Alternatives

Alternative Methods of Prevention and Treatment

There are other things that you may try to limit the effects of osteoarthritis. You should always discuss these options with your primary care physician before trying them out.

One method is reframing, or trying to see things in a different way. Remember that osteoarthritic changes are part of normal aging. Do we ask our doctors to cure our gray hair? We should expect our joints to show some signs of wear and tear with aging.

Lose extra weight. Most osteoarthritis occurs in weight-bearing joints like hips and knees. The less you weigh, the less you weight yourself down and the less the pressure on the joints. To lose 1-2 pounds per week, a person should eat about 500 calories less per day than needed to maintain his or her current weight. One way to calculate maintenance calories is by using the following formulas: for females: 1.2 [655.1 + (9.563 x weight in kilograms + (1.85 x height in cm) – (4.676 x age)]; for males: 1.2 [66.5 + (13.75 x weight in kilograms) + (5.003 x height in cm) – (6.775 x age)]. Subtract 500 calories from this to determine the amount of calories per day one needs to eat to lose about 1-2 lbs per week. (Kilograms may be calculated from pounds by dividing the latter by 2.2)

Like the wheels of a car, the muscles of the body need to be balanced and aligned for it to function better. For most people, the hamstrings and calf muscles need to be stretched and the quadriceps and hip abductor muscles need to be strengthened. Get into a general fitness exercise program.

Try walking in a pool. Walking in water allows our muscles to get exercise without having to lift all our weight.

Cool inflamed joints with ice. Use it for 20 minutes at a time as often as every two hours.

Eat right for improved general health. Increase omega-3 fatty acids which can be found in fatty fish such as salmon, pollock, flounder, sole, herring and tuna; shrimp and clams; walnuts; flaxseed and soy products. Increase intake of anti-oxidants. Usually, the greater the variety of food colors on your plate, the better. These different colors come from eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. Keep your natural insulin levels low by avoiding sources of simple sugars.

Learn to cook with ginger and turmeric, which are natural anti-inflammatory agents.

If you are not always able to eat a balanced meal, use supplements. Although there are guidelines for minimimum amounts of vitamins and minerals to avoid disease, there are no universally agreed upon optimal dosages for health maintenance. Dr. Andrew Weil, a well-known leader in the field of integrative medicine, suggests the following: mixed carotene (10,000 IU beta-carotene, Lutein-Zeaxanthin 1 mg), Vit E (mixed tocopherols) 40 mg, selenium 200 mcg, Vit C 200 mg, magnesium 400 mg, folic acid 1000 mg, Vit D 400 IU, Vit B1 (Thiamin) 20 mg, Vit B3 (Niacin) 30 mg with food, Vit B6 ( Pyridoxine) 50 mg, and Vit B12 (Cyanocobalamin) 100 mcg.

Try Glucosamine, 1500 mg per day. Glucosamine is made from chitin (external skeletons of crustaceans such as shrimps and crabs) and is thought to provide the body with the building blocks necessary to repair joints. Due to the way it works, it usually takes several months before any benefits can be appreciated. Remember to avoid Glucosamine if you are allergic to shellfish such as shrimps and crabs.

Be open to other treatment options that other healing traditions use for treating the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Examples include massage, tai chi, acupuncture and yoga. Although it is unclear exactly how these healing methods work, many healing traditions have used them for centuries.