Alternative Therapeutic Approaches to the Treatment of Arthritis

Alternative therapies are widely used for the treatment of arthritis. Some examples of these are acupuncture/acupressure, animal venoms, copper bracelets, dimethyl sulfoxide, herbal products, magnets, and nutritional therapy. Many products used for alternative therapies are not regulated in the United States and can vary greatly in their content. They may contain toxic contaminants, induce allergic reactions, or interact with prescription medications. Much of the support for their use is based on testimonials and poorly controlled trials. The Office of Alternative Medicine was established under the National Institutes of Health to promote study and evaluation of unconventional therapies.