Benefit of Water in Arthritis Treatments and Natural Pain Relief
Traditional and new methods of Arthritis Treatments using the natural healing power of water
Here are the topics of this page:
- Benefit of Drinking water
- Bathing in thermal mineral water (Balneotherapy)
- Benefit of water exercise (Hydrotherapy)
- Arthritis Diet
- Related links
Benefit of drinking water in arthritis cure:
Chronic pain is a sign of dehydration
Clinical and scientific research exposes, for the first time, that recurring "chronic pains" are a signal system of the body indicating severe general or local dehydration. Most of the arthritis pains can be relieved simply by drinking water. Instead, however, the patient often receives costly pharmaceutical medications which treat the symptoms rather than cure the cause.
Based
on years of detailed study of the human anatomy and the science of physiology,
Dr. Batmanghelidj has devised a new exercise approach for the successful
hydration of the disc core, the retraction of the displaced discs, and
immediate relief of pain, even sciatica. These exercises are clearly
explained and demonstrated as arthritis treatments. They may be the
only way to save yourself from the surgeon's knife
The use of pain-killers does not cure the arthritis problem, but exposes the person to further damage from pain medications. Says the doctor in How to Deal Simply With Back Pain and Rheumatoid Joint Pain
Spa Therapy a natural cure in arthritis treatments:
The hydrostatic force of the water is thought to bring about pain relief, which may result from taking stress off the affected joint, relaxation or other factors. It is most commonly prescribed for patients with psoriatic arthritis or for rheumatoid arthritis symptom.
Warm water therapy is often recommended in arthritis treatments:
- in the morning before beginning their daily activities. This is a time when many people find that pain and stiffness is at its worst.
- in the afternoon to help relax muscles and joints after a full day of activities; to loosen muscles before doing exercises;
- in the evening before bedtime to bring on a restful sleep.
Spa therapy is one of the oldest forms of arthritis treatments : it is the act of bathing in thermal or mineral waters at temperatures of about 34 C; one of its aims is to soothe the pain, improve joint motion, and as a consequence, to relieve people's suffering from arthritis symptoms and help them feel well.
Bathing
in specific mineral waters including seawater has been used for long
time to cure specific diseases like arthritis, arthroses, stress, neuroses,
chronic pharyngitis, bronchitis, asthma, non pulmonary tuberculosis,
psoriasis, etc, in spa resorts all over
the world
On
sea resorts arthritis treatments are generally combined with mud, or
sea algae applications and not to forget, the inestimable healing power
of the sun (Heliotherapy).
Hot
tub spas and whirlpools are elements you can use to create your
own home spa for the purpose of relaxation, detoxification or recovery.
Read more on Bath and
Body page
Benefit of water exercise in Arthritis Treatments - Hydrotherapy
Physical water therapy has traditionally been used in the arthritis treatments. This helps to preserve joint mobility and maintain muscle strength
There are many benefits from participation in a physical water therapy program:
Exercising in water is a gentle way to exercise joints and muscles - recommends The Arthritis Foundation
"However,
Ninety-five percent of arthritis sufferers surveyed nationwide indicated
that the right kind of exercises has helped their pain. Culled from the
survey participants' experience, the book Arthritis,
What Exercises Work: Breakthrough Relief For The Rest Of Your Life,
Even After Drugs & Surgery Have Failed provides an array of
exercises, each explained and described in diagrams and words so that
even a beginner can put together an individualized exercise program that
works. Line drawings.
Even jogging becomes a safe, sane exercise for people with arthritis when they jog in waist-deep water!"
The buoyancy of the water supports and lessens stress on the joints and encourages freer movement. Water may also act as resistance to help build muscle strength.
- The soothing heat and buoyancy of warm water make it a safe, ideal environment for relieving arthritis pain and stiffness.
- Immersing in warm water raises your body temperature, causing your blood vessels to dilate, increasing circulation.
- Water exercise is a gentle way to exercise joints and muscles.
- Water supports joints to encourage free movement, and may also act as resistance to help build muscle strength.
