Complementary and alternative modalities to relieve osteoarthritis symptoms

Am J Nurs. 2012 Mar;112(3 Suppl 1):S44-51. doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000412651.10550.c1.

Abstract

Conventional medical treatment of osteoarthritis often successfully relieves pain but can also produce adverse gastrointestinal and cardiovascular effects, especially with long-term use. Hence, many patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to prevent, control, and manage the pain of osteoarthritis. The author reviews the evidence on the efficacy and safety of several CAM therapies often used for osteoarthritis management, including mind-body therapies, supplements, and body-based treatments.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Therapy
  • Chondroitin / therapeutic use
  • Complementary Therapies / methods*
  • Complementary Therapies / statistics & numerical data
  • Databases, Bibliographic
  • Glucosamine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Mind-Body Therapies
  • Musculoskeletal Manipulations / methods
  • Osteoarthritis / complications
  • Osteoarthritis / therapy*
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Therapeutic Touch

Substances

  • Chondroitin
  • Glucosamine