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What foods or herbs have diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties for pain and swelling of joints and legs?

I have a disc in my spine that is pressing on nerves that are affecting my legs (soreness, weakness, etc in muscles and joints). Also have painful swelling in knees and ankles. Have been to all types of doctors, had P.T., epidural injections, steroid injections, etc. I have been on Prednisone, which in large doses did help, but because of the bad effects they can have on the body after long term use I want to find some sort of alternative method to ease my pain. I also want to avoid any type of back surgery, I cannot stand or walk for long periods of time, and have a problem rising from a sitting position.

The pain in my legs can best be described as the type of pain someone would get who would have pain in their muscles and joints from overdoing excersise or running several miles when not used to it......just worse. It is pure torture to spend the day at work....getting up and down from the chair, getting in and out of a car....I am 59.

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  • 2 decades ago
    Favorite Answer

    There are several alternative meds for pain and swelling. These are herbs and phytonutirents in foods. Herbs include tumeric and ginger. These have a tremendous anti inflammatory effect. Pineapple has an ingredient known as bromelain. This too has effects on inflammation and pain. You should be able to find several articles on these foods. Another important supplement is fish oil. This as been found to affect the inflammatory cascade associated with arthritis.

    However, you injuries seem to be disc related. I would of course recommend the above, but intermittent traction is the best treatment for you symptoms. These are therapies like VAX-D. I only say VAX-D because it is the most well known. DRX is the best in my opinion. These therapies do not involve surgery and are becoming more available.

  • Anonymous
    2 decades ago

    Homeopathy to the Rescue For Swelling and Aching Joints

    Here is is your treatment :-

    ARNICA 30C

    BRYONIA 30C

    RHUS TOX 30C

    Take all three of them together initially a dose every 15 to 30 minutes three or four doses till you start feeling relief and a sense of wellbeing take over you.

    After that just thrice a day half hour before or after meals always on an empty stomach would be enough till 100% Cure. And you can forget about anything else when you feel these work :-)

    And the Bad part is you have to Avoid Chocolates, Coffee, Mints and Red Meat while taking Homeopathic remedies.

    All of these hinder and antidote the curative effects of Homeopathic remedies.

    And keep the remedies away from Fragrances, scents and perfumes and heat sunlight and do not store in the fridge.

    Please report back with your progress after three days.

    Take Care and God Bless !

  • 2 decades ago

    I'm curious. What has your Chiropractor told you? What suggestions has he/she made? These doctors are trained specialists in the conservative management of the types of problems you are having. A couple of 'second opinions' by a couple of good Chiropractors may be time and money well spent (and a lot less expensive than the docs you've been seeing).

    I have one more suggestion. Sherry Rogers, M.D. has published a very valuable book for people with chronic pain problems. The book is called: "Pain Free in 6 Weeks". There are many, many issues that can contribute to your types of symptoms that are clearly explained in this book, and Dr. Rogers shows you how to fix them! The book is available at Amazon.com or from the publisher at 1-800-846-6687.

    I am a retired Chiropractor so you can consider my 'biases' in these suggestions. You have experienced the biases of the allopathic (medical) side of health care, it may now be your time to see how the 'other half' might help you.

    Best wishes and good luck.

  • 2 decades ago

    Noni juice as well as Aloe juice have diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties for pain and swelling of joints and legs. It can be found in the Journal of Medicine doctors.

    Source(s): TNI Noni: Dr. Heineke father of Noni Aloe: www.iasc.org/certify
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  • I am an alternative medicinal therapist and an ex nurse. if you have trapped nerves then all the medicine in the world isn't going to help. These nerves must be freed. i have several patients with this problem and I treat them with:

    Therapeutic massage with aromatherapy oils and acupressure. It's a slow process but it does work. The oils help as an anti inflammatory agent.Also, the inhalation of them has beneficial effects on the brain. This type of treatment helps with stress which I'm sure you have. You can then take herbal medication to work in conjunction with the above therapy. Acupuncture

    is also good.

    Gloria(BSYA)

    gloriashealth@btinternet.com

  • Anonymous
    7 years ago

    Herbs such as tumeric, ginger, rosemary, green tea, oregano, barberry are all very good anti inflammatory that can help relive joint pain. I have been taking a natural herb supplement called Zyflamend for a few months now, and I found it helps a lot.

  • Anonymous
    2 decades ago

    First want to express sympathy for know from experience (had 2 bad discs in my neck) how debillitation chronic pain can be. You can go to your local health foodstore and get pepper capsules/pills for the best pain blocking natural compound to date. You can also get dandelion root capsules-dandelion is one of natures best anti-inflammatory plants and diuretic but when dealing in diuretics you have to be careful for can upset the enzyme-water balance of your body which can be dangerous.You can get dandelion at Farmers Market and Natural Food Stores and mix in with salad(be aware has a bitter taste) so i juice with other greens like spinach and parsley etc but always do 1/2 to 1 apple to make it more palatable. When it comes to using Herbs etc you have to educate yoursel a bit-should also be books,pamphlets available at Health food store for its a business looking to make a profit like any other so don;t allow then to push an array of products on you.Check your foods to make sure isn't edema(fluid retention) from too much salt and when you're sitting at work see if you can use a stool or something inconspicuous to elevat your legs a bit .Since I'm sure you wear long pants try Support Hose the kind nurses , waitresses etc wear will help somewhat and no one need know.When at home try Ice packs-can get the pads at any Drug store that you leave in freezer part of refrigerator and you can place on area where disc is pressing and can also get one for knees-they arent't that expensince-between 10-17dollars and they work to relieve pain. Still occasionally get upper shoulder and or neck pain and use with Ibuprofen(Over the Counter comes in 200mgpills and safe to take up to 6 in 24hr period-great for pain and also ant-inflammatory-also safer than Tylenol for not as damaging to Kidneys/Liver) and get relief within 5-10 minutes. Have even gotten relief with combination Ibuprofen and icepack when severe nerve pain back of the head,muscle spasm rlief .I'd keep one at work-breakroom if you have one should have refrigerator-and use when pain intense. But try the Pepper-its supposed to really work. If you have trouble sleeping fro pain, stress etc try some Rhodiola Capsules(Health food store) great for stress derived from anything-gives you a natural picg-up in the morning,during the day but when rest,sleep required does that too with no fuzzy feeling in the AM. I hope I was able to help and good luck

  • 2 decades ago

    Bromelain is a great natural anti-inflammatory derived from papaya. There are a lot of herbs you can take for their diuretic benefits. See the link below.

  • 2 decades ago

    There is an alternative solution: Go for a manual one-time treatment called Atlasprofilax. The pressure on your spine and the discs will be distributed correctly, and the disc can regenerate. The effects are simply amazing.

    Just - the treatment is available in California and Europe only, costing approx. 220 dollars. It's really worth travelling far.

  • 2 decades ago

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