Symptoms — joint pain and stiffness
Take control of your joint pain, naturally
“For years my joints have hurt to the point that nothing would lessen the
pain. My body was so used to the pain medications that they no longer worked. Now,
no more joint pain — what a welcome surprise!” — Sylvia,
Personal Program Member
Hardly a day goes by that we don’t have a patient at our clinic with some
sort of joint pain or stiffness — back pain, knee pain, hip pain, finger pain
— any form of joint pain you can imagine.
Joint pain is not an inevitable sign of aging, nor is it usually a sign
of a condition like arthritis.
Instead, joint pain is most often a sign of chronic
inflammation or hormonal imbalance. When women learn to solve these underlying
problems, most find their joint pain and stiffness significantly improve, or disappear
altogether.
What’s inflammation got to do with it?
The healthy immune system triggers the inflammatory response to deal with sporadic
threats like injury or infection. But in many women, the inflammatory response is
constantly on a low “simmer.” This chronic, low-grade inflammation prevents
cell regeneration and repair and gradually tears down tissues — including
those in your joints.
Chronic inflammation can be caused by a diet that’s too high in refined carbohydrates
and sugars and too low in essential fatty acids. A high-carb diet promotes prolonged
high levels of insulin, which disrupts cellular metabolism and spreads inflammation.
Undiagnosed food allergies or sensitivities also contribute to inflammation when
those foods are eaten. Many women with chronic inflammation also suffer from digestion
problems due to an inflamed digestive tract.
Stress is also an issue. Cortisol,
the hormone released in response to stress, works as an inflammatory agent. Sustained
stress — the kind most of us experience — can cause inflammation to
spread like wildfire.
Joint pain and hormonal imbalance
Many women first report joint pain when they are in
perimenopause or approaching menopause. The hormone shifts that occur during
this transition, especially fluctuating estrogen levels, can impact how our joints
feel. Because estrogen normally has an anti-inflammatory effect in the body, falling
estrogen levels also exacerbate the symptoms of chronic inflammation.
The natural approach to joint pain
There’s a lot you can do to relieve your pain, starting with solving the underlying
cause. A few simple dietary changes, like reducing refined carbohydrates and sugar,
can make a dramatic difference in your joints (you may have to
solve your cravings for sweets first). We also recommend eating more fruits
and vegetables, which contain natural anti-inflammatories, and adding a high-quality
multivitamin to fill any nutritional gaps. An elimination diet can help identify
any food allergies or sensitivities.
For our patients with joint pain, we recommend a high-quality
omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Essential fatty acids are very effective
at fighting inflammation, but it’s almost impossible to include sufficient
omega-3’s in the average diet. You can increase your omega-3 intake by eating
fish, but be careful to choose smaller species, like tilapia, that are low in mercury.
Lifestyle changes like stress relief and moderate exercise can help regulate cortisol
levels and reduce your inflammatory burden. A gentle but regular exercise program
will also help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent excess wear on your hips
and knees.
For women whose joint pain is related to hormonal fluctuations,
phytotherapy can gently and effectively support hormonal balance and, for
some, help lessen joint pain.
We’ve had great success helping women solve the causes of their joint pain.
The good news is — you can do it without drugs, and you don’t have to
give up any of the activities you love!
The Personal Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to all our patients at the clinic.
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-800-798-7902. We’re here to listen and help.
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Last Modified:
08/21/2009