Arthritis is a chronic medical condition characterized by inflamed and painful, stiff joints. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of the disease, and frequently affects knees, elbows, fingers and hips, especially as you grow older and the cartilage that normally cushions your joints gradually wears away. While there are many ways to treat arthritis pain, including pain medications, physical therapy, exercise and even surgery, MayoClinic.com reports that the natural supplements glucosamine and chondroitin, typically taken together, are common alternative therapies for arthritis. If you're interested in taking glucosamine chondroitin supplements for arthritis pain, a few basic guidelines can be helpful.
Step 1
Discuss glucosamine chondroitin supplements with your physician. Evidence regarding the effectiveness of these supplements for the treatment of arthritis is mixed, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. In addition, glucosamine chondroitin supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. For these reasons, it's best to seek your physician's recommendations regarding the use of glucosamine chondroitin to ease arthritis pain.
Step 2
Choose a glucosamine chondroitin supplement made by an established, well-known, large company, advises the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. This will help assure you of corporate accountability for the contents and purity of the supplement.
Step 3
Take the recommended dosage of glucosamine chondroitin supplements if your doctor has given approval for this treatment. According to Columbia University's Health Services, the typical dose is 1,500 mg per day, which can be taken all at once or in 500 mg pills taken three times per day to ease arthritis pain.
