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6. Nutritional Supplements
Vitamins, herbs and minerals can be as powerful as pharmaceutical drugs when it comes to pain relief, and there are a few particularly useful compounds for arthritis patients. S-Adenosylmethionine – better known as SAM-e – is a synthetic form of a naturally occurring chemical found in all cells, and it can work just as well as NSAIDs on inflammatory pain.
There are also several plant compounds that have proven pain-relieving abilities without many side effects, such as capsaicin (the heat-producing compound in chili peppers), curcumin (a chemical in turmeric) and boswellia serrata (also known as Indian frankincense). It’s never a good idea to start supplementing without first consulting with your doctor, so be sure to get their opinion before you proceed.
Arthritis injections are used to help relieve pain and swelling that are the result of arthritic conditions. Learn more about this treatment option here.
