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Alternative Arthritis Therapies: Chiropractic and Massage

Summary & Participants

Conventional medical treatments for arthritis have come a long way in recent years. But many people suffering from arthritis pain have found additional comfort in so-called "alternative" or "complementary" therapies. How effective are they? And more importantly, how safe? Join our panel of experts as they discuss these therapies, and how they should be used.

Medically Reviewed On: July 10, 2008

Webcast Transcript

DAVID MARKS, MD: Welcome to our webcast. I'm Dr. David Marks. Alternative or complementary medicine has become increasingly popular over the last few years, especially in the treatment of arthritis. What are these alternative therapies, and do they work?

Joining us to answer these questions is Dr. Allan Gibofsky. He is Professor of Medicine and Public Health at Cornell, and a Rheumatologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Welcome.

Next to him is Dr. Ifeoma Okoronkwo, or Dr. O., who is Clinical Instructor at NYU School of Medicine and is an attending physician at the Rusk Institute. Thanks for being here.

What are the different types of alternative therapy that we have to deal with?

IFEOMA OKORONKWO, MD: Well, there is really a broad spectrum of therapies and interventions. One could look at it as that there are mechanical interventions and there are non-mechanical interventions. Some of the more common mechanical interventions would be acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic. More esoteric ones would be healing touch, Reiki, etc.

Some of the non-mechanical interventions include some of the oral modalities and medicines, such as herbs. Glucosamine is a very common vitamin or supplement. And also magnets.

DAVID MARKS, MD: Chiropractic. How good is that for arthritis? Is there a place for it?

ALLAN GIBOFSKY, MD: There is a place for it. Again, the word arthritis needs to be recognized as a word that has a broad use in common discussion. The word arthritis is like the word automobile; what make, what model, what color, what options. There are various kinds of arthritis that lend themselves very nicely to massage and adjustment. I think to the extent that massage and adjustment are provided by skilled chiropractors who recognize the limitations on the joints, and the limitations and differences between exercise and rest, a chiropractor can be quite helpful, particularly in those forms of arthritis that are caused by overuse resulting in degeneration.

DAVID MARKS, MD: There is some controversy about chiropractic care amongst the medical community, correct?

ALLAN GIBOFSKY, MD: There is a great deal of controversy. I'll defer to Dr. O. in terms of her opinion as well, but it usually arises out of the use of any modality beyond its indication. When it comes to the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions by manipulation and dealing with the manipulation of the parts of the body, I believe chiropractics is an appropriate adjunct. But when some go to claims about the use of chiropracty in stimulating insulin release or the use of chiropracty in stimulating hormone release, I think that's where we're looking more for evidence to demonstrate its efficacy. Dr. O., your feeling?

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