Alternatives remedies for arthritis

MLG

Hi everyone,

I am new to the site and need some help for my father who suffers from arthritis. My father has just retired and is noticing his arthritis aggravating him much more particularly in his neck and knees. I hoped someone could recommend some alternative supplements or advise what, in their experience, could relieve the pain please?

Maria

Mike1

I have tried numerous alternative therapies over the years and, disappointedly, none have been really effective in the long term. Some people on here swear by exercise, but I am unable to do any as I am too far gone, others prefer heat pads, massage and so forth. If he has not been before ask his GP to refer him to your local Pain Clinic who have more experience with arthritis and may be able to offer different treatments as well as medications.

Anna

Hello @MLG and welcome to the online community,

It’s good to see that you are supporting your newly retired father who is finding that his arthritis is aggravating him more particularly in his neck and knees. You’ve joined a great community of people who will I’m sure be happy to share their experiences and suggestions with you.

It’s true to say that what works for some doesn’t work for others, so it’s always best to try things out for yourself, after talking it over with your GP or Rheumatologist. The Versus Arthritis website has got a useful page on complementary and alternative treatments that you might like to have a look at - it talks about how they could help your father and also what risks there might be.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/

It could be that your father has become less active since his retirement, so it’s worth considering how he can remain more mobile and flexible. Again, the VA website has lots of information on exercise and emphasises that it needn’t be strenuous but just enough to keep your joints and muscles more supple. Here’s another link to some simple exercises that your father may enjoy:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/

Do let us know how your father is getting on,

Anna ( Mod)

Lilymary

As some wise person said, "supplements are just the ingredients for very expensive urine". Some people may report anecdotally that they help a bit, but it's not supported by medical research. Just eat a healthy diet and manage weight to reduce stress on joints if you can.

But definitely encourage your father to exercise. Start small and gentle, and don't give up at the end of the week when you don't see much difference. Persevere, and gradually he will see an improvement as the muscles build up to support the affected joints, and the tension will also ease off making movement more fluid.

But as Mike says, also refer him to his GP, MSK consultant/rheumatologist or pain clinic to help him manage the pain better. No one feels like exercising, or even moving around, when they're in pain, and it can have a knock on effect on making him tense up, which makes the pain worse and restricts movement, which becomes a vicious circle.

frogmorton

Hi @MLG

Lovely to meet you especially as you are here trying to help your Dad.

I like my wheatbags (heated in the microwave) for my neck it gently eases aches and really does - for something so insignificant - help me.

As far as alternative treatments are concerned I have tried a few in the early days none of them made a perceptible difference sadly for me.

I do however try to eat healthily, the Mediterranean diet minus any fish or meat being vegan, and walk daily even if it's not far. In addition I take a vegan multivitamin daily which has plenty of vitamin D in it. I believe in vitamin D myself.

Has you Dad tried anything already I wonder if so what?

take care

MarkyL

Hi Maria,

Its true different things work for different people.

Ive seen a low carb diet work really for my mum and many others.

Maybe worth discussing with your specialist.

Kind thanks

Mark

Anna

Hi @MarkyL and welcome to the online community,

Thanks for joining in right away and posting a helpful tip about the low carb diet that works for your Mum.

I hope you enjoy having a look round the forums and joining in any conversations that interest you, or post any questions you may have.

Best wishes,

Anna ( Mod)

Arthuritis

Hi @MLG

Like frogmorton I am vegan too, but I have found purely by accident low carb helps reduce my RA flares, together with cold gel sleeves/wraps for inflammed joints. Before this I could only sleep in 1 hour bursts, now I get through the night. Also drink plenty of water.

There is some clinical evidence low carb reduces flare activity, but its not permanent, if you revert to high carb it returns. I found that out first hand myself. This is for rheumatoid arthritis, I don’t know how OA will react.

MLG

Thank you so much for your feedback everyone, what a great community! My father is Italian so carbs (pasta) do figure in his diet. I shall get him to avoid them for a few weeks and see how he does. He is beginning to do more exercise and I will encourage that. His GP has not suggested a rheumatologist but I will persevere for a referral. Great idea about the wraps- ordered for him today. Any other suggestions would be most helpful.

He's finding that Winter months affect him more, do you find symptoms ease in the Summer months?

Thank you all so much.