What causes pain brought by arthritis?
It flares up at any time, under random circumstances. Excruciating, intense and unbearable in the neck, back, shoulders, the wrists, hands and fingers, hips, knees, ankles and the feet. When it strikes, the afflicted suffers in ways that can totally render him immobile and in agony. It can last the same for years but it may progress and get worse over time.
Such is the effect of the disease called arthritis. It affects people of all ages and sexes and occurs more frequently as people get older. It is a leading cause of disability in many countries and ranks second as the most prevalent chronic disease after heart disease. Common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range in motion.
But what exactly causes the agonizing pain?
Arthritis is the inflammation (or swelling) of a joint caused by the destruction of the articular cartilage on the ends of the bones where the joints meet. When this cartilage — that provides a cushioning surface on the ends of bones — wears away, bone rubs against bone triggering swelling and pain. The longer this condition persists, the more painful it becomes as the bones erode.
After years of trying to deal with the
disease, modern medicine has yet to find a suitable and permanent cure for arthritis. Current medical treatments to relieve pain or slow down joint damage are, unfortunately, associated with some side effects that may lead to additional health issues
However, there are other ways to manage the disease without any concomitant side effects. The long-established Ayurveda Medical System, which uses only natural ingredients and medicinal herbs for treatment of various ailments, has been using herbal preparations for thousands of years to provide relief from pain and inflammation.
Some Ayurvedic herbs have been known to possess marked anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and analgesic properties. These include the herbs boswellia
serrata and piper longum.
Boswellia seratta has demonstrated properties to provide relief from pain, reduce swelling and alleviate joint stiffness. It improves blood supply to joints and restores the integrity of damaged vessels to relieve pain and increase mobility.
Published clinical studies showed its effectiveness in individuals with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Trials on the use of the herb by patients showed significant decrease in knee pain, increased knee flexion, improved movement and a decrease in the frequency of swelling in the knee joint.
Piper longum, on the other hand, improves the bio-availability (or absorption) of boswellia serrata. By itself, this herb also possesses analgesic properties to further provide additional relief.
What makes these Ayurvedic herbs safe is the absence of substances that may cause gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers and abdominal pain.
Together with proper medical management and a healthy lifestyle, the natural herbs in Arthrid, a locally available herbal dietary supplement, can provide nutritional support that may help people suffering from joint pain and swelling.