Institute for Vibrant Living Blog

Contrary to what many Americans think, joint pain is not an inevitable factor in the aging process.  As a matter of fact, millions of older Americans are enjoying active lifestyles free from joint and knee pain.  Most importantly, they are achieving relief from joint pain without resorting to surgery, painful shots or prescription painkillers. So what do they know that you don’t know?

First of all, it helps to understand the root causes of joint pain. Healthy joints manufacture their own natural  lubricant which is rich with hyaluronic acid. As we grow older, the concentration of hyaluronic acid in the lubricating fluid decreases, making it thinner and less effective.  Hyaluronic acid is a complex carbohydrate that is produced in the cartilage, the epidermis and elsewhere in the body as part of the natural repair and recovery process. When it is low, our joints lose their shock-absorbing power and become more vulnerable to pain and injury.

Fortunately, you can safely replenish your body’s hyaluronic acid with nutritional supplements and avoid the needless surgery, painful shots and prescription painkillers that are often prescribed for joint and knee pain.  Hyaluronic acid supplements help thicken the fluid in the joints to provide better lubrication and keep bones from rubbing against each other.  For best results choose a supplement that contains hyaluronic acid along with boswellin, ginger root, white willow bark and calcium abscorbate. Boswellin, an herbal extract that has been used in India for centuries, can battle inflammation without irritating the stomach. Ginger root is a powerful antioxidant that soothes and calms the stomach, stimulates circulation and helps heal inflammation. White willow bark contains salicin, a natural anti-inflammatory which is actually good for your digestive tract.  Calcium abscorbate is a form of vitamin C that is critical for tissue growth and repair.

Hyaluronic acid supplements are derived from rooster combs (the red crest that is on top of a rooster’s head).  Rooster comb is a very rich source of hyaluronic acid. In fact, many medical professionals use it in shots to help alleviate joint pain. (Unfortunately, the shots are painful and some people experience adverse side effects. That is why supplements are a better choice. ) To get optimum relief plan on long-term use of hyaluronic supplements.  Most people purchase hyaluronic supplements in six month to one year supplies.  It took a lifetime for your joints to become the way they are and they won’t change overnight, but with regular use of hyaluronic acid supplements you can join the millions of Americans who are living active pain-free lives without risky medical intervention.

As we grow older, the cartilage in our joints starts to suffer a little wear and tear.  After 40 or 50 years of bearing weight, bending and moving, this is not necessarily surprising.  However, rundown cartilage is not enough to cause joint pain or knee pain.

Behind your kneecap is a tough membrane cavity full of synovial fluid which carries nutrients to the cartilage and lubricates and cushions the joints from impact.  When synovial fluid is thick and slippery, walking is comfortable. When it starts to deplete and loses its viscosity, the bones grind against each other with every step, causing joint pain and knee pain!

Injections are a temporary solution to joint and knee pain! Not only are they painful, but a patient must endure weekly shots for up to five weeks and wait to reap the benefits for four to six additional weeks!  Joint pain relief lasts for about six months, after which another series may be needed. Eventually, however, injections stop working altogether.  The next alternative is knee replacement surgery, which is also a temporary fix that sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t.  Before considering injections or surgery, take a look at these all-natural remedies for joint pain and knee pain:

Hyaluronic Acid is a complex carbohydrate that is manufactured in various parts of the body including the skin, eyes and cartilage as a means for natural repair and recovery.  This acid helps carry water and needed nutrients to the areas of the body where it is produced, and steadies the supply of synovial fluid.  This keeps the cartilage durable and slippery, relieving knee and joint pain.  As less hyaluronic acid is produced as the years tick by, it is important to supplement the body.  Some oral forms of hyaluronic acid are derived from rooster combs, one of nature’s richest sources.

Boswellin is an herbal extract used for centuries in Asia that provides anti-inflammatory properties without upsetting the stomach.  Boswellin is said to improve the body’s response to glucosamine and other joint supplements and is sometimes used for injury recovery.

Ginger Root is a potent antioxidant that soothes the stomach and enhances circulation.  It contains gingerols, which are compounds that have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.  Ginger root is a primary ingredient found in many joint pain supplements currently on the market.

White Willow Bark is a medicinal herb used for centuries to reduce fever and ease inflammation and joint pain.  It is a good source of salicin which is a natural anti-inflammatory, and unlike its man-made cousin aspirin, white willow bark contains tannins which enhance digestive health.

Calcium Ascorbate (Vitamin C) is an antioxidant needed for tissue growth and repair.  Vitamin C is necessary for reduction of joint and knee pain in that it ensures the upkeep of strong bones and joints.

Moving comfortably is essential to living a quality life.  Before resorting to painful injections or surgery, give the above ideas a try for natural solutions and relief for joint pain and knee pain!

As we get older, stiff joints and knee pain can often be considered “normal”, but for those with severe osteoarthritis or whose joint cartilage is worn out, the joint pain can be totally debilitating. Knee pain can make every step a slow and painful experience and bending to get into the car can be almost impossible with stiff knees.

Doctors generally offer pain killers and knee replacement surgery or suggest injections of hyaluronic acid directly into the joints. For some people these options are unsuitable, particularly as even knee replacement surgery may only last a certain number of years before it must be repeated. Painful injections need to be repeated weekly for three to five weeks and only last for a few months before having to be repeated. The good news is that supplements, particularly of hyaluronic acid, can reduce knee pain within days.

The problem of joint pain is caused by poor lubrication due to the decreasing hyaluronic acid levels found naturally in the cartilage. Just as motor oil lubricates the moving parts in an engine, the body’s synovial fluid, which is rich in hyaluronic acid, prevents bones from grinding painfully together. The lower amount of lubricating fluid, which acts as a shock-absorber within a normal, healthy joint, becomes thinner and less effective, causing the excruciating knee and joint pain. Those suffering from knee pain caused by osteoarthritis typically have up to 50% less hyaluronic acid than healthy people.

However, nature has a very simple answer by offering a rich form of hyaluronic acid in rooster comb which can be taken as an oral supplement. Safe, painless and easy to swallow, this reasonably priced alternative makes the existing fluid thicker and more effective, thereby bringing immediate relief. Horse trainers have been giving hyaluronic acid orally to horses for years and some sufferers have even obtained the drug on prescription from veterinarians, but this is not advised. Hyaluronic acid is readily available at all good health stores in the correct dosage, correctly formulated for those suffering from joint pain and severe knee pain.

Better still, when combined with other safe, natural products such as boswellin and white willow bark, ginger root and calcium ascorbate, these safe natural products work together to increase effectiveness, bringing rapid relief to painful joints. Boswellin and white willow bark are both known to counter inflammation, ginger root stimulates the circulation and brings cooling relief to inflamed joints and calcium is essential for supporting and maintaining tissue and strong bones.

Choose a natural formula with a carefully researched balance of these ingredients, along with hyaluronic acid, to bring rapid relief as the supplements tackle the underlying problem of the joint pain. Easy to take in tablet form, affordable, safe and painless, nature once again offers the best answer to knee pain which begins to work in a matter of days.