Grandmothers in South Africa Use Condoms to Relieve Arthritis Pains

The elderly people of South Africa rely on the use of condoms to help relieve pains brought about by arthritis, according to FOX News.

They believe that the lubricant oil on the latex helps alleviate arthritis-related pain, thus, ditching pills. They rub the condoms on the painful joints, and claim to feel instant relief, the Sowetan said. "This oil is number one," Elizabeth Moyo told the paper after demonstrating how she uses the condoms. "I am tired of the pills."

Condoms are readily available, often for free, in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest HIV infection rates with one in 10 people testing positive. Medical experts say there is no scientific evidence that condoms help with pain relief and are concerned that condoms will now be wasted and not used for their rightful purpose, the daily said.

Arthritis is a common condition among the elderly and causes pain and inflammation within the joints. It affects close to 50 million Americans alone. The pain can range from mild to crippling. Patients and doctors have explored numerous methods to ease the pain. Unfortunately, a miracle cure simply does not exist.

Arthritis patients are often overcome with pain. Unfortunately, countless companies have found ways to capitalize on their suffering, selling magnets and copper bracelets that don't necessarily work. In a study led by Stewart J. Richmond, he confirmed that such treatment do seem to have a placebo effect.

Richmond acknowledges that placebos can be somewhat helpful. However, he feels patients have a right to make informed decisions using honest information.