Arthritis and Complementary Therapy

There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis. If you have been diagnosed with one of these, your doctor has probably offered you one or more different types of drug therapies. Drug therapies can be used safely and effectively to treat many kinds of arthritis. But maybe you are wondering if there is something else you can do to help stave off the effects and symptoms of arthritis. Consider complementary therapy as part of your arsenal in your battle against arthritis. If you are interested in complementary therapy-what it is and what it can do for you-here are some tips on the most popular forms of therapy and how you can incorporate complementary therapy into your life. Complementary therapy, as the name implies, is meant to complement more conventional form of therapies. Complementary therapy can refer to a whole host of practices and therapies that can augment more traditional approaches such as drug therapies.

Acupuncture and acupressure are two ancient Chinese forms of therapy that have been used for thousands of years. They are used to treat migraines, infertility, to aid in smoking cessation, and a host of other ailments and conditions. Acupuncture and acupressure have also been used to treat the symptoms of arthritis. More studies are increasingly showing that acupuncture and acupressure have positive results for arthritis patients. These ancient Chinese practices are steadily becoming more popular in the United States, and are even growing more accepted by the mainstream medical establishment. Acupuncture uses long wooden needles that are applied to the patient's pressure points.

Acupressure, not to be confused with acupuncture, uses a different technique to apply pressure. The acupressure practitioner uses his or her fingers instead of needles. Studies have shown that these two practices seem to release endorphins in patients, causing feeling of pleasantness and comfort. It appears that these techniques may also contain strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Herbal supplements are another important component of complementary therapy. These therapies are very attractive to many people because they hold the promise of relief from arthritic symptoms without the side effects of conventional drug therapies. Before taking any herbal supplements, consult your medical professional. Just because herbal supplements are natural does not make them any less potent. Another important consideration in implementing herbal supplements into your arthritis therapy is that the quality herbal supplements can vary widely. Make sure to buy wisely when choosing your herbal supplements. Buy from a reputable dealer or health food store to make sure you are getting quality herbal supplements.

Also, try to only use one product at a time. If you use more than one product, it will be hard to gauge the effects of the individual herbal supplements you are using. A good idea is to keep a journal where you can keep notes about the effects of each medication. This will help you keep track of what seems to work, what doesn't, and if there are any side effects or interactions. Again, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor and ask questions to make sure there are no drug interactions.

Remember that nutritional and botanical supplements may take longer to help than drugs - but their side effects are often fewer and less severe.