Arthritis-relieving alternatives exist for drug-wary

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Posted on Fri, Jan. 14, 2005

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Arthritis-relieving alternatives exist for drug-wary

BY JULIE DEARDORFF

Chicago Tribune

For several decades, 92-year-old Dvera Berson has been relentlessly touting

her water exercise program as the safest, most effective way to tackle

arthritis.

The persistent Berson has her own book, a video that shows her trotting in

high heels at age 82 and her own compelling success story. Still, most

arthritic Americans rely on pills when it comes to managing the degenerative

joint disease.

That could change in light of the recent bad news about both prescription

and over-the-counter painkillers.

Recently, health officials warned of heart risks connected to the

over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkiller naproxen, found in popular

products such as Aleve. The ominous warning followed studies that showed

increased heart risks in two prescription painkillers, Vioxx, which was

yanked off store shelves in September, and Celebrex, which is still

available but will no longer be advertised.

The Food and Drug Administration urged doctors to consider alternative

therapies as they evaluate their individual patients' needs, but that has

left millions of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers wondering

about their next step.

Here are some safe alternatives to try until more is known about the health

risks of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Exercise: Joint-pounding workouts should be avoided, but moderate activity

such as swimming, cycling or walking can reduce pain and swelling. Yoga can

work wonders, while pilates, with its focus on alignment, joint mobility and

trunk stabilization, can reduce joint stress.

The Arthritis Foundation offers water exercise programs through local health

facilities, but workouts vary in intensity. Berson's five-day-a-week program

(not affiliated with the Arthritis Foundation) begins with five repetitions

of simple beginner exercises and gradually increases to 25.

" My program is the only one good enough to replace drugs, " said Berson, of

Boca Raton, Fla. (www.becomingpainfree.com). " The amount and frequency of

exercise directly affect the results. "

Diet: Foods to avoid are almost as important as ones to eat, because animal

products ‹ eggs, dairy and meat ‹ worsen inflammation in the joints. Fish is

the one exception, because it contains anti-inflammatory oils. Other foods

that lead to inflammation include saturated fats, fried foods, sugar

products, refined carbohydrates and foods high in gluten, said Jack Challem,

author of " The Inflammation Syndrome " (Wiley, $14.95).

Nutritionists recommend eating flaxseeds and more oily fish such as salmon,

herring and mackerel. Other good foods include fiber-rich raw vegetables and

whole grains, and vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower. Foods high in

sulfur (asparagus, cabbage, garlic or onion) can help repair cartilage and

bone, while pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain that has been shown to

reduce inflammation, according to Balch and Mark Stengler, authors of

" Prescription for Natural Cures " (Wiley, $24.95).

Supplements: Fish oil, glucosamine sulfate and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

all contain anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial. For

osteoarthritis symptoms, Balch and Stengler suggest taking 1,500 mg daily of

glucosamine sulfate. It's often sold with 600 to 1,200 mg of chondroitin

sulfate, a related compound that also reduces joint pain and rebuilds

cartilage. MSM (2,000 to 8,000 mg daily) has natural anti-inflammatory

benefits, but the science is less certain.

Acupuncture: Inserting thin needles into specific body points can ease knee

and neck pain, according to several recent studies in the December ls of

Internal Medicine. The study considers acupuncture to be a complementary

therapy, meaning a patient would also use anti-inflammatory medications.

Acupressure, which uses pressure rather than needles, also can be helpful.

Tai chi: One form, called Taoist tai chi, uses both rotation and the

alternative movements of compression and release to make the joints

healthier, said Latz , president of the Illinois branch of the

Taoist Tai Chi Society. With consistent practice, " the joints with healthy

cartilage are able to move freely and that movement in turn keeps the

cartilage healthy and prevents it from becoming brittle, dry and

degenerative. "

Weight loss: Recent studies have shown the combination of weight loss and

physical activity effectively reduced osteroarthritis knee pain in

overweight people older than 60.

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