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!

 

Last Modified Date: 04/27/2012