When osteoarthritis pain strikes, there is no denying the obvious. Something is wrong.
Once you have determined that you have osteoarthritis, what next? Advances in treatment options offer many avenues to osteoarthritis pain relief, but choosing the right road can be an overwhelming undertaking. Traditional medicine? Homeopathic medicine? Eastern medicine? Natural supplementation? Which to choose?
The decision is not an easy one to make and, for many of the estimated 21 million Americans affected by osteoarthritis, the first stop is their family doctor. If their family doctor is a traditional "Western" practitioner, the patient can expect a battery of tests to diagnose the situation - x-rays, blood tests, MRIs among them - and, once the diagnosis is made, a prescription for medication, typically non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Unfortunately, NSAIDs - while offering temporary relief from inflammation - also come with a host of uncomfortable and sometimes deadly side effects. Patients report nausea, diarrhea and ulcers, among others. The worst of them all, however, are stroke and heart attack. Of course, not all patients will experience these side effects, but the risk remains. Also, the longer you use these medications, prescription or over-the-counter, the less effective they become as your body builds a tolerance to the treatment and requires more and more to ease pain.
Many others take a far different route to relief - embarking on a journey involving non-traditional remedies such as specific foods, spiritual practices such as meditation and pain management such as therapeutic massage and acupuncture. While those who practice such disciplines often swear by their efficacy, there is no substantial proof that such approaches offer solid relief. Also, the cost of many of these options is somewhat prohibitive and practitioners are not readily accessible for many Americans. Some studies have also shown that some of the very treatments prescribed - such as ginger - can cause gastric ulcers in patients.
Yet another option exists for combating osteoarthritis pain - nutritional supplementation.
B vitamins, Vitamin C and a host of other minerals and nutrients have been shown to be at least moderately effective in managing osteoarthritis pain. Among the natural supplements, however, one treatment stands head and shoulders above the rest - supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin.
It is important to note that osteoarthritis pain is caused by the abnormal breakdown of the cartilage cushion in the joints, particularly weight-bearing joints. Whereas other treatments only manage the effects of the break down - the inflammation - supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin gets to the cause by giving the damaged joint a booster-shot the very materials needed to repair and replenish damaged cartilage, all without uncomfortable and dangerous side effects.
Syn-flex (Synflex) Premium Liquid Glucosamine is America's most trusted brand and offers an exclusive eleven-ingredient liquid formula in a liquid delivery for maximum absorption for effective treatment. With nearly 1 million bottles sold, Syn-flex formulas continue to deliver worldwide relief to thousands upon thousands of joint pain sufferers. Learn more about glucosamine and chondroitin and the powerful role they play in fighting arthritis, as well as how effective Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine is in treating arthritis by visiting the Synflex Website at http://www.syn-flex-usa.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Russel