Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. Arthritis is not a single disease. Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and other conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Any part of your body can become inflamed or painful from arthritis.
The two most common types of arthritis are Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, the more common form, is not characterized by inflammation around the joints as Rheumatoid arthritis is, but rather is due to wear and tear on the joints due to degeneration or injury.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lining inside the joint). Doctors suspect that the cause includes genetic factors. Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose early because it can begin gradually with subtle symptoms.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects people differently. No two rheumatoid arthritis cases are exactly the same.
Some symptoms include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness (Common in mornings, which can last for one or more hours)
- Swelling
- Loss of joint function
- A feeling of warmth around affected joints
- Fatigue (Loss of energy)
- Symmetrical Pattern (Meaning the same joint on both sides of body are affected. ie. Both knees, both wrists)
- Sometimes flu-like symptoms and fevers are present.
- Loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia associated with chronic diseases, depression.
- Joint deformity and instability from damage to cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bone.
- Limited range of motion in affected joints.
- Flares and remission of disease activity is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis may affect more than the joints and have systemic effects (i.e., affects the organs of the body)
Some symptoms include:
- Feeling of soreness or stiffness (Common in the morning, but lasting no longer than 30 minutes)
- Painful joints (Especially after inactivity or overuse.)
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Decreased function over time.
A diet change is a must. Begin by “cleaning” your Internal System.
- Follow a juice and water fast/cleanse for 3-5 days. (Dr. Christopher has a good one, http://www.herballegacy.com/Three_Day_Cleanse.html )
- Also take a Liver Cleanse each morning http://theresanoilforthat.blogspot.com/search/label/Liver%20Cleanse
- After the cleanse, follow a diet that consists of Whole and Raw foods.
- Any whole, live, raw foods. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
- Meat contains a type of fat that stimulates the production of inflammatory agents in your body. Adopting a vegetarian diet may help.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are helpful with inflammation. Include oily fish, particularly salmon, sardines, mackerel or other fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.(Marine oils act directly on the immune system, suppressing 40 to 55 percent of the release of compounds called cytokines that help destroy joints)
- Avoiding polyunsaturated fats such as safflower and sunflower oils and margarines made from them. Stick to olive oil and other monounsaturates.
- Avoid all refined flours, cereals, processed foods and meats, animal fats, and refined sugar.
- High levels of beta-cryptoxanthin help stop the development of arthritis. This is classed as a pro-vitamin A carotenoid which can be found in all yellow or orange- fleshed fruits and vegetables. It enhances bone, skin and immune health. Pumpkin, winter squash and peppers are the vegetables with the highest levels of beta-cryptoxanthin, while tangerines, persimmons and papayas are the fruits with the highest levels.
- Take a Probiodic, daily, to replenish the beneficial bacteria in the body.
Essential Oil Helps:Soaking in a bath can help relieve pain and inflammation. Add any of the following Combination of oils to ¼ cup Epsom Salts, then add mixture to a hot bath. Soak as long as possible or until water cools:
Muscle Pain Bath
- 7 drops Juniper Berry
- 5 drops Lavender
- 6 drops Rosemary
Anti-Inflammation & Pain Relief
- 6 drops Lavender
- 6 drops Rosemary
- 5 drops Juniper Berry
- 3 drops Peppermint
Anti-Inflammation
- 8 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Lemon
- 8 drops Tea Tree
Use the per la Pain blend or Birch externally. On a small area, apply 1 drop, undiluted (neat) and gently spread it around. For a larger area, mix 10 drops in 5 to 10 ml of Carrier oil and gently massage.
Can also Apply 4-5 drops Sports Pro blend, undiluted (neat) on location. Then, soak a piece of gauze or flannel in ice water to create a cold compress. Apply for 5 minutes, then follow with a warm compress for 5 minutes.
Other helps
- mix 5-10 drops of the Pain blend into green clay and apply, as a poultice, on the affected area.
- Apart from the times of crisis, apply the Pain blend in the morning, and then turn to Birch in the afternoon, evening, or before bedtime.
- To encourage greater healing circulation, massage Cypress oil around painful joints in a larger circle than the other massage oils you use.
- Basil or Peppermint can be used for pain, on location.
- Thyme, mixed with a carrier oil, can also be very affective.
- Helichrysum is helpful for inflammation, pain, and over all healing of arthritis.
- Some more “hot” oils, but very beneficial in pain relief, are Black Pepper, Cajeput, Clove, or Ginger. Mix 2-3 drops of any one of the oils with 1 ounce of carrier oil, and apply on location.
- Circulation around the joints can be improved through tissue-cleansing properties of the following essential oils: Juniper berry, Cypress, and Lemon.
- Lavender, Rosemary, and Chamomile, have a mild pain reliever and high anti-inflammatory properties.