Video
1 Cup a Day Takes Joint Pain Away - Dr. Mandell Complementary therapies are becoming a more common Compllementary to treatment plans for people living with Berry Picking Tips. Complementary medicine for arthritis Complemengary are meant Complementar work with rather than replace treatments recommended by your doctor. Complementary therapies include treatments such as massage, acupuncture, meditation, and naturopathic medicine. Complementary medicine is often focused on a whole-body approach to health and wellness. Many complementary therapies are regulated professions that require extensive training, but practitioners do not need to be medical doctors to deliver treatment.Complementary medicine for arthritis -
What is uncertain, however, is how much of this effect is placebo, as results from randomized controlled trials RCTs are inconsistent.
Patients must be prudent with the use of fish oil, however, as it can reduce the ability for some individuals to clot, leading to a greater risk of bleeding. This is particularly important if patients are on other blood thinners, blood pressure medication, or if they might undergo surgery.
Because the risk of mercury contamination in fish is high, a concentrated extract from fish also carries some risk. Unfortunately, dietary and herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA for content, so without diligent research into a particular manufacturer, it is difficult to know what mercury levels are present.
For this same reason, label accuracy cannot be guaranteed, and patients should be wary about whether the supplement contains the desired ingredients, without any unknown additives. Gamma Linolenic Acid GLA. Unlike EPA and DHA, GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid. The standard western diet has a higher proportion of omega-6 fats, and they are often associated with higher levels of inflammation.
However, evidence for anti-inflammatory properties of GLA, in particular, seems to be strong. It is not naturally occurring in the diet, but can be found in several plant seeds, including borage, evening primrose and black currant. A review by the diligent and reputable Cochrane Collaboration investigated several RCTs that suggested a beneficial effect for pain, joint tenderness and morning stiffness 5.
As with many supplements, however, the risk for drug interaction should be considered. Borage oil may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be harmful for patients at risk of liver damage. The risks of bleeding with GLA are similar to those noted for fish oil. Evening primrose should not be taken along with some psychiatric drugs phenothiazines , and there is some risk of minor GI side effects nausea, gas, bloating, etc.
with large quantities of these supplements. These are two different substances that are often combined in supplement form. Both are usually isolated from shellfish, but are naturally found in human joint tissue.
Both are commonly used for osteoarthritis OA , which is a degenerative form of arthritis with a very different etiology from RA. While these supplements have shown anti-inflammatory effects in animals, clinical trials have only been conducted in OA.
These have been quite inconsistent and controversial, with some finding improvements on X-ray, others finding improvements in symptoms only, and still others finding no effect 6;7.
There is no evidence at all, however, that these supplements would be helpful for RA patients. Glucosamine and chondroitin are generally safe, however, they might pose risk for those with asthma, diabetes, blood clotting disorders, or shellfish allergies. Some mild GI symptoms may occur as well.
Tumeric, ginger, valerian. These are three supplements that are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. Tumeric, which contains circumin, has been associated with decreased inflammation in animals, and one small, double-blind crossover trial found improvements in walking time, swelling and morning stiffness in RA 8.
One small trial found that a ginger supplement was associated with decreased pain and discomfort for patients with RA 9. Valerian root is commonly used as a sleep aid, due to its relaxing properties. Because poor sleep is common among RA patients, valerian may be helpful.
However, there is no research evidence of its efficacy for this population. Valerian should not be combined with sedatives or other sleep aids 4. For those with a diagnosis of RA, dietary choices may have added significance for a variety of reasons:. Fasting for a brief period may bring some relief of symptoms for patients with RA, possibly due to the elimination of some foods that are perceived as allergens These effects are not necessarily long lasting, however, and symptoms may return when patients return to a normal diet Fasting may be dangerous for some patients, and should certainly not be done without close medical supervision.
If a normal diet is not resumed, but sensitive foods are eliminated, effects may be longer lasting. There appears to be a subset of RA patients who are highly sensitive to certain foods, and for whom eliminating these foods can have beneficial effects It should be noted, however, that there are no scientific data supporting the concept that RA is caused by allergies to foods or to other substances.
Several European trials have examined the efficacy of vegan no animal products at all or vegetarian includes eggs and dairy diets for RA patients, sometimes following a period of fasting. These trials have shown some benefits, including less inflammation, lower disease activity, reduced pain and stiffness.
These diets are not always well-tolerated, however, resulting in a high drop-out rate One RCT of a Mediterranean diet found improvements to clinical and psychological parameters in patients with RA Two other observational trials are underway, and will hopefully lead to more investigation in this area.
In a Cochrane review, only one clinical trial of acupuncture met inclusion criteria for rigor of study design There were no statistically significant differences found between intervention and control groups.
A prior review of published studies was broader in its inclusion criteria, but due to mixed results, the review still concluded that nothing can be determined from the trials conducted so far in this area 6.
