Sunday, January 5, 2014

Inflammation of Knees - Treatment Tips For Conventional and Alternative Care


Inflammation of knees is initially treated with cold compresses and elevation. To reduce pain, the cold compresses can be alternated with a heating pad. If the knee is chronically inflamed, there are other treatments to consider.

In order to determine which treatments to use, it is helpful to identify the underlying cause of the problem. It could be a form of arthritis.

Conventional practitioners typically treat arthritis with pain-relieving medications. Alternative practitioners have different suggestions.

Acupuncture has proven to be beneficial in some studies; acupressure is another alternative. Massage and herbs are other tactics used by traditional Chinese practitioners.

Ayurvedic practitioners recommend a variety of different tactics for treating painful conditions. Masks or poultices containing warming or cooling herbs are sometimes applied to the area. Yoga and meditation are recommended to keep the joints mobile and the muscles relaxed.

Herbal remedies are used in all forms of alternative medicine. It is just the kind of herb that is different. In Chinese medicine, clematis, angelica and other roots are used. In Ayurveda, ginger and turmeric are commonly prescribed.

Dietary changes may be recommended by any traditional healer for reducing inflammation of knees. Weight loss may be necessary, because the more you weigh, the more stress there is on the joints.

Certain foods contribute to the production of inflammatory hormones, while others have anti-inflammatory activity. The usual suggestion is to include more fruits and vegetables, except for corn and some of the sweeter fruits. Fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants that can help to prevent a chronic inflammatory condition.

But, the single most important dietary component in terms of inflammatory health problems is excessive consumption of omega-6 fatty acids and inadequate consumption of omega-3s. If you eat a lot of beef, pork and poultry, your diet may be the cause of inflammation of knees, especially if no other cause can be found.

The mass production of food may have prevented starvation and some nutritional deficiencies, but it may also be responsible for the obesity epidemic and the increased incidence of type II diabetes. Research suggests that the number of people with type II diabetes will continue to rise if people do not change the way that they eat.

Feeding livestock grain, primarily corn, has changed the fatty acid composition in beef and chicken. Dietary preferences towards beef or chicken and away from fish or seafood are problems too.

A good way to reduce inflammation of knees naturally is to reduce your intake of omega-6s found in beef, dairy and poultry, while increasing your intake of omega-3s found in seafood and fish. Another good idea is to take a daily fish oil supplement.

Research has shown that fish oil supplements reduce pain and morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory condition. Animal studies indicate that fish oil is beneficial for osteoarthritis too. This natural treatment is much safer and could be just as effective as drug therapy, as long as you choose a good brand of fish oil.

For treating inflammation of knees, you want fish oil that has proven anti-inflammatory benefits. Only the best manufacturers have had the potency of their products tested.

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