Headaches (Cephalgia)

Headaches should be investigated and evaluated by a physician or Chiropractor. This would involve a complete case history, blood laboratory tests, x-rays, and possibly a CT scan and or an MRI. Causes of headaches are varied, and pinpointing those causes should be the first step in determining the necessary treatment and the proper course of action.

The cause of chronic headaches is generally the most difficult to diagnose. Headaches of recent origin require a more intensive investigation. Infrequent headaches are generally related to acute causes, such as fever, alcohol consumption, eyestrain, sleep deprivation and fatigue. The area of the head in which the headaches occur is extremely important a factor in determining the cause of the headache.

Tumors, although rare, can be a cause of recent onset of headaches, and may affect the area of the head where the tumor is localized. Changing the position of the head may relieve the headache or increase its' intensity. Even though the headache may be localized at first, it can become more generalized in nature. The headache of such tumors can last intermittently for a few hours each day. Tumors may have metastasized as in cancer from other sites. A cancer patient needs active investigation for metastases. There are many more causes of headache other than tumors. These are more frequent in nature and they are:

1. High blood pressure (Hypertension).


2. Sinusitis and post-nasal drip.


3. Eyestrain and other eye problems.


4. Throat problems.


5. Teeth problems.


6. TMJ (tempromandibular joint problems).


7. Problems of the ear and inner ear.


8. Muscle tension.


9. Stress (frequent cause of muscle tension).


10. Nerve pressure or traction on a nerve or nerves in the neck. (Another description can be pinched nerve).


11. Contraction or dilation of blood vessels in the head.


12. Post-traumatic such as falls, automobile accident (whiplash), and sports related injuries.


13. Cluster headaches, very common and can be related to stress, and histamine release.


14. Genetic (inherited tendency).


15. Psychological.


16. Environmental (being exposed to chemical fumes, poor air quality and allergic type plants and grasses).

Migraine headaches are one of the more severe headache types and can be very debilitating in nature. Migraines are more recurrent headaches, and may or may not be associated with visual and GI (gastrointestinal) disturbances, causing nausea and vomiting. There is no known cause, however, it is generally thought that it is due to constriction or dilation of blood vessels in the circulation of the head. Flashes of light, changes in eyesight and some numbness and tingling often precede migraine. Pain usually occurs one side of the head, but at times may be generalized. Migraines can occur on a daily basis or once in several months, and can last for hours or days. Intolerance to light, nausea and vomiting and no appetite usually accompany them. Migraines can start at any age, and are more prone in women, starting between the ages of 10 and 30. After the age of 50, migraine may or may not go into remission.

"Cluster" headaches, due to histamine release are usually abrupt in nature and severe. They are usually one-sided, involving the eye, temple, face and neck. Blood vessels are dilated on the side of pain. Flushing occurs due to the dilation of blood vessels. There is puffiness beneath the eye, tearing of the eye and running of the nose. There can be constriction of the pupil. The side of the neck can be tender around the carotid artery (the artery on the side of the neck). The headache can occur on and off.

One of the most frequent types of headaches may be due to muscle tension or a spinal problem in the neck. Misalignment of spinal vertebrae can cause nerve impingement (pinched nerve) that can result in pressures in the head. They also affect the muscles and circulation of the blood vessels. These headaches too, can last for hours, days or months. Occupation plays and enormous role in this type of headache. Those engaged in a repetitive motion jobs are uniquely prone, such as truck, taxi drivers, machine, and telephone and computer operators. Also included can be Dentists, Hygienists, construction and assembly line workers. Almost all professions are susceptible in one-way or another, and we must not exclude the "couch potato". Inactivity causes muscle disuse and results in musculoskeletal disorders.

What course can then be taken by the individual to relieve their headaches? That of course depends on how aggressive they are in pursuing their desire to help themselves. The number one priority is seeing their physician or Chiropractor for and evaluation and diagnoses. Once this has been accomplished, the course of treatment must be decided. The diagnosis will of course determine what that treatment will be. Headache caused by tumor may require chemotherapy, x-ray therapy or possibly surgery. Headaches of arterial origin may require drug therapy, and headaches of psychogenic origin may require psychological intervention. Those of musculoskeletal origin can best be treated by a Chiropractor. Correcting the spinal imbalance can alleviate pinched nerves and muscle tension.

Of course it is the individual who must be at the forefront of his own treatment. At home, self-care can be the single most important factor in whether they will be relieved of their headaches, or not. Simple aids can be of tremendous value. Using an analgesic gel three or four times daily on the muscles of the neck and upper back, can relieve the pain and tension of these sore muscles. Another modality can also accompany this treatment. Using a vibrator on this area can add to the relief, and should also be used three to four times daily.

Going to sleep the same time each night, even on weekends, can be extremely important and will prevent undue fatigue. Try to avoid stressful situations. Each day designate a time of day and reserve one half hour to be alone and meditate. Avoid eyestrain and do not read or watch television for long periods of time. Eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet and avoid foods that can trigger headaches. Such foods are: red wine, caffeine, chocolate, cheese, lentils, processed meats and citrus fruits. Avoiding monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a must. Do not sit for long periods of time. Do not sit for longer than an hour at a stretch, whether you are on the phone, playing cards, riding in an automobile or flying. Inactivity is a killer.

These are the things the individual can do to help relieve headaches and improve their general health and obtain relief from painful symptoms. The results you obtain in the long run depend on you.

Pain in the Butt - Part 2

Muscles

Muscles of the feet and lower leg play a very important role in distributing forces throughout the rest of the body. The most common muscle group to become strained is the adductor muscles (seen most commonly in sprinters and distance runners). Strains Muscle strains result from small micro tears in muscles caused by a quick twist or pull to the muscle. When this occurs to muscles located around the hip joint, pain in this area is experienced. There are several simple stretches that can be done and massage will also help to release the tight muscles.

Also, the weight of the body is supported on just one limb through three-quarters of the gait (walking) cycle; during that time, the muscles in your hip must contract to keep your torso from falling to the opposite side. Strengthening of the muscles of the abdomen, quad and hip can assist in avoiding problems. The psoas tendon is in the front of the hip joint, the gluteal muscles are over the hip joint, and the iliotibial band (tensor fascia lata) is on the side of the hip joint, yet all of these structures are considered part of the problem. The iliopsoas muscle is actually made up of two separate muscles located in the anterior (or front) of the hip area. These two muscles are responsible for lifting the upper leg to the torso, or flexing the torso towards the thigh (as in a sit-up). Although the two muscles start at different points (the psoas originates from the spine, while the iliacus originates from the hip bone) they both end up at the same point; the upper portion of the thigh bone.

Exercise

Finally, you can try lower back strengthening exercises to strengthen the back in order to prevent a re-occurrence of the condition. If performed properly, these exercises will strengthen core muscle strength. These strengthening exercises are designed for multiple types of back injuries. Remember to consult you physician to determine which exercises are most appropriate for your specific condition. It is best to work with a physical therapist to learn proper exercises and how to advance your activity. Hip arthritis - The stretching exercises appropriate for people with arthritis of the hip include knee-chest pulls, the figure of four stretch, and the Indian sitting stretch.

Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms and Treatment

Psoriatic arthritis is a strange form of arthritis and people who develop it have often suffered from psoriasis of the skin during their life.

It is also a somewhat hereditary disease where 1 in 20 people who suffer from psoriasis have a stronger chance of catching this disease, but in only a few cases will it flare up to the extent that it poses a serious health risk.

So there is no definitive cause but genes are argued to play a role.

Early Signs

Ascertaining whether you have psoriatic arthritis is difficult in the early stages as the symptoms can represent a number of ailments, but the most common are inflammation of one or two joints, feeling slightly fragile and psoriasis of the skin, but more like in patches rather than a rash along with the pitting of the nails.

Advanced Symptoms

About a year after your diagnosis, depending on which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - or NSAID's - you've been prescribed, these may help reduce the pain or not, as each individual will undergo various cocktail measures so as to find the right balance to combat the pain.

The problem with NSAID's is that while they can reduce the pain and the swelling, they effectively cover up the true extent of the disease and play no part in the remission process.

The joints, toes and the end of the fingers are most commonly effected with psoriatic arthritis, but occasionally the spine is affected and the symptoms here include a burning sensation, stiffness and sometimes jolts of pain in the sacrum and lower back.

Treatment for Swelling and Joint Pain

As mentioned, in the West NSAID's are most commonly prescribed to null the pain and reduce the swelling, and when these don't work, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARD's may be prescribed.

Again, both NSAID's and DMARD's can effect your liver, kidneys, heart and cause additional rashes so for the short term they will provide some relief.

For the long term though you should focus on getting the disease into remission.

Do you want to suffer from psoriatic arthritis all your life?

Treatment for Remission

Acupuncture is still frowned upon by most medical practitioners in the West, but don't be scared to explore this alternative, it may not help so much with remission but is argued by many to be the most natural, safest, and fastest way to reduce swelling and pain around the joint.

Diet and exercise also play a huge role in combating certain types of arthritis and this is one such type where you should focus on both these forms of treatment.

Exercise

Depending on the seriousness of it, exercise may include just walking in lukewarm water for up to an hour if it's the feet that are the problem, or daily stretching for the spine and swimming which is wonderful for you all-round, plus yoga and other low impact sports.

Diet

Diet should be a high alkaline diet, not high acid as this diet will depend on the calcium in the bones (if calcium levels are low in the body) to buffer the high acid content through digestion, therefore depleting them of much needed calcium and minerals.

However magnesium is more effective for rebuilding bone structure so try and eat as much food that contains this element along with additional supplements.

Also, and it can't go overlooked but omega 3, 6 and 9 proteins should be consumed regularly along with supplements rich in anti-inflammatory compounds such as spores extracted from reishi, the mushroom used for centuries in the East to help with swelling, joint pain and remission.

