2.  Heat pads and hot water bottles can help ease discomfort.

3.  Rub topical deep heat lotions such as tiger balm and menthol into the affected area.

4.  Mahanarayon oil is thought to offer instant pain relief whilst Guggal oil gives longer term relief.

5.  Rub St. John's oil into the painful area.

6.  Apply organic silica in a gel form - silica is an important component in cartilage.

7.  Bath with Epsom Salts to stimulate blood flow in your joints.

Complementary Treatments

8. Try acupuncture or acupressure.

9.  Shiatzu massage can help.

10. Practice meditation and deep breathing.

11. Yoga is an excellent form of exercise and stretch for arthritis sufferers.

12. Consider trying hypnosis.

13. Wear a copper bracelet.

Making The Most of Your Doctor

14. Keep a daily record of your medication, exercise, diet, remedies and treatments and how effective they are. This will help you build up a picture, to share with your doctor.

15. Ask your doctor to test for fungal, bacterial and viral micro-organisms, such as fungal candida, that might be complicating the disease.

16. If you are suffering from digestive problems due to the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, indomethacin and naproxen) protect your gut by taking a rounded teaspoonful of powdered glatamine in 6-8 ounces of water, 30 minutes before each dose.

Learn more about the dangerous side effects of NSAIDs and the frightening statistics
relating to strokes and heart attacks, here at  Arthritis Drugs     

 17. Keep up-to-date on the latest research online by typing "new arthritis research" into search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing.

18. Take a look at the Fenzian Treatment. This has claimed startling results, particularly with sports injuries but has also attracted much criticism and scepticism.

Physical Aids and Remedies

19. Exercise is vital;  swimming, cycling, yoga, low-impact aerobics and walking all help.

20. Lose weight - this not only reduces stress on the weight bearing joints but also reduces the chance of developing osteoarthritis in non-weight bearing joints.

21. For hip, back, knee, foot and ankle pain visit a foot specialist and have insoles made to fit into your shoes, for better posture and weight distribution.

22. Splints or support braces may rest and protect your joints.

23. Avoid damp and cold.

24. Take warm herbal baths. Try rosemary, peppermint or chamomile. (Use a metal tea ball to avoid blocking the drains, if using dried herbs).

25. Try gentle massage or aromatherapy.

26. Use reach extenders, jar openers, zip pulls and buttoning aids.

27. Make sure you get 8-10 hours sleep a night.

Diet and Food

28. Drink plenty of water - hydration is  a key.

29. Eat a healthy diet, including plenty of whole foods.  

Discover the specific food groups which are beneficial
for arthritis sufferers, at Arthritis Diet 

30. Avoid foods which tend to produce uric acid, which is bad for joints. These include red meats, dairy products, citrus fruits, cocoa, processed meats and rapidly absorbed sugars.

31. Check to see if flare-ups are triggered by specific food groups. Cut out each of the following by group, for 5 days and see what happens when you re-introduce them: a. Dairy: b. Wheat: c. Citrus: d. Tomatoes: e. Eggs. 

32. Try a vegetarian diet - meat proteins may aggravate arthritis.

33. A low fat diet may reduce the body's prostaglandins (a hormone like substance which aggravates inflammation).

34. Eat food rich in Omega -3 fatty acids, found in oily fish such as mackerel, trout, salmon, tuna and halibut.

35. Avoid hydrogenated oils which interfere with the metabolism of fatty acids - found in margarine, peanut butter, cooking oils, chips and processed products.

36. The Japanese believe eating 6 to 8 cherries (fresh, tinned or frozen) every day helps - they contain magnesium, a good natural painkiller and potassium, a diuretic.

37. Garlic is a good natural anti-inflammatory. Eat it cooked or raw.

38. Ginger increases the blood flow, which may carry away inflammatory substances faster - it also generates warmth.

39. Eat quince, raw or cooked.

40. Reduce toxin overload on your body - avoid alcohol, caffeine, preservatives and additives.

41. Eat melon, broccoli, strawberries, peppers and cranberries - all rich in Vitamin C, which protects joints from free radicals.

42. Cook with Cayenne and other peppers, which contain capsaicin - a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.

43. Add young dandelion leaves to your salad, they act as a diuretic, a good anti-inflammatory.

Do you notice the many ways to prevent inflammation and  Arthritis Joint Pain 
without the need for dangerous NSAIDs?

Herbal Teas

Cut out, or reduce, caffeine and alcohol but make sure you drink plenty of fluids. Experiment with the following herbal teas as replacements. You may find some of them are delicious!

44. Alfalfa.

45. Dandelion.

46. Fresh Ginger and hot water.

47. Fresh Lemon and hot water.

48. Nettle tea (high in beneficial Boron) and Goldenrod tea are both good at expelling toxins.

49. Spikenard tea. Can be used as a poultice.

50. Green tea contains polyphenols.

51. The Chinese boil 2 ounces of cinnamon twigs and 3 ounces of fresh ginger, with enough water to cover. Boil until the liquid is reduced by half and drink one cupful three times a day.

