| Arthritis as we know it today is a large | | | | |
| group of conditions where damage is | | | | Other alternative medicines include such |
| inflicted on the joints of the body, | | | | anti-inflammatory supplements as |
| resulting in swollen, throbbing pain. It is | | | | alpha-lineolic acid, primrose oil, devil's |
| a disease that afflicts all ages, but is | | | | claw, and capsaicin. These supplements are |
| predominately present in people over the age | | | | available in natural food stores and |
| of sixty-five. The most common form of | | | | occasionally mainstream markets; some, like |
| arthritis is the degenerative joint disease | | | | the alpha-lineolic acid and primrose oil, |
| known as osteoarthritis. | | | | are also available more naturally in food, |
| | | | such as soy, avocadoes, beans, fruits, and |
| There are many forms of arthritis, and | | | | wheat-germ. Devil's claw is available as a |
| consequently, various types of medical | | | | tincture, powder, capsule, or dried herb tea; |
| treatment. Each form of arthritis is | | | | capsaicin is an anti-inflammatory cream |
| different, so treatment options vary, and | | | | made from hot-peppers. |
| can include traditional medicine, | | | | |
| alternative medicine, physical and | | | | Ayurveda is another form of alternative |
| occupational therapy, and arthroplasty. | | | | medicine that is often cited as an |
| | | | arthritis reliever. Considered the world's |
| While various options for medical treatment | | | | oldest form of medicine, it has formed the |
| abound, arthritis patients may be | | | | basis of Indian medical treatments for over |
| interested in pursuing relief from aches and | | | | 5,000 years. |
| pains through alternative medicine in | | | | |
| addition to traditional medicine. In this | | | | Ayurveda proposes a well-rounded routine for |
| case, the sufferer often turns to alternative | | | | relieving arthritis pain that includes |
| sources of medicine for more pain relief | | | | herbs and essential oils, yoga and a special |
| than their current treatment is providing. | | | | diet that often includes one or two week |
| Alternative arthritis medicine runs the gamut | | | | detoxification diets. The kind of treatment |
| of hot pepper-based anti-inflammatory | | | | you receive depends on the type of arthritis |
| creams to vitamin supplementation and | | | | you have, which, according to Ayurveda, is |
| Ayurvedic medicine. | | | | divided into three forms: vata, pitta, and |
| | | | kapha. Each treatment varies depending on the |
| Some of the most frequently used, natural | | | | corresponding type of arthritis above. |
| remedies for arthritis are the combined | | | | |
| supplements of glucosamine and chondroitin. | | | | Thus there are many forms of alternative |
| According to several national and | | | | medicine that can supplement your |
| international studies, both supplements | | | | traditional arthritis treatment and help |
| taken together effectively relieve major | | | | relieve pain, swelling, and discomfort. |
| arthritis pain. Calcium is also an | | | | Always remember to listen to your body and |
| essential nutrient, as is vitamin D | | | | see what works best for you. |
| (available in capsule form or by sunlight). | | | | |