stomach, if possible, and place your arms to your sides, palms on the floor by your ears.  Slowly push yourself up through your palms until you begin to feel your abs stretch, slowly lower down.  Repeat a few times, controlling your movements by making them as slow as possible.

Waist stretch
Standing up, turn your waist from side to side in order to stretch out the sides of your abdomen.  Do this slowly and try to prevent your hips from moving at the same time in order to isolate the waist.

Hip stretch
Sit on the floor, with your legs out in front of you.  Take one leg, bend it and place the foot on the opposite side of the other leg’s knee.  Turn your body to the side of the bent leg so that the opposite elbow is on the opposite knee.  Slowly turn back and switch legs.

Hamstring stretch
Standing next to a wall or holding onto a sturdy chair, try to take one leg’s foot and pull it to the back of the same leg.  Hold it in place, then release and switch legs.

Calf stretch
Stand and face a wall, keeping your legs about 2 feet from the wall itself.  Place your hands on the wall and slowly lean in, keeping your legs straight.  Slowly push yourself back and repeat.

Ankle rolls
Sitting, slowly roll your ankles to stretch them out, switching directions every now and then.

These stretches do not need to be done all at once, nor do they have to be done each and every day.  Stretching, however, is more effective when it is done on a regular basis.

If you’re finding these stretches painful, you might want to stand in a hot shower for a few minutes or walk for 5 minutes before starting them.  This way, you can give your muscles a chance to warm up and relax before you stretch them out.

As with any exercise program, make sure to check with your doctor before trying these movements out.  If you have any history of injuries, you might need to get a different stretching program from your doctor or physical therapist.

Some people find they like to stretch intuitively, simply moving their bodies from one position to the next, pulling on their muscles until they feel them release.  This can work well too.

Here are the basic ground rules of stretching:

Always stretch when you’re warmed up

Never bounce your stretches, just lean into them and slowly release

Try to work up to 30 seconds per stretch at a time

Try to work up to at least 2 repetitions per side of the body

Try to stretch at least every other day for the maximum benefits

If a stretch ever hurts or you hear a snapping sound, call your doctor immediately.  While it’s difficult to hurt yourself when stretching gently, some people have had troubles overextending their stretches and have injured themselves in the process.

When it’s been a long time since you’re last stretching experience, it can be helpful to take a guided class at your local community center or fitness club.

What are the Suitable Hot Baths for Arthritis?

There are a number of ways in which you can utilize your bath time to help your pain.  Here are a few ‘recipes’ to help you get started.

Epsom salt bath
Using Epsom salt you can find in nearly any drugstore or pharmacy, take one cup of the salt and place it into a hot bath tub.  Allow the salt to permeate the tub before you step in and begin to soak.

Sea salt bath
Using one cup of organic sea salt, you can follow the same procedure as the Epsom salt.  Sea salt is often tolerated better by some patients as it is more balanced with the natural pH of the human body.

Lavender bath
Aromatherapy is also considered a great way to help release tension from the body.  Using 5 to 6 drops of lavender essential oil can bring a light and pleasant small to your bath tub, while also filling your senses with peace and tranquility.  You can also add other essential oils to salt baths in order to get as much benefit as possible.

Chamomile bath
Just as chamomile tea can soothe your stomach and your nerves, this tea can also soothe your body.  Place a few chamomile tea bags into the hot bath with you, allow the bags to steep for a few minutes, and then remove them before getting into the tub.  This will help you to release tension from your muscles, while also bringing you a sensation of calm.

Hot Baths for Arthritis with Music

The bath is also a great time to practice a little more distraction from your pain with music.

Music has been used for centuries to help change the mood of the listener.  While some people like to use loud music to wake them up, soft music is just as effective in helping your body calm down.

But in the end, it’s a matter of preference.  You might find, however that using soft, soothing New Age type of music while you soak in the bath is a fantastic way to affect all of your senses at the same time.

Hot Baths for Arthritis – Important Tips

When you are taking a hot bath, make sure to only be in the tub for 30 minutes or less as you can begin to lose the heat of the tub, which can then leave you cooler than when you got in.  And then your muscles might tight up again in an effort to warm up.