  Supplements and Vitamins

Experiment with the following after carefully reading the directions on the packaging. If you are at all in doubt, consult your physician or a pharmacist.

52. Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate are widely used to ease joint pain. Check with your doctor if you are diabetic or have heart problems.

53. Tumeric contains circumin, which works well together with Glucosamine.

54. Try apple cider vinegar capsules. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the famous mountaineer and marathon runner swears by cider vinegar.

55. Vitamin B123 stimulates asteoblasts, which make bone.

56. Vitamin E fights inflammation and protects from damage.

 Read Here  about Ken's excellent book,
which has a chapter on diet and supplements, written by a highly qualified nutritionist.

57. Niacinamide, one of the vitamin B complex is recommended together with Zinc and Selenium. 

58. Folic acid aids absorption.

59. Milk Thistle extract aids liver function.

60. Calcium,  a key component in healthy bone.

61. Blackstrap molasses, diluted in water is a good source of iron, potassium and magnesium.

62. Low levels of boron seem to indicate poor joint health - recommended intake 3 milligrams a day.

63. Celery and rue - an old German remedy is to chew 1 to 3 teaspoonsful of celery seed powder with rue, cloves and saxifrage. Celery is a diuretic (and a valuable source of fibre) and loss of fluid may reduce inflammation. Rue contains rutin, which may strengthen blood vessels and prevent fluids from leaking into tissue.

64. Willow bark leaves contain Salacin, which is converted into salicylic acid, which is similar to aspirin.

65. Wintergreen oil is also a source of Salacin.

66. Kalahari Bushmen use Devils Claw. It contains harpagoside which is similar in effect to cortisone.

67. Mashed Yucca root and water is used by American Indians - drink or use as a poultice.

68. Vitamins A and C can help flush out toxins from the liver and repair tissue damage.

69. Horsetail capsules contain silica, which is good for connective tissue.

70. Bamboo extract also contains silica.

71. Borage seed oil, blackcurrant seed oil, nut oil, safflower oil, flaxseed oil, fish oil and evening primrose oil are all beneficial.

72. Horse chestnut capsules are rich in aescin, which is good for veins.

73. Indian frankincense contains boswellian acids, which are similar in effect to NSAIDs, without the harmful and dangerous side effects. (See  Arthritis Drugs )

74. Green lipped mussel extract capsules.

75. If your diet does not include enough fish oils, then take omega 3 capsules.

Try Any Of These Rapid De-Stressors

76. A regular dance class at your local adult education centre.

77. Have a good laugh, with a comic novel, TV or film. 

78. Help someone you know who is in need.

79. Pain and Draw. (Apologies if you have arthritis in your hands).

80. Plan a wonderful surprise for a close friend or your partner.

81. Try sessions in a flotation tank. Gentle swimming is even better.

Help From Utility Companies and BT

82. Gas and Electricity companies have a range of equipment and adaptations, suitable for disabled people, such as large control knobs on hobs and cookers.

83. BT has a range of products designed for people who face a particular physical challenge. Products with useful features including easy grip handset, handsfree, large well spaced buttons, easily accessible memory store, speed dial and the ability to wall mount the phone.

Helpful Gadgets For The Garden.

84. A kneeling stool which allows you to bend forward with your spine straight.

85. Long handled tools help you to do work without bending.

Getting Around

86. If you get the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, you should be entitled to a car through the Motability Scheme. Contact Motability on 0845 456 4566.

Around The House

87. Plugs with handles. If you find it difficult to grip plugs, try the "Handisocket" range of fittings which make it easier to reach and to grip plugs. You can find many outlets online (including Boots).

88. Light switches. If these are too fiddly, replace them with large, rocker-action switches or pullcords.

89. Thermostats - you can fit a thermostat that keeps the temperature constant, so you don't have to adjust knobs and dials.

90. Key holders and knob turners can be attached to keys and knobs to give you a good firm grip and greater leverage.

91. Tap turners have long handles which extra leverage and you can use the back of the hand, elbow or wrist to operate them.

92. Long-handled dustpan and brush and other long-handled lightweight cleaning aids make housework easier.

93. Put a basket below the letterbox so you don't have to bend down to pick up mail.

94. Use a trolley rather than try to carry heavy trays.

95. Use spike boards in the kitchen. They'll hold foods steady and leave your hands free.

96. Hooped potato peelers are easy on the wrist.

97. Mixing bowls can be kept steady on anti-slip mats or suction pads.

98. Taking a shower can be easier and safer if you have a shower seat. Many variations of shower cubicle are now available, including walk-in showers and baths with a raise/lower mechanism.

Generally

99. For general arthritic pain, sleeping on a magnetised pad or mattress overlay is likely to lead to a reduction of the pain and greater flexibility in the affected Arthritis Joints  

100. Contrast Baths: A combined hot and cold treatment. Soak the affected joint or joints in hot water, then cold, then hot again. 

101. A TENS unit applies stimulation of the nerves by low-level electrical stimulation. These units are battery powered and therefore portable enough to be worn during most daily activities. They are particularly helpful in treating localised pain. (TENS means transcutaneous electrical stimulation).