If there was a way to
cut down on our medications for rheumatoid arthritis it would
certainly be worth a try. Well there are several natural ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis that can have a beneficial effect. If they
work for you you may be able to cut down on your prescription
medication. Remember to check with your doctor before you do though.
To obtain temporary relief from pain, try bathing or soaking in warm water. The hot water helps to relaxing your muscles and joints. Relax in the water for 15-20 minutes, which allows the warmth to penetrate sore muscles and joints. However be careful if there is inflammation present as the heat may cause this to flare up,
Electrical stimulation machines or T.E.N.S can be a great natural treatment for arthritis, but check with your doctor before using one. These machines are used by physios to treat sports injuries, but you can buy your own personal model to use at home for around $200-$500. The electrical current emitted from the machine blocks pain signals in the brain.
When looking at
supplements, there are a few that seem to work well with rheumatoid
arthritis. Devil’s Claw is an effective remedy to reduce the
inflammation of joint tissues as well as removing uric acid.
Valerian is a known
herbal sedative which is also useful for pain relief. People who have
liver conditions, however, should avoid valerian.
White willow bark is a
very old pain remedy. It contains salicin which is the origin of the
drug we now know of as aspirin.
Finally there are two enzymes which help keep away inflammation. Bromelain which is found in pineapple and Papain found in Pawpaw are very effective when taken in between meals. They are almost completely free from known side effects.