Arthritis Zone
ARTHRITIC PREVENTION & SELF CARE
To help with the prevention and relief of arthritis, prescribe a
proactive plan for yourself. Take charge of your lifestyle and see
where improvements can be made, like with regards to any of the
following, listed in no particular order of importance or affect.
Acupuncture / Acupressure - Acupuncture or therapeutic 'needle
piercing" is the insertion of fine needles into the skin in order to
stimulate targeted places in the body, referred to as acupoints. Along
with the needles, the acupuncture practitioner also generally applies
any of the following to stimulate the points; suction, friction, heat,
pressure or electromagnetic energy impulses. The treatment goal is to
stimulate the acupoints in order to balance the body’s movement of
energy (qi) and restore health. Ask your healthcare provider for
practitioner referrals or look in directories under holistic services.
Acupressure,
also referred to as Relief with
Fingertips, is similar to acupuncture, but uses the hands for healing
technique instead of needles and other devices. Depending upon the
afflicted area and type of arthritic condition, a combination of
knuckles, fingers, thumbs and palm massage techniques are use in the
surrounding areas. Note that traditional Chinese described four types
of arthritic conditions that work alone or in combinations; wind, cold,
heat and damp:
Wind – Presents itself in the body with moving aches and pains that are
worsened by the wind.
Cold – Presents itself with swollen and painful joints sensitive to
fog, rain and high humidity conditions.
Heat – Presents itself in areas reddish in color and inflamed; may feel
hot when touched.
Damp – Presents itself with aches during colder, decreasing
temperatures and storms, i.e. extreme weather changes.
Consult your healthcare provider for practitioner referrals or look in
directories under holistic services for charts and more information.
Aromatherapy – Aromatherapy or
"treatment using scents," is another
holistic treatment used by some arthritic sufferers for pain relief,
skincare and revival, rejuvenation and stress management.
Treatment focuses on using pleasurable aromatic botanical oils by
either massaging them into the skin, adding them to the bath water,
inhaling them directly or diffusing their scents into the surrounding
environment. The oils have been known to affect moods, help with
relaxation, lessen or end fatigue and anxiety, and help the brain and
nervous system via olfactory nerves stimulation when inhaled.
Aromatherapy is reportedly one of the fastest growing fields in
alternative medicine, used in home, clinical and hospital environments
for pain and stress relief.
Aromatherapy treatments for arthritis vary and essential oils used can
include:
Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor)
Cupressus Sempervirens (Cypress)
Eucalyptus
Ginger
Hhyssopus Officinalis (Hyssop)
Juniperus Communis (Juniper)
Lavandula Officinalis (Lavender)
Matricaria Chamomilla (Chamomile)
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary)
Styrax Benzoin (Benzoin)
Recipe for Arthritis Aromatherapy:
Add six drops each of rosemary and chamomile oils to four ounces of a
base oil like almond, avocado, sesame or soybean. Massage oil into sore
arthritic joints. For added pain relief, relax for about 10 minutes in
a warm tub of water in which ten drops each of rosemary and chamomile
oils are added.
Other Aromatherapy Oil Applications:
- Mix oil with hot water and inhale the vapor that rises from
the bowl.
- Add the oil in with a base oil and massage arthritic areas.
- Lightly dab and wear as a cologne or perfume
- Add to bath water
Dietary
and Exercise Planning
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This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.