Many patients with arthritis use magnets as a complementary treatment for pain. A review of the use of magnets for pain cites one trial in RA patients with unremitting knee pain 16 , in which significant pain reduction was found with two different types of magnetic treatment.
There was not a third group without magnet treatment for comparison. Magnets have been effective for treating other types of pain 17 , but further research is needed to ensure safety and efficacy for the RA population.
A Cochrane review by Verhagen et al 18 found seven trials of hydrotherapy also called balneotherapy for RA patients, which generally included mineral baths using varying minerals and concentrations.
This is to be distinguished from water aerobics or therapies in the field of physical therapy that involve the use of water, which are not considered CAM. Positive findings were reported by most studies, but flaws in the methodology hindered conclusiveness.
Results were mixed for pain and quality of life QOL , while some improvements were noted in morning stiffness and grip strength. Although hydrotherapy may be beneficial for RA patients, a large and well-conducted trial is in order. Two recent trials have been conducted using homeopathy compared to a placebo for RA patients 19; Neither found evidence of an effect.
Collectively, this evidence does not support the use of homeopathy for RA, although larger and better designed studies would be useful to crystallize that conclusion. Some measures, such as disability, mood and vitality showed improvement. No change was seen for any markers of pain or functional assessment, and results were mixed for fatigue and swollen joints.
Only two of these trials were randomized. Magnets are used as an alternative therapy for pain relief in arthritis, and may be sold as products like socks, bracelets, mattress pads, or bands that you strap around your painful joints.
These products could be a waste of money, but probably are low risk. Copper bracelets were also not found to have a significant effect on pain in arthritis in recent studies. Relaxation therapies include biofeedback, self-hypnosis, deep breathing techniques, meditation, or guided imagery.
There are therapists trained to help you learn to do any of these relaxation techniques properly, but you can also teach yourself to do them by using online videos or tapes. Tai chi and Yoga may also be done in combination with techniques like meditation to help you relax. For more information, go here and here.
Water therapies use warm water in baths, showers, hot tubs, heated pools, or spas to help you relax tight, sore muscles or ease joint pain.
Hydrotherapy can also mean exercising in warm water. Studies show that warm-water exercise is a good way to build strength and fitness if you have arthritis. You can use a warm shower to loosen stiff joints in the morning, or you may find a soak in a spa tub to soothe sore, aching muscles.
Some research has shown hydrotherapy helpful for pain relief. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about the best ways for you to use hydrotherapy safely and effectively. Quick Links About CreakyJoints. Only fill in if you are not human. CAM Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies.
Alternative Treatments CAM Therapies Exercises Herbs and Supplements CAM Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies. Quick Links About CreakyJoints Press Releases Our Partners Contact Us. Our Resources ghlf.
org ArthritisPower. org 50Statenetwork. org FailFirstHurts. Stay Connected. Others come in a variety of forms, including capsules, tinctures and teas.
For example, turmeric is available in capsules, or as a spice you can sprinkle into your food. Ginger comes in a capsule, a powder you cook with or a tea. Often the herb you choose will dictate which form you take it in, because some herbs absorb better into the body when swallowed; others when steeped in liquid.
Tinctures are generally somewhat stronger than capsules, for example. But the form you take mainly depends on your personal preference, he says.
Pills and capsules are probably the easiest way to take herbal supplements, and the most readily available in your local health food shop or drugstore. You just open the bottle and pop the pills into your mouth. Teas and infusions are made by adding boiling water to fresh or dried plant products — stems, leaves or flowers — and steeping them to release their active ingredients.
Willow bark and ginger are two teas used for arthritis because of their anti-inflammatory properties. To get the dose right using loose herbs, you can consult with an herbalist or a traditional Chinese medicine physician.
However, today you can buy many herbal teas in pre-set doses at a health food store or supermarket. When you make your tea, he recommends a steeping time of 15 to 20 minutes.
Some teas can actually be harmful when steeped too long. For example, black tea contains tannins that can become carcinogenic when steeped for over an hour, Marvasti says.
Some herbal remedies come in the form of a cream, gel, patch or compress that you rub on or apply to your skin. Arnica and comfrey gels are both useful for relieving arthritis pain.
Complementary therapies are becoming a Complemrntary common addition to treatment plans for people living with arthritis. Complementary therapies Complementary medicine for arthritis meant ,edicine Reversing skin damage with rather than replace the arthritis treatments recommended by your doctor. In this section you will learn about complementary therapies and if they can help you manage your arthritis symptoms. In this webinar, rheumatologist Dr. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles discusses complementary therapies and emerging treatments for arthritis being studied around the world. Complementary Therapies Guide for Arthritis. Additional Resources.
Ich denke, dass Sie nicht recht sind. Ich biete es an, zu besprechen.
die Gewinnsichere Variante:)