Give Arthritis the Cold Shoulder

Mother Nature is plunging most of the country into the deep freeze this week, and for some of us that means our arthritis pain is going to act up, too. It makes you wonder: Does cold weather really make arthritis worse, or is it all in our heads?

When our joints get cold, inflamed tissue shrinks down and pulls against the nerves. But that’s not the main reason arthritis seems worse during winter months. You can blame our more sedentary lifestyles for that. And I have to admit, reading by the fire or working on a needlepoint project is a whole lot more appealing than bundling up and heading outside for a walk. Being less active leads to stiffer joints.

But you don’t have to weather the elements to work exercise into your day. Many shopping malls open their doors before the stores are open just so folks can enjoy protection from the great outdoors while they walk. If the weather’s too bad for you to drive, set up a mini-walking course in your house, or march in place while you’re watching TV.

You can spend a whole lot of time, money, and energy trying different ways to relieve arthritis pain and stiffness. But you may be able to solve the problem yourself with one (or more!) of these DIY remedies:

• Eat 15 to 20 sweet bing cherries every day.
• Drink plenty of green tea.
• Eat fruits and nuts — like pears, apples, and almonds — that contain the trace element boron.
• Try the gin-soaked raisin remedy. To make it, put 1 cup of golden raisins (not black!) in a shallow glass bowl, and pour in just enough gin to cover them completely. Cover the bowl lightly, and let the raisins soak for a week or so, until they’ve absorbed all of the gin. Store them in a covered glass jar at room temperature, and eat nine raisins every day. Some folks report improvement after less than a week, while it takes others a month or more to get relief. Full disclosure: There are people for whom this remedy doesn’t work at all. But it’s easy and inexpensive to make, it’s delicious, and it has none of the side effects that many prescription meds can deliver.

An Un-bee-lievable Arthritis Remedy

As outrageous as this may sound, many physicians are using bee venom to treat arthritis patients who do not respond well to conventional medications. The practice is called apitherapy. The results have been impressive, in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, and there are no serious side effects. The secret to success lies in two ingredients: mellitin, an anti-inflammatory agent that is said to be about 100 times stronger than cortisone, and adolapin, which also fights inflammation and pain.

But arthritis isn’t the only condition that apitherapy can relieve. It’s also being used across the country to treat lower back and shoulder pain, asthma, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, hearing loss, and even premenstrual syndrome!

Bee venom therapy is nothing new. The ancient Egyptians wrote about it in their medical texts, and Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, routinely used it to treat joint pain and swelling in the fifth century B.C. But before you rush out for a dose of bee juice, keep these particulars in mind:

1. Relief is not a slam-dunk. Although the docs who use apitherapy report excellent results, some patients—and some conditions—respond better than others.

2. The injections or bee stings (which some doctors use) can be painful, and you may need more than a dozen of them before your condition improves.

3. This goes without saying (I hope!), but if you’re allergic to bee stings, this therapy could kill you!

You say bee therapy's not your buzz? Try this quirky coffee cure instead: First thing each morning, drink a cup of hot back coffee with the freshly squeezed juice of a large lime mixed into it. It may get rid of your aches for good! 

4 Wacky Ways You May Be Asking for Arthritis

My dear Aunt Nancy has really been struggling lately. Her arthritis has been bothering her more than ever and with this endless winter filled with ice, snow, and sub-zero temps, she hasn’t been able to get out much. I visit her often, bringing her groceries and library books I think she’d enjoy. But her predicament has made me realize how debilitating this common condition is.

Arthritis is the single leading cause of disability in the United States. At last count, approximately 66 million Americans had been diagnosed with it. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent type, and it results from injury or from wear and tear on your joints. And, thanks to potent dangers lurking in your everyday routine, you could be putting yourself at higher risk for developing OA. Consider these, for instance:

1. The shoes you wear. If you opt for high heels day in and day out, you’re begging for OA in your knees. Plus, high heels that are pointy or tight can lead to arthritis of the toes. Save your high heels for special occasions. For daily wear, choose footwear with sturdy one- to two-inch heels.

2. The loads you tote. Walking with heavy bags (or any other weighty objects) in your hands, with your arms stretched downward, puts undue strain on your shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers. When your haul weighs any more than a couple of pounds, cradle the bag in both arms. If you routinely carry a heavy briefcase or backpack to work or school, trade it in for a wheeled model or one with a cross-body strap.

3. The food you eat. Obesity is the leading cause of OA because excess weight puts enormous stress on your knees and hips. Need more incentive to shed pounds? Then consider this: If you drop 10 pounds, you’ll reduce the stress on each knee by a full 40 pounds!

4. The moves you don’t make. Couch potatoes are prime targets for OA. Conversely, in the words of the Arthritis Foundation’s recent awareness campaign theme, “Moving is the best medicine.” Even if you’re not overweight, regular physical activity is a must for strengthening the muscles that support your joints—and keeping the joints themselves flexible.

If you feel like arthritis pain is robbing you of the things you enjoy, then you’ll want soothing relief—FAST! Try our Baker’s Best Arthritis Pain Relief Cream—RISK FREE—for 21 days.