{"id":10356,"date":"2021-07-31T11:53:24","date_gmt":"2021-07-31T09:53:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fundus.ayio-q.com\/uncategorized\/osteoarthritis-alternative-treatment-options\/"},"modified":"2021-11-15T15:24:32","modified_gmt":"2021-11-15T14:24:32","slug":"osteoarthritis-alternative-treatment-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fundus.ayio-q.com\/en\/diseases\/osteoarthritis-alternative-treatment-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Osteoarthritis – Alternative treatment options"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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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?<\/p>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Acupuncture for the relief of osteoarthritis pain<\/h3>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Phytotherapy for osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Circulation-enhancing and pain-relieving massage for osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Healthy diet and nutritional supplements for osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

One thing first – omega-3 fatty acids<\/a>: 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.<\/p>\n\n

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 \u00c1YIO-Q health program “Detoxification” offers solutions and assistance.<\/p>\n\n

Aromatherapy for osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Homeopathy for osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n

The following homeopathic agents have been found to be effective in the treatment of joint complaints, depending on the localization, in osteoarthritis::<\/p>\n\n