Arthritis management and treatment without medication

Arthritis pain is crippling when not managed properly. The disease is caused by the filling of the joints with synovial fluid that leaks from behind a membrane as a result of injury. This is a straw-colored fluid that reduces friction between the articular cartilages of synovial joints during movement. It is normally found in the cavities of the joints, but the crystallization of the normally viscous liquid can impede the movement of the joints and cause pain due to inflammation.

This is a very simple and basic explanation without the medical jargon that many may not understand. What we are doing here is simply clarifying the cause of arthritic pain. The joints usually take on a yellowish color while the pain is caused by the fluid itself. The inflammation of the area considerably increases the pain.

Patients are usually prescribed anti-inflammatory medications to help reduce stress, but diet should be a major concern as it has a lot to do with it. Foods that cause inflammation are things like milk, refined flour (used in cakes, dough, scones, pancakes, bread, etc.), starches like custard and cornmeal, and a host of other things. Anything that contains flour or any of the starches should be avoided.

Exercise is also vital to keep your joints mobile. Walking and running are favorite forms of exercise, but gardening and anything that gets your body moving is good. For older people, they can do chair-supported push-ups and stretches by pushing their limbs back while holding onto the back of a chair or leaning against a wall.

It’s good to remember the old adage of ‘use it or lose it’, as once the joints are sealed after being glued, it is difficult for them to move again.