Arthritis

The Tin Man was lucky. Just a squirt of oil on his stiff joints and he was dancing down the yellow brick road with Dorothy. But for the 70 million Americans who have arthritis, managing the condition is not as simple.

Arthritis is the general term for at least 100 rheumatic diseases that painfully affect joints, muscles, and connective tissues throughout the body. More than just a physical disease, arthritis drains patients emotionally and financially. It is the number one cause of disability in the United States. For millions of Americans with severe arthritis, pain and deformity limit such everyday activities as getting out of bed, climbing stairs, dressing, or simply walking. And, because it is a chronic disease, it is fertile ground for hundreds of alternative and unproven therapies.