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10/5/06

Oh, My Achin’ Joints

Arthritis, or joint inflammation, is a condition that many people assume is part of getting older. To reduce arthritis pain, Western medicine offers surgery (including arthroscopies, which scrape away damaged tissue, and joint replacements), cortisone shots, and a multitude of pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs. These solutions can be short-term, have multiple side effects, may not help at all, and often hinder or even prevent the healing process. They also don’t take into account why the pain is there in the first place, and what else we can do to alleviate if not eliminate the problem.

Injuries to the ligaments and stabilizing structures of the joints often start the development of degenerative joint conditions. When ligaments are stretched and weakened, excessive pressure is put on the other joint structures. Eventually these structures become fatigued and the cartilage begins to deteriorate. Ligament laxity is the underlying problem; by strengthening the weakened structures, the impetus for forming the arthritis stops and so does the pain.

Because ligaments and tendons have a poor blood supply, incomplete healing is common after injury. As normally taut, strong bands of connective tissue become relaxed, weak, and inefficient, they become the source of chronic pain and weakness. Continuing to stress an injured joint or ligament leads to further joint injury and deterioration.

Corticosteroid shots are commonly used to help relieve arthritis symptoms temporarily. Some patients are able to use them to get enough pain relief to hold off joint replacement surgery for months, even years. But cortisone shots do not alter the course of arthritis, and they do not cure the condition – because they don’t deal with why there is inflammation in the first place.

Pete Egoscue, anatomical physiologist, sports injury consultant with a clinic in San Diego, and author of Pain Free and Pain Free for Women, believes that musculoskeletal dysfunction – mainly from lack of motion – is the main culprit. He writes, “By deliberately and systematically stimulating musculoskeletal system functions in accordance with our design and motion requirements, we can eliminate friction and stress that cause joint inflammation and damage.” I recommend both books for a better understanding of how our bodies work, and how to keep them healthy.

Other factors can be diet, obesity, and infection. Rheumatic and arthritic conditions are marked by mineral imbalances in the affected tissues, with calcium status being a good indicator of mineralization in general. Avoid calcium inhibitors: excess meat or protein from any source; intoxicants; refined sugar and too many sweets; and excess salt. Restrict foods high in oxalic acid, such as rhubarb, cranberry, plum, chard, beet greens, and spinach. Nightshade family vegetables – tomato, eggplant, bell pepper, potato – frequently cause problems; if none of these is specifically an issue, they should all still be eaten sparingly, as they contain solanine, a calcium inhibitor. Dairy foods may need to be cut out altogether.

When arthritis is caused by infection, rather than dosing on antibiotics, discourage microbes naturally through antimicrobial foods such as raw garlic, oregano, fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C, and citrus seed extract.

Ginger sesame oil massaged into skin activates blood circulation, as do angelica, myrrh, and calendula. Use a liniment with anti-inflammatory herbs such as goldenseal, myrrh, cayenne, echinacea, red clover, and dandelion. Licorice (herb, not candy!) contains an anti-inflammatory compound that also acts as an anti-arthritic.

Oriental Medicine views arthritis as blockages in the channels. Studies have shown that acupuncture is often successful at reducing the pain and inflammation caused by this blockage.

I hope this information encourages you to review arthritis as a natural byproduct of aging, or as a condition you have to live with.

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