Blog
Arthritis pain relief without drugs
Tags: arthritis, arthritis pain relief, natural pain relief, pain management, pain relief, pain treatment, physical therapist Prescott, physical therapists Prescott, Prescott physical therapy
Osteoarthritis affects 30-40% of individuals age 65 or older. Arthritis is the second leading cause of physical disability in the entire world (1). It can affect any joint in the body and is often the cause of knee, hip, and low back pain in older adults.
The condition leads to high levels of physical disability because of the pain and joint stiffness that come with it. Due to pain, those affected move less, resulting in more joint stiffness and muscle weakness. This leads to greater physical disability. It’s a tough cycle to break.
Osteoarthritis is essentially an inflammatory disorder that affects the tissue inside a joint. In addition to causing arthritis pain, the inflammatory chemicals released inside the joint actually cause the articular cartilage at the end of the bones to slowly degenerate. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are commonly used to treat the inflammation associated with arthritis. Celebrex, Voltaren, and ibuprofen are some examples. NSAIDS inhibit the activity and further production of inflammatory chemicals that cause joint break down and pain. They are definitely effective in treating the symptoms of mild to moderate osteoarthritis. Reducing the inflammation allows people to move and exercise to keep the joints and surrounding muscles more healthy. NSAIDS combined with an appropriate exercise program are an effective treatment approach for those suffering from this common condition.
The problem with NSAIDS is the side effects that come with them. These drugs are hard on the heart, liver, kidneys, and intestines. It’s common to take NSAIDS for years with satisfactory results only to have to quit taking them because of serious side effects. Several NSAIDS have even been pulled off the market because they contribute to heart attacks and strokes. Everybody wants to live a healthy, pain-free life but not at the expense of increasing your chance of dying prematurely! How can you slow down the arthritic process and stay active without unwanted side effects that commonly come with prescription drugs?
Fortunately there is an alternative that does not come with the unwanted side effects! A plant called Curcuma longa has a powerful anti-inflammatory compound called curcumin that has been shown to reduce inflammation IN PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS just as effectively as prescription NSAIDS (1). You read that right. When curcumin has been compared to prescription drugs used to treat osteoarthritis, it has been shown to reduce inflammatory chemicals in the joints every bit as effectively as the drugs minus the unwanted heart, liver, kidney, and intestinal side effects. Curcumin has been proven SAFE and EFFECTIVE in treating arthritis pain due to knee osteoarthritis (2,3). In addition curcumin has been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-viral properties. Supplementing with curucumin or turmeric will reduce arthritis-related inflammation just as effectively as prescription drugs without the side effects. Turmeric is the spice from the root of the curcuma long plant; curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric.
Whole turmeric may be more effective compared to isolated curcumin for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. 400-600 milligrams three times a day is a sufficient amount to supplement with. Find a product standardized for 95% curcuminoids. Also make sure to get a supplement that contains black pepper or piperine because they increase the absorption of curcumin in the body. It may take six to eight weeks to realize the full benefits of curcumin, so be sure to take the supplement for at least this long to determine if it’s effective for you.
NOTE: Don’t use curcumin if you are pregnant, have gallstones, or have cancer.
Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment and relieve your arthritis aches and pains quickly and naturally! 928-589-1172
1. Kertia N, Asdie AH, Rochmah W, Marsetyawan. Ability of curcuminoid compared to diclofenac sodium in reducing the secretion of cycloxygenase-2 enzyme by synovial fluid’s monocytes of patients with osteoarthritis. Acta Med Indones. 2012 Apr;44(2):105-13.
2. Kuptniratsaikul V, Thanakhumtorn S, Chinswangwatanakul P, Wattanamongkonsil L, Thamlikitkul V. Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Aug;15(8):891-7. doi: 10.1089/acm.2008.0186.
3. Madhu K, Chanda K, Saji MJ. Safety and efficacy of Curcuma longa extract in the treatment of painful knee osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Inflammopharmacology. 2013 Apr;21(2):129-36.