Osteoarthritis Pain Relief

The Centers for Disease Care and Prevention estimates that 70 million Americans suffer from symptoms of arthritis. So, about one-third of Americans suffer from the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.

The good news is that, while medical scientists are working on finding a cure for arthritis, many treatment methods are available to help patients cope with the disorder. Traditionally, doctors prescribe drug therapies, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or other pain relivers. If you need additional relief, there are natural treatments that have been used for a long time.

Please note, however, that there is no conclusive evidence to show whether these alternative treatments are effective. Therefore, you are strongly advised to consult your doctor before you resort to any of these natural arthritis treatments. Learn as much as you can about these and other alternative treatments. More information will help you make better decisions.

Chiropractic Therapy

One form of alternative treatment is chiropractic therapy. It emphasizes the relationship between the spinal column and the central nervous system, both of which affects the overall health of a person.

Donald David Palmer is thought to have founded chiropractic arthritis treatments in 1895. He is thought to have cured a deaf patient by putting one of the patient's vertebrae back into alignment. After that, Palmer continued to refine his work, expanding the coverage of the therapy to include such chronic diseases as arthritis.

Practitioners of chiropractic believe that by properly aligning the spine, the nervous system returns to normal functioning, allowing the body to better heal itself.

Cytil Myristoleate

Also known as CMO or CM, Cytil Myristoleate is another common form of natural arthritis treatments. The first complete human study on the effectiveness of Cetyl Myristoleate, headed by Dr. Len Sands of the San Diego Clinic, was made in 1995. The study focused on 48 patients with arthritis. Treatment with CMO improved mobility in 80% and 70% of the patients had less pain.

A later study, conducted in Europe, was conducted two years later. This study showed that CMO had a positive impact on patients and was an effective natural arthritis treatment.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin is another alternative. It is a substance naturally found in human cartilage. Chondroitin is also used to treat other conditions, including psoriasis and cancer.

The substance is actually a type of glycosaminoglycan (GAG), one of the most plentiful among that group. It comprises about 5-20% of cartilage tissue, occurring mostly as a sulfate composed of repeating disaccharide units. Choindroitin has been used in the treatment of illnesses for over 30 years.

By taking in supplements of chondroitin, you are providing your body with chemical components needed to maintain structural integrity of the cartilage and prevent its degeneration.