| A popular lubricant developed in 1953 is making waves | | | | the skin. Our recommendation is to see your GP |
| as an arthritis "treatment" even though there is no | | | | (general practitioner) for expert advice on alleviating |
| scientific evidence behind this claim. | | | | arthritis." |
| Thousands of people around the world swear that | | | | Doctors say the reason why people think WD-40 |
| WD-40 (short for water displacement - 40th attempt), | | | | works is because of the placebo effect - meaning if |
| a rust-prevention product created by chemist Norm | | | | you sincerely believe something will work, sometimes it |
| Larsen, has helped them cope with arthritis pain and | | | | does but only temporarily. That positive effect may be |
| stiffness. Users claim the household lubricant works | | | | reinforced by the cooling effect of WD-40 that is |
| miracles if sprayed on stiff knees, hips, and wrists. | | | | similar to other topical painkillers or due to improved |
| Golfer Eric McKaig is one of them. The 70-year-old | | | | blood circulation when users massage the product into |
| retired sales manager and former professional football | | | | their skin. |
| player said the product has put an end to years of | | | | Arthritis expert Professor Robert Moots from |
| suffering. He got arthritis seven years ago and has | | | | Liverpool University said a lubricant similar to WD-40 is |
| tried a lot of painkillers and supplements for quick relief | | | | used to treat stiff joints. Unlike WD-40, however, the |
| but to no avail. | | | | treatment is injected into the joints not merely sprayed. |
| His 78-year-old friend Ron Andrew told McKaig about | | | | "By spraying the outside of the knee with WD-40 I |
| his secret. Since then, the two claim they have found | | | | doubt if any would actually get into the joint. I've no |
| instant relief. | | | | doubt people who use it do feel better but it's probably |
| "It's been an absolute godsend for me. WD-40 has | | | | only a simple placebo effect," Moots explained. |
| given me a hell of a lot of relief. A few weeks ago, I | | | | To top it off, arthritis is characterized by flare-ups and |
| was even running around the garden with my | | | | remissions. A remission is the absence of symptoms |
| grandson. I haven't been able to do that for about | | | | that occur for no known reason in 30 percent of |
| three years," McKaig said. | | | | arthritis patients. Thus, people who feel better after |
| "There was a slope at my local golf course that used | | | | using WD-40 may actually be experiencing a remission. |
| to really hurt my knees. But within a few days of | | | | "To date, no credible scientific studies have shown any |
| spraying WD-40 it didn't hurt nearly as much. I only | | | | benefit from the use of WD-40 for arthritis. In fact, |
| sprayed it three or four times and I've been fine since. | | | | there may be cumulative harmful effects. The |
| It was unbelievable," Andrew added. | | | | manufacturer's warning indicates that contact with skin |
| Although WD-40 has thousands of uses such as | | | | and vapors should be avoided. WD-40 contains |
| protecting tools from rust, silencing squeaky hinges, and | | | | petroleum distillates, as do gasoline and oil. Problems |
| removing crayon marks from most surfaces, the | | | | ranging from mild skin rash to severe allergic reactions |
| manufacturer stressed that it is a household product | | | | have been reported. Prolonged exposure can cause |
| not a miracle cure for arthritis. In response to queries | | | | cancer and other serious health problems," warned Dr. |
| from users, it issued this statement: | | | | Katherine Poelhmann, author of "Rheumatoid Arthritis: |
| "WD-40 is not a medical product. We would never | | | | The Infection Connection. |
| recommend to people that they spray WD-40 onto | | | | |