Findings from a recent study suggest that approximately two thirds of arthritis patients utilize alternative remedies for the treatment of their arthritis including herbs, chiropractor visits, high-dose vitamins, and elimination diets. In the study, 232 arthritis patients living in North Carolina were surveyed. The participants had suffered from arthritis for an average of 10 years and over half of them reported experiencing severe arthritic pain. Of the respondents who relied on a single alternative method, 73% said that chiropractors were helpful. Nearly half of the respondents reported turning to alternative therapy "because their prescribed medications were ineffective," noted researchers. In addition, many arthritis drugs, such as those used for rheumatoid arthritis, suppress the immune system and can lead to further serious problems. SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine 1999;131:409-416.