TMJ Pain Relief and Treatments - What You Need to Know

TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder is a dysfunction of the jaw joints and muscles that can be very painful and disturbing. This condition reduces your ability to smoothly move your jaw resulting to difficulty opening and closing the mouth. The jaw pain may radiate to the face, ears, neck and shoulder. People suffering from this disorder may also experience mild to severe headache. Effective TMJ pain relief and treatments are important to feel better and get rid of the pains of this jaw disorder.

Finding a TMJ pain relief that will work for you can be a real challenge. Different people respond to different treatments but here are some of the treatments to help you get rid of the pain of TMJ disorder:

Medication. The common treatment to get rid of discomforts of TMJ disorder is pain reliever medication. However, pain reliever can only give you a temporary TMJ pain relief. Prolonged use of pain relievers may lead to drug addiction and can also result to side effects or other health issues. It is best to ask the advice of your doctor before taking medications for an extended period of time to avoid complications.

Ice packs. Applying ice packs or cold compress on the affected area helps reduce swelling and relieve the pain. Make sure to wrap the ice pack on a clean towel and do not apply directly on your face or jaw to avoid frost bites.

Heat therapy. Application of moist heat can be very comforting and a good TMJ pain relief. Heat therapy can help improve the blood circulation on the affected area and it helps alleviate the pain.

Relax and take a rest. Anxiousness and stress are not good if you are experiencing TMJ pain. It is best to learn some relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga to ease your muscle and joint tension. A good rest can provide a good TMJ pain relief.

It is important to find the best treatment that will work for you to get rid of the excruciating pain brought by TMJ disorder.

Hip Replacement Surgery - Arthroplasty and Alternatives: All You Need to Know

If you have hip joint injury or impairment that causes pain and inhibits your daily activities, you may be a candidate for hip replacement surgery.

Hip replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which the damaged and diseased parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with artificial parts, known as a prosthesis. The hip joint is a ball-and-socket type joint that can rotate in many positions. This procedure replaces both the natural socket and the rounded ball at the top of the thigh bone with duplicate parts. Hip replacement is done to increase function of the hip joint and in turn improve mobility. In the U.S., over 50,000 hip replacements are carried out each year, and most are done on adults age 65 and older. Most people who have hip replacement are women who want a better quality of life.

Hip replacement is typically reserved for those who have pain and limited mobility that interferes with the activities of daily living. One of the most common causes of hip joint damage is osteoarthritis, a condition that consequences in pain and stiffness of a joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is another cause. This disease results in joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Osteonecrosis can cause hip damage, too. It involves avascular necrosis which is the death of bone due to insufficient blood supply. Septic arthritis, another source of hip destruction, results from a joint that becomes infected. Other reasons for a hip replacement are fracture, bone tumors, or injury that leads to collapse of the hip joint.

Not long ago, doctors would only perform arthroplasty on those people over 60 years of age. This was because older people were less active and put less stress on the replaced artificial hip than their younger counterparts. Now, doctors have found that these surgeries can be successful in younger people too. The new medical technology has improved the artificial parts and allows them to withstand more stress and strain. The overall health and activity level of the person is valued more than the person's age.

What are the Alternatives to Hip Arthroplasty?

Your doctor may try many other methods of treatment before bringing up a hip replacement. These alternatives include exercise, physical therapy, walking aids, an exercise program, and medication. If inflammation is the root of the problem, the doctor may prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as Naproxen or Motrin. It is not unheard of for people with severe hip pain to be on strong narcotic pain medication. Also, numerous nutritional supplement programs exist that combine glucosamine and chondroitin for relief of pain.

Joint injection is a common office procedure that works for some people with hip problems. This is a procedure where corticosteroids are injected directly into the hip joint. Also, doctors can inject joint lubricants such as hyaluronan that allow for increased range-of-motion. If exercise and medication do not work for you, the doctor may suggest a less complicated procedure before hip replacement. A common substitute is osteotomy. This treatment involves realigning the bone to transfer weight from the damaged, painful bone surface to one more healthy and strong area.

What all is Involved with Hip Replacement Surgery?

