Updated on 15. November 2021 from ÁYIO-Q Redaktion
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In recent years, the demand for alternative healing methods has been increasing steadily and more natural approaches are also increasingly in demand in orthopaedics. These observations could be made especially in degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, as it is usually accompanied by severe pain. The drugs, which are largely prescribed for pain relief, can have considerable side effects. Elderly people in particular are at risk of gastric and/or intestinal bleeding. Proton pump inhibitors, which are used to protect the stomach, again show a negative effect on bone metabolism. This becomes increasingly dangerous if the use is continued for more than 2 months. But what to do if the pain is still present?
For osteoarthritis, many patients rely on anti-inflammatory ointments for pain relief. They may contain synthetic or herbal active ingredients. Some studies have shown that herbal ointments containing comfrey as an active ingredient can catch up with synthetic painkillers. Herbal remedies are definitely more than worth a try. But there is much more in the alternative treatment methods which shows effect.
Acupuncture for the relief of osteoarthritis pain
In acupuncture, fine needles are inserted into the skin at specific points (acupuncture points/needle points), opening up the meridians and balancing out an excess or lack of energy (Qi). The needles can also be stimulated manually, by heat (with a dried herb called moxa), or by a small electric current delivered through a device that allows you to adjust the strength of the current (electroacupuncture). This sets stimuli which then influence messenger substances, hormones and organs via the nervous system. The needles are left in place for a longer period of time. Sometimes a feeling of heaviness or tingling is felt at the puncture site, which is taken as an indication that the correct meridian has been acupunctured. Acupuncture has now been shown to relieve pain by redirecting or altering pain signals sent from damaged tissue to the brain and stimulating the body’s pain-relieving hormones (endorphins and encephalins). At the beginning of treatment, this pain relief may last only a short time, but repeated treatment (usually weekly for 6 or eight sessions) can provide long-term benefits, often for several months. If you are pregnant, it is important to discuss acupuncture with your doctor and therapist as certain acupuncture points should be avoided during pregnancy.
Phytotherapy for osteoarthritis
Herbal medicine is the use of plants and plant extracts to treat diseases. While conventional medicine only uses or replicates the active ingredient of the plant, herbal remedies use the whole plant. For osteoarthritis, devil’s claw (a plant that grows in Namibia), boswellia (from the frankincense tree), comfrey and rosehip are suitable.
Circulation-enhancing and pain-relieving massage for osteoarthritis
A massage is a manual technique in which the muscles and soft tissues of the body are massaged through rhythmic movements, kneading or tapping. Massages are often stimulating or soothing, vigorous or gentle, and may involve the whole body or just part of it. Oils, creams, lotions or talc can also be used. Massages can relieve muscle tension and fatigue, improve circulation and thus reduce pain.
Healthy diet and nutritional supplements for osteoarthritis
A healthy diet is important for health, and many complementary and alternative therapists give advice on nutrition. A change in diet can help many arthrosis patients, also in view of the fact that overweight is often involved. As this topic is very extensive, it will be dealt with in more detail separately at a later point.
One thing first – omega-3 fatty acids: In osteoarthritis, the polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA (found naturally in fatty fish, e.g. sardines, mackerel, salmon) are often helpful for inflammation.
A 100% correct diet is difficult to achieve in this day and age, no matter how much attention is paid to it. Therefore, our body should undergo detoxification 2 times a year. For this purpose, the ÁYIO-Q health program “Detoxification” offers solutions and assistance.
Aromatherapy for osteoarthritis
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of fragrant essential oils. The oils can also be inhaled, used in the bath or massaged into the skin. When used for a massage, they are diluted with a carrier oil. For pain, for example, an aromatherapist might choose lavender or marjoram to relieve cramps, or ginger if there is a circulation problem. Other oils such as rosemary or peppermint are said to have stimulating properties.
