My massage therapist was telling me the other day that a lot of people have been using Arnica in various forms for helping with soft tissue damage.

I haven't been able to try it as yet but I was thinking of taking that and Glucosamine as i've had some joint problems for several years.

Any of you had any success/problems with either of these?

I remember in Nutrition class a couple years ago being taught the Glucosamine won't be absorbed properly without Condroitin.

Generally positive feedback on arnica. Just make sure you are applying it topically (on the skin of the affected area) because its poisonous if taken internally.

and i think Auslander right about the chondroitin. most supplemtns will probably contina both with the Glucosamine.

I have also heard that ingesting the herb horsetail is useful for helping repair connective tissue injuries. No personal experience though.

The best glucosamine supplements have glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM.

And SEARCH FUNCTION NOOB:

http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=29822&highlight=glucosamine

My massage therapist was telling me the other day that a lot of people have been using Arnica in various forms for helping with soft tissue damage.

I haven't been able to try it as yet but I was thinking of taking that and Glucosamine as i've had some joint problems for several years.


Arnica - the research tends to show little effect:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16415448
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12174058
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12562974

Glucosamine has been shown to relieve some joint problems.

http://bjsm.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/37/1/45
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11904551
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14651444

There doesn't seem to be any issue with glucosamine bioavailibility, in the absence of chondroitin:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16168682
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11642003


One of the people training with me has recurring knee pain - there's a kinda grinding in the joint - I've recommended she try glucosamine, but it's still early for results.

Ahh, I am past the NOOBness as I did do a search on Arnica before I posted but not on glucosamine so guilty there - besides I have an excuse as I was just heading off to gym so mwaaaa

Anyway, thank you all for your input...it's interesting Zendetta that you said that Arnica is poisonous if taken internally as she was saying the homeopath at the store makes into either a tea or some crap that you ingest. I'm not sure if that is 100% arnica or a mix though - won't be back there until the 18th so i'll find out then.

This looks like one of the easy products for me to get anyway..

http://www.blackmores.com.au/products/products_detail.asp?prod=246

Anyway, thank you all for your input...it's interesting Zendetta that you said that Arnica is poisonous if taken internally as she was saying the homeopath at the store makes into either a tea or some crap that you ingest. I'm not sure if that is 100% arnica or a mix though - won't be back there until the 18th so i'll find out then.
Well, if it's a homeopathic solution, it's probably diluted down to pretty much just water. No danger there (but then, no real effect, either).

Well, if it's a homeopathic solution, it's probably diluted down to pretty much just water. No danger there (but then, no real effect, either).

heh, might get the same benefits from drinking a cup of week old green tea eh?

Think i'll just try the glucosamine combo deal first and see if I see any results after a month.