Complementary therapies Some people with arthritis find they help them relax and deal with their pain, although none of them cure arthritis.

In this article

Checklist

Types of treatment

Finding a practitioner

Although some complementary approaches are available through the NHS, they're not universally accepted by the medical establishment. This is because they haven't been subject to the strict medical trials by which scientists prove some treatments work.

Many doctors recognise these approaches can benefit patients, but they're unlikely to be enthusiastic about you abandoning conventional treatment entirely in favour of complementary approaches.

Do:

• Tell your doctor, physiotherapist or occupational therapist that you're considering seeing a complementary practitioner
• Find a reliable practitioner - it's worth checking whether there's an organisation that sets standards
• Try to find someone who has worked with people with arthritis
• Check the cost - most therapies aren't available on the NHS
• Check the number of sessions needed before benefits are felt
• Choose someone you feel comfortable with

Don't be:

• Afraid to ask for credentials and references
• Led to believe there are miracle cures
• Taken in by people who say you should follow their method and abandon other treatments

Acupuncture - works on the theory that inserting needles along energy lines of the body can stimulate energy flow and reduce pain

Alexander technique - a way of teaching improved posture to help people stand and move more efficiently

Aromatherapy - the use of essential oils from flowers, plants and trees, sometimes combined with massage

Chiropractic - manipulation to improve mobility and relieve pain by adjusting the joints of the spine and limbs where there are signs of restricted movement (not usually recommended for those with osteoporosis or inflamed joints)

Herbalism - use of plants and herbal remedies to treat illness

Homeopathy - a system of remedies based on giving people very dilute amounts of a substance that in larger amounts might produce symptoms similar to the condition being treated

Osteopathy - manipulation to restore normal action to the body and reduce pain (not usually recommended for those with osteoporosis or inflamed joints)

Reflexology - massage using pressure to the feet to improve the health of various parts of the body

Yoga - a combination of relaxation, breathing techniques and exercise to combat stress and help circulation and movement of the joints

If you're looking for a complementary practitioner, you'll find plenty in your local Yellow Pages or Thomson's Directory, but this will give no indication of how good they are. Your doctor or health centre may be able to recommend someone.

Many complementary therapies have no strict system of qualification. The Institute for Complementary Medicine has a register of practitioners who have provided evidence of their compentence to practise.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2008.
First published in October 1999.