Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that can cause painful and swollen joints. In the United States, approximately 21 percent of adults have been diagnosed with arthritis, report health officials at the Arthritis Foundation. Traditional arthritis therapies include medication, surgery or physical therapy. If you have arthritis, a number of alternative therapy options are available that may help you manage symptoms associated with this condition. Speak with your doctor before beginning any type of alternative therapy, as these treatments can pose additional health risks.
Acupuncture
If you have arthritis, you may benefit from an alternative therapy called acupuncture. Acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny needles along specific energy lines in the body. This process can help stimulate the flow of energy to the sites of needle insertion and can decrease pain in these areas.
Aromatherapy Massage
Symptoms associated with arthritis may be alleviated through the application of aromatherapy massage. This alternative therapy for arthritis involves using essential oils from flowers and plants during massage to help calm and decrease joint symptoms of inflammation, pain and swelling.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a type of massage therapy that focuses pressure on certain points within the feet or hands that are believed to correspond with specific organs in the body. Similar to acupuncture, this alternative therapy is believed to restore balance within the body by stimulating the flow of energy throughout the body. For treatment of arthritis, your reflexologist may apply pressure to regions within your feet that correspond to the adrenal, thyroid, pancreas and pituitary glands. As part of the immune system, these glands can help stimulate blood flow and decrease inflammation throughout the body, thereby potentially alleviating symptoms associated with arthritis.
Yoga
If you have arthritis, you may find some relief from your symptoms through the practice of yoga. Yoga is a type of low-impact physical exercise that utilizes stretching and breathing techniques to help increase flexibility within the joints. Incorporating physical exercise into your daily routine is an important part of maintaining optimal health--especially if you have arthritis. Participating in yoga can help promote the health of your joints by strengthening your muscles, increasing your flexibility and decreasing stress, explain health professionals at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.
Dietary Supplements
Certain types of dietary supplements, such as fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin, may help alleviate the painful symptoms associated with arthritis. These dietary supplements are believed to help lubricate the joints and can help prevent the destruction of the cartilage between joints.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a type of alternative therapy for arthritis in which a patient soaks in a mineral or salt bath. The warm salt water can help reduce swelling and inflammation in affected joints, which may lead to decreased pain.
Magnets
Several small research studies cited by The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center have demonstrated that the use of magnets effectively reduces arthritis pain in certain people. Magnetic bracelets or joint sleeves worn near or over the affected joint may help decrease painful symptoms associated with arthritis.
