The skeleton of our body has been provided with special joints or working surfaces where the bones come together. Flexible joints consist of special tissues such as cartilage, ligaments, tendons and capsule or covering for the joint. All these help to bind the bones together. But for real flexibility there must be sufficient lubricant to keep the joint movable and free from pain.
As a rule inflammation occurs most frequently in joints that are used a great deal, such as the fingers, knees, shoulders and spine. Most joint surfaces are smooth and hard, enabling them to carry heavy pressure when in use. The capsule protects the joint from injury and helps to hold the articulating bones in place.
Healthy cartilage is very elastic, able to recoil after any blow or pressure upon its surface. But when this useful substance degenerates there may be a rough grating sound when the joint is moved. Stiffness and pain may follow, particularly in the morning or after a period of rest. The joint may also begin to swell, as excess synovial fluid is poured out to help relieve the pain and heal the tender inflamed joint. All near by tissues, such as tendons, fascia, and muscles may also be involved.
The word arthritis means inflammation of the joints, but in early stages the whole body is usually involved. One or two joints may become completely deformed leaving the patient handicapped and somewhat weakened.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease that involves the joints but also the muscles, tendons, and other tissues of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis begins mildly with some swelling, pain and tenderness in the joints of the fingers, wrists, knees and feet. In this disease the joints on each side of the body are often involved at the same time. The joints feel unusually warm, and may appear red, and perhaps even contain some fluid.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic form of arthritis that may involve any joint but is more likely to occur in hardworking joints as the knees or fingers. The other causes of joint pain are: Joint injury, infections like viral infections, bacterial infections etc., joint strains, autoimmune diseases, and nervous system disorder.
Common symptoms of rheumatism are fever, immense pain & stiffness in affected muscles in case of chronic muscular rheumatism. Pain or tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by any movement or activity, such as walking, getting up from a chair, writing, typing, holding an object, throwing a ball, turning a key. Excruciating pain and stiffness in the joints in case of chronic articular rheumatism.
HOME REMEDIES FOR JOINT AND MUSCLE PAINS
Mix two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey in a cup of warm water and take it twice daily. It is highly effective for the treatment of arthritis. Take half teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water twice a day. It is also beneficial in curing arthritis. Application of hot packs and ice packs for 10 minutes also provides relief from joint pains. Drinking alfalfa tea twice daily is also helps in the treatment of arthritis. Drink some radish juice with sugar added to it to get rid of joint and muscle pains. Soak Spiegel seeds in water, make a paste and apply it on the joints for immediate relief from pain. Drink 15 grams of fresh bathu juice daily with an empty stomach without adding any salt or sugar to it. Massage the affected area with any oil will to provide relief from the pain. Drink a cup of papaya seed tea six or seven times daily for two or three weeks for relief from joint pain. Eat porridge of 2 teaspoonfuls of winter cherry with ghee and molasses with an empty stomach for 15 days. Improvement in the digestion and metabolism of the body is very important for the treatment. Heavy meals, meat and fish, sour fruits and fried foods should be avoided, as they are difficult to digest. Consumption of rice during nighttime should be avoided. Among fruits bananas are considered best as they provide strength to the joints and grease them. Apple cider vinegar also helps to reduce the joint pains. Take 1 teaspoon of turmeric juice in hot milk. It relieves of all pains in the body. Prepare a mixture by adding 1/8-teaspoon turmeric, 3 cardamom pods (optional), 1/4-cup water. Simmer 5 to 7minutes, then add: 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons almond oil (cold pressed). Bring just to the boiling point (but do not boil). Add honey or maple syrup to taste. Sip slowly as a hot tea. This is an effective home remedy for joint and muscle pains. Take Aloe Vera juice to get relief from the joint pains. Aquatic herb Bog bean works as an anti-inflammatory, eating this herb or taking the herb in a supplement form can dramatically help in fighting against the arthritis. Taking alfalfa tea twice a day makes a good cure. Another very effective home remedy for joint and muscle pains is - Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey in a small glass of warm water. Take it once or twice a day to get relief. Rub the aching joints with hot vinegar to get some relief from pain. Mix two parts pure olive oil and one part kerosene. It makes a wonderful ointment for the affected joints. Add one-tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, whip and drink before sleeping. One raw clove of garlic every day is very beneficial. This clove can be fried in ghee (clarified butter) or castor oil. Take for 2 months. Guggulu is very helpful in curing arthritis. Eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water. Drink carrot juice, cucumber juice, eat cooked vegetables and/or vegetable soups, and drink coconut water for a healthy body. On an empty stomach eat 2-3 walnuts or some coconut. This is also an effective home remedy for joint and muscle pains. Avoid mental tensions that lead to stress. Lose weight, if necessary, to get close to your ideal weight. If you weigh less, there is less weight on your joints and less pain