Arthritis

Arthritis is a widely used term that actually combines more than 100 diseases together wich causes joint pain. Specifically, arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints and is also one of the rheumatic diseases. It is a very common joint disease that most likely affects people between the ages of 30 and 50. An estimated 22.7% (54.4 million) of adults had doctor-diagnosed arthritis, with significantly higher age-adjusted prevalence in women than in men ( 1 ).

In the following article you can read all about what arthritis is, it will give you a better understanding of the disease itself and make it easier for you to take proper action to relieve its symptoms. You will get to know the most widespread types of arthritis, its causes and what solutions are available to ease your pain. We will also explain how a PEMF therapy can help you and what else you can do to have healthier joints.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints and is the reason for severe joint pain, swelling and redness in the area of inflammation. Arthritis was once called rheumatism. But that is not an accurate naming of the disease, because arthritis is an inflammation of joints, while rheumatism can also be something else (for example wear and tear of joints).

The causes of arthritis

Despite the vast research of arthritis itself, the cause for it is still unknown. However, we know some of the facts that strongly affect the emergence and the development of arthritis:

1. With age the wear and tear of cartilage in the joints is very common. We call this disease osteoarthritis. Wear and tear of the joints often leads to inflammation.
2. Gender. Most types of arthritis are more prevalent among women, except for gout, which is typical for men.
3. Genetics have a strong influence on rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and lupus. If any of your family members had any of these types of arthritis, it’s highly likely that you inherited it too.
4. Body weight directly affects the load on joints such as the knees and ankles. If you are overweight, the wear and tear of the cartilage in your joints is faster and more extensive, which is a risk for developing the arthritis.
5. Injuries. Heavy sports activities, which are often the cause of injuries, are the cause of the subsequent development of arthritis.
6. Hard work is the reason for daily strain on the joints and long term forced posture at work.
7. An infection that is not entirely cured is likely to develop into inflammation of the joint.

Arthritis: symptoms

Arthritis patients are struggling with various issues such as:

• stiffness – immobility and swelling of the joints,
• small dents and ridges on fingers,
• fatigue, eating disorder and paleness,
• fever,
• tingling toe, noisy joints.

Although the morning stiffness of the joints subsides after joints warm up, the pain is still present. It can cause the feeling of sudden sharp ache, occasional prickling or a constant, dull pain. Arthritis patients are mostly unable to cope without painkillers. However, the disease can progress to the point where they might need a constant personal care and help. 

The types of arthritis

There are more than 100 different types and forms of arthritis. Although one of the most common forms of arthritis is rheumatic disease of the joints or rheumatoid arthritis, we also know the following forms:

• osteoarthritis,
• gout – arthritis caused by uric acid,
• tendinitis – an inflammation or irritation of a tendon,
• spondylitis,
• ankylosing spondylitis.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a rheumatic inflammatory disease, characterized by spinal pain and unbearable LOWER BACK PAIN.

Different types of arthritis require different treatments, because the signs and symptoms of different types of arthritis are also different, and so are the risks of developing it. Two different types of arthritis can have completely different symptoms. A serious consultation with a doctor is necessary to make the correct diagnosis. 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

is the most common type of arthritis, and is also an autoimmune disease. This means that the human body itself attacks the articular capsule and causes damage to the joint.

RA is a chronic inflammatory disease. The cause is unknown but it is known that it is related to genetics.

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect anyone, regardless of age and gender. The disease does not only affect the joints, but is also spread to other organs.

The signs of rheumatoid arthritis

The progress of RA is mild and slow. It is common that the disease subsides and the patient has no problems or even pain for years at a time.

In addition to the most common signs and symptoms of RA (pain, warmness and swelling), the disease is also accompanied by:

• stiffness, which is common in the morning, before we warm up and after work and activities,
• symmetry of affected joints on both sides of the body (fingers, wrist, knee),
• constant fatigue,
• slightly elevated body temperature.

Osteoarthritis

is a very common type of arthritis because it is a result of wear and tear of the cartilage in the joints. Wear and tear, or as we call it arthrosis of the joint, leads to the cartilage being damaged to a point where unnatural bone growth happens at the edge of the joint, which eventually causes inflammation.

The picture depicts the progression of osteoarthritis. If you want to know more about osteoarthritis, follow the link.

The left image shows healthy cartilage of the joint. The second image shows pointed protrusions of the joint bone and the third one shows fragments of cartilage in the joint. This is the cause of osteoarthritis.

As many as 60% of people over the age of 65 are experiencing pain caused by wear and tear arthritis – osteoarthritis.

Magnetic therapy in osteoarthritis

75 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee were treated with low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, such as Magus pad, or with placebo. The patients who underwent electromagnetic therapy, a significant reduction of pain as well as an improvement in general well-being was observed. (2)

Magus Electromagnetic Therapy pad, for arthritis in the ankles, is easy to use. You can use it while watching TV or resting: place a small Magus pad under your ankles and set up the C2 program for 30 minutes.

Gout – arthritis caused by uric acid

Gout is arthritis caused by uric acid. Uric acid crystals accumulate in the joint. It is a metabolic disease where the uric acid is not properly metabolized and accumulates in the joint, causing pain, inflammation and discomfort.

