• Inflammation is typically mediated through the vascular tissue of the body as blood flow increases & blood vessels become more permeable so that fluids, proteins & wbc can be delivered to the area of injury, to localize the insult & seal off the rest of the body from the pathogen, irritant or toxic agent.
• Inflammation isn’t inherently bad. In fact, we can’t survive without it.
• Normal inflammation is the body’s response to any injury or infection. It’s part of our body’s natural healing process.
• Pain, stiffness, swelling are a result of this natural process.
• Arthritis is inflamm of joints, means redness, swelling, stiffness, pain.
• Arthr means joint, Itis means inflamm.
• Gout is a metabolic Arthritis.
• Arthritis can come from infection /injury/ overuse of laptop in fingers.
• Simple changes in diet may help calm this defensive process rather than masking the pain.
• Many people don’t realize that simple modifications in diet may help ease painful joints.
• Arthritis is a problem of chronic inflammation. Remove inflammatory foods, add anti-inflammatory foods. This is a simple, natural way to ease pain.
• Luckily there are life savers, plant products. Vegetables, fruit, herbs & spices are loaded with compounds that reduce inflammation, as are whole grains, olive oil, nuts, seeds, legumes.
• Not only are refined foods devoid of nutrients but when they enter the body, they use our body’s resources & exhaust our stores. This leads to serious metabolic disorders, other diseases, lethargy, tiredness.
• We eat a diet stripped of anti-oxidants and steal our body’s reserve for protecting these chemicals. To top that, we have mental stress which demands more anti-oxidants. So take anti oxidants ( vitamins – A, C, E, minerals- zinc, selenium).
• Small changes in diet and exercise, e.g. omega-3 oils, vit D, low starch, maintaining muscle mass, can dramatically alter predisposition to disease & aging, minimize negative impact of genetic risks.
• Anti- inflammatory foods & spices that support & nourish body, help “lubricate” joints are- fish – A key source of Omega-3, healthy oils – olive or walnut spices– ginger, turmeric, fish oil, glucosamine, chondroitin, proteolytic enzymes, boswellia, whitewillow bark.
• A component in olive oil called oleocanthal has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Green tea: High in antioxidants, nutrients, reduces incidence & severity of rheumatoid arthritis. Use tea bags, not powdered refined tea mixes.
• Dark chocolate — high in anti-oxidants, eases inflammation. Look for at least 60% cocoa content. Keep portions small, 1/2oz daily to limit saturated fat & calories.
• Apples are high in antioxidants, fiber, helps curb our appetite for unhealthy snacks.
• Nuts are high in protein, low in saturated fats, contain no cholesterol, anti inflammatory.
• Fish oil or omega 3 is the single most important supplement to take for chronic pain of any type; particularly those that involve deep somatic pain caused by injury to the elastic, collagen-based connective tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles, and fascia), as well as bone. They are incredibly anti-inflammatory. Omega-3 are found in wild salmon, tuna, walnuts, ground flaxseed, help cool the flames. Focusing on these helps to keep our weight healthy, which is critical for keeping inflammation in check. Our bodies cannot make it, we must obtain from dietary sources or supplements.
• Vitamin C is critical for healing any kind of connective tissue.
• Take a milti-vitamin, multi-mineral supplement to provide specific nutrition into the injured area so that the tissue actually has the raw materials available to repair and regenerate the injury to elastic, collagen-based connective tissues.
• Because most of the tissues attach or ‘anchor’ to bones, calcium is important. Bone is a load-bearing connective tissue, provides anchor points for the other connective tissues — particularly tendons.
• Digestive enzymes can play a huge part in cleaning up scar tissue.  Enzyme complex that breaks down proteins is called proteolytic enzyme.
• Glucosamine is critical for people with cartilage problems (a load-bearing connective tissue). It can sometimes be beneficial for the elastic connective tissues that have to deal with tensile(pulling) forces.
• Collagen is excellent for cartilage, as well as the elastic, collagen-based connective tissue (ligaments, tendons, muscles, fascia).
• Turmeric: Curcumin, an antioxidant compound in it, gives yellow color, offers anti-inflamm benefits. Add in curries or for a more aggressive approach, take 400 mg daily as supplement.
• Garlic: Research shows it can reduce production of 2 inflammatory enzymes, helpful in keeping arteries flexible & clear, allowing for oxygen-rich blood to get to working muscles. Cooking with 2 to 4garlic cloves daily will add plenty of flavor, plus fight inflammation. Or take 600-1,200 mg of aged garlic extract.
• From ginger family, antibacterial, promoting digestion, balancing intestinal flora, gaining widespread attention for the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer’s and a host of other inflammatory diseases.
• Bromelain enzyme found in pineapple juice is an anti-inflammatory. Grab a glass of pineapple juice post-workout for plenty of immune-enhancing vit C & inflammation-fighting benefits.
• Much like omega 3, cruciferous vegetables are anti inflammatory – broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts.
• Limit intake of omega-6, red meat, veg oils such as corn, sunflower. Boosts inflammation rather than reduce it.
• 1,000 to 2,000 (IU) of vit D3 on a daily basis reduces inflammation. It activates a gene that interferes with inflammatory responses by binding directly to DNA.
• Blueberries & strawberries contain a compound called anthocyanins, shown to fight inflammation.
• Long-term vit C intake has protective effect against rheumatoid arthritis.
• People who eat lot of veggies & fruit, avoid meat & white flour have lower levels of inflammation.
• Upping fiber alone has been shown to lower levels of CRP by up to 40%.
• The anti-inflammatory properties of spirulina, blue green algae superfood are already well-established.

