Inflammation? Arthritis? Try these natural remedies.
About 1.5 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis. It is estimated that the costs per patient in the United States can range from $1,500 to $22,000 annually. For someone searching for serious relief, all those medications and doctors visits can add up to quite a bit. Which is why many people are turning to more natural, homeopathic remedies that bypass insurance or doctors costs.
Arthritis
About 350 million people worldwide have arthritis. And 40 million of them are right here in the United States. Here are a few natural ways for treating arthritis:
- Epsom salt soak. These aren’t just for sore athletes. You can either pour Epsom salt in a nice warm bath for a full body soak, or grab an oversized bowl and put the warm water and Epsom salt in it. Then insert the affected location, i.e. hands or feet.
- Turmeric and ginger tea. Boil two cups of water. Add ½ teaspoon of ground ginger and ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. Then, strain.
- EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil). It’s no longer just for cooking. Rub the olive oil over sore joints two to three times a day.
Sciatica
Slipped disks can often create compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back. This leads to pain affecting the back, hip and outer side of the leg. Many people take some form of painkiller to alleviate what is called sciatica. Here are a few natural alternatives for treating the condition:
- Get Moving. When you’re home, don’t spend long periods of time sitting down. Targeted exercises can loosen up inflamed areas.
- Heating pads. Apply a heating pad to your back 15 to 20 minutes a day. This will dull the pain.
- Ice packs. Cold pressure can do the trick, too. Apply an ice pack to your back for 10 to 15 minutes every day.
Final Word of Caution
While these remedies have proven to be helpful, please contact your physician if your condition continues or you believe it to be serious.
Just got food grade DE, will let u know how it goes. TY
Walk in my shoes before you judge. Remember one person’s perception of pain is not always the same as another. I agree that exercise and just moving around can help with some pain,but not all.
Thank you for your comment
Absolutely! I have fibromyalgia and i get SO tired of people saying, “Exercise will cure that.” No, it won’t. There is currently NO cure for fibro, although moving around helps with some of the pain, but like you said, not all.
I have found that most people are hypercondrics in one form or another. That is to say that every time when people find themselves in pain or hint of being in pain, they are extremely quick to self-medicate themselves, be it a booboo on the finger or a headache that just occurred.
This is a very bad habit for people to get into. They feel that they have an illness, usually one that they are familiar with, that requires medication. That is when they reach for what they think will ease their ills and start popping those pills. Had they taken the time to allow the pain to take its natural course, they would often find that the pain would disappear quick enough on its own.
It is like having a toothache. You have the pain, you feel it throbbing and you know it will last for a few hours unless you take something to get rid of the pain. Here is where mind of matter takes affect: If you don’t think about it, the pain would disappear; unless you are chewing on something that provide the pain every time you chew. If you don’t think about it the pain will disappear until your brain is reminded that you have a pain.
This is why doctors hate it when their patients come to their office telling them, the doctor(s) what medication they are willing to accept. Often the doctors are brow-beaten into supplying these drugs to their patients because they pay the bills or they won’t stop bugging the doctor until they get what they wanted. So it is easier to give the patient the drugs than it is to say no and listen to them complain as to why they need this medication.
My wife and kids, I’m sorry to say, are quick to reach for medication to ease their pain. Motrin disappears very quickly in my home if I don’t hide it first from them. Then when they come to me for some Motrin they have to explain to me why they need it so badly. I, myself, prefer not to use any medication; even when directed by a doctor. The only time I would take any medication is if I really need it. But if it is to deaden pain; I would prefer to work through the pain. For this reason I don’t have to worry about being over medicated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are over used in America and can affect how your body fights of infections. The more antibiotics are used in your body, the more it will take to fight off infections because the infections have become immune to the antibiotics.
Now I am not saying that my idea is best for everyone, that is to curb your appetite for self medication. No, I am saying only use what is needed when all else fails or what is absolutely necessary for your continued good health. If you can “man-up” then do so. But don’t be so quick to pop a pill because you have a booboo or a headache. I was a combat medic for 20 years and worked in a hospital for fifteen of those years. So I am speaking from experience of what I have seen, dealt with, and know. Go easy on the meds and seek alternative home remedies whenever possible.