Easing Arthritis Pain

By Cyndi Thomas N.D., C.N.C.

My sister-in-law was devastated when diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 28. In her mind, arthritis was a disease of the elderly, not a young woman with three small children.

Her doctor wanted to prescribe various prescription drugs and aspirin daily. Her eyes wandered around his waiting room, filled will people in various stages of arthritis: People using wheelchairs, walkers; joints that were swollen and disjointed; people in obvious discomfort and pain. She said, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

She decided to turn to alternative means to combat her arthritis. While she isn’t “cured”, she is pain free most of the time.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, nearly 40 million Americans have arthritis – the number one cause of disability in the country. The word “arthritis” however, is a general term. There are many different types that affect different parts of the body. Some of those are:

• Tendinitis – targets tendons
• Sclerodermal – thickening of the skin and connective tissue
• Fibromyalgia – muscles will be sore and tender to the touch
• Articular or joint types of arthritis – gout and lupus, tend to be the most painful

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is termed the “wear and tear” disease. It tends to develop after years of hard physical labor or intense exercise, or as a result of obesity.

Good Nutrition Can Help

When I developed arthritis, my knees were weak, sore and opening my car door became impossible because of my thumb joints. It was a constant hurt and throbbing.

I started researching alternative means of therapy. Through my studies, I discovered meat and dairy were the two main culprits, as far as nutrition. So, out went the meat and dairy from my diet. What happened?

Within in one week, my arthritis was completely gone. I was pain free!

Below is a testimonial from one of my clients, Jan Kingston. Jan’s knees were in such bad shape that she was almost wheelchair bound. At the time I spoke with her, she was using a walker and was taking anti-inflammatory drugs.

Hi Cyndi,

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! It isn’t enough, but I don’t know what else to say! My arthritis of the past 6 years is gone, Just gone! The dairy was the problem. As long as I stay completely away from the dairy, no pain. I can have chicken and fish without any problem, but if I eat any dairy, the pain returns. I’ve spent so much money and time trying to get this under control and to find it was something so simple.. well, I’m just amazed.

Jan isn’t an isolated incident. I counsel many who have found partial or total relief by changing their dietary habits. Below are a few recommendations that can help the pain of arthritis:

• Do away with refined and partial foods: white flour and white sugar – get them out of your diet.
• Eat a diet composed mainly of: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans, nuts, seed, lean meat and fish.
• Take dairy out of your diet and see if that helps. If not, try eliminating meat - Especially red meat.
• Some people with arthritis do well be eliminating allergenic foods which include; dairy, wheat and corn.
• Avoid the foods from the nightshade family: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and potatoes.
• The herb Ginger has been known to help some people.
• Consume foods containing the amino acid histidine, which includes; brown rice, wheat and rye. (if wheat isn’t a problem)
• Be sure and take a good calcium/magnesium supplement. Very important for the health of the bones and ligaments.
• Include the essential fatty acids; wheat germ oil, sesame seed oil, flax oil. The good oils will lubricate the joints and ligaments and promote healing.
• Get plenty of sunshine. Exposure to the sun prompts the synthesis of vitamin D, which is needed for proper bone formation.
• If you are overweight, lose the extra pounds. Easier said than done, I know : ) but an overweight condition can cause and aggravate arthritis.
• Glucosamine Sulfate is one of the most talked about natural remedies for arthritis. A Swiss study found it was as effective in decreasing stiffness and pain as ibuprofen, but without the side effects.

Exercise

Making exercise part of your daily life is one of the best decisions you can make for overall good health.

Many arthritis sufferers have reported tremendous relief be adding an exercise program to their daily regime. Water aerobics is a wonderful exercise for those with arthritis. With water aerobics, an arthritis sufferer can exercise with little or no pain.

As for my sister-in-law… Since she has made the above lifestyle changes, her pain is gone and her disease is under control. She has had a fourth child and her whole family’s health has benefited from a situation that could have been devastating.

Jan continues to do very well. Her walker is in the closet and she is determined to keep it there.

As for me – Well, I still sneak in the occasional bowl of ice cream, but I always feel it the next day. So dairy is one food I don’t consume more than once a month, if that.

Taking a proactive approach to the management of arthritis and finding what works best for you will enable you to feel strong and healthy for life.

You control the disease, don’t let it control you!

Cyndi Thomas is a Naturopath and Certified Nutritional Consultant who received her C.N.C. from the American Association of Certified Consultants. Cyndi has overcome numerous physical problems through the principles of Naturopathy. She has been published in ezines and magazines, is the author of "Vibrant Health - It Can Be Yours."