by Dr Nalbandyan
Easing the pain of arthritic conditions
Osteoarthritis, a degeneration of the joints, has become so common in America that we have come to expect aches, pains, and stiff joints as par for the natural course of aging. The Arthritis Foundation reports that 46 million Americans suffer from arthritis and estimates that by 2030, 67 million will be afflicted. At that rate, we may assume that we’ll have to slow down, curtail physical activities, and manage pain as our bodies lose the dew of youth.
The standard allopathic (Western) treatment for arthritis is non¬steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Although these drugs can relieve pain, they do nothing to cure the disease and are often accompanied by serious gastric side effects. Topical pain creams are also widely used, yet these have only transient benefits and do not heal inflamed joints.