First of all, let’s define the difference between Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA).
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. The body mistakenly sees the joints as a “foreign substance, such as bacteria or a virus” and attacks those joints in our body. This causes inflammation to the tissue inside of the joints, causing thickening, swelling, and pain in and around the joints. If the inflammation goes unchecked, it can result in permanent damage to the cartilage, which is the elastic tissue that covers the ends of both bones in a joint as well as the bones themselves. The loss of cartilage causes joints to become loose and unstable which can result in joint deformity and pain. Common areas affected are the joints of the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. RA is referred to as a systemic, or “entire body”, disease for it can affect other body systems such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
RA affects about 1.5 million people in the U.S; nearly 3 times as many women have it as men. RA commonly begins between the ages of 30-60 with men having it later in life. Source:
https://www.arthritis.org
Osteoarthritis (OA), on the other hand is called a degenerative joint disease and is a chronic condition of the joints which affects approximately 27 million Americans. OA can affect any joint but is most commonly found in knees, hips, lower back, neck, small joints of fingers, and bases of the thumb and big toe. In OA, the cartilage breaks down, causing pain, swelling and difficulty moving the joint. Overtime, bones may break down and develop growths called “spurs”. In the final stages of OA, the cartilage wears down and bone rubs against bone leading to joint damage and pain.
Both are debilitating diseases with different causes, but have the same result which is pain.
So what can we do to ease the pain? One simple option is to take a daily dose of Hemp oil. The ECS, or Endocannabinoid system, is located throughout our body. So we have ECS receptors from head to toe waiting to do their job! When we take a daily dose of Hemp oil, it attaches to those receptors and the result is decrease in pain and inflammation. But you have to be patient. Everyone responds differently to Hemp oil and finding that dose that is unique for you takes patience.
My final comment is buyer beware! Not all Hemp oils are processed the same. You want to make sure you are putting stuff in your body that is healthy rather than a product which can cause complications.
Make sure the product you purchase tests for molds, pesticides, bacteria, heavy metals, and has a certificate of analysis for each batch. Ask a Naturopath Practitioner to assist with titration of the hemp oil especially if you have existing health conditions and are on medications. Make sure to inform your Dr. if taking any hemp oil, CBD or any other over the counter supplements and vitamins.
You don’t have to live in daily pain. There are options.
Restore Healthy Bodies 
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