The area where the end of the femur (thigh bone) and the pelvis bone meet is known as the hip joint. The femoral head (a ball from the end of the femur) fits into the acetabulum (a socket) to allow a broad range-of-motion. The surgeon simply will make a six to eight inch incision over the side of the hip and remove the diseased bone tissue and cartilage from the joint region. After that, the surgeon replaces the head of the femur and acetabulum with prosthetic parts. These new artificial materials allow for a natural sliding motion of the joint.

Alternative Procedures

A new surgery that has hit the O.R.s is a surgery called minimally invasive replacement or mini-incision arthroplasty. During the last decade, this procedure has been used because it allows for smaller incisions and shorter recovery afterwards. To be a candidate, you must be less than 50 years old and have a normal body weight. Overall health is measured for this procedure. The parts for both styles of surgery, traditional or minimally invasive, come in two customary varieties. One type involves cemented parts which are fastened to existing, healthy bone with surgical glue.

This procedure is referred to as a "Cemented" hip replacement. Another option involves uncemented parts and it requires biologic fixation to hold these parts in place. The "Uncemented" technique encompasses the use of parts made with a porous surface that lets the patient's bone grow into the pores to hold the artificial parts in place. Uncemented replacements are chosen often for the older, less active person and for individuals who have weak, fragile bones from osteoporosis or Paget's disease.

There is an advantage to the Cemented procedure. Research findings indicate that recovery time is less with this type of technique when compare to the Uncemented surgery. Experts say that it takes longer for the natural bone to grow and attach to the prosthesis with uncemented hip replacements.

What are the Complications of Hip Arthroplasty?

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons conveys that there are more than 231,000 hip replacements performed each year in the United States alone. At least ninety percent of these do not require any type of revision due to new technology and innovations in surgery. However, some complications and difficulties do arise. The most common and dangerous initial complication is hip dislocation. This is when the ball becomes dislodged from the socket.

The most usual later complication is inflammatory reaction to the prosthetic joint particles that may wear off the joint surface and be wedged into the neighboring tissues. This inflammatory response triggers the action of cells that wear away the bone and cause the implant to loosen. Less common problems are infection, blood clots, and joint stiffening.

Super Food For Joint Pains

Joint pain is becoming more and more common and being temporally relieved by a range of 'over the counter' prescriptions or even surgeries. The most common form of joint pain is known as osteoarthritis and can be caused by family history, obesity or an injury. I have two friends in their 20s who both struggle with osteoarthritis and have both found not only temporary relief but also ongoing benefits to their joint pains through natural medications, modifications to their diets and exercise.

Most of us have grandparents who have suffered from major joint breakages or damage to knees, hips and shoulders where surgery has been involved and joints have been replaced with foreign bodies designed to outlive in some cases the original joints.

So shouldn't we be thinking of how we can keep our joints healthy now? Not simply maintaining their conditions or for those of us with friends and family who are suffering from joint pains and osteoarthritis finding ways for them to improve their health and reduce the pain they are suffering to create a better future for them.

So what are the answers nature has provided for us to relieve and repair joint pains?
The first and cheapest is increasing your water intake, one of the causes of joint pain can be dehydration (not enough water getting to the joints). Your body is made up of 80% water and this needs replenishing.
Ginger is a root that contains numerous medical benefits including salicylates. Salicylates is a compound found in ginger that acts as an anti-inflammatory and as an added bonus it is aids digestion.

Gelatin is a natural compound commonly used is cooking to set desserts among other things. It contains the amino acids praline and glycine. In school we are taught amino acids are the building blocks of protein, they also in this combination help rebuild cartilage. Cartilage is the rubbery substance found is joints to stop the bones from painfully rubbing against each other.

There are also many recipes and websites available to us now thought the wonder of internet that stock a range of products combining natural ingredients to proactively reduce the pain of joint pain.

Magnesium Chloride For Health and Rejuvenation

"Magnesium is nothing short of a miracle mineral in its healing effect on a wide range of diseases as well as in its ability to rejuvenate the aging body. We know that it is essential for many enzyme reactions, especially in regard to cellular energy production, for the health of the brain and nervous system and also for healthy teeth and bones. However, it may come as a surprise that in the form of magnesium chloride it is also an impressive infection fighter.

