MORE and more people with arthritis are turning to complementary therapies., as they grow disillusioned with conventional medicine.

About 30 per cent of the British population have tried some kind of complementary therapy -- and nearly 60 per cent among those who have arthritis.

So, in response to public demand, leading medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign is launching a major initiative to fund research into complementary therapies after more than 60 years of concentrating on laboratory-based science.

Although some therapies can be helpful, others are an expensive waste of money which rip off vulnerable members of the public. For that reason there is a real need for scientific evidence to prove or disprove the effectiveness of complementary therapies.

To coincide with the launch, the ARC has revised its Complementary Therapies and Arthritis booklet. Written by an expert, it explains the various therapies, from acupuncture and homeopathy to dietary supplements and aromatherapy, and how they work -- or don't! For a free copy, write to:

To obtain a free copy of the booklet write to the address below.

JANNETTE MOSS, Arthritis Research Campaign, St Mary's Gate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 7TD.