Aromatherapy and Ayurvedic Medicine for Osteoarthritis

For temporary relief of stiff, achy joints, try massaging a blend of 15 drops of rosemary oil, 15 drops of Roman or German chamorllileoil, and 1 ounce of soybean oil into the affected joints. You might also try a warm bath laced with rosemary and chamomile; soak for about 20 minutes. Other essential oils to try include camphor, peppermint, lemon, or marjoram

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurveda views inflammatory diseases. as energy and digestive imbalances, in which the body is unable to eliminate toxic waste. To treat the disorder, ease discomfort, and increase range of motion in affected joints, Ayurvedic practitioners may recommend trying one or more of the following remedies:

Take triphala to cleanse your intestines, aid indigestion, and stimulate the immune system.

Use boswellia, flaxseed, and fish oils to protect your joints and increase joint mobility. You might also try rubbing warm sesame oil into the affected joints.

Soak in hot water laced with baking soda, eucalyptus, ginger, peppermint, or salt to decrease discomfort and loosen joints.

Follow a pacifying diet, depending on your Ayurvedic category of arthritis. You might also add hot spices, such as cayenne, to your diet to loosen joints and control pain.

Bodywork and Somatic Practices

Depending on the severity of the pain, and degree of immobility, it may be best to start wIth more gentle techmques such as CranioSacral therapy, reflexology, Feldenkrais, Trager, Chinese Medical Massage (acupressure), polarity therapy, Therapeutic Touch, and Reiki.

Chiropratic

Specific chiropractic adjustment (SCA) can help patients With osteoarthritis by: increasing joint flexibility, decreasing swelling in the joint areas and joint capsules, and decreasing the fluid accumulation that accompanies arthritic changes. Chiropractic care for patients with osteoarthritis typically include SCA of the affected joints, moist heat application, and hot water soaks with Epsom salts to promote mobility. In some cases, care may also include paraffin (hot wax) baths.

A recent and widely-accepted treatment for arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, uses glucosamine. This dynamic substance can actually repair damaged or eroded cartilage. Glucosamine is made up of glucose, the sugar that the body burns for fuel, and an amino acid called glutamine. It provides structure to the bone and cartiage as well as to skin, nails, hair, and other body tissues. Glucosamine sulfate is the most popular form used in the United States. This sulfate acts as a liquid magnet, attracting proteoglycan molecules (which fill in the spaces within the cartilage "netting"). This is important because the fluid acts as a shock absorber while it sweeps nutrients into the cartilage. Without this nutritional fluid, cartilage becomes fragile, thin, and malnourished.

Daily dosage depends on your weight. If you weigh less than 120 pounds, take 1000 mg glucosamine. If your weight falls between 120 and 200 pounds, take 1500 mg glucosamine. If you weigh over 200 pounds, take 2000 mg glucosamine. Because everyone's needs are different, you may need more or less than the preceding dosages, but they are good starting points. Vitamin C and manganese help increase the effectiveness of glucosamine. Manganese is safe up to 50 mg per day.

If you decide to take these supplements, you would be wise to have a thorough consultation with your healthcare provider.