| Treatment
How
Is Osteoarthritis Treated?
Most successful
treatment programs involve a combination of treatments tailored
to the patient’s needs, lifestyle, and health. Osteoarthritis
treatment has four general goals:
- Control pain
through drugs and other measures.
- Improve joint
care through rest and exercise.
- Maintain an
acceptable body weight.
- Achieve a
healthy lifestyle.
Glucosamine
and Chondroitin Sulfate
Glucosamine and
chondroitin sulfate are substances found naturally in the
body. Glucosamine is a form of amino sugar that is believed
to play a role in cartilage formation and repair. Chondroitin
sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan)
that gives cartilage elasticity.
Acupuncture
Getting stuck with needles
sounds more like torture than a medical treatment. But there's
evidence that acupuncture – a standard health practice
in asia – helps relieve pain. Should you try it for
arthritis?
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