What is arthritis?

The word “arthritis” comes from Greek words (arthra) meaning joint and (itis) meaning inflammation. It’s a chronic condition affecting the joints and causing pain, stiffness and swelling. It typically worsens with time, particularly as we get older, as cartilage (a type of soft tissue found between joints) wears out, but it can affect anyone at any age.

There are many types of arthritis, but the most common are:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) – Caused by wear-and-tear on your joints over time. This type of arthritis affects about one in four adults aged 45 and older, but can sometimes occur in young people who have been injured or had surgery on their joints.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – An autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissues, resulting in chronic inflammation in your joints. RA affects about 1% of people aged 30-50 years old.
• Gouty arthritis – Begins with uric acid crystals, which form around the joints when there’s too much uric acid in your blood, causing pain and swelling.
• Infection or underlying disease – Psoriasis or lupus can also bring on other types of arthritis.

How does arthritis manifest itself?

Arthritis is a general term for more than 100 rheumatic diseases. Some people may have mild symptoms while others experience severe pain that limits their ability to perform daily tasks.

The major symptoms of arthritis are:

• Pain in joints (mild to severe)
• Swelling of the joints
• Redness (joints become red and inflamed due to increased blood flow to the area)
• Stiffness in the joints (especially after long periods of rest)
• Loss of mobility (joints become stiffer)
• Sensation of fatigue or exhaustion
• Feelings of stress

Although there are many medical treatments available to manage arthritis, there are also holistic approaches that can help alleviate the symptoms. By taking a holistic view to manage arthritis and learning how to keep your joints healthy, you can reduce your symptoms while improving your overall health and well-being, without the need for pharmaceutical drugs or surgery.

How can I manage my arthritis holistically?

Arthritis is a complex degenerative condition that affects both the body and the mind. It can be very debilitating, but there are lots of different ways of managing the condition holistically which can help relieve symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. VELL comprehensive free program focuses on a healthy lifestyle using foods, supplements, vitamins, specialized care techniques, and physical and mental exercises to ease symptoms such as:

• Fitness – Exercising routinely helps strengthen muscles and improve flexibility, which can help reduce stiffness in your joints. It also boosts endorphins (the body’s natural feel-good hormones) to give you more energy throughout the day, but it’s important to choose exercises that are safe and low impact. The best exercises include swimming and cycling because these activities don’t put stress on the bones in the way that running or tennis does. If you are overweight, losing a little weight can significantly reduce pain levels associated with osteoarthritis and make a huge difference.
• Nutrition – Consuming the right foods and eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants can help fight inflammation, and VELL will help you identify which foods to eat and which to avoid. For example, Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oils may help reduce symptoms such as joint pain, so try incorporating fish like salmon into your diet a few times a week along with fresh vegetables. Many spices, herbs and seasonings also have anti-inflammatory properties and should be used regularly.
• Supplements – Many vitamin and mineral supplements are safe and effective for managing arthritis symptoms and improve joint health.
• Mind-body practices – Stress can worsen arthritis symptoms, so it’s important to incorporate mind-body practices such as meditation, binaural beats, relaxation techniques, nature walks, gentle yoga and Tai Chi exercises into your daily routine.
• Specialized care techniques – Acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic are natural alternatives to pain treatments.

VELL provides holistic health solutions combining lifestyle changes with alternative therapies that can help you manage your arthritis, and maintain long-term health and wellness. By following VELL steps regularly, you will be able to gain control over your condition, lead a more active life, and reduce your risk of developing complications related to the condition.