Osteoarthritis affects millions worldwide. It occurs when the protective tissue on the end of your bones wears down over time. The main source of treatment is pain medications and in many cases, surgery. But, are there effective natural treatments for this common condition? In this article from the Food Matters website, the author give you the basic information on this painful condition and provides multiple natural treatment options:
“Osteoarthritis refers to a clinical syndrome of joint pain accompanied by varying degrees of functional limitation and associated reduced quality of life. It is the most common form of arthritis, and one of the leading causes of pain and disability worldwide. Next to pain, the reduced ability to perform day-to-day activities can affect self-efficacy, mood, sleep and overall health. (1)
The name osteoarthritis comes from three Greek words meaning bone, joint, and inflammation.
Indeed, as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK) writes, Osteoarthritis is characterized by localized loss of cartilage, remodelling of adjacent bone and associated inflammation (1). Cartilage is the connective tissue at the end of our bones which cushions joints and allows for smooth movement.
The most commonly affected joints are the knees, hips, small hand joints and spine.
Causes
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK, contrary to popular belief, osteoarthritis is not solely caused by ‘aging’ as such and does not necessarily deteriorate. (1)
So how and why does it develop? A variety of traumas such as overuse, injury or faulty biomechanics during regular activities may trigger the need for a joint to repair itself. If this trauma exceeds the body’s ability to repair, osteoarthritis can ensue. (1)
Some of the factors that reduce our body’s repair mechanisms, and predispose us to the development of osteoarthritis are dietary insufficiencies of the joints’ building blocks, low grade inflammation and genetics (3).
Despite osteoarthritis traditionally having been classified as a non-inflammatory arthritis (compared to the highly inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis, for example), it is now becoming increasingly recognized that low grade inflammation of the entire body is, in fact, also underlying osteoarthritis (1). This prolonged low grade inflammation of the joint’s connective tissue can completely destroy the cartilage, and in some cases, lead to the formation of bony spurs or cysts in the joints which destroys mobility and creates symptoms including joint pain, bony lumps & discomfort (2) .
Symptoms
- Morning stiffness that gets better with movement
- Joint pain that increases with overuse and is often worse in the evening
- Clicking or cracking sound on movement
- Swelling or tenderness, especially after use
- Bony lumps on the fingers
- Loss of joint flexibility
- Mainly in the hands, knees, hips, back and neck, but can be anywhere in the body”
The rest of the article highlights the nutritional guidelines for healing including herbal, superfood, and supplement therapy. You can finish the article over at the Food Matter website by clicking the link below.
Image courtesy of: CAREY PHOTOS