Advanced Arthritis - What You Need to Know

Advanced arthritis has to be diagnosed. A doctor will review your medical history as well as giving you a physical examination of the joints affected by arthritis - sometimes x-rays are also used. Although your doctor can help with this diagnosis, it is usually something that the person affected knows about both on a physical and emotional level.

Don't despair if you have been given the diagnosis of advanced arthritis as there are lots of treatments and options available. You can go and see other health care professionals, such as a rheumatologist (if you have rheumatoid arthritis) or a psychiatrist who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, as well as occupational therapists and even chiropractors.

All of the above specialists can help with your condition but are there any more natural solutions? The short answer is yes.

There are alternative therapies such as acupuncture as well as certain forms of manipulation and gentle massage. There are also herbal remedies, both herbs used in the west for arthritis but there are also Chinese and Indian herbs that can help. You can visit a doctor who specializes in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) as well as an Ayurveda specialist who can help you using certain herbs and spices well known in this ancient healing system of India. Nutritional supplements can also help and they often include glucosamine, MSM and chondroitin sulfate. You could visit a Naturopath who can help you with supplementation. It is wise to consult your doctor if you decide on natural supplements, in case they are contra indicative of any other medication you are taking.

For natural alternatives to pain relief, try honey and apple cider vinegar as this has proved to be very effective in a lot of cases. Other alternatives include cinnamon - either the powdered bark or cinnamon essential oil as well as blackstrap molasses.

You can find out more about these natural remedies for advanced arthritis by simply searching the internet or going to any of the specialists mentioned above.