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Herbs and supplements
Glucosamine-Chondroitin Sulfate is a supplement can help
decrease arthritis pain and inflammation, according to Brain Berman,
Director of the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for
Integrative Medicine. The supplements are made from shellfish and other
animal tissues. Currently, a federally sponsored study is exploring
whether or not they are more effective than placebo in treating
osteoarthritis of the knee.
There is some evidence that Omega-3 Oils capsules may
reduce the pain, inflammation and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis, but
not osteoarthritis. Currently, a federal study is investigating to
determine if a combination of fish oil and borage seed oil works better
for rheumatoid arthritis than either oil alone.
Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of the Program for
Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona calls the turmeric and
ginger combination, "a very effective herbal anti-inflammatory that
works as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs." However, the
Mayo Clinic finds little evidence to support an anti-inflammation
benefits. A federal study hopes to determine whether these botanicals
reduce inflammation associated with arthritis and asthma.
Hands-on treatments
Other alternative to pain killers are more hands-on
treatments like a regular program of exercise and movement therapy,
osteopathic manipulation (joints manipulations), chiropractic treatments
(spinal manipulations) and massage (kneading and stroking sore muscles).
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