Arthritis

Background

Natural remedies can dramatically decrease most kinds of arthritis pain and improve function. This is especially important because arthritis medications unnecessarily kill an estimated 50,000 Americans yearly (16,500 from bleeding ulcers and an over 35% percent increase in heart attacks and strokes). Fortunately, arthritis pain is very treatable naturally — with many natural options being as, or more, effective than the medications. Instead of side effects, the herbals cause "side benefits," such as a lower risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and premature death.

Treatments

Natural remedies can dramatically decrease most kinds of arthritis pain and improve function. Give them 6 weeks. You will be amazed at how much better you feel and, although you should stay on a multivitamin powder forever, if you want you can lower the dose of the other treatments (as able) after 3 months.

Recommended Supplements

The first 4 nutrients help joints to heal and rebuild. The last 2 help restore healthy balance to immune function. Give the program 6 weeks to work.

STEP 1: FEED YOUR JOINTS

Multivitamin powder

Take a daily dose of a good multivitamin powder (as directed).

Cartilage repair

Glucosamine sulfate 1,500 mg day, with chondroitin 400 mg 2x day, hyaluronic acid and type 2 collagen in combination.  

STEP 2: RESTORE HEALTHY BALANCED IMMUNE FUNCTION

Herbal mixes are excellent. These can even be taken along with arthritis medications and you can combine this the supplements above. Give them 6 weeks to do their healing work and show their full effect.

BCM 95 Curcumin and Boswellia

A combination of a special highly absorbed curcumin with boswelliathat has these 2 PLUS DLPA (to enhance your body’s natural pain relieving mechanisms) plus nattokinase to get the other herbs where they are needed is, simply put, a pain relief miracle. This mix has been shown to support joint health in both regular and rheumatoid arthritis.

Topical Comfrey

This new herbal cream is wonderful for pain. Just rub it on.

Fish oil

If you have inflammatory arthritis (red, swollen joints, as in rheumatoid arthritis) add fish oil 1 teaspoon or 3 capsules 2-3 times a day.  

Strontium

Add strontium 340-680 mg each night helps symptoms and improves joint health. This helps bone density (see Osteoporosis) as well as arthritis.

PEA

Research is mounting that for chronic pain, a supplement called PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) 600 mg a day can be quite remarkable in both decreasing pain and protecting nerve and brain cells. It takes three months to start seeing the effect however, so give it time.

Medications

The above supplements can be taken with your prescription pain medications. If you are on the blood thinner Coumadin, however, consult with a holistic physician before taking these or any herbals.

Minocycline (for infections)

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation is often being triggered by your body fighting a hidden infection, and I recommend that long term antibiotic treatment with Minocycline (Minocin — a tetracycline antibiotic) be added (see Rheumatoid Arthritis).

STEP 3: EXCERCISE AND STRETCHING

Walking (in a pool, if it is too painful on the ground) is good exercise for arthritis below your waist. If you have decreased flexibility, put heat on the affected joints (herbal "beanbags" that can be heated in the microwave are very good for this). After 5-10 minutes in the heat, slowly and gently move the joints (as able) to reclaim your full range of motion. Do this 2-3 times a day until your joints are limber.

STEP 4: FOR STUBBORN CASES

PEA

Research is mounting that for chronic pain, a supplement called PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) 600 mg a day can be quite remarkable in both decreasing pain and protecting nerve and brain cells. It takes three months to start seeing the effect, however, so give it time.

Acupressure (for food allergies)

If symptoms persist despite these treatments, look for and treat food allergies with a special form of acupressure called NAET. An elimination diet can help you tell if Food Allergies are a problem.

More Information Online

Articles on Arthritis by Dr. T

Arthritis Pain — Effective Natural Therapies

Multiple Food Elimination Diet

NAET (acupressure technique for treating food allergies at www.NAET.com)