Complementary therapies for arthritis

Some complementary approaches such as homeopathy and acupuncture are available, in some areas, through the NHS, but they're not universally accepted by the medical establishment.

There is a limited body of evidence for certain therapies such as chiropractice, whilst for many other therapies, such as homeopathy, there is no accepted clinical evidence at all for its efficacy and yet complementary therapies still remain a popular choice for many people. The role of homeopathy remains debateable but many doctors acknowledge that complementary approaches may have some benefit for some conditions, as part of a holistic care plan which includes conventional medicine.

Checklist

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 in their field, and that they belong and are clinically current in terms of training and education
• 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 they tell you are 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

Types of complementary therapies

• 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

Finding a practitioner

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 and Natural Medicine has a register of practitioners who have provided evidence of their compentence to practise, as has the British Homeopathic Association (health professionals), The Society of Homeopaths, the British Acupuncture Council, the British Medical Acupuncture Society (health professionals), the General Osteopathic Council, the General Chiropractic Council and the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.