Complementary Therapies

They are better called this, than "alternative", as it is most important for some conditions to continue conventional treatment as well as trying other therapies. It is also important for the person prescribing medication to know of any other treatments you intend adding.

Many claims are made of the benefits of these therapies, but unfortunately few so far have been subject to "controlled trails". The Arthritis Research Campaign is beginning to fund studies on them. Hearsay is not enough!
The ups and downs of arthritic conditions make it very difficult to tell what was really responsible for the improvement.
We do know that 30% of people will report improvement when given any pill even if it has no active ingredient. So the mind, our beliefs and our body's responses are VERY closely connected more than we can imagine is possible. This effect has to be taken into account in any reliable studies.

We all need to feel that we have some control over what is happening to us, and as with arthritis and many other illnesses, it feels as if we have lost that control. So it is easy to turn to anything we find that might help to try and get that feeling of control back.

It is only because so many of us try these therapies that attention is brought to them and they are tested and found useful or otherwise.

IT IS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY PERSON WHO YOU MAY CHOOSE TO TREAT YOU, HAS A RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION AND THEREFORE IS SAFE TO PRACTICE.

It is only possible to start with a short list and details will be updated regularly as they become available.

ACUPUNCTURE
A Chinese theory that talks about opposing forces the yin and yang that work together to create a life force the chi. The balance of the yin and yang being the aim of treatment. Fine needles are inserted on the "meridian lines" where the energy is believed to run.

ACUPRESSURE
Pressure is applied with the fingertips and not needles.

AROMATHERAPY
Oils distilled from plants are used for massage or inhaling.

COPPER BRACELETS
Some people believe these help their arthritis, as yet we know of no research that is able to prove the benefit.

CRANIO-SACCRAL THERAPY
This is a relatively new therapy. An osteopath in America, John Upledger began gentle treatment by massage to the cranium (back of the skull) believing it can affect the pressure of the cerebro-spinal fluid (that flows around the spinal cord) and cure many general health problems.

DIETRY
This varies from changing your whole diet to taking supplements. Some diets are drastic and can restrict your intake of nutrition and make people quite ill. Beware of these. The person who has worked with arthritis and diet and done reliable trials is Dr Gail Darlington she has written the book with Linda Gamlin "Diet and Arthritis" Ebury Press London ISBN 0-09-178577-4 For more information on Diets & Supplements click here.

HEALING
Many people claim to be "healers" some spiritualists, others just plain healers.
Christian healing is requested by those who have a deep belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and can heal through prayer today as in Biblical times.

HERBAL
One definition of an herb is "A plant used in medicine". Isn't this how medicine started many thousands of years ago? Some drug medication still comes directly from plants.

HOMOEOPATHY
This is a system of treating diseases with substances that cause the problem only using the minutest amount diluted many times.

MAGNETIC BRACELETS
Does not only come in bracelet form can even be a coaster which it is claimed magnetises the water you drink.The claim is that the blood flow is increased. I have met people who have used magnetic collars on their arthritic animals and have seen miraculous recoveries. I find this interesting, as the animal can't know that it's a magnetic collar. On the other hand these were the sales people so they did have a vested interest!

MASSAGE
This covers anything from gentle stroking to encourage relaxation to the therapeutic techniques used by physiotherapists.

OSTEOPATHY
Now more widely accepted as a form of manipulative therapy. Has it's own governing body and accepted qualification. Used to be surrounded by a rather magical aura with the idea of clicking joints back in place, perhaps initiated by the terms they used. Joints don't just click in and out they are necessarily quite tightly held in place.

REFLEXOLOGY
This is associated with pressure applied to certain areas of the feet. The theory is that zones on the feet can reflect what is happening in the rest of the body. The trained Reflexologist can "read" the signs by feeling the feet and work on the area in the foot and so affect the area of the body it relates to.

REIKI
Another way of restoring natural energy and health. Then idea is that the healing is carried out by the direct transference of the bodies energy.

YOGA
An ancient Indian art associated with philosophy. In the West Hatha yoga is practiced to improve breathing and stretch the muscles and joints .