Ginger May Help Reduce Arthritis-related Knee Pain

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Alternative Approach : Ginger May Help Reduce Arthritis-related Knee Pain

 

 

Knee pain from arthritis is one of the most common medical problems in the

United States today. Treatment options include pain medications, knee

injections, physical therapy and surgery.

As we continue to age, there will be an increased demand for good pain relief.

However, rising medical costs may ultimately limit access to newer medications,

physical therapy and invasive procedures.

Inexpensive and safe dietary supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and

methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) have been shown to reduce the pain associated with

osteoarthritis. A common spice - ginger - may soon be added to that list. In a

recent study in the journal OsteoArthritis and Cartilage, ginger was shown to be

effective in reducing arthritis-related knee pain and increasing function.

Ginger comes from the root of the plant Zingiber officinale. It has been used as

a spice, condiment and medicine for more than 2,500 years. Today, ginger is

available as a spice, raw, pickled, and in capsule form at grocery and health

food stores.

The active ingredient in ginger is an oil called gingerol. It accounts for the

aroma as well as the therapeutic properties.

Historically, ginger has been used as a treatment for the nausea associated with

motion sickness and following surgery. It also reduces platelet stickiness, but

only at very high doses (more than 10 grams a day).

Twenty-nine patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were enrolled in a

double-blinded, crossover study. Some of the patients took 1 gram of ginger a

day. The study authors followed levels of pain, function and swelling of the

knee. Only the patients taking ginger had a reduction in pain and knee swelling.

They also had a significant increase in knee function.

These results go beyond simply reducing pain. Patients whose knees hurt are

often limited in their ability to exercise. The sedentary lifestyle associated

with knee pain can lead to serious, life-threatening conditions such as heart

disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Ginger is not without potential side effects. Pharmacological studies suggest

that very large doses (more than 10 grams a day) might lead to sleepiness or

cardiac arrhythmias. Ginger should not be used for morning sickness during

pregnancy because it may cause premature labor. Daily consumption of high doses

of ginger root may also interfere with the absorption of iron and fat-soluble

vitamins and affect blood levels of a number of medications such as digoxin,

isoniazid, dilantin, coumadin and some antidepressants.

But since ginger is inexpensive and, at lower doses, has few side effects, its

potential to relieve knee pain from arthritis is exciting.

Is ginger better than medications or other dietary supplements? We don't know.

Future research could include comparisons to pain medications and dietary

supplements like glucosamine. One area of interest would be evaluating specific

combinations, such as ginger and glucosamine. I have seen very good relief of

knee pain for my arthritis patients when I prescribe combinations of pain

medications and glucosamine. Ginger may also be an option.

- Patrick B. Massey, M.D., Ph.D., is medical director for alternative and

complementary medicine for Alexian Brothers Hospital Network. His Web site is

www.alt-med.org.

 

 

 

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