Complementary Therapies for Nagging Hip Pain
Debilitating hip pain caused by osteoarthritis plagues thousands of men and women who have passed the age of 40, health studies show, but there may be several ways to counter it. Acute and chronic pain may be treated with medications but it may also be alleviated with the use of complementary therapies, according to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Complementary therapy is now being recognized and established as a branch in medicine that is commonly used to treat various forms of ailments. Alternative medicine may be a viable option for those who have suffered problems with their hip implants, especially the ones who are waiting for the new administrator and special masters of the ASR multidistrict litigation.
Various studies are being conducted to investigate the effects of unconventional treatments for hip pain caused by osteoarthritis. Lifestyle changes, medications and surgical procedures are popularly used in treating hip pain, but now there are other possible treatments that may help patients feel relief.
Complementary therapies for hip pain include:
- Herbal remedies – these are the use of fruits, vegetable and herbs in treating osteoarthritis. Devil’s claw and willow bark are two of the herbs used for treating pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis.
- Acupuncture – this method involves inserting very thin needles in specific points of the body. This is commonly used by Chinese as it helps in balancing the chi or the flow of energy. Those who have used acupuncture together with routine care have experienced an improvement with their condition, according to a study published in the National Center for biotechnology Information (NCBI).
- Dietary supplements – Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) was the largest study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). The effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate were investigated and observed for six months. It was found that the participants have a positive reduction in pain while they were using glucosamine with chondroitin sulphate.
- Massage – this helps release the tension in the muscles and may bring relaxation. However, the massage therapist needs to be aware that the hip area will be sensitive to touch.
The use of alternative treatments for hip pain may be promising but it is best to inform the attending physician first before trying any of the treatments. Problems with metal hip implants may allow more individuals to explore other possible treatments. One may visit the DePuy Hip Recall News Center to know why patients have suffered hip implant problems.
URL References:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17075849
nccam.nih.gov/research/results/gait/qa.htm
amtamassage.org/articles/3/MTJ/detail/1768
iasp-pain.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Guide_to_Pain_Management_in_Low_Resource_Settings&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=12168
niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteoarthritis/#3