There's no cure for arthritis, so it is hardly surprising that many patients resort to a variety of therapies for dealing with the almost constant pain.

Some alternative therapies -- such as the use of heat and cold to reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis, or hydrotherapy (see pain therapies) -- frequently come with a doctor's recommendation.

Acupuncture has become a popular unconventional therapy within the United States, and is even covered by some insurers and managed health organizations. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends it for chronic pain and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices.

Several nutritional supplements also have been found by clinical studies of varying rigor to be useful in treating osteoarthritis.

These include products such as S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e), glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for osteoarthritis.

But a study conducted in North Carolina found that two-thirds of patients surveyed had also tried things like herbal remedies, special diets and vitamins that their doctors did not recommend.

While many of these may not cause any harm, and may even make patients feel better, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautions that people with arthritis are among the prime targets for fraud, spending nearly a billion dollars annually on unproved remedies.

And not telling your doctor that you are taking a supplement or herbal remedy could be a problem, because some may affect the way a prescription drug works.

All information provided in this site is offered for educational purposes only, and it is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your own physician or healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.