Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage—which cushions the bones in the joint and absorbs shock—wears down and leaves the bones unprotected. When this happens, the bones rub against each other, creating pain and inflammation, and limiting range of movement in the joint. Over a long period of time, bone spurs can form, and the joint can become misshapen. Furthermore, pieces of bone or cartilage can break off and travel freely in the joint space, causing more pain. Osteoarthritis occurs primarily in older patients, however, young people who have experienced a joint injury can also suffer from the disease.
Below you will find alternative and natural treatment options including those from a Chinese Medicine perspective for Osteoarthritis.