How long the a patient suffers from gout depends on whether we are talking about the beginning (or a sudden gout attack) of the gout or if the disease is in later stage. 

Arthritis which is caused by uric acid crystals is called GOUT. 

Natural Treatment for Arthritis (Magnetic Therapy)

A natural treatment of arthritis with magnetic therapy is a suitable and effective method because it relieves pain, restores joint mobility and limits disease progression; however, a long-term therapy is required.

Magnetic therapy is a natural treatment, since it works with the use of the magnetic field, which is the close to the Earth’s magnetic field itself. It emits low frequencies that our body recognizes from nature.

The magnetic field penetrates into the joint and accelerates the circulation and microcirculation of blood in the joint, which in turn accelerates the regeneration of the entire joint.

The first effects of therapy are usually seen after the sixth week of daily therapy of a specific program (specific frequency and strength of the magnetic field). It takes perseverance and patience, because nothing can be achieved overnight.

Magnetotherapy is a very successful method for treating arthritis.

Magus electromagnetic therapy has several advantages that proved positive in arthritis treatment:

• easy to use at home, in bed or in front of the TV,
• a painless method that does not make your arthritis worse,
• magnetotherapy has been proven to have no side effects, you can read all about it by following this link, where this fact is confirmed by research,
• relieves joint pain,
• restores mobility,
• stops the progression of the disease.

Scientific studies of magnetic therapy

All the scientific articles we have found speak strongly in favor of the use of magnetic therapy relieving joint pain. A magnetic therapy has an analgesic effect, it lowers the swelling of the joints and restores mobility. (2, 3)

The conclusion of a large study, that was done with more than 3,000 patients during the span of eleven years, led to the realization: “A magnetic therapy is an excellent therapy for joint issues.”

What does Sonja, a magnetic therapy user, has to say?

For me arthritis started on my fingers, at first with the ring finger and pinky finger. I felt slight pain in general, but when I pressed against the knuckle, it hurt a lot. Later on came stiffness and swelling. After I noticed changes on all of my fingers and the pain was getting worse and worse, I was started looking for a solution. What should I do? The thing is spreading!

I don’t want the pain or the dents and ridges on my fingers.

I found out about magnetotherapy and I said to myself that it is something I need to try. Now, I regularly and diligently use the Magus pad. It turned out that the thing is helpful. I’m glad I started using it! Today, I can surely say, I’ve stopped the progress of my arthritis.

What can I do, if I have arthritis?

In addition to the therapy that the doctor or rheumatologist prescribe, many people still ask: “What else can I do, if I have arthritis? How can I help myself?” 

Here are some helpful tips for you:

Physical activity

Taking care of your physical activity is a very important factor in arthritis. It tells patients whether their joints will still be mobile and functional or not. The disease certainly does not prohibit you from physical activity. Quite the opposite: with physical activity, you strengthen the muscles around your joints and thus keep the joints stable, while strengthening your endurance. To people with arthritis we recommend the following activities:

                                                                                                                                   – walks in the nature,

                                                                                                                                   – cycling,

                                                                                                                                   – swimming.

Weight control

Taking care of how much you weigh is also very important because  it strongly affects how much your joints are strained. If you weigh too much for your height and gender, try to lose some of those pounds. Your joints will thank you. The joints of the lower extremities (ankles, knees, hips) in particular, carry a lot of body weight. If the body weight is too high, the strain on the joints is too great.

We recommend a healthy weight loss, with physical activity and a healthy, balanced diet.

Choosing proper footwear & shoe insoles

When the toes or ankles are affected by arthritis, a proper footwear is extremely important. Its the only way to provide stability and comfort during movement.

Custom made orthopedic insoles that fit your foot perfectly can be an excellent support with relieving pain in inflamed joints. (3)

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine offers a wide range of options for arthritis patients. Each individual can decide for themselves and try the one that’s closest to them:

• some patients find acupuncture helpful in relieving pain,
• hemp oil is rich with omega 3 and in the right amount is healthy for joints,
• glucosamine is a dietary supplement, but experts have mixed opinions about whether it affects the joints or not.

( 1 ): Nacional Statistics

(2): NCBI, s study about the positive effect of magnetotherapy on osteoarthritis in the knee.

(3): Therapeutic effects of pulsed magnetic fields on joint diseases

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. There are over 100 types of this disease and it can affect the elderly as well as younger people.

What are the causes of arthritis?

The causes of most types of arthritis are unknown. Some risk factors are: heredity, age, gender…

How can arthritis be treated?

If you suspect you have arthritis, make an appointment with your doctor. He will prescribe you anti-inflammatory medicine and painkillers. You can also treat arthritis with magnetic therapy.

How does magnetic therapy help with arthritis?

In magnetic therapy electromagnetic field penetrates deep into the joint and completely regenerates it. It works on cellular level. It is proven to reduce pain, swelling and it restores mobility.

Can arthritis be cured?

Arthritis is an inflammatory rheumatic disease that is incurable. But symptoms can be eased and progression of the arthritis can be slowed down tremendously.

What are the signs that you have arthritis?

Signs of arthritis are: joint pain, tenderness to the touch, swelling, redness in the joint area.