Arthritis

Arthritis is a common joint disorder that can affect one or multiple joints.  A joint, which moves body parts connected by its bones, is an area in the body where two bones meet.  Arthritis is not a disease and refers to joint pain, when inflammation occurs in the joint(s).  While there are many types of Arthritis, Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are the primary ones.  OA is the slow deterioration of cartilage in the joints and RA is an autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system attacks the body's tissues.  Arthritis can occur in all people of all ages, sexes, and races, and it is the leading cause of disability in America.  While it is more common in women, it primarily occurs when people get older. 

Symptoms of Arthritis tend to gradually develop over time, but sometimes they can occur out of the blue.  The signs of Arthritis usually affect people over 65, but younger people, children even, can experience them.  Because there are so many types of Arthritis, symptoms vary from person to person, but they similarly affect the joints, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and muscles. 

• Joint Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling Around Joints
• Decrease in Range of Motion
• Redness of Skin Around Affected Joint
• Fatigue or Loss of Appetite (this is common in people who have RA) 

• Weight loss is an effective, although not necessarily the easiest, way to diminish symptoms of Arthritis.  Eliminating processed foods, sugar, alcohol, salt, meat, dairy, and genetically modified foods from your diet is a good way to start.  Solely eating vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, and whole grains like barley or buckwheat is great way to lose weight.  
• It's also important to get the right amount of omega-3 fatty acids.  You can get omega-3 fatty acids from eating avocados, walnuts, almonds, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, or chard.
• Adding turmeric to your dishes can help because it has anti-inflammatory properties.  Grind fresh turmeric into tea or season fresh vegetables with turmeric powder.  You can make a turmeric tonic with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, hot water, and fresh ginger as well.
• Accompany your diet with easy workouts that don't put too much stress on the joints (biking and swimming are great options).  You can also try rebounding, where you bounce on a small trampoline using a support bar.  After losing 10-20 pounds, symptoms should reduce.
• Many people with Arthritis find that acupuncture aids their symptoms.  While it doesn't work for everyone, it can help to relieve pain and inflammation in the affected joint(s).  
• Using hot and cold treatments can dramatically affect how your joints feel.  Hot showers and baths, especially in the mornings, help ease the stiffness in the joints.  Applying an ice pack to the affected joint can also help reduce pain.  If you have a hot pad or hot water bottle, alternating from hot to cold treatments can help benefit you.
• You can apply a healing salve to the joints that are affected by Arthritis.  You can make it by using shea butter, olive oil, or coconut oil as the base.  Add 10-15 drops of either peppermint, clove, wintergreen, eucalyptus, birch, or spearmint essential oil and mix it well.  Massage this on the affected area. 
• Meditation or other relaxation exercises can help Arthritis because it reduces stress levels.  Those with Arthritis and depression were helped the most by meditation. Similarly, getting massages helps move the fluid in the body and loosen the joints.  Massages also help people with Arthritis establish a better range of motion.