Jon Barron
07/31/2010

It seems that Western medicine is finally catching up with the Orient, at least as far as the treatment of arthritis is concerned. To relieve arthritis suffering, Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center recommends yoga, and WebMd touts the benefits of Tai Chi. According to these sources, both yoga and tai chi increase muscle strength, flexibility, and balance -- all of which are essential to relief from arthritis.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of the disease, usually occurs in older people as a result of wear and tear on the joints. The condition tends to affect large joints such as knees and hips, and it gets worse over time as the cartilage in the joints wears down from continued use. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, affects the tissues surrounding joints. It's an inflammatory condition that tends to attack smaller joints such as those of the hands and feet. Rheumatoid arthritis results from immune system issues (either autoimmune, bacterial, or viral) that tend to lead to other symptoms, such as fever, profound fatigue, and pain throughout the body. Eventually, the condition can erode and deform the joints.

Read more: http://www.jonbarron.org/anti-aging/...tive-arthritis