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Osteoarthritis
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Protect your joints and relieve osteoarthritis aches and pains. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Use topical ointment
Treat discomfort with an ointment or cream containing 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin four times a day over painful joints: make sure not to let capsaicin come in contact with the eyes.
- Add antioxidants
Eat more fruits and vegetables and take 400 to 1,600 IU a day of vitamin E to put antioxidants to work protecting your joints.
- Help prevent joint damage with GS and CS
Take 1,500 mg a day of glucosamine sulfate, 800 to 1,200 mg a day of chondroitin sulfate, or a combination of both supplements, for pain and to protect joints.
- Get moving
Start a gentle program of walking and strengthening exercise to reduce pain and improve joint function.
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading for more in-depth, fully referenced information.
- Slim down
Achieve and maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress to joints and prevent osteoarthritis.
- Get moving
A gentle program of walking and strengthening exercise has been shown to benefit people with osteoarthritis—so get a jumpstart by staying active before problems start.
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading for more in-depth, fully referenced information.
Also indexed as:
- degenerative arthritis,
- degenerative joint disease,
- DJD,
- osteoarthritis,
- osteoarthritis of ankle,
- osteoarthritis of ankle and foot,
- osteoarthritis of elbow,
- osteoarthritis of foot,
- osteoarthritis of forearm,
- osteoarthritis of hand,
- osteoarthritis of hip,
- osteoarthritis of knee,
- osteoarthritis of lower leg,
- osteoarthritis of pelvis,
- osteoarthritis of pelvis and thigh,
- osteoarthritis of shoulder,
- osteoarthritis of thigh,
- osteoarthritis of upper arm,
- osteoarthritis of wrist
About this treatment
About This Condition
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease of the joints, especially the weight-bearing joints that develops when the linings of joints degenerate, leading to lipping and spurring of bone, pain, and decreased mobility and function.
OA is a universal consequence of aging among animals with a bony skeleton. Many factors contribute to the development of OA; the disease is primarily associated with aging and injury and was once called “wear-and-tear” arthritis. OA may occur secondary to many other conditions. However, in most cases, the true cause of OA is unknown.
Symptoms
The onset of OA is gradual and most often affects the hips, knees, fingers, and spine, although other joints also may be involved. Pain is the main symptom, which usually worsens with exercise and is relieved by rest. Morning stiffness is also common and diminishes with movement. As OA progresses, joint motion is lost, and tenderness and grating sensations may develop. OA of the spine may lead to shooting pains down the arms or legs.
Holistic Options
Several clinical trials have examined the efficacy of acupuncture for OA, with mixed results. Some trials found acupuncture treatment to be no more effective than either placebo or sham acupuncture at relieving osteoarthritis pain. Other trials have demonstrated a significant effect of acupuncture on the relief of OA pain compared to placebo. A well-designed trial found that acupuncture treatments (twice weekly for eight weeks) significantly improved pain and disability in people with OA of the knee compared to no treatment. When the group receiving no treatment was switched to acupuncture treatments, they experienced similar improvements.
In a controlled trial, a combination of manual physical therapy (by a qualified physical therapist) and supervised exercise significantly improved walking distance and pain in a group of people with OA of the knee. The therapeutic regimen consisted of manual therapy to the knee, low back, hip, and ankle as necessary, as well as a standardized knee-exercise program performed at home and in the clinic. The treatments were given twice weekly at the clinic for four weeks.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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