What Causes Arthritis?

Arthritis, sometimes referred to as arthro, is a disease that is endemic to the joints. A joint is the place where two bones connect; one bone moving across the other. The bones are attached to one another by ligaments, while the friction between them is softened by cartilage on the surface of the bones.

Around and in between the joints contains synovial fluid, which nourishes the cartilage around the bone. A person suffering from arthritis, depending on the type of arthritis inflicting them, will have something wrong with any one of these. If any of these factors are disturbed, it would lead to painful joint discomfort. Depending on which kind of arthritis you have, different parts of your joints will be targeted.

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is a broad term to describe many different kinds of joint disease. Arthritis plagues over 28 million people in America, from the elderly to the youth. Those inflicted with the disease are often in constant search for arthritis pain relief. Many people associate arthritis with aging. However, age is only one factor that could cause the disease. Both young and elderly people are prone to seeing symptoms of arthritis. The most common symptoms of arthritis are joint pains that increase in spite of simple pain medicines and creams. The most effective way of knowing which treatments are right for you is to first know the symptoms of arthritis in order to determine which type you have. The best way to do this is by speaking with your doctor.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An inflammatory form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a less common type of arthritis, affecting only about 1% of the population. The symptoms of RA are manifested much more severely than the common osteoarthritis, such as joint misconfiguration. The synovial membrane which contains the synovial fluid is attacked by the disease, causing swelling and could lead to undernourishment of the cartilage. As a result of the swelling, the connective tissue around the joint could become damaged or strained.

RA is one of the most problematic types of arthritis today. “Rheumatoid arthritis is still mysterious in many ways. Research and new treatments are constantly changing the understanding of the disease. While treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are still developing, there is still yet an effective pain reliever to the disease. Even the experts still have a lot to learn about rheumatoid arthritis.” -WebMD

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in middle aged and elderly adults. This is usually associated with persistent joint pains. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage around the bones hardens, causing it to quickly wear down and making joint movement painful and rough.

Infectious Arthritis

Usually caused by a bacteria or virus. This type of arthritis attacks the synovial fluid and the tissue surrounding the joint, deteriorating the tissue and cartilage around the joints. This type of arthritis usually spreads very quickly to other joints via the blood stream.

Psoriatic Arthritis

A type of inflammatory arthritis which mostly occurs in people who have the chronic skin condition known as psoriasis. This kind of arthritis manifests similarly to RA in that it causes the synovial membrane to enlarge and thereby affect the surrounding tissue.

What are the Treatments for Arthritis Pain?

There are a plethora of treatments that promise to alleviate arthritis joint pains, but the success of the treatments will vary for each person. That’s why it’s so important to research every alternative solution until you find which one is right for you.

Physical Therapy

People suffering from arthritis naturally tend to move less in order to avoid additional joint pain. This leads to additional joint stiffness and uneasiness. However, physical therapists can help to manage a joint without damaging it. They can teach you methods on how to make certain motions in a way that is healthy for your joints and less painful for you. They can help you to build muscle around your joints, which can lead to a better joint stability and preservation. You should speak with a physical therapist to know which modes of therapy are best for you.

Medication

There are dozens of medications for arthritis on the market today. Some of them attend to the causes of the disease, while others are meant only to alleviate pain.

Natural Alternatives

Either in junction with, or in place of physical therapy and medication, some sufferers look for alternative methods to soothe their arthritis joint pains. Here are a few of the natural remedies for arthritis.

1. Acupuncture: Medical acupuncture treatment is a therapeutic method by which several very small needles are placed around the body systematically in order to alleviate stress and tension in critical areas. It is credited by it’s practitioners to having the ability to relieve pain, cure and prevent diseases, and even treat fertility. Despite the promising potential of acupuncture, there is not much scientific evidence to attest to its effectiveness, which does not give much credibility to the therapy.
2. Copper magnetic bracelets: The concept behind copper bracelets is that it is absorbed into the skin, thereby supplying the tissue with a healthy dose of copper, which is critical to maintaining a healthy body tissue and red blood cells. So, do copper bracelets work? Are they a worthy alternative? Unfortunately, many studies show that the amount of copper absorbed is not substantial enough to work as a primary treatment to the disease.
3. Yoga and Arthritis: Much like physical therapy, there are many yoga poses and practices that can help to develop healthy joints. While some yoga can certainly help in the development of healthy joints, it should not be used as the only method to alleviating arthritis pain.
4. Natural Supplements: Natural supplements are a useful way of maintaining healthy joints. While copper bracelets are not a promising alternative, some studies show that copper supplements taken orally may prevent or slow the progression of arthritis.
5. Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements: Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural compounds manufactured by our bodies. They play a vital role in healthy joint development. Whenever the body does not properly develop these compounds, or when the body needs an extra dose to fight off the disease of arthritis, supplements could make a significant difference. Glucosamine and chondroitin side effects include sensitivity to light, upset stomach, and difficulty sleeping. Nonetheless, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may be worth the effort if you do not experience side effects, and find that they make a lasting difference.

Can Osmoflex Relieve my Arthritis Pain?

Osmoflex is a natural pain relief cream that promises to end your search for arthritis pain relief. It has all of the benefits of an oral supplement, as well as the ease and quick application of a cream. Osmoflex differs from other creams like IcyHot and Biofreeze in that it does more than just relax the muscles. Its ingredients (chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, MSM, magnesium sulfate) are designed to actually increase the healthiness of your joints, while still providing a quick solution to arthritis joint pain. Osmoflex is also an anti-inflammatory, unlike other arthritis creams like Capsaicin Cream. Another perk that puts Osmoflex above other creams is its fast acting liposomal delivery system. Like the copper bracelet, Osmoflex aims to give joints what they need to stay healthy, only the Osmoflex liposomal delivery system assures that the supplements are absorbed for maximum effectiveness.