It is not unusual to find arthritis patients expressing their desire to take the help of alternative remedies in addition to their treatment program to alleviate their pain. Such alternative remedies can prove helpful in many cases, but it is important to remember that the same remedy might not work for all arthritis patients. What is beneficial for one person may prove harmful for another. So, it is better to consult your doctor to choose the alternative remedy that could best suit your specific requirements. Below are some of the common alternative remedies for arthritis.

Massage therapy can help ease the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, and many doctors recommend it to arthritis patients. Massage decreases stress hormones and depression, eases muscle pain and spasms, raises the body's output of natural pain-killing endorphins and boosts sleep and immune function. It's better to work with a massage therapist who is experienced enough to understand your needs. The ancient Chinese methods of acupuncture and acupressure are now frequently used by people to ease arthritis pain. While needles are used in acupuncture to stimulate particular points throughout the body, acupressure needs the use of fingers instead. These alternative remedies release endorphins and are likely to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Following diets that are low in saturated fats and calories and high in vegetables, fruits and grains may be of some help to arthritis patients although there is no specific diet for the disease. Some arthritis patients could be sensitive to certain foods that could trigger symptoms or worsen them. A diet with high amount of saturated fats or vegetable oils can increase the inflammatory response, causing inflammation in joint and tissue. As diet plays a role in your overall health, it can also affect how your body can face up to arthritis symptoms.

Those arthritis patients who are not satisfied with the results they get from conventional medicine often look for alternative remedies such as herbs and supplements. Although most of them are well aware that there is no magic cure for arthritis, they hope to control their pain and other symptoms by trying a supplement or extract in addition to their formal treatment programs. But before you try a supplement or herb, ask your doctor, or other healthcare professionals for their opinion. It's better to buy a supplement from a renowned company, pharmacy or health food chain because they maintain better quality controls. Read the labels of the products and check if they contain the U.S.P. notation, indicating that the manufacturer followed standards established by the United States Pharmacopoeia. In the case of side effects, discontinue using the supplement.

Among other alternative remedies for arthritis are prayer and spirituality. It has been found that prayer is one of the most commonly used methods and studies in behavioral medicine indicate that the interactions of the mind, body and spirit can have powerful effects on our health. Getting spiritual may be good for you and arthritis, and has no chance of hurting your cause.

There are some more alternative and complementary remedies for arthritis such as Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Bach flower remedy, Bodywork, Color Therapy, Chiropractic, Folk Medicine, Homeopathy, Hydrotherapy, Hypnosis, etc.