CAM.......... Arthritis Pain Management

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CAM.......... Arthritis Pain Management

According to the Arthritis Foundation nearly 66 million Americans have some

form of arthritis. There are more than one hundred identified varieties of

arthritis some of the most common are osteoarthritis, gout, and fibromyalgia.

With the millions of individuals living life in a fog of pain it is shocking

that there is no treatment that totally alleviates the pain and stiffness

associated with this terrible debilitating disease.

Many arthritis sufferers use a combination of conventional pain relievers and

anti-inflammatory drugs. Recently some of these drugs have been called into

question and in fact been pulled off the market after discovery that they may

cause more harm than good. As a result of this loss of faith in prescription

drugs many have turned to using alternative methods to aid in their pain

management.

Professionals even have a name for the use of alternative methods, Complimentary

and Alternative Medicine also known by the acronym CAM.

Some of the more common CAM in use requires the participation of a

professional in your treatment such as massage, yoga, acupuncture, biofeedback,

and homeopathy.

Still other CAM is based on diet, either reducing consumption of inflammatory

items or by consuming items that reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Some Complimentary Alternative Medicines that are natural pain relievers

commonly available either as supplements or in our food are quercetin, kava

kava, gamma linoleic acid, flaxseed, fish oil, cat's claw, devils claw, comfrey

root, cayenne pepper, bee venom, and one of the most effective because it is

both a natural anti-inflammatory and a potent pain reliever is Montmorency Tart

Cherry Concentrate.

Reading on Arthritis Today's website at www.arthritis.org according to

Rheumatologist James McKoy, MD when asked what he thought of tart cherry juice

for arthritis relief he stated. “ Though it has not been proven in clinical

trials, yes, I believe that drinking tart cherry juice mixed with water...may be

beneficial for some people with arthritis. In traditional medicine, the fruit of

sour cherry has been used orally for arthritis and gout...Cherries also contain

varied antioxidants, including kaempferol and quercetin. These compounds,

particularly quercetin, may have anti-inflammatory effects that are similar to

those of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and

ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).”

It is important to point out here that not all cherries are created equal.

There are many varieties of cherry produced today but studies show that the

Montmorency Tart Cherry is the most effective as a CAM for arthritis sufferers.