So far I’m doing very well on the combination of Glucosamine, calcium, superfood powder and Ayurvedic herbs that has reduced my hip pain and helped me avoid a hip replacement in the short term (but, oh, artificial limb, I know we have a date sometime in the future). For now, being crutches-free is just brilliant and I plan to keep it that way for as long as possible.

The latest addition to my bag of magic tricks – which as well as supplements also includes acupuncture, yoga and ankle weights to build up muscle strength and support the hip – is GOPO. Can’t say it’s the catchiest name I’ve ever heard but the research claiming it has the power to reduce osteoarthritis got my attention. And it’s derived from rosehips, which has a nice feel to it.

Danny Penman, co-author with Vidymala Burch of Mindfulness for Health – a book which has been another aid on the road to hip health – first recommended rosehip supplements to me. Then I did some digging around and found clinical research showing GOPO had relieved joint pain in the hip and knee, improved mobility and reduced inflammation in a 12-week treatment test. The findings were presented at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Congress in Paris in April of this year.

So now I’ve added GOPO to my daily diet. It costs £17.99 for 120 capsules and is available from Boots, supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide.

More on beating hip pain

Is it possible to avoid a hip replacement?

A superfood powder for energy

Using meditation to relieve pain

Why acupuncture can help with pain