TODAY’S COMMON & SERIOUS CONDITIONS
Plants for
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Ar thritis and joint pain can be a daily challenge, and conventional drug and surgery solutions have side effects. So could natural therapies be an option?
rthritis and joint pain can keep you from your everyday activities, including the adventurous ones, like going for a walk or a hike, to the mundane, such as loading the groceries from the car and into the kitchen. There are many different therapies for arthritis and joint paint, including disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, biological treatments, janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, over-the-counter painkillers, physiotherapy and surgery. However, given the chronic nature of pain caused by arthritis, patients are likely to attempt to manage their symptoms with alternative or complementary treatments when they are overwhelmed by side-effects or ineffective medication. Just how effective are these alternative and complementary natural therapies for arthritis and joint pain? Dear Doctor investigates.
Phyto-actives Phyto-actives are the active ingredient in traditional medicinal plants that give them therapeutic value. You may also know phyto-active medicine by the name Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest medical systems. There isn’t much research about phyto-actives yet; however, a preliminary clinical trial in 2011 found that conventional and phyto-active treatments for rheumatoid arthritis had similar effectiveness. The conventional drug tested was methotrexate and the phytoactive treatment included an assortment of 40 herbal compounds. If you are thinking about pursuing phyto-active treatment for arthritis or joint pain, doctors recommend 22 dear doctor with dr Chris Steele
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that it not replace conventional care for now; however, it can be used as a complementary treatment. Speak to your GP about any alternative and complementary therapies you are using to give them a full picture of how you manage your health. This will help to ensure coordinated and safe care.
Aloe vera Aloe vera is one of the most commonly used herbs in alternative medicine. Known for its healing and calming properties, it’s popular for treating small skin abrasions or sunburns. You may
already have a bottle of aloe vera gel in the cabinet. But it’s not just sunburns that aloe vera is good for, it can also be applied topically to sooth aching joints. If you are planning to try aloe vera to treat joint pain, please note that it’s not a substitute for your regular treatments but can be used as a complement to other medication.
Boswellia Boswellia, also called frankincense, is praised by alternative medicine practitioners for its anti-inflammatory capabilities. It’s derived from the gum celebrityangels.co.uk
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