Advice From Your Burnaby Physiotherapists: Why Glucosamine For Arthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint problems affecting people around the world. It causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, especially in older adults. While many people take medications like ibuprofen to ease the pain, these drugs can cause negative side effects if taken for a long time. That’s why some people are looking for safer alternatives, like glucosamine and chondroitin.
What Is Glucosamine?
Glucosamine is a natural substance found in your body. It helps form cartilage, the tissue that cushions your joints. You can also get glucosamine from supplements, usually made from shellfish. Some forms include glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride.
Chondroitin is often taken with glucosamine. It also helps keep your joints healthy by absorbing fluid into the cartilage. Together, these two compounds are often used to treat osteoarthritis symptoms.
Does Glucosamine Work?
Glucosamine and chondroitin have been used in Europe for many years.They have also become popular in North America, especially after being mentioned in health magazines and online testimonials.
Some studies show that these supplements can help reduce joint pain and improve movement. However, not all studies agree. The benefits seem to be moderate at best. Some people feel better, while others notice no change.
A review of 15 clinical trials showed that glucosamine had a small to moderate effect on pain relief. Chondroitin had a larger effect. But there were problems with the way many of these studies were done. Some did not clearly explain how people were chosen or what happened to those who dropped out of the study. This can make the results less trustworthy. More research needs to be done.
Are Glucosamine and Chondroitin Safe?
Yes, they are generally safe. That’s one of their biggest advantages. Unlike many drugs, these supplements don’t usually cause serious side effects. A few people might get upset stomachs or allergic reactions, especially if they are allergic to shellfish.
Because they are safe, even a small benefit might make them worth trying for people with osteoarthritis. But they are not a miracle cure, and they don’t work for everyone.
How Long Do They Take to Work?
One important thing to know is that these supplements take time to work. Don’t expect to feel better in a few days. It may take four weeks or more to notice any difference. The full benefits might not show up until after two or three months.
What Do Doctors Say?
Some doctors are still unsure about glucosamine and chondroitin. That’s partly because of the mixed results from studies. Also, some of the research was paid for by supplement companies, which raises questions about bias and their influence on the results.
Even so, because these supplements are safe and may help some people, doctors may recommend trying them—especially if other treatments aren’t working or cause too many side effects.
What Does EastWest Physiotherapy in Burnaby Say?
At EastWest Physiotherapy in Burnaby, we see many patients dealing with joint pain from osteoarthritis. While physiotherapy treatments like exercise, acupuncture, electrotherapy, Super Inductive System(SIS) and hands-on therapy are our main tools, we believe nutrition and supplements have their place to optimize healing and recovery. More convincing research studies regarding glucosamine and chondroitin are needed.
We believe glucosamine and chondroitin may help some people, especially when combined with a healthy lifestyle and regular physiotherapy treatment. We encourage patients to talk to their doctor or pharmacist before starting any new supplement.
Physiotherapy can help improve joint strength and mobility, reduce pain, and support long-term joint health. Supplements like glucosamine can be part of a bigger plan that includes movement, good nutrition, and proper care.
What Should You Look For in a Supplement?
Final Thoughts
Glucosamine and chondroitin are not magic pills, but they might help ease the pain of osteoarthritis for some people. They are safe and easy to try, especially when used alongside treatments like physiotherapy.
If you’re in Burnaby and want help managing joint pain, come see us at EastWest Physiotherapy. We have many tools that can assist with your pain and discomfort and we’ll work with you to create a plan that fits your needs and helps you move better, feel better, and live your best life.