Additional natural substances which should be part of your everyday diet are Vitamin D - at least 800mg a day, Vitamin C, Ginger, White Willow Bark, Chondroitin Sulfate and MSM.

Natural Arthritis Joint Pain Relief Supplements And Products

Arthritis causes damage not only to the two opposing bones but also to the adjoining tissues, ligaments, tendons, bursae and muscles. Arthritis may be of countless types. Some of the types are:

1. Osteoarthritis - This type is a part of the natural aging of joints. With aging, cartilages lose power to repair itself after daily wear and tear and are lost in no time. This exposes the unguarded bones to friction and erosion as a result of it. This causes much pain and inflammation.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis - This type of arthritis is prevalent among comparatively younger people. It occurs when a misdirected immune system attacks and erodes healthy joint tissues.

3. Lupus - Lupus, like rheumatoid arthritis, is an autoimmune disorder.

4. Gout - It is the outcome of faulty metabolism. It occurs when uric acid crystals collect within a joint.

Natural Arthritis Pain Relief Supplements and Products

Some of the renowned arthritis pain relief supplements may be discussed as follows:

Recovery with herbal massage oil is good for arthritis pain relief. It effectively reduces pain and inflammation, arrests joint tissue damage, fosters tissue repair, enhances circulation to tissues and promotes cell regeneration. The ingredients of herbal oil include EGCG, theaflavin, proanthocyanidins, resveratrol extracted from tea and grape, MSM, DMG, Vitamin C, Bromelain, Glucosamine and energy.

Glucosamine is an important anti-arthritis ingredient. It is a form of glucose that brings about cartilage tissue repair and rebuilding. Bromelain, a substance derived from pineapple, has natural analgesic properties. One may take 1 teaspoon of Recovery powder twice daily. 5 Recovery capsules are equivalent to one teaspoon of powder.

The above products are examples of natural arthritis pain relief supplements. There are several other similar instances. Almost all natural arthritis pain relief supplements contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, botanicals, and extracts and concentrates from the following substances.

GLA or Gamma - Linolenic acid is a form of omega-6 fatty acid. It is very helpful in treating pain, swelling and stiffness due to rheumatoid arthritis. GLA comes from natural ingredients such as:

1. Black currant oil extracted from seeds of black currant (contains 15%-20% GLA).
2. Borage seed oil (contains 20%-26% GLA).
3. Evening primrose extracts (contains 7%-10% GLA).

Boswellic acid is obtained from the bark of Boswellia and Indian Frankincense.

Avocado Soyabean Unsaponifiables (ASU) is obtained from avocado and soybeans oil. ASU checks the release of certain inflammatory chemicals by the body.

Bromelain is anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving enzyme found in pineapple.

Cat's claw is an anti-inflammatory, immune cell stimulating dried root bark of a woody vine growing in Amazon forests.

Turmeric, a yellow colored powdered root of turmeric plant, contains curcumin that lessens joint pain, inflammation and stiffness.

Ginger root eliminates pain and joint stiffness.

Roots and stem of Stinging nettle alleviates inflammatory and painful conditions.

Devil's claw grows in South Africa. It reduces joint pain and inflammation.

Fish oil contained in cold water fishes like salmon, halibut, herring, cod, tuna etc., is a rich source of omega-3 fatty that helps to get rid of joint pain and swelling

Flaxseed or linseed oil is derived from seed of flax plant. It contains omega-6 fatty acid, omega-3 fatty acid and lignans that lubricate joint lowering stiffness and pain.

DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone, an androgen steroid hormone. Natural DHEA lessens joint ache.

MSM or methylsulfonylmethane is an organic sulfur compound coming from fruits, vegetables and grains. MSM control nerve signals that relay pain sensations and also helps in building connective tissue.

SAM-e is a naturally occurring chemical in body that checks joint pain, inflammation, stiffness, improves mobility and helps in cartilage regeneration.

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate trigger cartilage rebuilding and increases cartilage elasticity by drawing fluids in to cartilage tissue.

Effectiveness of Treating Pain With Light Therapy

Light therapy had been extensively utilized to treat several injuries, pain and inflammatory conditions of a people who suffer from them for the past 20 years. Lately, this new painkilling technology had been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the treatment of pain, stiffness and other soft-tissue injuries triggered and caused by arthritis.

This development is important considering the recent concerns of safety of the other known (and traditional) medications for arthritis. Moreover, treatments using infrared rays are now commonly used to relieve pains caused by arthritis and sprains.

It is also used in other discomforts like nerve pains, bursitis, tennis elbows, inflammations, scars, pains caused by varicose veins, and pain triggered by osteoarthritis. These pain relief applications had been the result of hundreds of studies before.

Benefits of Infrared Light Treatment for Pain

The benefits of infrared procedure in the treatment of various types of pain had been fully documented by independent research. This therapeutic technique is known to deliver direct benefits to tissues and organisms.

Light therapy is particularly satisfying in treating pain problems caused by such triggers as cuts and wounds, scars, and trigger and acupuncture points. Since the infrared light penetrates to a depth of around 30 to 40 millimeters, the therapy is more effective in deep pains like those of the bones, joints and deep muscle.

In addition, the long list of pain-relief qualities of the treatment now includes the treatment of fibromyalgia, sprains, neuralgia, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, inflammation, edema TMJ and others.

Light Therapy for Pain in the Comfort of Your Home

This treatment formula had been used in Europe for some years now and had produced a good track record as being safe and effective when used as directed. These days, the technique had been taken out of the doctors clinic and the hospital right into the comforts of your home.

With several models to choose from, especially handheld versions, the system are being administered by the patients to themselves. Handheld types are battery-powered and are made to deliver concentrated pulses of infrared light and heat right into the body area in pain.

The aim is simply to gently work up some heat into the affected tissue. This promotes muscular relaxation and helps the cell muscles do their natural regenerative work. One of the good things in this treatment system is the freedom to do the medication at any time or whenever there is a need of it without a doctors scheduled appointment.

The best thing, of course, is that it is completely natural and without drugs. This natural pain relief is the best type because there is nothing to worry regarding adverse drug effects or developing an addiction to the medication used.

With today's methods, natural pain relief by way of light therapy is always ready at your fingertips. You can treat yourself in the privacy of your home, in your car (it has its own power adaptors), office, or hotel room. You can bring your device with you anywhere.

Osteoarthritis - Is Not Necessarily For The Older Generation

The cause of osteoarthritis in not totally known, however, it can be very discomforting and painful. It could run in our genes or just from our normal daily living and the wear and tear on our joints throughout our lives. However, athletes or people that have jobs that require repetitive movement of their joints do develop osteoarthritis at an earlier age. Accidents or injuries to joints can cause osteoarthritis to develop in younger people as well as excess weight can be a contributing factor in osteoarthritis of the knees, hips and spine.

Arthritis means inflammation of the joint(s). It can cause pain and sometimes limits the mobility of the affected joint. Osteoarthritis is normally called degenerative joint disease. The cartilage (pad) between the ends of the bones, the joint, wears thin and can rub together and cause great discomfort or pain. In some instances the bone ends grow too thick, the pad, may loosen and chip. This causes the joint movement to be impaired and causes discomfort and pain.

Nutrition and exercise are a beneficial part of joint health. A person needs to build their body both inside and out. Nutrition supplements can be very effective in rebuilding and soothing the joints of the body. Since joint discomfort and pain varies from person to person, choosing a nutritional supplement that has only one ingredient may not be the right answer for everyone. Choosing supplements that have various natural ingredients are shown to be effectual anti-inflammatory reducers.

Our pets' health care should be just as important as our own. Dogs and cats can get osteoarthritis the same as humans, by over use, injury or by being over weight. Nutritional supplements can help rebuild and sooth their joints so that they have a more comfortable life. More often than not our pets are part of our immediate family; we want them around for a long time. A one-ingredient supplement may not be the right answer for our pets anymore than it is for us.

Drug Free Arthritis Treatment Using a Tens Machine

Arthritis is a painful condition that can affect the joints. This is a common chronic disorder that can not only cause pain and discomfort but can also be limit mobility. You can treat arthritis with many different methods including a drug-free tens machine.

Who Suffers From Arthritis?

Arthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints that occurs commonly as we get older. There are a number of different types of arthritis that can also affect younger people. For example rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that has been found to affect women from as early as their mid-twenties.

Why Use a Tens Machine?

A tens machine can offer a pain relief treatment for arthritis that does not involve drugs. Taking arthritis medication can be an effective way to treat the condition. However the long-term impact of these drugs can result in a number of side-effects. This is why doctors are keen to encourage other pain relief methods such as a tens machine as an alternative, particularly in younger patients.

How Tens Machines Work

A tens machine works by using soothing pulses of electricity. These are transmitted to areas affect by arthritis by small pads placed on the skin. The electrical pulses are used to suppress the pain messages that are travelling to the brain. This can relieve symptoms of pain without the need for strong medication.

A tens machine can also help to encourage the body to produce more natural pain killing chemicals (encephalins and endorphins). This can be an effective way to manage pain resulting from chronic conditions like arthritis without having to resort to powerful and expensive prescription medication.

Physiotherapy

A tens machine is often used alongside physiotherapy. These are both pain relieving treatments that do not require the use of drugs. Physiotherapy helps you to improve overall fitness and mobility with stretching and toning exercises.

Physiotherapists are able to assist you with managing your condition and can also provide that treatments. You can also find out more about where to get that therapies from your doctor or health care centre.

Pain Management Tips

To help you make the best out of your tens machine sessions here are a few essential tips:

- Pace Yourself - don't push yourself too hard if you have arthritis. This can exacerbate the pain and make it more difficult to manage. Make sure you keep your activity at a comfortable level. Try to find the right balance between resting and working or moving around.

