Dr. Cherry Prescribes...

Dr. Cherry Prescribes...

Ease Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is an umbrella term that refers to a variety of abnormalities of joint tissue. Osteoarthritis (or degenerative arthritis) is by far the most common type of arthritis. It involves a progressive deterioration of the body's joints, like the joints of the fingers, knees, hips and spine. Joint degeneration can begin as early as your teens or 20s, but the symptoms of pain, morning stiffness and loss of joint mobility usually do not appear until much later in life.

No one knows exactly why joint tissues start to erode, but many in the field of natural health feel that poor diet, sedentary lifestyle and nutritional deficiencies play a major role. Diets rich in processed sugars and saturated fats can lead to obesity, which puts excessive strain on the joints. Lack of exercise causes the supportive structures around the joints - muscles, tendons and ligaments - to become lax and allow the joints to become damaged more easily. And nutrient deficiencies may inhibit the natural ability of the body to regenerate and repair damaged joint tissue.

Certain medications may also contribute to the deterioration of joint tissue. Surprisingly, some of the most popular medications used for treating arthritis - like ibuprofen, indomethacin and naproxen - have actually been shown to accelerate joint destruction! These drugs are effective at temporarily relieving pain, but in the long term may worsen the underlying disease. And recently, a popular prescription arthritis medication was removed from the market by the manufacturer because a study showed an increase in the risk of heart attack and stroke. Concerns about other popular arthritis medications were also raised because of some of the same issues.

Fortunately, some very effective natural therapies for osteoarthritis exist that offer an alternative to drug use. Perhaps the most important of these is the nutrient glucosamine. Glucosamine is a natural building block for the connective tissue found in joints. Our bodies use glucosamine to repair damage to the joints and help rebuild new joint tissue. The long term benefits of glucosamine use are not only an easing of symptoms but a reversal of the disease process itself.

Many clinical trials have been conducted on glucosamine proving it to be a safe and effective remedy. One study compared glucosamine to ibuprofen in arthritic patients and found that, after eight weeks of use, glucosamine proved to be more effective at controlling symptoms than ibuprofen. Another study, reported in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet, found that 1500 milligrams daily of glucosamine for three years not only improved symptom scores, but slowed - and, in some cases, completely stopped - joint deterioration of the study participants. All this without the unwanted side effects medications can often produce.

This kind of research highlights the effectiveness of natural remedies like glucosamine. Other natural substances, such as chondroitin and boswellia extract have also proven to be of significant value in reducing arthritis symptoms.

You don't have to put up with joint pain. It's time to take control of your arthritis symptoms and take a natural Pathway to Healing.