If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis pain, Chinese herbs are an effective pain reliever.
This remedy is particularly beneficial for those patients taking COX-2 inhibitor drugs like Vioxx and Bextra because they can add the use of Chinese herbs into their pain management programs.
Going Oriental During the time that two of the most well known medications for arthritis (Vioxx and Bextra) were taken off the market because it was linked to heart problems, patients were looking for a safer alternative.
Some available arthritis medications do not have enough pain relieving benefits.
Patients have to take these medications in higher dosages to feel the effect and most of them have harmful side effects when taken in dangerous dosages like liver failure.
Because of this, arthritis patients are turning to herbal medicine to manage the pain.
But physicians from the West are reluctant to accept the Eastern way of medication although nowadays there are naturopathic physicians who practice both the western and eastern ways of medicine.
Sticking to Tradition Should you consider taking Chinese herbs as a pain reliever for arthritis, your Chinese herbalist should first find out the source of your arthritis.
Chances are they will examine you through different methods before deciding on a course of action.
One of the methods is called Bi Syndrome which relies on weather conditions that makes your arthritis pain worse.
Another method is the Liver Not Smoothing the Qi which relies on the liver as the organ that affects proper functioning of your joints and tendons.
If it's determined that it isn't, then proper treatment is given.
The last method uses is the Third State Injury which finds out if you have any injuries on your joints and tendons.
Treatment will also be applied if it has been determined.
If the herbalist discovers a problem through these methods then they can prescribe the right herbs and treatment regimen for the patient to follow.
Choosing the Right Herbs There are plenty of herbal remedies for arthritic pain relief.
Just like any herbal remedy, a patient needs to check with their physician first before taking any herbal medication especially if they are taking other prescription drugs to treat their pain.
Some of the more popular herbal medications for arthritis are Angelica, which is a muscle relaxant, Ginger, which is used as an anti-inflammatory medication, Hops, which are applied to inflamed joints and Curcumin, which is also an anti-inflammatory treatment.
Staying Safe with Herbal Medication Treatments for common arthritis usually center on relieving pain from inflammation.
In most cases, an over-the-counter drug is prescribed for common arthritis symptoms.
Patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis pain not only have to deal with the pain from inflammation but also attacks in their autoimmune system through their joints.
This makes them different from those who suffer from common arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients are usually prescribed drugs like COX-2 inhibitors, methotrexate and quinine.
Since treatments for both types of arthritis are different, patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis should always discuss taking any herbal medication with their physicians first.
Chinese herbs prescribed for arthritis can offset any prescribed drugs given to them by their physician and reactions can vary.
They can intensify the drug's effect or it can result in dangerous side effects.