- Exercise Regularly - exercising can help you to improve your overall health and stamina. This can also help you to manage pain as exercise release natural pain relieving chemicals such as endorphins. When you have arthritis you do need to take more care when exercising. Speak to your physiotherapist or doctor about suitable exercises for your condition.

Back Pain in Sports Players - Can it Be Sacro-Iliac Joint Dysfunction?

Many of the football players treated by Milton Chiropractic Clinic present to our clinic with Sacro-Iliac pain. Often, pain arising from this joint is misdiagnosed as being a "slipped disc", since the pain caused by the Sacro-Illiac joint can refer into the leg. But in contrast to a slipped disc, the pain rarely radiates below the knee. Typical signs and symptoms of Sacro-Iliac Pain are a dull ache, located at the base of the spine which intensifies with sitting, bending, lifting and standing up from a seated position. Sometimes the pain can refer to the groin, buttock or the back of the thigh.

The Sacro-Iliac joints are located at the back and bottom of the spine and consists of Ilium bones and the Sacrum. The joint surfaces are covered with articular cartilage and the joints are reinforced by thick, strong ligaments, which give the joint great stability.

Sacro-Iliac Joint pain can have several causes, but the one of the most commonest ones is when a person lands on one buttock, during a fall. Something not uncommon in football! A leg length discrepancy might also create Sacro-Iliac pain.

Some inflammatory disorders will also produce pain in the Sacro Iliac joint. The general term for these disorders is: 'spondyloarthropathies', which simply means a disease that affects the spine. Examples of these conditions are: ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and Reiter's syndrome. The interesting thing about these conditions for the medical staff is is that they occur especially in young men, aged between 16 and 35. These conditions can only be treated with medication, and a referral to a Consultant Rheumatologist is required.

Treatment: What Can You Do?

• Consult a specialist
• Rest from aggravating activities
• Wear some support, like a brace or a belt
• Do light exercises, preferably in a pool
• Use corrective insoles

Chiropractic Care is very effective where normal Sacro Iliac joint movement is 'blocked' and needs to be restored. By restoring movement and unlocking the joint, abnormal stresses on the ligaments around the joint will be removed. Once normal Sacro Iliac joint movement has been restored, active rehabilitation exercises will be introduced. These exercises are very specific and will differ for each individual.

Rest from aggravating activities is of vital importance during an acute episode of pain. Ibuprofen, paracetamol or aspirin will also give some form of relief and should be considered during the initial stages of pain. Always consult a professional when taking any medication.
Corrective insoles

Sacro Iliac Joint Dysfunction can be caused by biomechanical factors, such as a difference in leg length or altered leg alignment. These causes must be addressed if someone is looking for long term relief. Custom made Orthotics can be helpful in these cases.

It is very important to differentiate Sacro-Illiac Joint Pain from a slipped disc or a herniated disc, since the management of these conditions differ quite a bit and can cause a long delay in improvement if treated inappropriately. It is therefore of vital importance to consult a professional when dealing with back problems.

Cheap and Natural Home Remedies For Joint Pain Relief

Feeling some pain in your joint could be very agonizing. Although it is not the kind of pain that tells a person he or she is going to die, it's the kind of pain that many sufferers say they'd rather die than experience a second time. The statement may be quite an exaggeration, but if you were the one suffering from such severe pain in your bones, you would probably be able to say just the same.

Joint pains may be caused by several factors, therefore a uniform joint pain relief may not be applicable to all of them. Arthritis is the most usual reason for joint pains though. Many people who experience this kind of pain for the first time tend to blame aging and think they are already suffering from arthritis. This may be true to some, but definitely not to everyone.

Aside from arthritis, a certain joint pain may also be caused by some injuries or medical conditions. It may also be due to bursitis. It is the inflammation of the bursae - the fluid-filled sacs that pad and cushion bony parts. They allow free movement of the tendons and muscles over the bone. When these sacs swell, the joints feel the pain.

There are medications you can buy from the drugstore or ask your doctor to administer to you to alleviate pains in the joints. However, there are home remedies too that can offer joint pain relief. They are not only cheap, they are effective as well. Some of them are even more effective than commercial drugs. Below is a list of home treatments for painful joints:

* Warm Bath - Warm water is highly soothing to painful joints. It also helps the muscles to relax and facilitates good blood flow.

* Oil - Any oil may help in giving an instant joint pain relief. Apply some on the affected area and massage it lightly. This will bring relief to your aching bones. However, if you are experiencing joint pains due to gout, massaging is not a good option. People who have gout arthritis say that massaging the affected area makes the pain worse. Just to play safe, simply put some oil on it and leave it as that.

* Garlic-- Eat garlic cloves that were fried in butter.

* Turmeric powder - Take half a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Mix it with warm water and apply it three times a day.

* Bananas - Among all fruits, bananas are known to be the best for your joints because they provide them strength. They say that bananas even grease them.

* Exercise -- When you exercise, you also increase the flexibility of your joints and your bones. When experiencing joint pains, water exercise may be a great remedy. It can reduce the pain and improve your flexibility without needing to exert too much effort since the water helps you carry your body weight.

* Camphor rub - Mix one teaspoon of camphor oil to one teaspoon of sunflower oil. Massage the affected area. This will provide you with calming warmth that helps in lessening your pain.

Osteoarthritis Treatment With Homeopathy

In simplest terms, osteoarthritis is nothing but failure of joint pattern. It is certainly a degenerative joint disease, characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage and proliferation of new bone, cartilage, and connective tissue at the same time. Often secondary inflammatory changes are observed in the synovium.
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Sadly the incidence of osteoarthritis seems to be on rise according to global surveys. The age onset of OA is reducing drastically over the period of last few years. Now the incidence is stated to start at the age of 30 years and by the age of 65, more than 80% people have degenerative changes in their joints. Older women are peculiarly affected more and certain geological variations are found too.
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Causative and Risk Factors of Osteoarthirits-
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(1) The primary etiology of OA is termed as idiopathic where no known cause can be determined.
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(2) Secondary OA results due to some or the other systemic or local factors as below-
- intra-articular fracture
- trauma of any type
- occupational (elbows in pneumatic drill operators)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Tabes dorsalis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Peripheral nerve lesions
- Metabolic diseases like Wilson's disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Paget's disease etc
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(3) Sedentary habits, improper diet habits, sports injuries, absolute lack of exercise or overt exercise regimes, etc can be called as some of the modifiable risk factors of OA
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Signs and Symptoms of OA-

1. In most cases, joints of spine, hands, knees, and hips are involved


2. At least initially, only one or a few joints are affected


3. Knee and hand involvement is peculiar


4. Characteristically the first few joints to be involved are distal and proximal interphalangeal joints, carpo-metacarpal joints of thumb, etc.


5. Gradual onset of symptoms


6. Intermittent pain and aching in joints typically is aggravated by movement of that joint and is better by resting it


7. With the advancement of the disease process, limited movement of joints is noticed. Initially this restriction of movement is attributed to pain and spasm of muscles but later capsular fibrosis, osteophyte formation, and remodeling of bone set in.


8. After minor sprains or twists, there are usually effusions into the joints when crepitus may be felt or even heard.


9. Associated muscular wasting is noted, because of which there is loss of muscle control over the joint, resulting in recurrent injury.


