What is arthritis quackery?
Like many people with chronic ailments, sufferers of chronic arthritis are potentially vulnerable to proponents of heavily marketed "cure-all" treatments. These "quick fix" treatments are promoted as having great benefits, but in reality have no right to such claims.
Quackery (the business of promoting unproven remedies) is recognized as a billion dollar industry. We feel the buyer should beware!
Consumers should be especially cautious when products come with marketing claims such as "will cure," "ancient remedy," "has no side effects," "revolutionary new scientific breakthrough."
What are unproven arthritis remedies?
The following remedies and tests have no scientific proof of benefits related to arthritis:
| Alfalfa | Lapachol |
| Aloe vera | Macrobiotic diet |
| Amino Acids | Ma-huang |
| Ant venom | Mandell arthritis diet |
| Arnica | Megavitamin therapy |
| Ascorbic acid | Natural and organic foods |
| Bark teas | Nightshade vegetables |
| Bee pollen | Ozone |
| Biotin | P vitamins |
| Bowel cleansing | PABA |
| Chinese herbs, such as Chuifong toukuwan (potentially dangerous) | Panax |
| Cinnamon | Pau d'arco |
| Clay enemas | Powdered ant |
| Clemantis | Propolis, royal jelly |
| Cloves | Raw milk |
| Cod Liver oil | Rhus toxicodendron |
| Coenzyme Q-10 | Rose hips |
| Coffee enemas | Rutin |
| Coicis semen | Sassafras |
| Colonics | Selenium |
| Copper bracelets | Shark cartilage |
| Cytotoxic testing | Snake venom |
| Devil's Claw | Soapweed |
| Dismutase (superoxide dismutase) | Spanish bayonet |
| Dong diet | Spanish fly |
| Elimination diets | Stephania |
| Feverfew | Tang-kuei |
| Fit for Life diet | Teas (alfalfa, feverfew, ginseng, sassafras) |
| Fo-ti | Thiamine |
| Garlic | Vegetarian diets |
| Germanium | Volcanic ash fast |
| Ginseng | Water enema |
| Green-lipped mussel | Wood spider |
| Hair analysis | Yucca |
| Homeopathy | Zen macrobiotics |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Zinc |
| Kelp |
[Now you've heard it from Alfalfa to Zinc. Beware when you take care!]
References
Barrett, Stephen. Quackwatch.com. Dec. 5, 2011. <https://www.quackwatch.com/>.
Top Quackery Arthritis Related Articles
14 Early Signs of Arthritis in the LegsLeg arthritis affects the joints of the hips, knees, ankles or feet. The early signs and symptoms of arthritis in the legs include pain, swelling, stiffness, decreased range of motion, trouble...
Arthritis (Joint Inflammation)Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 100 types of arthritis, including...
Arthritis: 16 Bad Habits That Cause Joint PainBeing overweight, wearing uncomfortable shoes, or carrying a heavy purse can make joint pain and arthritis symptoms worse. Some bad habits increase inflammation and put you at risk of osteoarthritis...
Arthritis: Causes and Treatment for Joint Stiffness and PainArthritis and injuries can leave your joints swollen, tender, and damaged. Discover treatments for morning stiffness, sore joints, hip pain, and other conditions. Learn when it’s time to call a...
Arthritis: Supplements for Joint PainCan supplements help relieve joint pain and swelling? Find out how certain compounds may aid your stiff, tender joints.
Arthritis: Ways to Ease Hip PainHealth habits, home remedies, and other ways you can find relief when your hips hurt.
boswelliaBoswellia is an aromatic resin believed to have anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic and analgesic properties and is used in the treatment of many inflammatory conditions and other disorders, and for...- grape seed extractGrape seed extracts are used in the treatment and prevention of many conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, eye conditions, and circulatory disorders. Side effects of grape seed extract...
- Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of drugs are used to treat inflammation, mild to moderate pain, and fever. Examples of the most common NSAIDs include: aspirin salsalate...
Osteoarthritis (OA or Degenerative Arthritis)Osteoarthritis, or degenerative arthritis, is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. Osteoarthritis can be caused by aging, heredity, and...
Prostatitis (Inflammation of the Prostate Gland)Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Signs and symptoms of prostatitis include painful or difficulty urinating; fever; chills; body aches; blood in the urine; pain in the rectum,...
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body.
Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. ArthritisArthritis is a general term used to describe joint disease. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of arthritis in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing chronic...
Rheumatology and RheumatologistRheumatology is the study of rheumatic diseases and conditions. Rheumatologists are internal medicine physicians who treat these illnesses, in particular arthritis.- Prednisone Side Effects (Adverse Effects)Prednisone is an anti-inflammatory and immune system suppressant drug that belongs to the corticosteroid drug class. Prednisone is used to treat a variety of diseases and conditions of the skin, gut,...
- triamcinoloneTriamcinolone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug used to treat inflammatory conditions that affect the skin, joints, and internal organs, and autoimmune disorders. Common side effects of...
What Is Metacarpophalangeal Arthrocentesis?Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis) of the metacarpophalangeal joint is a diagnostic procedure involving the extraction and analysis of the synovial fluid of the joints. It is an important component in...
What Is Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)?Joint replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure to relieve pain, correct leg deformity, and help the individual resume normal activities. In this procedure, the diseased or injured knee...
Why Is Wrist Arthrocentesis Performed?Wrist arthrocentesis is a procedure to remove or aspirate fluid from the wrist joint through a needle for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Wrist arthrocentesis is performed in patients to reduce...