Relying on painkillers to fight arthritis pain can be difficult as we find that some drugs aren't as safe or effective as we thought, so many people explore alternative pain relief therapies.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) got a bad name when the COX-2 inhibitors Vioxx and Bextra were pulled off the market: Studies had revealed they increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Although Celebrex and other NSAIDS like ibuprofen and naproxen are still available, they carry some risks of heart disease and of gastrointestinal bleeding.