The above statement by Walter Last (1)is no exaggeration in summarising the overriding importance of magnesium for our health. It is doubly true because the magnesium intake with our food has greatly declined due to the use of inorganic fertilisers with an oversupply of calcium, and also because the medical profession overemphasises our need for a high calcium intake and excessive calcium supplementation at the expense of magnesium. While calcium and magnesium work together in the body, they are also opposites in their effects on our metabolism. This is largely due to the activity of the parathyroid glands which try to keep the combined product of calcium and magnesium in our blood steady and balanced against phosphorus. If magnesium levels are low then calcium levels need to rise to remain in balance. Where does this extra calcium come from? From the bones and teeth of course! This is even more of a problem when the parathyroids are chronically overstimulated, usually combined with an underactive thyroid. This is a common situation with the presence of Candidiasis, mercury fillings and root canal fillings; all appear to depress thyroid functions and overstimulate the parathyroids. What does the body do with the excess calcium in the blood? It dumps it into tissue wherever there is some chronic inflammation. This leads, for instance, to the calcification of joints as in arthritis, to the calcification of ovaries and other glands resulting in declining hormone production, while calcifying kidneys eventually require dialysis, and calcifications in breast tissue, especially the milk ducts, lead to unnecessary mastectomies and other invasive treatment.

Magnesium for Healthy Bones and Teeth

Medical authorities claim that the widespread incidence of osteoporosis and tooth decay in western countries can be prevented with a high calcium intake. However, published evidence reveals that the opposite is true. Asian and African populations with a very low intake of about 300mg of calcium daily have very little osteoporosis. Bantu women with an intake of 200 to 300mg of calcium daily have the lowest incidence of osteoporosis in the world. In western countries with a high intake of dairy products the average calcium intake is about 1000mg. The higher the calcium intake, especially in the form of cows' milk products (except butter) the higher the incidence of osteoporosis. Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels are kept in a seesaw balance by the parathyroid hormones. If calcium goes up, magnesium goes down and vice versa. With a low magnesium intake, calcium goes out of the bones to increase tissue levels, while a high magnesium intake causes calcium to go out of the tissues into the bones. A high phosphorus intake without a high calcium or magnesium intake causes calcium to leach from the bones and leave the body with the urine. A high phosphorus intake with high calcium and magnesium leads to bone mineralisation. Dr Lewis B. Barnett, an orthopaedic surgeon practised in two different U.S. Counties with very different soil and water mineral levels. In Dallas County with a high calcium and low magnesium concentration osteoporosis and hip fractures were very common, while in Hereford with high magnesium and low calcium these were nearly absent.

In Dallas County the magnesium content of bones was 0.5% while in Hereford it was 1.76%. In another comparison the magnesium content in bones of osteoporosis sufferers was 0.62% while in healthy individuals it was 1.26% (9). The same applies for healthy teeth. In a New Zealand study it was found that caries-resistant teeth had on average twice the amount of magnesium as caries-prone teeth. The average concentration of magnesium phosphate in bones is given as about 1%, in teeth about 1.5%, in elephant tusks 2% and in the teeth of carnivorous animals made to crush bones it is 5%. In regard to the strength of bones and teeth think of calcium as chalk and of magnesium as superglue. The magnesium superglue binds and transforms the chalk into superior bones and teeth (9). One patient reported to Walter Last "My Doctor rang Friday afternoon re my Bone Density Scan and wanted to know what I have been doing over the last two years. I asked why, and she said by looking at the 2005 and 2006 Scans, the 2008 Scan had improved, she couldn't believe it, and said normally when you are in the Osteoporosis range, you don't come out of it" (10). That doctor was actually saying that she knew the accepted treatment of high calcium supplementation does not work, but they use it anyway. This patient had reversed the medical treatment by lowering calcium and greatly increasing magnesium intake (in addition to boron).

