Symptoms

You may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• Joint pain, tenderness, stiffness
• Inflammation
• Restricted movement 
• Heat and redness over affected joint
• Can have relapse / remit pattern

Types of arthritis

Osteoarthritis: cartilage (smooth cushioning) at end of bones of joint thins out; bone rubs against bone, so tendons and ligaments work harder to stabilise causing swelling, thickening, bony spurs. Severe cartilage loss can cause permanent joint changes. hands spine knees hips, most common in females. 

Rheumatoid: immune system mistakenly attacks joints eroding the synovium (membrane that lines joint space), changes in joint shape, affects other tissues and organs.   

Some causes are:

• injury, sometimes manifesting years later
• overuse
• wear and tear
• genetics-family history
• unknown

Genetics and environmental factors trigger autoimmunity. Aggressive treatment at the beginning is important to prevent joint damage.

Diagnosis is based on full medical history, physical examination, laboratory test and images.

The most common imagery test are:

• X-ray
• Ultrasound
• TC scans
• MRIs

Medical

According to the type of arthritis and your needs, your GP will prescribe:

• Pain relievers
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
• Corticosteroid medications
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Creams and ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin

Natural

Hands on treatment

There is no definite cure but treatment can help to slow it down. It’s important you get an accurate diagnosis of the type of arthritis you have.  

Physiotherapy or Osteopathy can do a lot to preserve joint function, mobility and quality of life by using massage, stretching, articulation to reduce pain, ease swelling, improve range of movement, self-management exercises to prevent degeneration.

Home treatment

• Lifestyle changes
• Hot/ cold packs  
• Avoid flare ups 
• Maintain healthy weight 
• Exercise strength and aerobic 

Foods to avoid: gluten, processed and fried food, blackened and barbecued food, alcohol, sugar.

Superfoods for arthritis  

• Increase Omega 3 anti-inflammatory, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines production.  
• Pineapple bromelain, enzymes anti-inflammatory, aids waste removal and swelling.
• Turmeric anti-inflammatory, shuts Cox 2 enzyme (pro inflammatory, out of control). 
• Papaya  papain, chymopapain enzymes, vit C, betacarotene, reduce inflammation.  
• Devils claw decreases pain and inflammation, Cox 2 inhibitor.