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DID YOU KNOW that according to a study from Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, in patients with symptomatic hand osteoarthritis who took two tablets daily containing a combination of patented plant extracts of curcumin and boswellia, a significant reduction in pain was observed compared with those who took placebo over three months, with a favorable safety profile.

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• Did You Know? Meds: Better Than Meds?
• Mythbuster: Osteoarthritis
• Brand Buzz: Pain Relief
• Tech for Wellness: Focused Ultrasound
• Wild Card: Hormone for Low Back Pain
• eInspire: Hippocrates
• Action Plan of the Month: School Age Child, Optimized

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• Non-Surgical Approach for Pain
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• Pure Genomics
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Steve: There are alternatives to surgery for chronic joint and pain problems, and a growing body of rigorous evidence suggests they often work as well or better. The most striking case comes from the decade-long Finnish FIDELITY trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which compared partial meniscectomy, one of the most common orthopedic operations in the world, against sham surgery in which patients were anesthetized and given incisions but had no cartilage actually cut. Ten years later, the patients who had the real operation fared worse, not better: more symptoms, reduced function, more osteoarthritis progression, and a higher chance of needing further surgery.

If mechanical fixes are the wrong tool for a problem that isn't really mechanical, what works instead? Movement, primarily. A large study in The BMJ found that aerobic activity such as walking, cycling, and swimming was consistently the most effective exercise for knee osteoarthritis, delivering the greatest gains in pain, physical function, walking ability, and quality of life, with no increased risk of harm. The researchers recommend it as a first-line intervention, with strengthening, mind-body, and mixed programs as useful complements rather than replacements. The same principle shows up in pain care more broadly: a very important trial of veterans in JAMA found that a Veteran's Affairs interdisciplinary "whole health" team approach - pairing medical care with non-pharmacological therapies and coaching around a patient's own goals - reduced pain interference more than cognitive behavioral therapy and more than usual care. The effective path was structured, individualized, and non-surgical.

When it comes to physical activity, more is not always better. Research presented at the OARSI 2026 meeting, drawing on accelerometer data from adults, found that too little activity raised the risk, but so did very high volumes of vigorous activity. The protective sweet spot was moderate, sustained activity with lower-impact options.

Taken together, the evidence points to exercise therapy, load management, and coordinated whole-person care as the real alternatives - reserving surgery such as joint replacement for genuine end-stage disease rather than the ordinary wear of an aging joint.

Amazon 43.25 (30 caps)

Nutritional Concepts 29.50

Savings: 13.75!!

Amazon 40.50 (180 caps)

Nutritional Concepts 27.52

Savings: 12.98!!

Amazon 105.00 (180 caps)

Nutritional Concepts 73.76

Savings: 31.24!!

While Amazon is the frequent example, we found similar price disparities with many online retailers. We are authorized retailers of all of our brands while many online retailers are not. Our supplements come directly from the manufacturer and never encounter a third of fourth party.

PureInsight (formerly Genomics) harnesses the science of nutrigenomics so you can understand the relationship between your genes, nutrition, and wellness at the deepest level. Covering 72 genes in 11 trait categories, we've used Pure Insight since 2015 to help clients live longer with better quality of life.

How to Get Started

1. Order a genetic kit directly from Ancestry.com (AncestryDNA for $99) or 23andMe.com (Basic Ancestry for $99) and send back your saliva specimen. When your results are ready, request that we set up a PureInsight account for you. We just need your full name, email address, and date of birth. You will receive an email invitation from PureInsight with a link to set up your account and instructions for how to upload your Ancestry data. You will receive a confirmation from PureInsight when your report is ready and we can then set up an appointment to go over your results.

Twice Weekly eNewsletters with Tons of Extra Content 

Long-form issues on Mondays and Wednesdays address all aspects of wellness including nutrition, mental and emotional health, physical activity, cooking, brand awareness, dietary supplements, medical breakthroughs, and much more.

Members Only Archives

Only paid members have exclusive, password protected access to our 48 title Action Plan Library, Natural Foods Shopping List (updated quarterly), and the most recent 100 issues of our email newsletter.

NCI Well Rewards are simple: 1 point for $1 spent on products.

How to Claim Your Well Rewards

We keep track of your points automatically. Discounts are automatically applied to your orders or you will be sent a promo code if you order online.

250 points = $5 off

500 = $10

750 = $10

1000 = $15

1500 = $15

2000 = $15

2500 = $20

Each 1000 thereafter = $25

Rewards can only be applied to dietary supplements. NCI Well Rewards start January 1 and ends December 31, 2026. We reserve the right to alter or cancel this offer at any time.

*If you prefer to call in or email your orders, continue to do so. Whatever is convenient and comfortable is what we want for you.

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To make purchases, enter the password discount2018 when prompted at the "Guest Area" firewall, which is necessary for us to show our discounted pricing.

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Registering as a member of our website will allow you to reorder items quickly. At our homepage, simply click on "Log In" and sign up. There, you can create a profile and see all of your previous orders, as well as make a wishlist of items you frequently order. Click the heart icon next to the add to cart button to add any item to your wishlist.

There are two passwords returning customers need to have.

1. Password to log into your account. This is the password you entered when you first registered at our site. Only you know this password.
2. Password to get past the "Guest Area" firewall: discount2018. The password will always be discount2018 unless we notify you.

3 Options for Fulfilling Your Order at The Wellness Shop

1. Place your order to be shipped.
2. Place your order for pickup at our office.
3. Place your order online but pay offline by calling in your credit card info.

Pay for Appointments

Pay for your appointment directly from our wellness shop under Service Fees.

Self-Help Action Plans

Inexpensive self-help protocols covering myriad conditions. These do not replace individualized consultations. View all 48 titles under Action Plans.

Bonnie, Steve, Lilo, Cindy, Diana, Sally, and Piper (not pictured)

Nutritional Concepts Inc.

155 Revere Drive, Suite 11

Northbrook, IL 60062

Phone 847-498-3422

Text 847-497-0902

Hours Of Operation

Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM

Saturday 9AM to 2PM