10. Due to hyperaemia of subchondral bone, there is usually nocturnal aching in bones


11. Deformities like Heberden's or Bouchard's node formation, and finally osteoarthritis deformans may set in.

How Homeopathy Can Help in the Patients of Osteoarthritis?
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Homeopathy is not a magic. It is a full-proof science and art of applying the nature's principle while treating any disease with the natural drug substances aptly potentized to extract their curative properties. Therefore homeopathic principle is the most important one to be considered while treating any disease condition or the patient (more aptly).
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The most important thing to remember while treating a case of OA homeopathically is that "Pay ample attention to characteristic symptoms of the disease and not to the common ones!"
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It happens many times that a homeopath puts a common symptom of the disease as his priority while choosing the drug and as can be well judged, it leads to failure. Also paying good attention to the mental picture of the patient prior to catching the disease, during the disease process, and while on regime is one of the topmost priority while treating OA. You will observe that the "mind" is the organ that gives you good hint for appropriate remedial diagnosis in osteoarthritis patient.
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Here we are listing top 10 remedies that may be of use during acute treatment phase of chronic osteoarthritis. Remember again that there is no alternative to constitutional therapy to be formulated individually for every patient, to help him find relief on all planes, while reducing his OA successfully.
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Homeopathic Remedies for OA-
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(1)Calcarea fluor-
- Indurated feeling of joints with stiffness
- Stony hardness of joints
- Nodal swelling in fingers that are hard on palpation
- Chronic synovitis and bursitis affecting hip and knee joint
- Sluggish temperament
- Coldness about wrists and ankles
- May be associated with varicose veins
- Pain usually begins on left side
- Worse in cold wet weather and while beginning to move
- Acute attack of pain in joint usually sets after a sprain
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(2)Sticta-
- Stiff, rheumatic diathesis
- Rheumatism usually beginning in upper extremities
- Diagonal pains
- Soreness and stiffness in joints of neck extending to shoulders
- Old-maid's OA of knee
- Red spot on the affected joint
- Associated with restlessness of hands and feet and profuse sweats on hands
- Bursitis with cold moist limbs
- Incessant talking
- Worse by change in temperature, movement, night
- Better in open air
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(3)Ruta-
- Bruised sore aching in all bones
- Nodal osteoarthritis
- Paralytic rigidity of joints
- Weak paretic feeling in the mornings in hip, small of back, lower limbs etc
- Deep felt pains in long bones
- Osteoporotic changes in bones in elderly women with frequent bone fractures attributed to brittleness of bones
- Affections of wrists and ankles
- Feeling of heat on skin face etc
- Sometimes burning neuralgic pains about the joints
- Worse by over-exertion, sprains, cold wind
- Better by motion, lying on back and warmth
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(4)Bryonia-
- Right-sided complaints
- Slowly advancing osteoarthritis
- Stitching pains in joints
- Irritable constitutions
- Inflammatory joint diseases affecting knee, shoulder, hips, etc
- Associated with absolute constipation, no desire
- Dry heat aggravates all complaints including joint pathology
- Congestive synovitis
- Worse by motion, stooping, exertion, morning
- Better by rest, cool open air, bandaging, damp days, lying on painful part
?
(5)Belladona-
- Acute inflammation of joints
- Marked redness and heat over the affected joint
- Congestive constrictive pain in joints
- Excessive restlessness with incessant talking
- Joint pains with spasms of muscles
- OA starting at young age
- Worse by heat, checked sweats, pressure, touch, movement
- Better by light covering, rest in bed
?
(6)Rhus tox-
- Paretic weakness in and around joints
- Recurrent sensation of dislocation of joints
- Sore, bruised or stiff pains about joints
- Swelling in joints with burning pains
- Principally left side is affected or the pain goes from left to right
- OA set after recurrent sprain of a joint or after overexertion
- Paralytic pains in elbows and knees
- Legs feel as if made of wood
- Wakes up with pain in limbs
- Edematous swelling of limbs
- Worse by wet, cold, beginning motion, rest, sprains, etc
- Better by continued motion, wrapping the joint, rubbing, and fomentation
?
(7)Rhododendron-
- Fibrous tissues are affected
- Small joints of hands are principally affected, also those of forearm and lower limbs
- Extreme sensitivity to windy stormy and wet weather
- Rapidly changing pains, zigzag variety
- Descending pains
- Confused stupid feeling prevails
- Affections of wrists
- Worse before storms, rough windy weather, night, rest
- Better by heat, in sun, motion, wrapping up
?
(8)Pulsatilla-
- Venous constitutions
- Swollen joints with dull aching
- Associated with numbness of extremities
- Acute periostitis
- Pains down the limbs alternate sides, with heaviness of legs
- Sticking pains in tibia with heaviness and cold sweat on legs
- Associated with foul foot sweat
- Chilly patient, yet averse to heat in any form
- Associated with digestive disturbances
- Worse by warmth, rest, beginning motion, evening, lying down, in bed
- Better by moving about slowly, cold, open air, after a good cry
?
(9)Ledum pal-
- Affection of small joints
- Tendons, ankles affected
- Left-sided affection of joints
- Ascending type of arthritis
- Purple, swollen (puffy) joints
- Shifting tearing pains
- Cold and edematous joints
- Gout
- OA resulting from recurrent sprains, especially of ankle joint
- Pain associated with coldness of joints
- Profuse night sweats
- Worse by injury, motion, night
- Better by cool air, cold bathing
?
(10)Actea spicata-
- Affection of small joints, especially wrist and finger joints
- Tingling pains with numbness and weakness
- Paralytic weakness in all joints
- OA set in old age, in people with debilitated states
- Swollen joints that cannot be moved
- Deformed joints
- Extremely sensitive joints to cold in any form
- Worse by cold, slight exertion, night, and touch
?
Auxiliary Line of Treatment-
?
In any case of osteoarthritis, one must suggest certain exercise regimen for early recovery. Rather, any regime without it is of no use in the long run. Also it is stressed that unless the pain is lessened, one should not exert the affected joint beyond certain limits. Therefore, seeking professional advice before you embark on any exercise regime is must!

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) & TMJ Disorders

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint located just in front of the left/right ear. It is the ball-and-socket joint that conjoins the maxilla and the mandible. The TMJ's primary role is to establish smooth jaw movements that include biting, swallowing chewing, talking and yawning. The complexity of the TMJ structure is overwhelmingly sophisticated and sensitive because it is comprised of muscles, tendons and bones that reinforce smooth and dynamic jaw movements.

There are six main components of the TMJ, namely:

* Mandibular condyles - is the round bump connects the maxilla and the mandible
* Articular surface - the cartilage of the temporal bone
* Capsule - once opened, the capsule exposes the disk of the joint.
* Articular disc - the thin plate that facilitates dynamic movements of the TMJ
* Ligaments - the fibrous tissue that connects the maxilla and the mandible.
* Lateral pterygoid - is a muscle of mastication with two heads

Without the temporomandibular joints, one will be unable to perform mouth gestures without experiencing excruciating pain, so it is important that we do not abuse our TMJ's, especially when we wolf down large amounts of food or when we chew hard food.

But in some cases, a TMJ Disorder, or a TMD can be caused by a traumatic injury from an accident, or by arthritis and muscle fatigue gained from overuse of the jaw, say in clenching/grinding the teeth. Depending on the severity of the TMJ disorder, the one suffering from the TMD will know if the pain can be alleviated through self care or if surgical intervention should be required.

There are several factors that may cause a TMD, more specifically when one of these areas of the mouth suffer an injury or exhibit arthritis:

* The TMJ itself
* Neighboring bone/muscle structures near the TMJ
* Gums
* Teeth

Whereas most of the time the cause of the TMJ can be explained, there are still some cases that TMJ appears randomly because of an unexplained muscular or skeletal phenomena that disrupts the blood circulation in the TMJ. In some cases, people often wake up having a TMD, because of an improper resting position of the jaw.

Below are just a few common and unsafe habits that can lead to TMD:

* Teeth grinding and teeth clenching
* Awkward jaw positions
* Potassium deficiency
* Habitual gum chewing
* Fingernail biting
* Unattended malocclusion of teeth
* Unattended fractured jaw
* Stress

There are two ways to treat TMJ Disorders: Surgical and non-surgical.

Below is a list of recommended procedures/remedies for people whose TMJ disorder is not severe enough to require surgical intervention:

* Temporarily refraining from activities that can worsen the TMD, like wide-mouth yawning, and refraining from eating hard-to-chew foods.
* Rehabilitory exercises, stress management and therapy sessions to hasten the recovery process.
* Ultrasound to promote better blood circulation which, in turn, wards off accumulated lactic acid in the TMJ.
* Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation that reboots weakened nerve fibers.
* Anesthetic or pill-form muscle relaxants to block painful impulses as the joint/s slowly recover.

And lastly, the following are surgical procedures done on patients with severe or seemingly irreversible cases of TMD or when non-surgical TMJ treatments fail to exhibit any improvements:

* Arthocentesis - the removal of synovial fluid from the temporomandibular joint
* Arthotomy - open joint surgery that aims to anatomically study and subsequently repair the damaged disk of the TMJ.
* Arthroplasty - the surgical remodeling of the contour of the TMJ/reconstruction or replacement of the TMJ.

Protein Poisoning, Acid, Cause of Disease

With all the Hype about our need for protein, millions are being poisoned, by too much protein, and/or the wrong kind of protein. For the arthritis sufferer, this creates an acid condition that;

· Robs calcium from bones and teeth, producing osteoporosis, tooth decay, and extreme sensitivity to toxins in the food and environment.

· Causes degeneration of joints irritating joint tissues, causing inflammation, pain in the joints, and other connective tissue.

How much protein do we really need?

The best research (as outlined in the China Study *) has demonstrated that we were designed for a diet of 5% protein. The average American eats a diet of 25% protein.

The most simple way to back this up I know is to look at the stage of life when we should need the most protein. It would stand to reason that a growing human baby, during the first year of its life, would need the most protein, on a percentage of total calories basis. Does that sound logical to you?

It is a no brainer, to say that a human baby is designed to eat its mother's milk. So what is the protein level in mother's milk? It is 5%. This has been demonstrated countless times.

If the child is fed cows milk, which is much higher in protein, it is very likely to experience many disease symptoms. Cows milk is designed for a growing calf. A Calf grows to full maturity in less than two years. We humans take 20 years to grow to maturity. To be blunt, Cows milk is designed for a fast growing calf.

When we feed our children too much protein, it is like trying to force them to maturity too soon, before they are ready for it. They exhibit all sorts of symptoms. One of the most obvious is premature puberty. Many of the sources of excess protein are high in Growth Hormones that accelerate a child's body to a maturity level far beyond what they are emotionally ready for.

There are many other side effects; allergies, cancer, juvenile diabetes, early onset arthritis, ADHD, the list goes on and on.

What Kind of protein do we really need?

That is the subject of another debate. I touched on that above. When you look at our physiology it is easy to see that we were not designed to easily make use of whole protein. We were designed to get our protein in the form of amino acids.

The protein in fruits and most vegetables is in the form of amino acids. Because of this fact, it is much easier for us to make use of the protein in fruits and vegetables, since it is already in the form we need it to be in.

The protein in animal products must be broken down into amino acids before we can make use of it. Our digestive system is not equipped to do this in a timely manor, especially if we eat a large percentage of animal products at a given meal. It has been shown that if we eat leafy greens with a small amount of animal products our bodies cam make better use of them, though they are not ideal.

Another problem with animal products is that the protein has been deranged by heat. This makes it that much more difficult to digest and that much more toxic to our bodies.

So what are the results?

The obvious primary result is a high incidence of cancer and heart disease. Our bodies have to work hard to deal with this foreign protein.

It is like giving a builder defective building materials to build your house. It is likely to fall down or have some other mishap like a fire caused by defective wiring. If the bricks are sound but he mortar is not the wall could fall down if bumped or with the least vibration.

If we try to build our bodies with defective building materials, why should we be surprised when we have a defective body, or a body that is falling apart?

Diabetes is rampant in our society. In areas of China, * where they eat a diet based on whole plant foods, Diabetes is unheard of.

Our people are plagued with all sorts of allergies. Take away the animal protein and the allergies disappear. High protein levels in the blood make our bodies hyper sensitive to the toxins we are exposed to.