Also, if you are on any medications, check with your doctor before sitting in the tub for extended bath times.  Some medications (like those for high blood pressure) can cause you to feel lightheaded when mixed with hot tub temperatures.

As for the temperature your tub should be – as hot as you can stand it, but never enough to burn your skin or cause you pain.

Baths for Arthritis

Other ways to make the most of your tub time:

Use a bath pillow
When you support your neck with a rolled up towel behind your neck or a specially designed tub pillow, you will prevent your shoulders from tightening up as you lie in the tub.

Light candles
If you have aromatherapy candles, like lavender or vanilla, lighting them around the tub and turning off the lights in the bathroom can sink you into another world of peaceful bliss.

Visualize your pain moving out of your body
When you’re in the rub, close your eyes and picture the pain moving out of your body and into the water.  As the tub drains, think about the pain going down the drain and out of your life.

Regular hot baths can help you whenever you feel pain, but they can also be used to prevent pain from occurring in the first place.  By keeping your mind and your body as relaxed as possible, you will find many more pain-free days on the horizon.

While it seems contradictory to move around more when you’re in pain, this is one of the best ways to free your body from pain.

When you try to stay still during a bout of arthritis pain, your body can undergo a few physical changes which affect your experience of pain.

Your blood doesn’t circulate as much
You need your blood to circulate in order to bring warmth into the various parts of your body where you want to be able to move freely.  When the blood isn’t moving, you can feel cold and even stiffer than you actually are.

Your muscles stiffen
If you choose to stay still as you are aching, you will begin to notice you aren’t able to move around as well as you once did.  Your muscles tighten up and you might feel pain in a sharper way than you have in the past.

Your muscles weaken
When you make it a habit to sit around when you are suffering from arthritis pain, you will begin to lose muscle mass.  This will lead to even more muscle weakness, which then perpetuates the cycle of pain, weakness, and stiffness.  You need to stay strong in order to keep your body well supported.

You aren’t distracted
If you’re simply just sitting around, trying not to move, you will begin to focus on your pain and how it affects your life in a negative way.  By moving around, you will allow yourself to be distracted from your pain, while also allowing yourself to be in motion, which has its own positive benefits.

No matter what kind of arthritis pain you have, there are exercises you can do in order to create a healthier body and a healthier experience of pain.

Some of the most popular exercises among arthritis sufferers include:

Water aerobics and swimming

Walking

Biking

Yoga and Tai Chi

Weight training

Water aerobics and swimming are some of the best exercises for arthritis sufferers because not only are you going to be moving in warm, relaxing water, but the motions are also fluid and controlled, allowing you to move at your own pace.  The water helps to reduce the impact on your joints, while also strengthening them and increasing your overall flexibility.

Walking, if your balance isn’t compromised, is another way to keep in shape as you are dealing with arthritis pain.  Like swimming, this helps your larger joints in your hips and knees, and walking is simple to do just about anywhere.

You might simply want to spend time walking around the grocery store in your neighborhood or perhaps head to the local shopping mall to browse the stores to get moving more.

Biking is another low impact way to get more exercise in your life.  By focusing on moving your joints instead of bouncing up and down on the ground, you can help improve flexibility and strength, even if you’re using a stationary bike and not heading out on the open road.

Tai Chi and Yoga are other relaxing ways to get more activity while also helping to improve your arthritis pain.  By slowly moving your body into certain positions, you can allow your joints to release tension as well as help yourself to become more balanced and coordinated as you move during the rest of your day.

Ideally, you also want to include some sort of weight training exercise into your life as well.  This will help to strengthen your muscles and make you feel steadier and sturdier as you perform everyday tasks.  The stronger your muscles are, the more easily they can support your weaker muscles, helping to offset pain and tightness.

Your body was designed to be active, even when it is in pain.  Of course, if you feel any shooting pains as you move, you will want to stop your activity and speak with your doctor. 

If you haven’t been able to exercise for a while, it’s time to check with your doctor as well to see what exercises they might recommend for you.