Alternative Medicine and Arthritis

One of the most common uses for alternative medicine is in the management of chronic illness. Many of the alternative medical systems work hand in hand with conventional treatments for illnesses like cancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Most of the chronic conditions are considered incurable, and treatment is aimed at slowing the progress of the disease and alleviating symptoms.

Most official bodies of medicine that deal with chronic disease have adopted the attitude that providing information on alternative therapies is the best policy. Thus, you’ll find information about the use of alternative therapies, ongoing clinical trials and ways that treatments like massage, aromatherapy, herbal medicines and other complementary therapies can impact treatment or ease side effects and symptoms of arthritis on the National Institutes of Health web site.

Arthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the connective tissues. Its symptoms include debilitating pain, decreasing mobility and reduced flexibility. Alternative therapies are aimed at improving strength, increasing flexibility, preserving balance and slowing deterioration of tissue, as well as the control of pain.

Nutrition Based
One of the most promising treatments for osteoarthritis is supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin, Glucosamine has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation better than most pharmaceutical drugs, last longer than ibuprofen, improve range of motion and improve pain better and for longer than piroxicam. Chondroitin alleviates pain better than any other pain medication. Some reports claim that pain reduction continues as much as three months after supplements are stopped. It also decreases the amount of fluid in the joint, reduces swelling and improves walking gait.

Those are only two of the supplements that have shown promise in treating the pain associated with arthritis. Others include SAMe, vitamin D, C, A and and E. omega 3 fatty acids, manganese and bromelian.

Herbal Medicines
Herbal medicines are the alternative therapy most often used by people with arthritis. Among the herbals that have shown promise in treating arthritis are capsaicin, avocado and soybean extracts, cat’s caw, ginger and kava kava.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture has shown a great deal of effectiveness in controlling pain associated with arthritis. In studies, people who receive acupuncture demonstrate significant improvement in pain and walking ability, even up stairs, in comparison to those who receive only conventional therapy.

Chiropractic
While chiropractic doesn’t reverse the damage associated with arthritis, it can significantly reduce pain and increase range of motion.

Massage Therapies
Direct massage, either alone or with ice, heat or an ointment of some sort can be effective in reducing pain and swelling of the joints.

Holistic Treatments
Alternative systems like Ayurveda offer both physical therapies that can help preserve flexibility, and disciplines that help reduce pain and tension. In addition, many include herbal treatments that may reduce pain and swelling. Tai chi, a component of traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to be effective in improving the symptoms of osteoarthritis as well.