Millions of people in England have (long-term) joint pain or inflammation. There are many conditions (fibromyalgia is linked to arthritis and makes the body more sensitive to pain). Swollen joints and fever could be an infection (call 999). The three most common joint-pain conditions are:
Osteoarthritis is mostly costed by age and general wear/tear of the joints. Eventually the cartilage breaks down and the joints rub together.
Gout is a painful arthritis caused by build-up of uric acid crystals, it commonly affects the big toe. Linked to purine-rich foods (red meat, fish and alcohol).
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune condition which mostly affects younger people. This can be genetic and often accompanied by anaemia (lack of iron in the blood). Lupus is another auto-immune disease, when the body’s cells attack other healthy cells (a bit like happens in cancer).
Due to lack of proper regulations, beware of ‘health charlatans’, as some do more harm than good. Tell GP of medications/supplements you are considering. Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and affected medical conditions, and keep them away from young children and pets (never pour neat essential oils down sink, as they can harm aquatic life).
eat an anti-inflammatory diet
See below for ways to help rheumatoid arthritis. But for osteoarthritis and gout, avoid red meat, dairy, gluten and alcohol and take plant-based omega 3 fatty acids (to avoid mercury and contributing to over-fishing, which also by-catches whales, sharks, sea turtles, dolphins and seals).
The Vegan 8 is a wonderful book. All recipes are free from gluten and oil (you still eat fat, just in natural form – olives over olive oil). The author wrote it after healing her husband’s painful gout, when doctors couldn’t. These recipes really do work and there are beautiful photos throughout. A corker!
Before cooking, read up on food safety for people & pets (many human foods are unsafe around animal friends).
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (a US organisation) conducted a 4-week trial on over 1000 arthritis patients and found most were pain-free after eliminating foods below:
- Red meat, dairy and eggs
- Wheat & nuts
- Nightshade plants (tomato, aubergine, peppers, potato)
- Chocolate & citrus fruits
- Onion & corn
- Apples & bananas
Kurk is a liquid supplement based on curcumin (turmeric only contains a tiny amount). Founded by two cancer survivors (a medical doctor and martial arts teacher), add to plant milk, a smoothie or hot drink (most users have less pain in weeks). Endorsed by athletes and physiotherapists.
how to help treat rheumatoid arthritis
The Paddison Program is recommended by Irish medical doctor Gemma Newman. It offers evidence-based guidelines for diet, exercise, drugs, supplements and stress to provide fast relief (the program costs around £100). Dr Michael Klaper says that when he sees patients with rheumatoid arthritis, he just ‘puts them on this program’. Dr Renae Thomas writes ‘if you have joint pain, the Paddison Program is probably going to work for you’. Some patients have even reclaimed full body use, after being hospitalised.
A Kitchen Fairytale is a beautifully illustrated reicpe book by a patient who followed the program and began to regain her own health. The book is endorsed by Paddison Program founder Clint Paddison, an Aussie comedian whose career was halted, when diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Within 2 years, he could hardly walk as inflammation spread to over 20 joints. After conventional treatments failed, he healed himself with a unique combo of plant-based foods and exercises, and now has helped hundreds of thousands of other patients worldwide.
wear footwear designed for your feet!
Ahinsa Vegan Shoes are designed by physiotherapists, so not only are your shoes comfortable and kind, but they help you walk in proper alignment, which is excellent for foot or leg pain. Walking in the wrong shoes overburdens back muscles and weakens your ab muscles, increasing risk of arthritis. High-heels worn extensively can destroy knee cartilage, due to negatively affecting the Achilles Tendon.
take regular gentle exercise
Gentle exercise keeps weight down, which helps reduce pain and pressure on the joints). Swimming is good, as is yoga (practice a gentle version, with a qualified teacher). Yoga with Adriene offers a free 25-minute video routine for chronic pain. The book Chair Yoga has sequences to help, with variations to adapt each pose.
Physiotherapists (available on the NHS) can teach useful exercises, and recommend equipment for occupational therapists to fit. Osteopaths and chiropractors can sometimes help, but are not always available on NHS.
use a gentle heat pad on affected areas
Use a gentle heat pad (with clothing inbetween, to avoid burns). You don’t need to buy expensive heat pads, a towel soaked in warm water will do. This brings more blood to the affected areas, and helps to reduce joint stiffness.
If you prefer something a bit more deluxe, cherry-stone heat pads are used extensively in Switzerland. Although they should be kept away from children and pets, they are safer than hot water bottles, and the stones easily adapt to body shape, for instant relief. You can also freeze them as ‘cold packs’ for injuries, headaches and insect bites. Fully biodegradable, and designed to last a lifetime.
switch donations to humane medical research
International Anti-Vivisection Congress, 1913
Don’t throw money at big animal-testing medical charities, to try to find cures for arthritis. Medical research on animals is not just cruel and expensive, but massively outdated. There are vested interests in keeping the statius quo due to huge donations and often government grants.
Humane research charities are kinder, cheaper and more effective, yet receive no government funding. If everyone switched donations, we would find cures much quicker for ‘incurable diseases’. They use methods like test tube research, computer modelling and human volunteers (living and dead). Their brilliant boffins do wonderful work, yet the charities never get the publicity of the big guns.