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By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine
Not long ago, I told you about Arthrocet, a supplement that helps ease arthritis pain with MSM, tumeric, bromelain and green lipped mussel extract. Yet, as effective as Arthrocet is for long-term relief, sometimes you need to stop arthritis pain right now!
What causes this potentially excrutiating pain? Arthritis, in general, is characterized by deterioration in the joints. These changes typically occur in the hands, feet, knees, shoulders, hips and spine where the cartilage between joints and bones becomes damaged. Cartilage is the rubbery, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage permits bones to glide over one another and absorb the shock of physical activity. Unhealthy cartilage, found in people with arthritis, is broken down or worn away. Bones in this case tend to rub together, causing pain and inflammation in the tissue surrounding the joint that can limit your range of motion and severly interfere with everyday life.
Joint-building nutrients—like those in Arthrocet—can help with the underlying cause and lasting symptoms of osteoarthritis. The problem is, this can often take weeks or even months. When you need more immediate pain relief, a fast-acting topical solution is in order. And the most effective topical pain reliever is capsaicin.
Eliminate Substance P
Capsaicin, the fiery component of cayenne peppers, temporarily depletes “substance P,” a chemical in the nerves that transmits pain sensations. Without substance P, pain signals can no longer be sent. Although the effect is temporary, research shows that topical capsaicin reduces pain and inflammation while significantly improving range of motion. And the more you use topical capsaicin, the better you feel as it reduces substance P levels. It’s so effective that one study at Craigavon Hospital in Ireland showed that topical capsaicin can even reduce shooting pain.
For the most effective pain relief, I’ve found that Re-Leve works extremely well. It’s a convenient capsaicin roll-on containing 0.075 percent capsaicin—the strongest topical analgesic available. It’s also odorless and isn’t messy like capsaicin creams. Used one to four times a day, Re-Leve not only banishes substance P, it also increases blood flow to the area.
Re-Leve is perfect for anyone who suffers from persistent pain. And, because it works so quickly, I often recommend it to my patients suffering from osteoarthritis or chronic joint pain. It’s also great for weekend warriors who overdo it at the gym, on the court or in the garden. It’s like an instant fix for strained muscles.
Exercise And More
If you suffer from pain and stiffness, it’s also important to keep your joints moving with non-weight-bearing exercises that emphasize muscle tone and range of motion. Keeping muscles in good shape helps relieve stress on the joints and improves joint stability. One of the best ways to do this is with a water aerobics class two or three times per week. Exercising in the buoyancy of water removes gravity’s stress and strain on joints while still providing a good workout. Check with your local community center or join a gym with a pool.
Along with Re-Leve, you can experience significant pain relief with acupuncture. Stuides show that this ancient Chinese technique can decrease pain and inflammation of joints. Contrast hydrotherapy—subjecting the affected area to alternating hot and cold water—helps stimulate blood flow and diffuses metabolic waste in the arthritic area.
Why put up with osteoarthritis pain if you don’t have to? Try Re-Leve for quick relief. If you’re anything like my patients, once you try it, you’ll never use anything else!
References:
Altman R, et al. Topical therapy for osteoarthritis: clinical and pharmacologic perspectives. Postgraduate Medicine. 2009;121:139-147.
McCleane G, et al. Topical application of doxepin hydrochloride, capsaicin and a combination of both produces analgesia in chronic human neuropathic pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.. 2000;49:574-579.
McKay L, et al. Effect of a topical herbal cream on the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology. 2003;9:164-169.
Ribbers GM, Stam HJ. Complex regional pain syndrome type ! treated with topical capsaicin: a case report. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2001; 82:851-852.
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