Painful joints are a chronic issue for many people, with roughly 30 million Americans affected by osteoarthritis. Joint pain can make it difficult for you to move around as well as you used to, or to go about your usual daily activities, so it makes sense to seek relief from the pain.
Doctors will sometimes offer corticosteroid shots to osteoarthritis patients who are suffering from chronic pain in their knees and hips. These injections were previously thought to pose no risk to patients. However, a new study published on October 15 in the journal Radiology found that 8% of patients who received the injections suffered from complications, including the breakdown of cartilage or even bone loss or fractures.
Chronic joint pain can interfere with your daily life; but steroid injections are not the best path to relief
A HealthLine article further explains the risks of steroid injections: the shots “may eventually cause joints to collapse, which requires joint replacement surgery to treat. Some patients developed rapidly progressive osteoarthritis. This happens when an arthritis-affected joint deteriorates more quickly than usual. Some were diagnosed with a type of stress fracture known as a subchondral insufficiency fracture. Some were diagnosed with complications from osteonecrosis, which happens when bone tissue dies.”
In short, although steroid injections may offer temporary relief from pain in the hips and knees, they ultimately can cause more damage than the osteoarthritis itself. What once seemed to be a risk-free option for patients with chronic pain should now be weighed against its potential harm.
Fortunately, there are safer ways to treat chronic pain. Alpha-Stim® is an FDA cleared medical device proven to safely and effectively treat acute, post-traumatic, and chronic pain. It is noninvasive and easy to use, with treatments lasting just minutes.
Alpha-Stim delivers relief directly to the site of your pain using noninvasive Smart Probes
Alpha-Stim delivers Microcurrent Electrical Therapy (MET) through two handheld Smart Probes, which allow you to treat your pain precisely where it hurts. Relief is long lasting and often immediate. And since Alpha-Stim is not a drug, there is no risk of overuse, addiction, lasting side effects, or withdrawal.
Results with Alpha-Stim are cumulative over time – so the more you use it, the less you’ll need to. It is safe to use in conjunction with other treatment modalities, but many people find that they can decrease or discontinue their other pain management methods (always check with your doctor first!)
Alpha-Stim is backed by more than 100 clinical research studies over decades of experience. And while the science speaks for itself, patient testimonials flood in as well. One veteran even avoided the amputation of both of his legs once he discovered pain relief with Alpha-Stim.
You don’t have to choose between your chronic pain and a host of scary side effects from medications and injections. You can have relief that is effective and safe. With Alpha-Stim, you don’t have to sacrifice; you can have it all.
About Alpha-Stim
Alpha-Stim® is an FDA cleared, handheld medical device that has been proven time and again to effectively treat acute, post traumatic, and chronic pain, as well as insomnia. Alpha-Stim uses cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES), delivered through a patented waveform via two earclip electrodes, to treat insomnia. Microcurrent electrical therapy (MET) delivers pain relief directly to the source of discomfort via two handheld Smart Probes.
The safety and effectiveness of Alpha-Stim is backed by over 100 independent clinical research studies. Unlike with medications, there is no risk of addiction or lasting side effects.
Alpha-Stim is available by prescription in the United States and over-the-counter in other countries. Get started today!