"It is more important to know the patient who suffers from the disease than the disease from which the patient suffers."-Sir William Osler


Definition: Arthr-itis = Joint inflammation

Do you suffer from inflamed, painful or stiff joints?  Inflammation of joints can be caused by many things.  Most commonly, arthritis is due to accumulated joint injury and stress through constant wear and tear over time (osteoarthritis).  It is important to have a health care professional assist you in the diagnosis of your particular kind of arthritis as there are many additional causes for example genetic abnormalities, cancer, infections…  Interestingly, the medications most often tried for relief of joint pain caused by osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis) and rheumatoid arthritis, the so called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) actually inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction thus decreasing the ability of the body to heal itself. 

"The Old Ship is not in a state to make many voyages.  But the flag is still at the mast and I am still at the wheel."-Walt Whitman

We have learned more of nature's secrets since Walt's time and I would like to pass some of what we discovered along so that you may find relief from the scourge of arthritis.  Are there ways to not merely suppress arthritic pain symptoms but rather promote healing?

Glucosamine

The design of our body is magnificent and indeed there is a natural joint repair mechanism in place.  Glucosamine sulfate, an amino acid sugar formed in the body from glucose, plays a major role in the formation of the tissues and fluids necessary for cartilage to function.  It has demonstrated the ability to restore the gelatinous lubricating consistency of the fluids and tissues of joints (including the back).  Glucosamine sulfate is critical to