About ten years ago I was advised by my chiropractor to have hip replacement surgery. He insisted that it would change my life, that I would be able to walk without discomfort and play sports. I danced until about four years ago and continued learning about Asian herbs for joint health and putting them into practice on myself. I wanted to try everything natural to prevent joint damage and pain so that I might avoid major surgery. I enjoyed swimming and massage to ease muscle tension, seaweed baths to enhance my intake of essential minerals, acupuncture and ointments to alleviate pain. I used nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies such as apis for swelling pain and dulcamara for pain worse in damp weather. I even tried a few exotic treatments for rheumatism based on traditional Chinese medicine such as a broth made by cooking chicken bones and dried black snake. I tried cutting edge medical treatments such as stem cell injections which eased my pain and bought time. I had fun, learned a lot, wrote a book about it.

Now at 65 I have decided to take the leap. By waiting so long I missed having a dangerous metal on metal joint replacement which was popular during the past years. The complications of that surgery are increased pain and possibly cancer from metal shavings invading the blood.

Here are Asian herbs that can help you to maintain bone and joint health. If you start taking them regularly before you develop major problems you may possibly avoid surgery.

Ayurvedic herbs are ideal for people who use only vegetarian herbs. They are wonderful tonics that rejuvenate as well as help to detoxify the body and ease emotional tension.

The Chinese herbal tradition is also a rich source of varied exceptional health products. A number of American companies now make and distribute herbal remedies that are based on traditional formulas. They are holistic and sound because they are based on traditional Chinese medicine. Here are some examples: