There are illnesses that many people will encounter after the age of 30. Due to constant strain, our joints suffer the most. As a result, we often face a condition known as osteoarthritis. This disease affects the cartilage that forms part of the joints, which connect bones together.
Typically, osteoarthritis impacts the main weight-bearing joints: the hips, knees, ankles, and shoulders. The pain from this condition is distinct from that of other ailments because it is mechanical in nature, appearing after prolonged walking, lifting heavy objects, or standing for long periods. This pain is often referred to as “second half of the day” or “first half of the night” pain. However, there are instances when the pain strikes suddenly and intensely, all due to cartilage degeneration.
I go into detail about this because I have experienced the full course of this disease, from onset to culmination, until I found ways to cope with it. Of course, there are cases where only surgery can provide relief. But there is an alternative path, one that is less radical and requires constant effort on the part of the patient.
Yet, it is a solution. I want to share what can be done to live without constant pain. I will focus only on the part of the treatment that depends on the patient, not the measures taken by your doctor. The first thing I did, after taking the necessary medications, was to lose excess weight. This is very important because it reduces the physical load on the joints. I simply stopped eating out of habit. I believe that if a person has once suffered from pain and is then told that losing weight can alleviate it, they will find a way to slim down. And this is the simplest and most necessary step for those with this condition. Then, I had to do everything that could help. I started treating my joints from the inside. First, through steam baths. However, baths are contraindicated for many joint diseases. This should be discussed with a knowledgeable doctor who can confirm that there are no contraindications for you.
Contraindications may exist in cases of complicated osteoarthritis, which a doctor should confirm. For me, a bath always brings relief. Secondly, I use a decoction of bay leaves.
Four times a year, I do the following: I brew 5 grams of bay leaves in 300 ml of boiling water, let it infuse in a thermos for 3 hours, and drink it in small sips every hour throughout the day. I do this for three days.
I perform this procedure only after a bowel cleanse. When pain arises, it’s important to relieve it.
I take equal parts willow bark, parsley root, and nettle leaves. I boil 2 tablespoons of this mixture for 5 minutes in two cups of boiling water, strain, and drink half a cup twice a day for a week. This decoction reduces inflammation and provides good pain relief. Thirdly, swimming has proven to be crucial in managing this condition.
Swimming is the best form of low-impact exercise for the joints, helping to slow the disease’s progression. Swimming strengthens muscles without straining the affected joints. I adjusted my routine to swim for an hour each morning before work. I figured it’s better to spend money on a pool than on medications.
After a year of such consistent treatment, I found that I needed medication much less frequently. My eating habits also changed. Almost without noticing, I and my family grew accustomed to a diet that doesn’t harm my joints. I eat fish instead of meat, along with plenty of vegetables and fruits. I started reading medical newspapers and collecting folk remedies. All of this allows me to live a normal life and work. I hope that a meeting with a surgeon is not in my future.
