1. Alternative arthritis therapies

Known and different alternative therapies for arthritis range like the alpha-bet from Acupuncture to Zinc, with much in between; From magnetic bracelets made of titanium, stainless steel and copper to direct magnets applications to yoga, to name just a few. But the question remains; Do alternative therapies for arthritis really work?

Many people who suffer from chronic arthritis are looking constantly into alternative therapies in an effort to find relief from their pain, stiffness, stress, anxiety, and depression that accompany the disease. Indeed, the Arthritis Foundation reports that around two-thirds of those suffering from the disease have tried some form of alternative therapies.

An over view of the those alternative therapies: Some Work, Many Don't

A survey conducted for Arthritis Today reported that the favourite alternative therapies of the 780 arthritis sufferers who responded to the survey included everything from prayer and meditation to magnets. The writer is associate director of the Thurston Arthritis Research Centre in the University of North Carolina at the famous Chapel Hill location.

Out of the 2,299 physicians who responded to the survey, the alternative therapies most recommended were capsaicin, relaxation, biofeedback, meditation, journal writing, yoga, spirituality, tai chi, and also acupuncture.
When looking at the above results, one may ask how comes magnetic therapy is not up there with the rest of the therapies. One possible reason is that using magnets for healing may not needed to be applied by a trained professional health personnel. After all, magnets are magnets, they is no real risk to use and do not have any side effects. One can simply chose and wear a magnetic bracelet of his / her choice.

Indeed some of these alternative treatments really work, say leading arthritis specialists, and even have scientific evidence behind them (although most Doctors do admits that more research is needed). On the other hand, many more of the alternative treatments don't work or need more studies to support anecdotal claims.