| Turning to a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is | | | | acupressure seem to release endorphins in patients, |
| an option you can consider. Such a treatment does | | | | causing feeling of pleasantness and comfort. It |
| not usually involve the use of prescription medications | | | | appears that acupressure has strong anti-inflammatory |
| and would have virtually little or no side effects. | | | | healing abilities for rheumatoid arthritis. |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that refers to the | | | | Relaxation therapy: Relaxation therapy is a |
| inflammation of your joints. When your joints are | | | | multidisciplinary approach that incorporates several |
| inflamed, you experience pain, swelling, stiffness and | | | | different therapies working toward a common goal. |
| general discomfort. It results from infection, trauma, | | | | The goal of relaxation therapy as a natural treatment |
| degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, or other | | | | for rheumatoid arthritis is to release muscle tension and |
| causes. | | | | joint rigidity to reduce your overall pain and discomfort. |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease | | | | The different relaxation therapies include meditation, |
| whereby your immune system starts to attack its own | | | | yoga, stretching exercises and Pilates. |
| body tissues. It is also considered a progressive | | | | Hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is fast becoming a |
| disease. This means that over time, your arthritis | | | | popular therapy for rheumatoid arthritis patients as it is |
| symptoms can worsen. | | | | fun and can be very effective. It involves a series of |
| There are over 100 different classifications and types | | | | water exercises, usually done in lukewarm water. |
| of arthritis. It is likely that if you have been diagnosed | | | | Patients with rheumatoid arthritis report that the feeling |
| with one of these, your doctor would have prescribed | | | | of warm water helps to relax them and provide much |
| you the appropriate drugs for it. Although drug | | | | relief from their pain. |
| medication can be used effectively to treat many | | | | In addition, several studies have shown that |
| kinds of arthritis, there are potential side effects when | | | | hydrotherapy is an effective therapy that helps reduce |
| you become over dependent on them for arthritis pain | | | | the weight and pressure on the joints. The warm |
| relief. | | | | water relaxes the muscles and helps reduce the |
| Here is a quick run-down on some of the newest and | | | | feeling of stiffness. Hydrotherapy is also effective in |
| most popular natural rheumatoid arthritis treatments. | | | | weight management, which is particularly important if |
| They may be used alone, or in conjunction with each | | | | you have rheumatoid arthritis. |
| other. | | | | Occupational therapy. Occupational therapy is often |
| Physical therapy. This is a very popular natural | | | | used as a complementary and natural treatment for |
| treatment for rheumatoid arthritis as it is highly | | | | rheumatoid arthritis. In occupational therapy, you learn |
| effective. In many cases, regular prescribed exercises | | | | how to use their body parts more efficiently. |
| can even improve the range of physical motion | | | | Occupational therapy helps in ensuring that you can go |
| substantially. Physical therapy can also help you deal | | | | about your everyday chores and tasks so that less |
| with muscle and joint stiffness, increase muscle | | | | tension is placed on the joints. Specially made splints |
| strength, and reduce allover pain. | | | | are often used to help patients accomplish certain |
| Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese | | | | tasks without placing excess pressure on their joints. |
| healing method that dates back more than 3,000 years | | | | You and your occupational therapist can work |
| ago. It is used to effectively treat the symptoms of | | | | together to tackle any specific challenges that you |
| arthritis, in addition to other health ailments. Acupuncture | | | | face. Your occupational therapist can design specific |
| is a procedure used in which specific body areas (or | | | | exercises for this purpose and train you in the use of |
| meridian points) are pierced with fine needles for | | | | special assistive devices. |
| therapeutic purposes or to relieve pain or produce | | | | Hot and cold therapies. These therapies take |
| regional anesthesia. | | | | advantage of the effects of certain temperatures on |
| As a natural treatment method, acupuncture is fast | | | | the joints. Compresses, ultrasound devices, and warm |
| gaining popularity in America and other western | | | | wax may be used to apply heat to the joints. Ice |
| countries. By 1993, Americans were making 12 million | | | | packs may be used to apply cold temperatures to the |
| visits per year to acupuncturists, and spending $500 | | | | affected areas. The efficacy of heat and cold |
| million annually on acupuncture treatments. By 1995, | | | | therapies varies according to the patient. |
| there were an estimated 10,000 certified | | | | In most instances, the benefits of using the above |
| acupuncturists practicing in the United States; as of | | | | mentioned natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis |
| 2000, there were 20,000. | | | | outweigh any instant results, but far more damaging, |
| Acupresure. Acupressure is another ancient Chinese | | | | derived from consuming drugs and medication. The |
| form of therapy that has been used for thousands of | | | | only drawback is that usually a natural treatment does |
| years. It is also used to as a natural treatment for | | | | not produce instant reliefs. You may need to use it |
| rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast to acupuncture, here, | | | | over a period to know if it works for you. It will also be |
| the acupressure practitioner uses his or her fingers | | | | a good idea to maintain a journal to keep track. |
| instead of needles. Studies have shown that | | | | |