Your joints are sites where two of your bones articulate, or come together. The Kids Health website states that your joints allow you to perform complicated movements with your body and are classified by their range of movement. Some joints allow significant movement while other joints are immovable. Dietary supplements may help relieve your joint pain and other joint symptoms, but you should always seek the approval of your physician before using supplements for this health purpose.
Joint Pain
Joint pain is a common health complaint among Americans and may be caused by numerous factors, including traumatic injuries, overuse injuries and certain health conditions. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, possible causes of joint pain and other joint symptoms include tendonitis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, influenza and fracture. Depending on the cause of your joint pain or discomfort, you may experience joint pain in one or more of your joints and on one or both sides of your body.
Joint Relief Supplements
Numerous dietary supplements have been touted to help relieve your joint pain and other symptoms, but not all supplements historically used for this health purpose may be supported by extensive clinical research. According to certified nutritional consultant and nutrition researcher Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," some of the most commonly used supplements for this health purpose include glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM), proteolytic enzymes, pycnogenol, grape seed extract, cat's claw, devil's claw and noni.
Supplement in Focus
Pycnogenol, states the Medline Medical Encyclopedia, is a substance derived from the bark of a certain type of pine tree, although the principal active ingredients found in pycnogenol may also be extracted from grape seeds, witch hazel bark and peanut skins. Pycnogenol may be particularly helpful in relieving your joint pain, but it has also traditionally been used in treating allergies, asthma, hypertension, muscle aches, diabetes, endometriosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dysmenorrhea, or painful menstrual periods.
Disclaimer
Joint pain and other joint problems can range from mild to severe. In some cases, joint problems can reduce your ability to perform your usual activities of daily living. To better understand the role of complementary alternative therapies, including dietary supplements, in treating your joint problems, meet with a qualified health care practitioner who can counsel you on the merits and drawbacks of these powerful natural substances. Supplements should only be used if you are under the care of a licensed health care practitioner.
References
- Kids Health: Bones, Muscles, and Joints
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Joint Pain - Overview
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- Medline Medical Encyclopedia: Pycnogenol
