So what has happened in the absence of relief is that people are looking for all these alternative therapies for help with arthritis pain,'' including glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements, hyaluronic acid injections, and magnet therapy. The therapies that are really effective in terms of preventing and stopping osteoarthritis,'' commented D'Ambrosia, ''are things people don't like to do, like losing weight, having good nutrition, and exercising. Those are things that really work, but most people want to take a pill, to do something external, to ease their arthritis pain.'' Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are compounds found naturally in the body that stimulate formation and repair of cartilage, and inhibit the breakdown of cartilage, respectively. Though there is evidence that animal-derived supplements of these substances, which are sold both in retail stores and on the Internet, provide some relief, there is no proof that they actually repair arthritic joints. These substances have demonstrated that they provide a moderate pain relief benefit, and thus may delay the need for operative therapy,'' said D'Ambrosia.
Magnet therapy is similarly unproven.
The theory of magnet therapy has had proponents for centuries, who speculate that magnets either interact with the body's electrical system and increase blood circulation, thereby reducing inflammation and relieving pain, or stimulate endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. We don't know what the long-term effects of using magnets are,'' said D'Ambrosia. Someone who has a pacemaker on his heart, for example, magnets may interfere with the pacemaker and do significant harm. While European studies have demonstrated significant improvements in pain relief in association with this therapy, US studies so far have not shown this effect, and more studies are needed. Of course, they would not make a living without resorting to surgery and expensive prescription drugs.