Are there alternative treatments for osteoarthritis?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Many different alternative treatments are available for osteoarthritis. For example, in the past, few doctors would recommend acupuncture for osteoarthritis. Now, it's easier to find doctors who practice acupuncture and who treat patients with joint pain. There is evidence that acupuncture may offer a small improvement in osteoarthritis symptoms.
Other alternative treatments for osteoarthritis include medicinal herbs and dietary supplements. Glucosamine and chondroitin are commonly used supplements for joint pain. The evidence for whether they work is mixed. Some plant-based therapies that have shown promise for treating joint problems include:
- Topical capsaicin, which is made from hot peppers
- Avocado-soybean unsaponifiables, a vegetable extract
- Devil's claw, derived from a shrub native to southern Africa
If you want to be more active, literally, in tackling osteoarthritis, disciplines such as yoga and tai chi may help ease symptoms. If you decide to try alternative therapies for osteoarthritis, tell your doctor.
Many different alternative treatments are available for osteoarthritis. For example, in the past, few doctors would recommend acupuncture for osteoarthritis. Now, it's easier to find doctors who practice acupuncture and who treat patients... More -
Alternative treatments listed below may help with your osteoarthritic symptoms.
- Massage and acupuncture are often combined with traditional treatments as a way to temporarily alleviate joint discomfort.
- Gentle exercise, like tai chi, yoga, and swimming, may reduce pain and inflammation in your joints through controlled stretching and breathing.
- Ginger extract has been linked to relieving osteoarthritis pain.
- Early studies show that mixing avocado and soybean together in a supplement may reduce cartilage breakdown and possibly promote cartilage repair in knees and hips.
- Nutritional supplements glucosamine and chondroitin, appear to have some affect on reducing joint pain; however, you should talk to your doctor before taking this supplement.
Alternative treatments listed below may help with your osteoarthritic symptoms. Massage and acupuncture are often combined with traditional treatments as a way to temporarily alleviate joint discomfort. Gentle exercise, like tai chi, yoga, and... More -
Dr. Michael T Murray answered:There are many effective alternatives to conventional drugs, but perhaps the best-known is the dietary supplement glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Often, what is different about using such natural alternatives is that they truly promote the healing process rather than suppress symptoms. There is probably no better example than comparing the natural approach and the drug approach to osteoarthritis - the most common form of arthritis.
Find out more about this book: What the Drug Companies Won't Tell You and Your Doctor Doesn't Know: The Al...
There are many effective alternatives to conventional drugs, but perhaps the best-known is the dietary supplement glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Often, what is different about using such natural alternatives is that they... More -
Avocado: A combination of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) has been found beneficial in osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. Additional study using avocado (Persea Americana) alone in OA is needed. Avoid if allergic or hypersensitive to avocado, banana, chestnut, or natural rubber latex. Avoid with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Use cautiously with anticoagulants (like warfarin). Doses greater than found in a normal diet is not recommended if pregnant or breastfeeding. Some types of avocado may be unsafe when breastfeeding.
Glucosamine: Several human studies and animal experiments report benefits of glucosamine in treating osteoarthritis of various joints of the body, although the evidence is less plentiful than that for knee osteoarthritis. Some of these benefits include pain relief, possibly due to an anti-inflammatory effect of glucosamine, and improved joint function. Overall, these studies have not been well designed. Although there is some promising research, more study is needed in this area before a firm conclusion can be made. Avoid if allergic or hypersensitive to shellfish or iodine. Some reports suggest a link between glucosamine/chondroitin products and asthma. Use cautiously with diabetes or with a history of bleeding disorders. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Physical therapy: The goal of physical therapy is to improve mobility, restore function, reduce pain, and prevent further injuries. Several techniques, including exercises, stretches, traction, electrical stimulation, and massage, are used. Physical therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee may provide short-term benefits, but long-term benefits do not appear better than standard treatments. Physical therapy, either as an individually delivered treatment or in a small group format, appears effective. Limited available study compared physical therapy to a sham group (sub therapeutic ultrasound) and found that a combination of manual physical therapy and supervised exercise was beneficial for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Avocado: A combination of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) has been found beneficial in osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. Additional study using avocado (Persea Americana) alone in OA is needed. Avoid if allergic or hypersensitive to... More