Homeopathy for osteoarthritis
The following homeopathic agents have been found to be effective in the treatment of joint complaints, depending on the localization, in osteoarthritis::
- Apis mellifica
- Arnica
- Belladonna
- Bryonia
- Cimicifuga
- Colchicum
- Dulcamara
- Ferrum phosphoricum
- Ledum
- Lycopodium
- Phytolacca
- Pulsatilla
- Rhus toxicodendron
- Silicea
- Sulfur
Copper bracelet/magnet therapy for osteoarthritis
Many people with osteoarthritis wear copper bracelets for pain relief or to reduce stiffness. However, there are no scientific or medical studies that copper bracelets offer any benefits. The copper in the bracelet cannot be absorbed into the joint in any way and there is no evidence that osteoarthritis is caused by a lack of copper in the body. Nevertheless, many users describe that they have noticed benefits and pain relief from wearing the copper bracelet, which is probably due to the placebo effect. Therefore, those who believe in the effect of the bracelet should continue to wear it.
Hypnotherapy techniques for osteoarthritis
There is quite good evidence that hypnosis techniques can help with pain and associated symptoms such as anxiety. A distinction is made between the dissociative and associative techniques. The dissociative technique helps to detach the pain from the rest of the pain-free body, or from the part of the consciousness that feels or suffers from the pain. If the person suffering from arthrosis cannot detach himself for some reason, the associative technique comes into play. Here, the person seeking help consciously turns to the pain, which is thereby briefly intensified and therefore cannot be carried out by everyone. “In Trace”, the path to freedom from pain is relatively easy to walk through, however, one must subsequently learn to transfer this state into everyday life. For this it is necessary that the patient repeats and practices the hypnosis therapy for himself at home every day in the beginning.
Paraffin bath therapy for osteoarthritis
Wax bath therapy, which uses a shower of melted paraffin, is one of the most effective ways of applying heat to improve mobility by warming the connective tissue. Wax bath therapy is used primarily on the hands and is usually used by occupational therapists alongside an exercise program. It aims to provide pain relief and muscle relaxation through the use of heat, relieve stiffness and improve mobility before exercise.
Mycotherapy for osteoarthritis
Medicinal mushrooms are one of the oldest natural remedies of mankind. They have been an integral part of medicine in Asia for thousands of years. Recently, they are increasingly used for the treatment of diseases. In fact, they also have a very long medical tradition in the West: Hildegard von Bingen learned of their existence in the 12th century. Mushrooms are the basis of some of the most important medicines of today. A well-known example is the antibiotic penicillin, whose effect was discovered by chance in 1928. Especially the medicinal mushrooms Maitake, Shiitake, Reishi, Cordyceps sinensis, Agaricus blazei Murrill, Polyporus umbellatus, Pleurotus ostreatus and Hericium erinaceus are indicated for the treatment of arthrosis and arthritis. They contain essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements for joint regeneration and pain relief, decongestion and muscle relaxation with little or no side effects. Medicinal mushrooms come in various dosage forms, including dried mushrooms, extracts and powders (dried mushrooms are finely ground for this purpose). Depending on the symptoms, different medicinal mushrooms can be used in combination over a longer period of time.
Deacidification for osteoarthritis
The majority of the population is prone to increased hyperacidity and is already in latent acidosis. This means that the blood pH is still normal, but the calcium in the bones is decreasing. Nowadays we consume a lot of pasta (cakes, cookies, pizza, pasta) sugary foods (soft drinks, sweets), chips, ready-made sauces and dishes, at the same time we consume less fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, most of them are made from acid-forming foods. The amount of meat in our diet also leads to increased acidity.
The correct functioning of all detoxification organs (lungs, kidneys, liver, intestines, skin) is an important prerequisite for balancing the acid-base balance. Kidney activity is reduced by decreased reabsorption of bicarbonate required for buffering, decreased lung function in the elderly, exacerbated by asthma and COPD due to decreased exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2), and decreased functions of the liver e.g. due to stimulants. More and more damage is caused by “ageing skin” and low perspiration. Decreased physical activity also leads to decreased efficiency of the detoxification organs.
Read our article Acidic and Alkaline Nutrition in the Light of Quantum Medicine.
Related articles: Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis – clinical picture, causes and symptoms
- Osteoarthritis – What medicinal plants, vitamins and minerals can help?
- Osteoarthritis – How emotions influence osteoarthritis
Sources:
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