PHM-15 - Under the Devil’s Claw: The Role of Herbal Supplementation for Chronic Low Back Pain and Osteoarthritis

The prevalence of osteoarthritis in the United States is as high as 32.5 million adults, and the prevalence of chronic low back pain is as high as 39.7 million adults. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has shown that over 50% of adults use at least one dietary supplement. As healthcare providers, it is important to understand potential safety concerns of supplements, and it is important to take patients’ beliefs and preferences into consideration when recommending medications to help treat chronic pain. The purpose of this session is to discuss the safety and efficacy of herbal supplementation for the treatment of low back pain and osteoarthritis including proper dosing, pertinent drug-drug interactions, concerns associated with hepatic and renal dysfunction, and cost considerations.