Magnesium Absorption and Dosage

A solution to this problem is to lower calcium levels in the blood by keeping up a high intake of magnesium. However, any excess magnesium is quickly lost with the urine. Therefore, to keep calcium in the bones and teeth rather than around the joints and in the soft tissue, we need a steady supply of magnesium. Traditionally magnesium in our diet has been mainly in ionic form and has been converted in the stomach into magnesium chloride, or it is bound to protein and especially chlorophyll, and then it is also broken down and ends up for absorption as magnesium chloride or chelated magnesium. Therefore when supplementing we may as well use magnesium chloride directly instead of magnesium oxide or hydroxide and other forms that require additional hydrochloric acid. Magnesium chloride also has another advantage: it provides ions of magnesium and chloride which are both required to stimulate the activity of digestive enzymes and for producing hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Magnesium sulphate, also known as Epsom salts, is poorly absorbed and therefore attracts water in the colon and functions as a laxative. In nature, and if grown in mineral-rich soils, magnesium is also bound to fruit acids, such as citric acid, and is easily absorbed in this form. While most forms of magnesium have a good bioavailability, chelates with amino acids and magnesium bound to fruit acids also have a beneficial alkalising effect on the body. The efficiency of magnesium absorption varies inversely with quantity of magnesium intake. Magnesium is absorbed into the body primarily from the ileum of the small intestine.

When consuming the RDI (Recommended Dietary Intake) of magnesium, which is between 360 and 410mg a day, we absorb approximately 50% of magnesium, but when ingesting sub-optimal quantities we may absorb as much as 75%. Absorption decreases rapidly when more than 200mg is consumed at one time, therefore the importance of taking magnesium in divided doses throughout the day. Magnesium chloride is salty-bitter. To get used to it, dissolve some in water and start mixing only a few drops with your meal. Gradually over several weeks or months increase it to a teaspoon of concentrated solution daily divided between meals. Alternatively you may drink it very diluted during a meal. This provides about 500mg of magnesium daily. With signs of increased requirements, such as stress, advancing age, cardiovascular problems and other signs of calcification up to1000mg are recommended by health practitioners. The intestinal absorption of magnesium declines with aging and the presence of gastrointestinal disorders, and especially with dysbiosis caused by antibiotics and other medical drugs. Excessive loss of magnesium in urine can also be a side effect of some medical drugs. (4) A study shows that over two-thirds of Americans do not consume even the low level of the RDI of magnesium, and 19% use less than one-half of this (3). It is obvious that conditions are not much better in Australia. It may take up to 3 month or longer of oral magnesium supplementation to replenish intracellular magnesium status, and according to Dr. Norm Shealy it can take up to a year. (9)

Magnesium Oil in Transdermal Therapy

All these problems make it more attractive to use magnesium chloride transdermally (absorption through the skin), and so bypassing the digestive system with the need for hydrochloric acid and a well functioning digestive tract. Magnesium chloride consists of 11.8% magnesium bound to 88.2% chloride. It is produced through evaporation from saline waters, mainly sea water and the Dead Sea. After removal of sodium chloride the "bittern" remain containing mainly magnesium chloride and magnesium sulphate. (2). Chloride is much less bitter than sulphate. In the dry form magnesium chloride is usually sold hydrated with 6 molecules of water (hexahydrate) for each unit of magnesium with 2 chloride ions (MgCl2), and consists of white hygroscopic (water-attracting) flakes. This affinity to water leads itself to be used as a product called "Magnesium Oil", which can be applied to the skin as a transdermal magnesium therapy. It is not oil in the true sense, but has the feel of oil when rubbed on the skin. Rejuvenation by ingesting more magnesium is a slow process, especially as the amount of magnesium that we can take is limited by its laxative effect and the need to keep it in a reasonable balance with the calcium and phosphorus intake. The other problem is that spastic muscles have a poor blood and lymph circulation, which makes it difficult for the ingested magnesium to dissolve and flush out the tissue and joint calcifications. This then calls for the use of magnesium oil. We can greatly speed up the rejuvenation process by increasing the circulation through permanently contracted muscles as with deep tissue massage using magnesium oil, or using it as hot packs or just for frequent rubs. However, one needs to be careful with sensitive skin as it may sting for a while. In this case best dilute it to an acceptable level. If rubbed on in a rather diluted form it may gradually disappear into the skin, but in concentrated form it just remains sticky and needs to be washed or showered off after some time. However, with many conditions, such as arthritis and other forms of stiffness and pain it can be good to put on some old cloths and keep it on overnight.

