Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Joint Pain

glucosamine chondroitin osteoarthritis back pain spinal stenosis shark cartilageA new study presented at a conference last month revealed data supporting the use of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint pain and stiffness connected to osteoarthritis and aromatase inhibitors. Osteoarthritis in the neck can lead to pinched nerves, subluxation, and even spinal cord compression, causing neck pain and stiffness, as well as headaches, and even paraesthesia, numbness, and weakness in the limbs. Aromatase inhibitors may contribute to neck pain via this mechanism, but the drugs are increasingly used to improve survival times in breast cancer patients. Discussing their findings at the 8th International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology, researchers from Columbia University talked about the adverse effects on joint health in breast cancer patients taking aromatase inhibitors to manage their cancer. Joint pain and stiffness experienced by these women appeared to be relieved by the concomitant use of glucosamine and chondroitin, although the symptoms remained largely unresponsive to conventional pain medication. Read more

Neck Pain and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

neck pain ehlers danlos syndromeEhlers-Danlos Syndrome may be the cause of neck pain in some patients and at least three of the most common types of the disorder can contribute to chronic pain in the neck. EDS is a group of ten or so connected disorders affecting the connective tissues in the body and is passed down through families through a defect in the genes controlling the metabolism of collagen. As such, ligaments, blood vessels, joints, internal organs, skin, and the inter-cellular matrix are affected by the defect leading to a variety of symptoms. In 1997 a new classification system was introduced delineating six types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome although it is well understood that individual experiences of the disease are extremely variable. Read more