Healthy living
Complementary therapies
Arthritis
Arthritis affects an estimated nine million people in the UK, with osteoarthritis, which is mainly associated with older people, being the most widespread kind. Although drug-based treatments for arthritis abound, many patients find these disappointing or ineffective </h1>The charity <a href="http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk" target="_blank" title="Arthritis Care">Arthritis Care</a> recently reported that four out of five people with osteoarthritis are living with constant pain.
The chronic nature of arthritis is leading people with the condition away from hopes of an instant cure and towards a more active role in managing their condition in partnership with healthcare professionals.
This has led to a greater emphasis on exercise and pain management techniques in the treatment of the condition.
Arthritis Care, for example, has set up a popular self-management course called 'Challenging Arthritis', which aims to give people the tools to manage their condition day-to-day.
The courses are delivered by local people who have arthritis themselves, and focus on what patients can do to help themselves.
There’s advice on how to get the most out of your healthcare team, together with new ideas for handling pain, fatigue and depression, relaxing and exercising.
Reader comments
Having had had rheumatoid arthirits in hands for many years, have been taking Aloe Vera juice for 3 months. Am noticing great improvement-less pain and more mobility. Well worth trying.
Posted by: Mrs. Olive Dixon | 22/02/2008 17:32:35
I HAVE HAD ARTHRITIS AFTER A ROAD ACCIDENT MANY YEARS AGO AND HAVE BEEN TAKING 'DEVILS CLAW' FOR SOME YEARS NOW. IT WORKS QUITE WELL FOR ME, MEDICINAL HERBAL PRACTITIONERS ARE WELL WORTH THE MONEY AS THEY LISTEN TO YOU UNLIKE TO MANY DOCTORS. CHARLES YOUELL
Posted by: charles youell | 09/08/2007 21:06:31
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.