Antimicrobial Action of Magnesium

We can see here that magnesium is a great infection fighter as well, which none of the other magnesium combination can claim to be. The first prominent researcher to investigate and promote the antibiotic effects of magnesium was a French surgeon, Prof. Pierre Delbet MD. In 1915 he was looking for a solution to cleanse wounds of soldiers, because he found that traditionally used antiseptics actually damaged tissues and encouraged infections instead of preventing them. In all his tests magnesium chloride solution was by far the best. Not only was it harmless for tissues, but it also greatly increased leucocyte activity and phagocytosis, the destruction of microbes (5). Later Prof. Delbet also performed experiments with the internal applications of magnesium chloride and found it to be a powerful immune-stimulant. In his experiments phagocytosis increased by up to 333%. This means after magnesium chloride intake the same number of white blood cells destroyed up to three times more microbes than before (5). Gradually Prof. Delbet found magnesium chloride to be beneficial in a wide range of diseases. These included diseases of the digestive tract such as colitis and gall bladder problems, Parkinson's disease, tremors and muscle cramps; acne, eczema, psoriasis, warts and itching skin; impotence, prostatic hypertrophy, cerebral and circulatory problems; asthma, hay fever, urticaria and anaphylactic reactions. Hair and nails became stronger and healthier and patients had more energy (5). Prof. Delbet also found a very good preventative effect on cancer and cured precancerous conditions such as leukoplasia, hyperkeratosis and chronic mastitis. Epidemiological studies confirmed that regions with magnesium-rich soil had less cancer than those with low magnesium levels. Researchers at the Lille Pasteur Institute found in a prospective study with over 4,000 men over an 18-year follow up period that high levels of magnesium were associated with a 50% decrease in cancer mortality, and a 40% decrease in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (5). Prof. Delbet used to give magnesium chloride solution routinely to his patients with infections and for several days before any planned surgery and was surprised by many of these patients experiencing euphoria and bursts of energy.

Magnesium chloride supposedly has a specific action on the tetanus virus and its effects on the body. It even seems to be protective against snakebites. Guinea pigs did not die after normally lethal injections of snake venom and a rabbit survived a poisonous snakebite when given magnesium chloride solution (5). Another French doctor, A. Neveu, cured several diphtheria patients with magnesium chloride within two days. He also published 15 cases of poliomyelitis that were cured within days if treatment was started immediately or within months if paralysis had already progressed. Neveu also found magnesium chloride effective with asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema; pharyngitis, tonsillitis, hoarseness, common cold, influenza, whooping cough, measles, rubella, mumps, scarlet fever; poisoning, gastroenteritis, boils, abscesses, whitlow, infected wounds and osteomyelitis (5). In more recent years Dr Vergini and others have confirmed these earlier results and have added more diseases to the list of successful uses: acute asthma attacks, shock, tetanus, herpes zoster, acute and chronic conjunctivitis, optic neuritis, rheumatic diseases, many allergic diseases, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and beneficial effects in cancer therapy. In all of these cases magnesium chloride had been used and gave much better results than other magnesium compounds. (5)

Magnesium for Nerves.

Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system. With this, it is frequently used to promote good sleep. But more importantly, it can be used to calm irritated and over-excited nerves. This is especially useful with epileptic seizures, convulsions in pregnant women and the 'shakes' in alcoholism. Magnesium levels are generally low in alcoholics, contributing or causing many of their health problems. If magnesium levels are low, the nerves lose control over muscle activity, respiration and mental processes. Nervous fatigue, tics and twitches, tremors, irritability, hypersensitivity, muscle spasms, restlessness, anxiety, confusion, disorientation and irregular heartbeat all respond to increased magnesium levels. A common phenomenon of magnesium deficiency is a sharp muscle reaction to an unexpected loud noise. 'Memory pills' have been marketed that consist mainly of magnesium (9). Sleep in magnesium deficiency is restless, agitated and disturbed by frequent nighttime awakenings. However, all forms of magnesium are not equally effective. In a study of more than 200 patients, Dr. W. Davis used magnesium chloride as a possible means of combating insomnia.