The Main result of a high protein diet is that our blood is too high in acid content. We were designed to have our blood on the alkaline side of neutral. We cannot tolerate an acid blood PH. To compensate our bodies rob our bones and teeth of calcium and other base minerals to neutralize the acid. This is a defensive measure. If this did not happen we would die much sooner than we do from acid poisoning.

The calcium in cow's milk has been cooked. The result is that it is inorganic. The only benefit we can get from inorganic calcium is to help neutralize acid. Inorganic calcium cannot be used to build strong bones effectively. The problem is that when combined with too much protein there is not enough calcium to neutralize the acid produced by the digestion of, foreign, deranged, whole protein.

Arthritis is caused by an acid condition in the body. As stated above this is usually caused by the consumption of animal products. Eating too much cooked food can also cause it. Cooking destroys most of the food value of otherwise healthy foods.

Protein poisoning causes Cancer. Foreign proteins in the blood are attacked by our body defense system. Cancer is the natural result of the defense and healing process. High protein levels cause cells to break away from bodily control. If the defense system is unable to destroy these cells that are out of body control, it tries to isolate them. This is what causes tumors to develop.

The Body creates tumors as a way to isolate toxins and cells that leave the control of the body. If we don't stop causing this situation, It is likely to continue. Cutting out the tumor only addresses the results, or symptoms. It does nothing to remove the cause. The same is true of radiation and chemotherapy. They do nothing about the underlying cause.

To Summarize

We need our protein from whole plant sources, in the form of amino acids, in the form and percentage we were designed for. That is living whole fruits and vegetables, or the fresh juice of the living fruits and vegetables, with their living enzymes intact. Any other source is not what we were designed for.

TMJ Symptoms - 7 Self Help Questions to Identify TMJ!

Temporo-Mandibular Joint disorder or TMJ in short is a condition that arises from damage to the joint of the same name, which links the lower jaw with the rest of the skull. The damage can be the result of a high impact from an accident or injury, or the result of wear and tear from bruxism, clenching teeth and jaws or para-functional habits over a long time.

Either way, TMJ results in serious pain and difficulties during the functioning of the bones or the muscles related to the joint. There are a lot of painful conditions usually mistaken for TMJ. So do not jump to conclusions based on the presence of just a few TMJ symptoms. It is always better to get diagnosed properly.

Try to answer the following questions. Remember the ones you answered yes and write them down for future reference. When you go to consult a qualified expert, remember to carry it with you. It will help you to not miss out anything important while talking to him.

1. Do you have a dull pain in the face which doesn't seem to be concentrated in any particular part of the face?


2. Do you have pain in your teeth and jaw?


3. Do you have any difficulties in closing or opening the mouth? (for example - while chewing, talking or taking a bite)


4. Do you hear clicking or grating sounds when moving the jaw or turning the neck sideways?


5. When you wake up in the morning, do u have migraines, regular headaches or ear aches?


6. Do you feel pain or pressure in your jaws, inside your ears and in/behind the eyes?


7. If you answered yes to any of the above questions, have you been having regular neck pain or back pain after the symptoms started?

Now, if you answered yes to more than two questions, it is a good idea to get yourself tested for TMJ disorder. Each question contains a set of TMJ symptoms, but the presence of a few does not confirm TMJ. Often, pain which is related to sinus is mistaken for TMJ symptoms and vice versa. Proper testing procedures can help to avoid this.

Ganglion Cyst Surgery

First of all we need to examine what a ganglion cyst is. This type of cyst is commonly found either on the back of the hand, the back of the wrist or on the front of the wrist, the fingers or less commonly on the foot, the ankle, the knee or rarely it can be found on the shoulder, the spine or even on the hip joints.

They can be quite painless depending on where they are. Those on the back of the hand or wrist are usually just totally pain free, but if they swell up too much they can be very awkward and restrict the movement of your joints. Though obviously on the knee or ankle, because these are weight bearing joints, they can be very sore, and if the ganglion cyst is connected too closely to a tendon, because these are the tissues that attach muscle and bone it can cause an overwhelming feeling of weakness. The ganglion cysts that can appear on the fingers can also cause pain as well as a deformity in the fingernail of the affected finger. If the ganglion cyst is on the shoulder, spine or hip joint the first thing you will notice is when it causes you pain.

They are usually lumps that are full of liquid, due to stress caused in the joints through stress, if something has fallen on the foot or hand, even through repetitive stress injury. As the joint has come under stress it will have become inflamed, with tissue forming around the joint. Then this tissue has begun to fill up with the lubricating liquid that lubricates a normally healthy joint.

Firstly, you will need to visit your doctor to get a diagnosis. Simple little painless lumps are usually nothing more than a cyst, but it could be something else, such as a bone spur or even a tumour, so the earlier you have a diagnosis the better. The doctor will most likely send you for an x-ray or some alternative type of medical test so that he can make an informed diagnosis rather than an educated guess

The most popular method for doctors to remove a ganglion cyst is to use the aspiration technique. This is where the fluid from inside the cyst is removed with the use of a needle being injected into the lump and any fluid being drawn out in that way. The doctor will sometimes follow this with an injection of steroids.

While these are easier methods for removing the cyst, the most effective, and sometimes, depending on where it is on the body the only way to remove the cyst is surgery. The surgeon will administer a local anaesthetic, then he will make a small incision in the skin close to the ganglion cyst and he will remove the sac, the liquid and most importantly, the stalk that the cyst is joined to. Also, if you suffer with recurring ganglion cysts, the only option left open to the doctors is to surgically remove it. Very often, if the stalk and the sac is removed as well as the liquid, this can stop it happening again.

Overall, it must be said that, very often, the cysts can re-appear in later life, but as they are not too serious, and certainly not life threatening, it should not worry you too much. The fact is that ganglion cysts are very common but technology has not, as yet, been able to find a permanent cure for such complaints.

Parents - Help Your Child Combat Obesity

According to a 2007 report by the Trust for American's Health, approximately 25 million children ages of 6 to 17 in the United States are either overweight or obese. Child obesity is increasing and it is considered by many to be an epidemic in developed Western countries such as Australia, Canada England and the United States.

The problem of childhood obesity is medically far more serious than most parents realise and it is a very real issue that is affecting millions of children each day. Child obesity can be directly linked to a myriad of health complications as well as to poor quality of life, poor self-esteem and impaired social skills amongst children. Because of the increasing rate of child obesity, paediatricians are noticing health problems among children that were rare in the past.

When a person is more than 20 percent above their Ideal Body Weight (IBW), they are considered obese. Obesity can also be calculated using body mass index (BMI). For children, obesity is present when total body weight is more than 25 percent fat in boys and more than 32 percent fat in girls.

Problems of Obesity

Obesity is the major cause of type 2 diabetes and is associated with high triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol. Insulin resistance can also be attributed to obesity. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar. Obesity is a killer because of the broad range of other diseases which it causes or makes worse.

Obesity is associated with significant increases in high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, degenerative joint disease and psychosocial disability. Depression and problems of self image and with body dissatisfaction are also linked to obesity.

Shortening life expectancy is also associated with obesity. This disease is also widely recognised to be a serious medical problem which results in myriad distressing illnesses.

Child Obesity Problems

Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. So, being obese as a child can have a lifelong impact. They also have the same problems that adults face.

Increased average blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac output when compared to non-obese peers is a symptom on obesity in children. Teasing from their peers is often a problem with overweight children.

Obesity in childhood is known to be associated with abnormal indices of lipolysis, including high cholesterol levels (greater than 170 mg per dL). Being overweight affects school attendance as well, possibly leading to academic problems later.

What is the Solution?

Childhood obesity is usually caused by kids eating too much and exercising too little. Researchers have discovered the obese children were 35% less active on school days and 65% less active on weekends compared to non-obese children. Parents need to set an example, be a role model and give their children guidance on exercise and healthy eating. Children of all ages will enjoy life better if they are taught to eat healthy foods and to get enough exercise.

As children tend to eat what their parents eat, parents can also assist their children by addressing their own weight issues and taking on a healthy lifestyle. If they do this, their children to emulate them. Parents should also rid their kitchens of junk foods and monitor their eating habits and refrain from eating what they ask their children not to eat. Children are more likely to be obese at if one or both parents are obese.

The fact that parents rarely exercise is part of the problem of child obesity is as well.

Participate in fun backyard sports with your children and consider taking up a sport with them or one that you practiced when young.

If the child's parents are having marital problems or mentally or physically abusing the child, the stressful environment can make a child turn to food. This may be their only interest in life and he or she can easily overeat at that point.

Parents can also set rules for the home that help reinforce the healthy lifestyle. Parents also must be concerned enough to want to do something about their children's obesity.

Parents need to tackle the issue of childhood obesity to ensure that their children grow up to be happy and health adults. Don't be lazy and set your children a good example on exercise and healthy eating.

Benefits of Using Whole Body Vibration Equipment - Is A Vibration Plate Really Capable of All That?

Countless research studies have consistently demonstrated the great benefits achieved from using Whole Body Vibration equipment, and more continue research further proving these benefits continue to be published regularly.

Whole Body Vibration equipment enables users to train the various skeletal muscles and trigger other body reactions. The effects are beneficial for use in sports, fitness, aesthetics, rehabilitation, health prolongation and medical therapies, just to name a few.

Several hundred peer-reviewed papers have been published on the positive effects of WBV, and the number of research studies conducted and published is constantly increasing as the industry and technology develop further.

Effects described in these studies include:

- muscle strength and toning
- cellulite reduction
- improved bone density
- heightened secretion of hormones associated with exercise (Seratonin & HGH)
- depressed response of hormones associated with stress (Cortisol)
- weight loss
- detoxification and lymph movement
- improved neuromuscular response
- greater balance & stability, and
- heightened quality of life

In order to have any effect on the body over the long term, it is vital that the body systems experience fatigue or some sort of light stress. As in other forms of training, when the body is overloaded repeatedly and regularly, the principle of supercompensation applies. This principle is the cause of the body adapting and responding to loading, resulting in a performance increase. This effect has been proven several times in scientific research for both young and elderly subjects.