• Word itself comes from the Latin term meaning ‘to set on fire’, and in the medical sense is an indication that the body is responding to signals that its tissues have in some manner been injured
• When cells are injured and die, they rupture their contents (including inflammatory chemicals) into the extra-cellular fluid.
• Greater the tissue injury, the more  inflammatory  chemicals get dumped into a given area, which attracts mediators from other areas to the area of injury as well.
• Although these chemicals are absolutely vital for healing; too many of them can wreak havoc, actually causing excess scarring and adhesion (FIBROSIS), not to mention pain.  And this is just the beginning.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) actually cause connective tissues to heal improperly (weaker and less elastic by 30 to 40%). They also cause liver problems, kidney problems, cardio vascular problems, and GI bleeds as well. Corticosteroids are even worse.
• Arthritis is an umbrella term for more than 100 diseases, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout.
• How these conditions affect people is quite varied. In addition, effect of foods on people’s bodies varies.
• Say you scrape your knee & develop a skin infection. Immune system sends waves of specialized cells to attack the bacteria and damaged tissue, like an army of soldiers fighting off an invading force. When the good guys have gained the upper hand, they recede, our body begins to heal.
  That’s the key part: The inflamm shuts off. It helps body heal but doesn’t damage it unless something has gone awry.
• Problems arise when it fails to shut off & become chronic, that’s when it does harm.
• Chronic inflammation isn’t restricted to one area of body. It burns slowly & steadily, releasing molecules of inflammation such as cytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP).
• Over time, this causes a chemical chain reaction in the body that leads to serious problems.
• Arteries can become inflamed, setting the stage for heart attacks & strokes.
• Insulin resistance (a diabetes precursor), full-blown diabetes, Alzheimer’s, high BP & even depression can develop.
• Some foods are fire starters- sweets, red meat, processed food has higher levels of CRP & other indicators of inflammation.
• Some aggravate inflammation:
  Nightshades – This food group includes tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant, pepper, paprika and tobacco.
  Gluten – grains, especially wheat
• Allergy triggers – for food allergies, elimination diet helps get rid of common allergens associated with pain & inflammation.
• Inflammation is the foundation for cancer & degenerative / auto immune diseases.
• Rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, eczema, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis etc auto-immune diseases fall in this category.  Heart disease & related conditions like high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, interstitial cystitis,  endometriosis, Lyme’s, chronic fatigue syndrome are also the end result of chronic inflammatory responses.

Homeopathic anti-inflammatory relief for injuries & sore achy joints, fear of being touched.

• If due to mechanical reason like an injury or overuse of hands & legs, easier to treat with arnica, ruta.
• 1st arnica, ice pack, plenty of rest.
• For aching soreness after a fall, use Arnica, unless the pain is from an injury to the tailbone, which responds well to Hypericum
• When Arnica no longer helps, there are other remedies.
• Rhus tox is excellent for painful injuries that develop stiffness. Like a rusty gate, pain is worse on first movement, but improved while moving about. The pain returns from overuse, typically at the end of the day. Also alleviates restlessness that develops when trying to relax or sleep.
• Ruta for similar circumstances, but long after the initial swelling & heat are gone. Main remedy for stubborn & repetitive strains, such as tennis elbow.
• Bryonia when even the slightest shift in movement causes sharp, stitching pains.
• Ledum helps treat a sprain with swelling that becomes a bruised, mottled purple, feels cold & numb. Despite the chill, only ice can be applied to the injury, as warmth aggravates the pain.
• Apis for very swollen, red, hot joints that sting or burn.
• Auto immune, our own immune system doing damage to the joints is the most difficult type to deal like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
• We need to correct basic metabolism, functioning of the body, biochemical functions.
• Most common medicine any homeopathic would use is Rhus Tox & Magnesium phos. Rhus tox is a plant extract, magnesium & phosphorus are minerals. Mag phos relieves pain.
• Causticum, ledum pal, arnica are also used for pain relief.
• Bryonia is one of the major remedy used in arthritis.
• Emotional stress has its impact on arthritis.