Alternative Therapy Treatments For Arthritis


Noted below are some alternative health therapy treatments for arthritis.

Ayurvedic Medicine


Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that is translated as “science of life” or “knowledge of how to live.”  It is an ancient East Indian system of healing that seeks to promote balance through a healthful lifestyle and various natural healing methods.  Practitioners tailor treatments to each person’s unique condition and diet and nutrition is usually a key issue.   

Hydrotherapy


This is a type of bodywork that uses water as a healing agent to stimulate the immune system, optimize circulation, and promote detoxification.

  • Hot Bath – Soak in a hot bath with Epsom salts or mineral salts for at least twenty minutes.  You’ll eliminate toxins through sweat, and the salts will help replenish minerals in the body.
  • Heat / Cold – Alternate with hot and cold packs to help with any pain and joint stiffness. (When alternating, allow body temperature to return to normal before switching pack treatments.)

Massage


Treat yourself to a massage to relieve painful stress. Arthritic patients have found that massage therapy and gentle stretching helps to relieve pain, relax muscles, reduce swelling and aid in range of motion in joints. No funds available? Check out a library book on how to give yourself a massage.

Here are some basic guidelines.

  • For osteoarthritis: Gently massage around the painful area with a little vegetable oil or massage oil on your fingertips, making small, gentle circles with your fingertips. Avoid massaging directly on the joint. Instead, work right above and below it with your fingertips. Repeat daily for three to five minutes each time.

  • For rheumatoid arthritis: Apply oil or cream to your fingers and use a rhythmic or effleurage (stroking) massage on the muscle and tissue around the afflicted joint. Repeat daily for five to 10 minutes each time.

Physical Therapy


Check with your healthcare provider about finding a physical therapist to help with various exercises based upon your diagnosis. Also, check into the possibility of having an ultrasound treatment.  An ultrasound is a recommended method of helping with pain reduction in an easy, painless manner. Sound waves are sent or generated into the joint area in pain.

Energy Medicine


Energy medicine’s basic premise is that both physical matter, including the human body, and psychological processes (thoughts, feelings, attitudes) are expressions of energy.  Good health is based on the unimpeded flow of energy in the body, and illness is due to blockages or imbalances in this flow.  An EKG (electrocardiogram) employs the principles of energy medicine.

Energy Medicine Assessment Device

  • EDS  (Electrodermal Screening)
Assessment energy devices primarily fall under the category of EDS, also known as electroacupuncture biofeedback, which is based on Dr. Reinhold Voll’s research.  He developed an instrument to measure the electrical resistance at acupuncture points.  Higher readings generally means there is irritation or inflammation in the organ.  Thus it becomes possible to find the root cause of any problem and try to treat it.

Once an assessment has been made, then the problem can be treated by treatment devices such as the MORA or TENS, which is noted below.

Energy Medicine Treatment Devices

  • MORA
Dr. Franz Morrel, a colleague of Dr. Voll, developed the MORA instrument that “reads” the body’s electromagnetic signals as a wave form. The device manipulates the aberrant waveforms by raising or lowering  them to create normal waves and then they are fed back into the patient through the correct acupoint to improve the condition of the patient.

  • TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
It works by applying an electrical current to affected nerves, causing conduction to be blocked and pain to be relieved.



For more information, click > Arthritis Relief