From research into the structural effects of vibration stimulus it can be deduced that the increases in strength resulting from WBV can definitely be compared to the results attained through conventional methods of training. Although, there are indications that better results may be achieved with WBV, especially in the area of explosive power, fast twitch reflex, and high repetition stamina.

Another important difference between conventional training methods and WBV is that there is only a minimum of loading. No additional weights are necessary, which ensures that there is very little loading to passive structures such as bones, ligaments and joints. That is why WBV is highly suited to people that are difficult to train due to old age, illness, disorders, weight or injury. On the other hand, it is also highly suitable for professional athletes and other physically active individuals who want to stimulate and strengthen their muscles without overloading joints and the rest of the physical system to achieve a new peak in physical fitness.

Other than its influence on the muscles, use of Whole Body Vibration equipment can also have a positive effect on bone mineral density. Vibrations cause compression and remodeling of the bone tissue which activates the production and delivery of osteoblasts (bone building cells), while reducing the activity of osteoclasts (cells that break bone down). Repeated stimulation of this system, combined with the increased pull on the bones by the muscles, will increase bone mineral density over time. It's also likely that improved circulation and the related bone perfusion due to a better supply of nutrients, which are also more able to penetrate the bone tissue, are contributing factors.

In preventing falls and the bone fractures that often result from them, enhancing bone mineral density is not the only important issue. Increased muscle power, postural control and balance are also factors worthy of consideration. Studies involving elderly subjects have shown that all of these issues can be improved using Whole Body Vibration.

Numerous studies have also demonstrated the ability of Whole Body Vibration in reduction of weight and cellulite. The increase in physical activity stimulates a rise in caloric consumption of the body in very much the same way as regular cardiovascular exercise. For most users the big upside is the shortened amount of time needed to achieve these results (just 10 minutes a day) in combination with the ease of exercising on a WBV device. Increases in the movement of lymph fluid as a direct result of WBV also play an integral role in the reduction of weight along with the benefits of detoxification.

Today, the applications for WBV continue to be researched and explored as the industry continues to evolve. Currently NASA, The Russian Space Institute, and the European Space Agency are experimenting with various types of vibration systems in an effort to further develop the technology and gain the ultimate benefits from vibration stimulus.

If applied properly and utilized for the right reasons with each individual, whole body vibration equipment really can produce the phenomenal results touted by the market.

The other major component is being sure to use a quality device to expose your body to the vibration stimulus. If you try to spend less and get a cheaper machine, that's all you'll end up accomplishing, getting a cheaper machine.

You will positively miss out on the full range of benefits of WBV because the cheaper machines are not strong enough to produce the full scale results that the legitimate devices can.

It may be a little more investment upfront, but the return in the long run is so much greater, the only way it makes sense to buy a device is to buy a good quality one that will maximize your investment and results, thus getting you the greatest return for your money spent and effort put forth.

How a TMJ Disorder Or Syndrome Causes Pain

The term TMJ disorder or TMJ syndrome refers to problems that arise due to a structural problem with the temporomandibular joint.

The temporomandibular joint is located on either side of the head right in front of the ears where the skull meets the jaw. Temporo refers to the skull and mandibular refers to the jaw bone.

Numerous factors may cause the structural problems that lead to TMJ syndrome. Poorly aligned teeth could be one cause. A missing tooth could be another cause. When this is the case, the bite of a person may become unstable and the jaw may get positioned further back than normal. The result is often that the protective disc between the skull and jaw becomes dislocated. Also, the muscles in the jaw area have to work harder in order to compensate for the abnormal jaw position. Pain often occurs because these muscles are overworked and strained over a long period of time.

The jaw or bite may also have become misaligned due to other reasons such as from a fall or accident. Long term grinding or clenching of the teeth is another common cause of a TMJ disorder.

Regardless of the cause of a misaligned jaw, this often forces many soft tissues to adapt not only in and around the TMJ area but also in the head, face, neck and ears. This adaptation causes tension in these soft tissues. And as time passes, these muscles and soft tissues become tighter and tighter. As a result, the persons posture can become worse and this can lead to even more structural problems.

All of this contributes to the involved muscles, ligaments and nerves becoming inflamed and creating additional pressure. It is this pressure which causes the pain associated with TMJ syndrome.

Why The Complexity of TMJ Disorder/Syndrome May Prevent TMJ Relief And Can Lead To Long Term Suffering

One of the reasons why a TMJ disorder is a complex problem is because there are so many muscles, nerves and ligaments in and around the temporomandibular joint. These soft tissues radiate out from the area of the temporomandibular joint itself to many areas of the head and body.

This means that pain due to inflammation in these soft tissues can be felt in areas of the head and body that are far away from the temporomandibular joint.

Quite simply, some people in the health field do not associate a TMJ disorder with pain in distant areas of the head and body. The root cause of pain is therefore not correctly diagnosed as TMJ syndrome. Many people needlessly suffer in pain for years because of this and never get TMJ relief.

The complexity of a TMJ disorder can also make this condition difficult to treat properly. TMJ dentists are a good resource for getting a thorough and complete diagnosis to determine if someone does, in fact, have a TMJ disorder. A TMJ dentist also has years of post-graduate study devoted to the treatment of the fundamental structural problem of TMJ syndrome.

Dysautonomia - Symptoms And Treatment

The definition of Dysautonomia is a malfunction (or imbalance) of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) or the automatic nervous system that controls a person's involuntary bodily functions. An example is one's heart rate accelerating or decelerating. Another is digestion, either too fast or too slow.

A body's complete nervous system is divided into two parts, one for involuntary actions called the sympathic nervous system and another for involuntary actions called the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathic system deals with an organ's function accelerating, whereas the parasympathetic system involves decelerating.

These two parts of a body's nervous system continually work to make your body function to the stimuli around you. If a train's whistle startles you, your sympathetic nerves kick in, and you might jump or shout. As you relax at home or on a beach, your parasympathetic nerves will quiet your body to a peaceful lull. And there's every speed in between working through our bodies daily. A person's nutrition and hormone balance are also factors in keeping the delicate balance of the ANS.

When a baby is being forming in its mother's womb, the autonomic nervous system and the heart's mitral valve are developed at the same time. Therefore, some times if a person has a deviation with the mitral valve, he/she also has a variation in the ANS balance.

Not only are mitral valve prolapse patients prone to dysautonomia but also are those with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), vasovagal or neurocardiogenic syncope, chronic fatigue syndrome, Shy-Drager syndrome, panic attacks, anxiety, in appropriate sinus tachycardia (IST), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, and a number of other disorders.

With Dysautonomia, a person may become dizzy, lose her balance, faint, and experience various aches and pains. Other symptoms include fatigue to exhaustion, various chest pains, headaches, severe panic or anxiety attacks, tachycardia, hypotension, poor exercise tolerance, dizziness, sleep disorders, tinnitus, gastrointestinal symptoms (IBS), sweating, blurred vision, numbness and tingling, and depression.

Other secondary symptoms of MVPS/D include hot/cold sensations, heat/sun intolerance, shakiness, swelling in limbs, shortness of breath, excessive perspiration or inability to perspire, fibrocystic breast disorder, rashes, difficulty concentrating or poor memory, heightened sensitivity to smell or sound, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), scoliosis, low body temperature, endometriosis, muscle aches, allergies, and excessive gas.

A patient does not have to have ALL symptoms for dysautonomia.

A doctor can determine a medication to help with the dysautonomia. And these might have to be changed over time.

Diabetes and coronary heart disease damage tiny nerves and cause inappropriate responses of the ANS. This dysautonomia is not one associated with MVPS dysautonomia.

Fast Joint Pain Relief

Over half the people in the United States over the age of 65 have suffered from joint pain and are seeking relief. Pain in the joints is most likely cause either by an inflammation or swelling of the joint, or it is caused by wearing off of the joint's natural cushioning with likely causes being obesity or loss of blood flow. Luckily there are several know methods of providing fast joint pain relief healing or suppressing joint pain based on the severity and type of pain.

A simple exercise routine is a common treatment for mild pain relief since it increases blood flow and helps shed some unwanted pounds. The increased blood flow that accompanies mild exercise reduces the stiffness surrounding the joint and builds muscle strength to help support the body and relieve the joint of having to support the weight on its own.

Another common method of relieving joint pain is the use of medicines or temperature packs, such as a heating pack or a cold pack. In some cases, a steroid called glucocorticoid or hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint and provides long term pain relief lasting around 4-12 months. Normally, however, tropical rubbing ointments or sprays and pain relief pills are the most common method for fast joint pain relief although they only provide short term relief.

If drastic measures are necessary, surgical replacement of a joint or surgical repair is often the procedure taken. Since artificial joints and joint replacement surgeries are a growing trend in the US and because they are constantly improving, doctors usually choose this method for extreme cases of joint pain or joint damage.

Steps to Follow to Have an Osteoarthritis Pain Relief

Osteoarthritis (OA) is also known as degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease. It affects several joints in the body, including the area of knees, back, hips, and fingers. When bone surfaces lose its lubrication and become less protected by cartilage, bones rub each other and damaged themselves resulting to symptoms such as pain. In reality, there is no known cure for this debilitating disease. Fortunately, osteoarthritis pain relief is available for patients to get rid of the pain. Depending on the severity of the arthritis and condition of the patient, these are some of the tips to be followed by a patient to have osteoarthritis pain relief.

