Back Pain? Glucosamine and Chondroitin Can Help!

Millions of Americans suffer from back pain. Fromby reducing inflammation. Unfortunately, NSAIDs come
pulled muscles to herniated discs, the pain can bewith a host of dangerous side effects, ranging from
enough to sideline the most determined among us.mild stomach upset to stroke. Many people suffering
One of the most common underlying causes of backfrom osteoarthritis pain opt to take NSAIDs despite the
pain is a degenerative bone and joint disease calledrisks, hoping for some semblance of relief.
osteoarthritis. This painful form of arthritis occurs whenThere is one treatment alternative shown to reduce
the cartilage cushion in a joint wears down and theinflammation, slow and perhaps even prevent the
exposed bones rub together in the joint. Excess frictiondegeneration of joint cartilage - the underlying cause of
in the joints can lead to loss of motion, stiffness andosteoarthritis pain. This alternative treatment is
joint pain, due in large part to inflammation.supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin
Osteoarthritis is not genetically linked but it is moresulfate.
common among middle-aged and older individuals. InGlucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, the building blocks
addition to causing mild to severe pain in the back, itof healthy cartilage and connective tissue, are found
can strike the neck, hands, hips, knees, elbows andnaturally in the connective tissues of the human body,
feet. When it occurs in the back, degenerativesuch as those that cover the ends of bones in the
osteoarthritis is usually called facet joint osteoarthritis,joints. These two substances are in short supply in a
as it affects the "facet joints" in the spine.damaged joint, resulting in a decreased ability for the
Conventional medicine has failed to produce a provenjoint to produce new cartilage. Regular supplementation
treatment to cure or even slow the degenerativewith these two naturally occurring "miracle" molecules
progression of osteoarthritis. Instead, the best it has toensures your body has the raw materials necessary
offer are medications known as non-steroidalfor healthy bones and joints.
anti-inflammatory drugs, which mask pain temporarily