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Don’t Let Joint Pain Stop Your Game! The Treatment Every Athlete Should Try.

hand on red elbow

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi

Nearly every joint in the body is susceptible to stress and injury – some more so than others depending on what type of athletics you are committed to.

Athletes can suffer from tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis – just like the rest of us. But the associated joint pain can really affect training and performance.

  1. When the tendons around the joint become inflamed from overuse or injury the resulting pain is called tendonitis (probably the most common of the three).
  2. There are small fluid-filled sacks called bursae in our joints and it is the bursae’s job to assist in the muscle/joint movements by cushioning the joints and bones against friction. Bursitis is the result of these sacks becoming injured or inflamed and causing pain. 
  3. There are many different types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is more commonly seen in athletes. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on the joints and is characterized by a deterioration of the cartilage at the ends of the bones.

The body’s natural reaction to a joint injury or over stress is to swell. The quicker you can get the inflammation down the sooner you can facilitate healing.

An athlete needs to halt the pain and get back in the game quickly!

Inflammation can be controlled with rest, ice, compression, and elevation – especially when applied right away.This is commonly referred to as the “RICE” treatment, but it is only as good as the commitment the athlete makes in time and effort to apply it. Not every athlete has the luxury of applying it right away or taking the time it takes to pamper the body this way.

A TREATMENT WORTH TRYING

Athletes can apply Arnica Lotion in addition to the RICE treatment, which can drastically reduce inflammation and improve recovery time!

Arnica Lotion, specifically formulated with Glucosamine and MSM, can be kept in your gym bag, locker, glove box, medicine cabinet, etc.

Breaking it Down: 

Arnica stimulates white blood cell activity, which reduces inflammation and also relieves muscle and joint pain.

Glucosamine is naturally found in your body and supports healthy cartilage.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) reduces inflammation and helps the body form new joint and muscle tissue. It also restores collagen production.

Add 100% pure Peppermint Oil when you apply the lotion for added benefits. We suggest starting with 5 drops of peppermint essential oil, but the amount varies depending on how much lotion you are using. 

Why Peppermint Oil?

  • Reduces inflammation
  • Relaxes tight muscles
  • Relieves muscle and joint pain
  • Has a calming effect on the body
  • Has a cooling effect on the joints
  • Clears the mind and improves mental focus

We know that you just want relief! Try Arnica lotion and you’ll be back in the game quickly!

Purchase Audel Arnica lotion on Amazon

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Pain Relief From Arthritis – 5 Latest Trends

Image of hand with lotion in palm

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is Optional.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by 2040, an estimated 78 million (26%) US adults are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. (1) Most suffer from joint pain, inflammation, swelling, stiffness, decreased range of motion, and loss of flexibility . The more common areas affected are joints located in the lower back, hips, knees, feet, neck, fingers, and thumb base.

While the statistic above is startling and discouraging, those currently suffering are looking for options right now. Many people are seeking to ease their symptoms with natural approaches, especially when conventional approaches fall short. With the number of people afflicted on the rise, the search is on for natural alternatives and safer approaches to provide pain relief from arthritis.

Here are some of the most popular trends these days:

Arnica Montana
Arnica is a plant typically found in mountainous areas of Europe and North America with orange/yellow daisy like flowers. It contains anti-inflammatories that stimulate white blood cell activity, which reduces inflammation. Though Arnica is used topically for speeding up the healing of bruises, using Arnica lotion for decreasing pain and inflammation associated with arthritis has gained widespread recognition these days.

Peppermint Essential Oil
The scent of peppermint may remind you of Christmas, candy or even tea, but did you know that peppermint has been used for centuries to reduce pain and inflammation? Many use peppermint essential oil topically and feel the soothing relief from muscle, joint, and arthritis pain. The high menthol content in peppermint has a nice cooling effect on the skin as well. If you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to dilute the pure oil with a fragrance free lotion. For added anti-inflammatory benefit, add it to the Arnica lotion mentioned above.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods
More people are altering their diet to include foods that are considered “anti-inflammatory.” These include vegetables, fruits, plant-based proteins like beans and nuts, whole grains, fatty fish, fresh herbs,and spices. Modifying your diet could help reduce the number of flare-ups you have and possibly decrease your pain.

Ginger and Turmeric
Turmeric is actually related to the ginger family and they both have anti-inflammatory properties. The curcmin in turmeric blocks inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.  Ginger has been used in the Asian community for centuries to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and relieve digestive upsets. Many people with arthritis take these as supplements or drink them as tea.

Enzymes
Enzymes, Proteolytic enzymes to be specific, have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects as well. Reducing inflammation can decrease pain and swelling associated with arthritis. Proteolytic enzymes are found in foods such as tropical fruits, including papaya which contains papain, and pineapples which contain bromelain.

Disclaimer:
Always consult your health care provider before taking a new supplement, changing your diet or adding to your self-care routine to make sure it’s safe for you.

References
1. Hootman JM, Helmick CG, Barbour KE, Theis KA, Boring MA.  Updated projected prevalence of self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation among US adults, 2015-2040.  Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2016 Mar 25. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1002/art.39692. PubMed PMID: 27015600.