First is to buy glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Those are proven effective for osteoarthritis pain relief. These supplements can be taken separately or together. Glucosamine helps repairing damaged cartilage; cartilage act as a cushion to the joint. In addition, it keeps the cartilage flexible and nimble. On the other hand, Chondroitin Sulfate blocks enzymes that destroy cartilage. Research revealed that these two are effective for reducing stiffness, pain, and inflammation of the joints. Seconds is to try yoga as an osteoarthritis pain relief. Yoga is safe for osteoarthritis patients; it assists the body to build strength and allow flexibility making way for less stiffness and reduced pain. Third is to have acupuncture. It involves putting needles in the body, targeting vital points of the body. Vital points are to believe to connect to organs in the body, giving a boost to serotonin and endorphin levels in the body. These two are natural chemicals in the body that act as painkillers in our body. Studies showed patients who underwent acupuncture for two months, displayed improvement and lesser symptoms. Lastly, Massage therapy is an effective osteoarthritis pain relief. It improves blood circulation and reduces muscle tension that is caused by osteoarthritis.

These are just tips to osteoarthritis pain relief; it may or may not reduce or eliminate symptoms caused by osteoarthritis. It is still depending on the patient dedication and consistency to the plan. However, consultation with a physician is still recommended to avoid any complications.

Leg Pains - Dietary and Ayurvedic Treatment, Home Remedies

Pains in the legs could be due to joint pains or due to muscle cramps. Joint pains are generally observed in arthritis, a condition which sets in as the person's advances in age. In arthritis, the articulation of the bones gradually wears out over time, leading to pains whenever they function. This is called as Aama Vata in Ayurvedic language.

Muscle cramps usually affect the muscles of the leg. It is known as Khalli Vata in Ayurveda. There is a special term for the muscle cramps that affect only the calf muscles, and that is Pindikoveshtana. From an Ayurvedic point of view, almost all pains are caused due to vitiation of the vata dosha. Specifically in leg pains due to muscle cramps, the Vyana vata is vitiated. This is a sub-dosha of the vata which controls the involuntary muscles of the body.

Pains occur when there is an ama buildup in the body. Ama is the name given to the toxic materials caused due to improper digestion that cannot be expelled from the body. Such ama causes several problems, including leg pains. Ama is built up due to high agni, i.e. digestive fire, which is governed by the pitta dosha. Hence there is also a pitta relation with the leg pains.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Leg Pains

1. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Clove oil is applied on the affected leg muscle as a poultice. It provides immediate relief from pains, especially if they are due to muscle cramps.

2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger has wonderful painkilling properties. It must be included in the daily diet if muscular pains in the legs are a chronic problem.

3. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice is very effective in relieving muscle aches. An infusion of its roots must be prepared in water and kept overnight. This helps in almost all kinds of muscle problems.

4. Madhuca (Madhuca indica)

Madhuca has positive effects on leg pains, especially if they are due to rheumatism. Its oil is applied locally over the affected regions.

5. Pepper (Piper nigrum)

Pepper helps in dilating the superficial blood vessels, thus helping in proper blood circulation. It also has analgesic properties and can be used as a liniment in muscular problems.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Leg Pains

Since improper digestion can cause leg pains, care must be taken not to eat anything that can cause digestive problems. Do not consume constipating foods; keep your diet simple. Consume plenty of green vegetables and leafy vegetables that contain fiber. Vitamin C obtained from amalaki, oranges and tomatoes is also good for digestion. After each meal, make it a habit to eat a plantain instead of some calorie-rich dessert like ice-cream. A plantain is a food that is extremely rich in minerals of potassium, magnesium and calcium. Hence it is extremely beneficial for proper metabolism within the leg region. Avoid coffee and chocolate if you have persistent leg pain problems.

The importance of adequate amount of fluids cannot be stressed enough. Dehydration is a leading cause of leg pains. Keep drinking one glass of water every waking hour to prevent dehydratiom.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Leg Pains

There are good oils in Ayurveda that are used for external application over the affected legs. If the muscle pains have occurred suddenly, then most likely they are cramps. In such cases, Mahanarayana tailam or Praharini tailam are applied to get relief. Warming the oils a bit and then applying has better effects.

For internal administration, Sinhanaada Guggulu is prescribed. This drug is also a mild laxative. So it will also correct whatever digestive problems may be there with the system. Other commonly prescribed medicines are Laxmivilasa rasa and Pratapa Lankeshwara rasa.

(4) Home Remedies for Leg Pains

1 If you have regular complains of pains in the legs, then there are some simple exercises you can do in order to get relief from them. Some of them are described:-

a) Lie on your back on a firm bed. Wear some loose clothing over the legs, such as shorts or pajamas. Raise your legs gradually in the air, as far as they can go. The heels should point skywards. Hold the legs in this stretched position for about ten seconds and then bring them down again. Do this five times per session, and repeat the exercise thrice a day.

b) Alternatively you can stand facing a wall at an arm's length distance from it. Stretch out your arms and touch the wall with your open palms. Then slowly pull yourself forward (towards the wall). Feel the stretching pressure building up in your legs. Hold yourself in this stretched position for about ten seconds and then let go. Do this five times per session, and repeat the exercise thrice a day.

c) Even Yoga has several leg stretching exercises that can be used with great positive effects. These exercises are Uttanpadasana, Janusandhi and Gomukhasana.

2 If the cramps occur when performing an exercise workout or some physical activity, then have a glass of lemon water with a pinch of salt in it.

3 If you have leg pains in the joints due to arthritis, then crush two to three cloves of garlic and add them to a glass of diluted milk. Boil it to quarter its amount and drink it just before bedtime.

4 Applying a hot pack or fomenting the leg with steam helps to improve circulation in the leg and eases the pain. Even applying cold packs helps. This will reduce the blood flow into the leg region and help the muscle to relax.

5 Put one part of camphor in twenty parts of mustard oil. Keep this in the sun till the time the camphor properly dissolves in the oil. Use this oil to massage the leg on a daily basis.

6 If you get a sudden sprain in the leg, then prepare a paste of turmeric with lime and salt and apply it on the affected part.

Can Acupuncture Help Reduce Anxiety?

As a sufferer of anxiety and panic attacks I have tried almost every form of therapy exclusive of psychotropic drugs to help eliminate my panic attacks. If you suffer from panic disorder then we are both members of a group numbering in the millions, who have faced this health demon and are determined to find a solution.

Recently, I tried acupuncture after a panic attack left me feeling out of control while driving to my wife's place of business, on a Los Angeles freeway. Luckily for me she offices in a wellness complex and a wonderful practitioner of Chinese medicine and acupuncture offered to helped me, literally on the spot.

Chinese medicine practitioners believe that stress, anxiety, depression or any strong emotion interrupts the smooth flow of energy throughout the body.

According to Chinese medical theory, anxiety blocks the free flow of energy through our body. This is thought to be a cause of muscle pain in areas such as the back and neck where energy is being blocked. Other areas negatively impacted by blocked energy may include digestion, blood pressure and your ability to get a good night's sleep.

Acupuncture is believed to help restore or redirect the free flow of energy, restoring a healthy balance.

But, Can Acupuncture Help Reduce Anxiety?

Research in the field of acupuncture has determined that there are points in your ear associated with anxiety. Treating the ear with acupuncture to eliminate anxiety is known as auricular acupuncture

To determine the efficacy of this type of acupuncture to help reduce anxiety, two researchers from Yale University School of Medicine - Drs. Wang and Kain - assembled a group of patients for a trial.

They found that people who received acupuncture did have reduced anxiety, which may help patients anxious about an upcoming surgery.

Practitioners of Western medicine also believe that acupuncture can eliminate anxiety by releasing your body's natural pain killers or endorphins.

Acupuncture can also help relax muscles without prescriptive medication, improve blood circulation, lower your heart rate and blood pressure

My Empirical Experience with Auricular Acupuncture

At my very first acupuncture appointment the acupuncturist placed needles in specific points on the ear, which remained for a week, reducing anxiety almost completely. This auricular acupuncture was followed up with total body acupuncture treatments and after three sessions I found that even the slightest anxiety triggers which had troubled me before had disappeared.

Chinese Herbs as a Complement to Acupuncture Therapy

The acupuncturist, was also a practitioner of Chinese medicine and gave me a combination of herbal combinations after a few weeks of treatments to help my body regain a natural, healthy physiological balance. If you try this approach, your practitioner of Chinese medicine may be able to recommend some herbs for you based upon your specific case.

In conclusion my experiences with acupuncture therapy to reduce anxiety have been extraordinarily successful and I continue to enjoy the cumulative effects of additional acupuncture treatments to this day.

If you suffer from panic or anxiety attacks then you may want to explore the natural healing capabilities of these ancient but very powerful therapies to help you end your attacks once and for all.

Dog Joint Problems FAQs

What are some of the common joint problems in dogs?

Some of the most common joint issues in canines include; arthritis, osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and patellar luxation.

• Arthritis - Inflammation of the joints.

• Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease) - Degeneration of the cartilage around the joints, which also causes inflammation.

• Hip dysplasia - Abnormal formation and growth of the hip.

• Elbow dysplasia - Abnormal formation and growth of the elbow.

• Patellar Luxation - Dislocation of the kneecap.

Are certain dog breeds more prone to joint problems?

Although any dog breed can develop joint problems, some breeds are more prone to certain conditions because of their genes. Larger dog breeds for example, are more susceptible to developing arthritis, osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia. Some of these breeds include; Great Danes, Labrador Retrievers, Mastiffs, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers. Small dog breeds such as Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers are more commonly affected by patellar luxation.

How can I tell if my dog has joint problems?

Some of the first symptoms people notice with dog joint problems include; limping, difficulty going up stairs, trouble getting up, and slower running. Pain is also a sign to look out for with joint problems in canines. Owners will usually notice things such as; decreased activity, loss of appetite, discomfort, whining, and excess licking of certain areas.

What tests are necessary for diagnosis?

