WHY DO PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS TRY CAMS?
Arthritis may be painful, potentially disabling and frequently chronic. Treatments vary for each type of arthritis. People often have the misconception that nothing can be done. Some physicians are not experienced in evaluating and managing the many types of arthritis. Consequently, the patient may not receive a diagnosis or be placed on the appropriate medication(s) and non-pharmacological approaches. When a successful treatment program is prescribed, it may change over time as the disease changes. Many people with arthritis become discouraged with this process and hope for a quick and easy answer. Arthritis symptoms may come and go. A person using a CAM may mistakenly think the therapy worked simply because they tried it when symptoms were going into a natural remission. People with arthritis may seem to improve because of the “placebo effect.” The power of positive thinking may cause someone to temporarily feel better. The improvement usually may last only a short time, and the unde
