Turmeric, a yellow-colored spice found across the world, from American yellow mustard to spicy Indian curries, is one of nature’s most powerful anti-inflammatories.  In fact, Dr. James Duke, a world-renowned ethnobotanist (a scientist who studies the relationship between people and plants), found that turmeric is more effective at treating chronic inflammation than many current pharmaceuticals and has very few side effects.  Turmeric contains over 20 different compounds that fight inflammation, with at least six acting as direct COX-2 inhibitors.  Because COX-2 drives inflammation, leading to swelling and pain, turmeric can reduce these symptoms by inhibiting COX-2.  Several studies have shown that turmeric and curcumin (a component of turmeric) are effective in treating pain associated with all forms of arthritis.  Turmeric may also help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and certain forms of cancer.  Turmeric can also help with fibromyalgia-related pain.

While natural anti-inflammatory supplements like turmeric may help manage mild to moderate symptoms, many patients with persistent arthritis pain still require medication management for chronic pain to control inflammation safely and effectively under medical supervision.

For individuals experiencing significant lower back pain or nerve-related arthritis symptoms, lumbar epidural steroid injections for back pain can deliver targeted anti-inflammatory medication directly to the source of pain, often providing faster and more noticeable relief.

When conservative treatments and supplements are no longer effective, advanced options such as radiofrequency ablation for chronic pain relief may help by interrupting pain signals and offering longer-lasting pain reduction for arthritis and spine-related conditions.

Turmeric is typically taken as a dietary supplement at 500mg twice daily.  For those of you who are a bit more adventurous, try brewing turmeric tea – watch the video below to learn how. For more information on treating your arthritis, visit a board-certified Austin pain management doctor at Capitol Pain Institute.

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