Radiographs and a physical exam are the primary sources used to diagnose joint problems in dogs. Veterinarians check the x-rays for signs of fractures, degeneration, deformations, and other things that can help with the diagnosis. If needed, your regular veterinarian can refer you to an orthopedic so that your dog can get further testing and treatment.

Can joint issues in dogs be treated?

There are two basic forms of treatment used for joint conditions in dogs; surgical and non-surgical. Surgical treatment can be anything from repairing a joint to replacing a joint. Non-surgical treatment on the other hand, focuses on managing pain and inflammation using medication, weight management, and physical therapy.

How can joint problems in dogs be prevented?

• Test your dog for joint problems before breeding. Canines who test positive for certain conditions such as hip dysplasia should not be bred.

• Maintain your dog at an ideal weight. This will minimize the amount of pressure placed on the joints.

• Feed your canine a well-balanced diet.

• Provide your dog with adequate exercise.

• Ask your veterinarian about supplements and vitamins for your dog.

Cervical Spondylosis - Factors, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Cervical spondylosis is manifested by neck stiffness with pain in the neck, weakness, tingling, numbness in the upper limbs, burning, feeling of "power" in the neck, shoulders and upper limbs, headaches that start in the neck and get to the front of the head. Physiotherapy for cervical spondylosis treatment by acting directly on the degeneration of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae and help them rehydrate. Medical fitness to lead to cervical spondylosis regaining joint mobility, increase the amplitude of joint and muscle tone and bone spurs produce beneficial effects on improving the general condition of the body. Spondylosis usually presents as a degenerative spine manifested by pain and reduce its mobility. It can occur while on the roots of spinal cord compression. This condition is "distributed" throughout the column from top to bottom, the most common on the low back and cervical and thoracic region does less. Is manifested by calcium deposits around joints or on the edges of plateaus disc. Deposits they produce some formations known in medicine as the "parrot beaks". Their appearance shows that it is a chronic degenerative process of the column, due to two key issues namely: -

Narrowing the spinal canal is the spinal cord and nerves, and the conjugation of holes where the nerves exit the spinal and distributed to the lower limbs and upper limbs. Each hole must fit a nerve and narrowing these holes produce terrible pain and sometimes unbearable. - Narrowing of the spinal canal completely (spinal) cause disease called spinal myelopathy (spinal cord diseases general name), took place compression that creates problems with the blood marrow. While ventral Bone spurs develop, spinal cord space shrinks, causing myelopathy Cervical spondylosis myelopathy is the result of several pathophysiological factors. These factors include:

a) static-mechanical factors,
b) dynamic-mechanical factors
c) lesions stretches
d) spinal cord ischemia

The phenomenon of degradation in this disease is predominantly the result of cervical spine bone degeneration, process what that advance patient grows older. Other changes associated with the disease, such as abnormal growth of bone (bone spurs) may lead to increased pressure on spinal nerves and sometimes even the spinal cord. This disorder is a chronic and in most cases is determined by age. Although it affects both sexes, in men occurs earlier than women. Some studies show that 75% of women and 80% of men around the age of 60 years, making a radiograph can be diagnosed as having significant manifestations of cervical spondylosis. Evolution is slow and prolonged cervical spondylosis and patients may have no symptoms or may show slight neck pain. It happens that the disease was stagnated, but there are cases where the disease can worsen to an advanced stage and the patient may become addicted to shopping cart with wheels. Symptoms In the cervical vertebral corpus exists in a side channel through which pass the vertebral arteries and helping to transport blood to the brain. If these channels are compressed, the amount of blood supplying the hindbrain is reduced. Thus it might appear a deficit of blood to the cerebellum and brainstem deficiency is manifested in the occipital area by dizziness, abnormal gait, headache and muscle strength decrease. This disease through its semiology, is an unpleasant disease, but patients will have to understand that we mean a disease that can live if properly treated or at least controlled. Local pain is felt in the joint capsule, the paravertebral ligaments in inflamed synovium or periosteum. Causes Nobody knows for sure what is causing spondylolisthesis, but are taken into account: patient age, genetics, mechanical stress and metabolic problems, not least the patient.Damage to spinal joints that are specific to aging is the main cause of cervical spondylosis. More staff, after the age of 35 years, signs of changes in the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae themselves, but the manifestation of disease occurs much later.Age are among the risk factors and leads to wear her column joints (cervical, thoracic or lumbar), thus causing pressure in the neck with repercussions on the column. If pain is not diminished with proper medication if pain persists or worsens numbness occurring in the upper limbs and lower limbs then it is imperative to introduce ourselves to physician specialty. These symptoms, in association with medical history and clinical analysis may lead us to a diagnosis of cervical spondylosis.

Risk factors for cervical spondylosis

This condition primarily affects the patients in the office working and the pain becomes stronger if associated with cold. Those working in the office in front of a computer and have the disorder, will be sometimes to interrupt work for a short time, to change mode or to change their jobs. It is recommended to take frequent breaks from work and take a sitting posture. Correct medication, physiotherapy and chiropractor (medical fitness) can help treat it, but you can get to surgery if the disease is not treated in time. Another risk factor is old position of the spine and therefore must take care as the patient sits in the office, in bed, the chair and the couch watching TV. Pain is worse when cold or if exercising. Pain is accompanied by lack of joint mobility and may disappear after 10-15 minutes of movement, rotation and bending of the neck. Obese people who suffer from this disease must take to follow a hypocaloric diet and physical therapy programs (medical fitness). Treatment Treatment of both cervical spondylosis and lumbar spondylosis follows the first pain relief, stop disease progression and development of joint mobility. Massage therapy performed on the spine affected is a treatment often used in treating this disease. Fair treatment significantly improves symptoms. Physical therapy can be used to relieve pain even more acute in a state of disease, provided that the current form chosen and done, be done with a good knowledge of physio-pathological mechanisms of pain transmission and production. Therapist task is to educate the patient regarding posture control regardless of the position of the patient (Sitting, standing, supine or prone).

Adult Ballet Beginners - Muscle Stretching Exercises For The Lower Body

I previously wrote for adult ballet beginners, describing one of the muscles stretching exercises for the upper body, stretching the chest so you could open up and do one of those Black Swan arm moves.

(If you haven't just done a walk or some other kind of workout, warm up by walking on the spot. Add some arm movements, and move for five minutes.)

For the lower body, to get your leg up to the back, to do an arabesque, you need to get more flexible in the psoas muscle. This is a postural support muscle that runs from the top of your thigh to the spine. Attached at the front of the spine, this muscle controls the bending of the body at the hip joint. (Say you sneeze and one of your knees lifts up when your abdomen contracts. You bend at the hip joint).

If flexible, this muscle also allows your spine to bend at the waist, when you raise your leg to the back. There is a REALLY simple exercise you can do, to stretch this large, important muscle.

You do not need ballet turnout to do this, so I am going to describe this exercise with your legs in parallel. Release one leg to the beck, about a yard or meter behind you. Place the back foot on the ground. Holding onto a ballet barre or the back of a chair is a good idea.

Now straighten the back leg, without changing your spinal position. You may feel a pull up the front hip and the back leg hip. Pull up the lower abdomen muscles, and you will increase the stretch feeling.

Twist away from the back leg, a little. You will feel the stretch increase, perhaps more in the side of the hip muscle.

Twist toward the back leg, and again you will feel the stretch move somewhat in the hip joint area.

Hold each position for thirty to sixty seconds. Repeat the stretch at least three times, each position, each leg.

Joint Pain Relief Through Natural Remedies and Herbal Treatments

Every individual is in the risk of having joint pains, be it due to aging or some other factors. Whatever may be the cause; it is very often unbearable and demand emergency treatment. Age related joint pains like arthritis must be controlled through proper medication and remedies to prevent crippling and disability of the body. Free movement is greatly impaired in acute cases of arthritis related joint pains with frustrations creeping in gradually. Women experience problem after menopause due to the drastic drop in the estrogen levels.

Knee, shoulders, back and hip joints are mostly affected due to aging whereas some may experience pains in the wrists, fingers, ankles and heels.

Symptoms

1. Swelling and inflammation followed by acute pain.
2. Redness and tenderness of the joints.

Causes

1. Due to wear and tear of the cartilage due to aging.
2. Autoimmune disease
3. Gout
4. Physical injuries
5. Infection at joints
6. Low hormonal levels in women after menopause.

Treatment

Apart from the usage of over the counter NSAID's and steroids, following treatments are of great help in providing relief from the this problem and that too without any serious side effects.

1. Exercises play a great role in reducing various types of pains, especially swimming. Swimming in a heated pool gives the best results.

2. Bathing with Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate. This particular compound has good anti-inflammatory properties which are well absorbed by the skin. About 40 minutes of bathing gives good results.

3. Massaging with a mixture of camphor oil, menthol and eucalyptus oil on the affected areas alleviates the pains.

4. Joint pains due to arthritis can be reduced by drinking few cups of green tea regularly. Green tea has special constituents that protect the cartilage from wearing out.

5. Elimination of certain foods like meat, beef which are high in protein helps in reducing this problem. The protein can be substituted by vegetables and fish.

6. Dairy products should be avoided excluding the low fat yoghurt.

7. Alcohol consumption must be stopped totally.

8. The herb Boswelia Serrata has high anti-inflammatory properties and enhances the blood circulation to the joints that helps in reducing the pains.

9. The roots of Ashwagandha are beneficial in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis.

10. Ginger roots are also used for this treatment, which prevents the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are responsible for this problem.

11. Women need sufficient dietary calcium supplements like low fat milk, yoghurt to prevent the weakening of bones and joint pains after menopause.

12. Application of turmeric and lime paste or drinking milk adding turmeric is a good remedy to alleviate joint pains.

13. Massage with Rumatone Gold oil give good relief.