|
Homeopathics for Relieving Arthritis Pain
Eleven million people suffer from osteoarthritis, a common
form of
arthritis in which cartilage, the "cushion" between
bones, is
gradually worn away. No more cushion means the bones rub together,
causing considerable pain. In fact, pain relief is the top priority
in most osteoarthritis patients, often considered as important
than
as treating the disease.
Acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol) is a frequently used pain reliever,
although upset stomach is a potential side effect and many people
can be allergic to it. A study in the American Journal of Pain
Management explored the possibility for an alternative -- a
homeopathic preparation -- to relieve osteoarthritis pain.
Patients received either a liquid homepathic preparation or
acetaminophen for one month. Results showed that the homeopathic
treatment was slightly more effective than acetaminophen, and
that
more than half (55%) of the patients reported pain relief of
40% or
greater, compared with only 38% of the acetaminophen patients.
Homeopathy is a system of healing that emphasizes the use
of small
doses of different natural substances. Your chiropractor can
tell
you more about homeopathy and about some of the reasons why you
should consider non-drug alternatives to treating your pain.
Shealey CN, Thomlinson RP, Cox RH, et al. Osteoarthritic pain:
a
comparison of homeopathy and acetaminophen. American Journal
of
Pain Management, July 1998: Vol. 8, No. 3, pp89-91.
| 