- Using a spa adds a component to the therapy – massage in arthritis treatment. Jet nozzles release warm water and air, massaging your body and helping you relax tight muscles
Did you obtain good results in arthritis pain relief, doing water exercises? You may consider buying your own spa, but first ask your sales representative for a booklet containing general safety tips.
"Because there are many effective and safe ways to minimize pain and loss of motion from arthritis, you need to work with your doctor and other appropriate health professionals to develop an effective, individualized arthritis treatment program." - advises the Arthritis Foundation
"An ancient disease, gout is a chronic type of inflammatory arthritis that causes immediate attacks of pain, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling in some joints. Usually, the joints in the big toe are affected, but gout can also affect the instep, ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows."
Once believed to be the result of gluttony, gout is now known to affect people from all walks of life and often the disease is inherited. Less than one in ten women will develop gout. About 500,000 people have gout in the United States, with most being men between the ages of 30 and 60. Gout accounts for about 5 percent of all cases of arthritis.
Causes of Gout
Gout is caused when there is over production of uric acid in normal purine metabolism in the body. Genetics can play a role in who develops gout. It can also occur as a complication of other conditions. Some people inherit the inability to process uric acid and lose it in the urine. High blood levels of uric acid in turn causes sodium crystals to collect in the joint fluid and joint coverings leading to gout, a painful stiff swollen joint.... That's why drinking water is so important.
A combination of exercise, rest and relaxation is important in achieving an optimum level of health and wellness. Your doctor or physical therapist will help you create an exercise plan such as swimming or walking that will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle."
Diet and Arthritis Treatments
The last but not least, don't forget that: the heavier your body, the more difficult for your joints to handle movements, so weight loss is an important factor in dealing with arthritis.The relationship between diet and arthritis has been the subject of exploration, claims, and controversies since the 1930s. There is no debate, however, about the advantages of a healthy diet .
Arthritis diet
All arthritic conditions are different, but ninety per cent of the causative factors are chronic resentment, career problems, frustrations, worry, fear, unhappy marriage, imbalanced metabolism, inherited abnormal chemistry of the metabolism, self-limiting diseases (like measles, mumps and chicken pox), traumas and diet.
Of these, the main cause is dietary . Diet is where it all starts. You cannot argue with that because it's basic. You cannot build good health on a bad diet. Read more
" In contrast to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the body's own auto-immune reaction. It appears that sufferers develop antibodies that can attack components of joint tissue. The result is a great deal of inflammation and pain. The natural approach most widely recognized for treating the pain of rheumatoid arthritis is to reduce the associated inflammation.
The essential
fatty acids found in fish oil (derived from cold fish like cod
and salmon) and evening primrose oil are beneficial to sufferers because
they help to mediate inflammation levels. Natural anti-inflammatory
herbs like ginger and celery seed may also be useful in the fight against
rheumatoid arthritis pain." source: Mind & Body
magazine
Perhaps the best recommendation in Rheumatoid Arthritis is for the Mediterranean Diet. Says ICAA
A 2003 study reported that RA patients who followed it experienced reduced inflammatory activity, improved physical function and improved vitality compared to those on a standard Western diet.
- The Mediterranean diet is also rich in heart-healthy fiber and nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. The diet recommends the following:
- A relatively high fat intake (about 35% to 45% of daily calories), but mostly from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils. The Mediterranean diet is known specifically for its use of olive oil. One 1999 study found some evidence that high intake of olive oil and cooked vegetables reduced the risk of RA
- Daily glass or two of wine
- Protein source with this diet is primarily fish, which might be specifically helpful for RA patients. Fish (particularly--but not only--oily fish) have anti-inflammatory effects. It should be noted that protein is lost during the inflammatory process, and one study indicated that high amounts of protein might be protective. Either fish or soy should, in any case, be the primary sources of protein. (Although not included in the Mediterranean diet, soy may have specific benefits for RA.) Some evidence also suggests that fish oil supplements might be helpful.
- Carbohydrate choices emphasize fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, beans, and whole grains
- Foods seasoned with garlic, onions, and herbs
