NEW ARTICLES, NEW THEME: JOINT HEALTH
All too often regarded as an age-related inevitability, osteoarthritis now affects more than 10 million French people. Yet there are many complementary, scientifically-validated strategies available to improve patients' quality of life.
Articular cartilage is an incredibly resistant tissue, capable of withstanding loads far greater than our body weight. The problem is that this tissue, however efficient, is very difficult to repair. Devoid of blood vessels, it depends on a slow process of nutrient diffusion to survive. And since chondrocytes live in an oxygen-poor environment, their ability to regenerate the matrix is limited.
Hence the importance of protecting this joint capital from the very first signs.
Every kilo lost relieves 4 to 6 kilos of pressure on the hips or knees... a good reason to promote appropriate physical activity and a balanced diet.
What if, in the face of osteoarthritis, we dared to take a more comprehensive, more humane and earlier approach?
Get moving.
Yoga, walking, cycling and tai chi all help to lighten joints, activate muscles and limit degeneration.
Manage pain and stress.
Hypnosis, meditation, sophrology and cardiac coherence can really improve symptom management.
Eat well.
The plate is a well-known Hippocratic therapy. Fewer fast sugars, more antioxidant-rich foods and a plant-based diet similar to the Mediterranean diet for less inflammation.
Good referral.
Acupuncture, derived from traditional Chinese medicine, is becoming an increasingly popular treatment option for osteoarthritis patients. Its effectiveness is neither magic nor a simple placebo effect. Several studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing chronic pain, improving joint mobility and limiting the use of analgesics. By acting on nerve pathways and inflammation mediators, acupuncture offers a valuable complementary approach.
Supplement well.
- Turmeric (curcumin): well-documented anti-inflammatory effect.
- Boswellia serrata: supports joint flexibility.
- Harpagophytum: reduces perceived pain.
- Omega-3: modulation of chronic inflammation.
- Glucosamine & chondroitin: slow cartilage wear and improve joint comfort in certain patients, notably in cases of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.
- Type II collagen and hyaluronic acid: structural support for cartilage, promoting suppleness and elasticity.
Far from pitting conventional treatments against natural approaches, integrative medicine invites us to combine them intelligently. As healthcare professionals, we have a key role to play in this dynamic, offering personalized, evidence-based support... with an emphasis on prevention.
Learn more about Xelflex for joint health!
Sources :
Osteoarthritis: Insights into Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Avenues, and the Potential of Natural Extracts. Coppola C, Greco M, Munir A, Musarò D, Quarta S, Massaro M, Lionetto MG, Maffia M. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2024 Apr 29;46(5):4063-4105. doi: 10.3390/cimb46050251.
Comparative efficacy of mind-body exercise for pain, function, quality of life in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Gao K, Tao J, Liang G, Gong C, Wang L, Wang Y.J Orthop Surg Res. 2025 Apr 17;20(1):384. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05682-7.
Mind-body exercises for osteoarthritis: an overview of systematic reviews including 32 meta-analyses.de-la-Casa-Almeida M, Villar-Alises O, Rodríguez Sánchez-Laulhé P, Martinez-Calderon J, Matias-Soto J.Disabil Rehabil. 2024 May;46(9):1699-1707. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2203951.
Short-term manual acupuncture decreased markers of systemic inflammation and altered articular cartilage transcripts in the Dunkin-Hartley model of osteoarthritis. Spittler AP, Bukovec KE, Afzali MF, Leavell SE, Bork SB, Seebart CA, Santangelo KS, Story MR. Am J Vet Res. 2025 Feb 7;86(4):ajvr.24.11.0341. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.24.11.0341.
Bioactive Compounds in Osteoarthritis: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Roles. Maouche A, Boumediene K, Baugé C. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Oct 30;25(21):11656. doi: 10.3390/ijms252111656.
Role of Plant Materials with Anti-inflammatory Effects in Phytotherapy of Osteoarthritis. Geszke-Moritz M, Nowak G, Moritz M, Feist B, Nycz JE. Curr Top Med Chem. 2025;25(1):35-46. doi: 10.2174/0115680266297662240527105450.