By Ellie Kuykendall

Have you thought about alternative medicine as treatment options for your arthritis? In this article, we'll take a look at some of these treatments. Be sure to check with your doctor before trying any treatment s/he has not prescribed.

1). Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are not new. In fact, they are already present in your joints. If you have osteoarthritis, you might want to consider taking supplements of these two substances. Recent reports by many sufferers of OA indicate that taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate eases the pain of OA. Not all supplements sold on the market have the amount of each substance reported on the labels. The following products did pass tests for purity: CosaminDS(TM) ,Osteo Bi-Flex(TM) Twinlab Maxlife Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate and Thompson Gluco-Pro 900 Glucosamine Chondroitin.

2). Acupuncture has been practiced in Asian countries for thousands of years. Needles are put into the body in various places, and many arthritis sufferers feel less or no pain after treatment. The central nervous system discharges naturally occurring chemicals in the body, and the chemicals go to the muscles, brain and spinal cord and reduce or relieve completely the sensation of pain.  

3). The Alexander Technique emphasizes proper balance and flexibility; it focuses on relieving the tension in your body through movements and posture. If you decide to take lessons, consider choosing a certified teacher who is a member of one of the Alexander Technique professional societies, such as The American Society for the Alexander Technique.

4). Magnets: Several studies have been and are being conducted on the use of magnets to see if they relieve pain. One study done at Baylor College found that 76% of post-polio patients had less pain after using magnets. However, magnets also affect cells and the way they divide, so using magnets is definitely not recommended for pregnant women. You should not use magnets if you have a pacemaker. No definite conclusions have been found on the use of magnets.   

We'll cover other alternative treatments for arthritis in a future issue.