At least the soap “cure” is inexpensive and free of side effects (other than a lumpy mattress). Many alternative arthritis treatments are useless at best, and dangerous at worst. But that doesn’t stop millions of patients who are fed up with their traditional meds from falling prey to hucksters ready to feel their pain. In the last year Americans spent $1.2 billion on dietary supplements (though not all for arthritis), and millions more on everything from magic potions to lucky trinkets.
Some alternative treatments are promising. Two supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, are getting most of the attention. They were catapulted into the limelight with Jason Theodosakis’s 1997 best seller, “The Arthritis Cure.” Taken alone or together, glucosamine (extracted from crab, shrimp and lobster shells) and chondroitin sulfate (from cattle trachea) reduce joint pain in some patients. In the last year consumers have spent $405 million on glucosamines and chondroitins, up 21 percent from the year before. “This category,” says Roberta Gaffga, senior VP of marketing at General Nutrition Centers, the dietary supplement chain, “is just going to explode.”
But the supplements don’t work for everyone. Data from trials on the supplements is mixed, and many of the studies were done by supplement manufacturers themselves. One promising recent study of 212 patients with osteoarthritis in the knee suggests that glucosamine may slow deterioration of cartilage, which no other treatment currently does. But the last word could come from the National Institutes of Health, which is now enrolling patients in a major, long-term, nationwide clinical trial of the supplements. The NIH is spending $14 million to review the supplements’ effectiveness and safety, but its results aren’t expected until 2005.
In the meantime, arthritis sufferers continue to open their wallets. “When you’re hurting enough, you’re willing to pay pretty much anything to relieve that pain,” says Judith Horstman, author of “The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to Alternative Therapies.” In some cases, the only casualty is consumers’ pocketbooks. But some products such as DMSO, a byproduct of wood processing, can have unexpected side effects like skin irritation and vision impairment. And the real danger may be to patients who try to treat their arthritis themselves–and fail to see a doctor at all.
Worth Trying: Glucosamine and chondroitin Can ease pain as well as some NSAIDs and may help repair cartilage. But creams that contain these are useless.
Movement therapies Tai chi, walking, yoga, water exercises and swimming can improve flexibility and ease pain.
Acupuncture The NIH is spending $1.5 million to gauge acupuncture’s effectiveness for arthritis.
Massage Stroking and kneading the body can stretch tight muscles, improve flexibility and relieve some arthritis pain.
Supplements Some dietary supplements like SAM-e, fish oil and vitamin E have shown promising signs in treating symptoms.
Not Worth Trying: Static magnets A popular home remedy and billion-dollar business, magnets are probably harmless–and also probably useless.
Homeopathy Some swear by homeopathy, which involves tiny doses of herbs and minerals. But hard evidence is scarce.
Copper bracelets Another popular treatment, but there’s no evidence it provides any relief for symptoms.
Bee stings This therapy may provoke fatal allegic reactions even in those with no known bee allergies.
Supplements Avoid those hyped on the label as a “cure”; they may have side effects and interfere with drugs.