The researcher reported that sleep was induced rapidly, was uninterrupted, and that waking tiredness disappeared in ninety-nine percent of the patients. In addition, anxiety and tension diminished during the day. (8) Many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be overcome with high magnesium supplementation, shaking can be prevented and rigidity eased. With preeclampsia pregnant women may develop convulsions, nausea, dizziness and headaches. In hospitals this is treated with magnesium infusions. Because of its strong relaxing effect, magnesium helps not only to have a better sleep but is also useful in overcoming headaches and migraines. Even the number of suicides is linked to magnesium deficiency: the lower the magnesium content in soil and water in a given region the higher the rates of suicides (9). Epilepsy is marked by abnormally low magnesium levels in the blood, spinal fluid and brain, causing hyperexcitability in regions of the brain. There are many reported causes of epilepsy greatly improving or disappearing with magnesium supplementation. In a trial with 30 epileptics 450mg of magnesium supplied daily successfully controlled seizures. Another study found that the lower the magnesium blood levels the more severe was the epilepsy. Magnesium works best combined with vitamin B6 and zinc. In sufficient concentrations, magnesium inhibits convulsions by limiting or slowing the spread of the electric discharge from an isolated group of brain cells to the rest of the brain. Even the initial burst of firing nerve cells that starts an epileptic attack can be suppressed with magnesium (9).

Magnesium for Rejuvenation

Calcium and magnesium are opposites in their effects on our body structure. As a general rule, the softer our body structure the more we need calcium, while the more rigid and inflexible it is, the less calcium and the more magnesium we need. Magnesium can everse the age-related degenerative calcification of our body structure and with this help us to rejuvenate. Young women, children and most of all babies have soft body structures and smooth skin with low calcium and high magnesium levels in their cells and soft tissues. They generally need high calcium intakes. This is the biochemistry of youth. As we age and most pronounced in old men and post-menopausal women, we become more and more inflexible. The arteries harden to cause arteriosclerosis, the skeletal system calcifies to cause rigidity with fusion of the spine and joints, kidneys and other organs and glands increasingly calcify and harden with stone formation, calcification in the eyes causes cataracts and even the skin hardens, becoming tough and wrinkled.

In this way calcium is in the same league as oxygen and free radicals, while magnesium works together with hydrogen and the antioxidants to keep our body structure soft. While a higher magnesium intake is beneficial for most individuals, those with low blood pressure usually require more calcium in addition. Normal blood pressure is about 120/80; the lower it is the higher should be the daily intake of calcium. While those with high blood pressure may benefit from ingesting up to twice as much magnesium as calcium, those with low blood pressure may take twice as much calcium as magnesium, but both minerals in relatively high amounts. Those with low blood pressure and a tendency towards inflammations may also reduce their intake of phosphorus. A gynaecologist reported that some of the first organs to calcify are the ovaries, leading to pre-menstrual tension. When he put his patients on a high magnesium intake their PMT vanished and they felt and looked much younger. Most of these women said that they lost weight, increased their energy, felt less depressed and enjoyed sex again much more than before. For men it is equally beneficial for problems arising from an enlarged prostate gland. Symptoms commonly improve after a period of supplementation with magnesium chloride (11).

Other Health Benefits

We see how essential magnesium is to the normal function of the cardiovascular and nervous system as well as in over 300 enzyme reactions and in energy production..In The lists of the health benefits magnesium exerts on the different body systems and this long. Many of them already mentioned here and includes, the cardiovascular and nervous system, and energy production followed by digestive, respiratory, excretory, lymphatic/immune, musculoskeletal, respiratory and reproductive system, not to mention it positive influence on metabolism like weight, blood sugar and cholesterol control. It is needed for protein, starch and fat metabolism and is important in liver, thyroid and parathyroid function, even hearing, vision and oral health are listed. Pathologies associated with magnesium deficiencies are staggering: Hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, kidney and liver damage, migraine, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, recurrent bacterial infections, fungal infections, premenstrual syndrome, calcium and potassium deficiency, diabetes, cramps, muscle weakness, impotence, aggression, fibromas, hearing loss and iron accumulation (1). Increased magnesium helps to prevent or dissolve kidney stones and gall bladder stones. Activation of digestive enzymes and bile production as well as improving a healthy intestinal flora are factors that make magnesium chloride beneficial in normalising our digestive processes, reducing digestive discomfort, bloating and offensive stool odours. It actually reduces all offensive body odours, including underarm and foot odour. This may explain why chlorophyll is generally very effective in reducing body odour, it is high in magnesium.

Caution: Magnesium supplementation should be avoided with severe kidney problems (severe renal insufficiency when on dialysis), and also with myasthenia gravis. Be careful with severe adrenal weakness or with low blood pressure. Too much magnesium can cause muscle weakness, if this happens temporarily use more calcium.

Copyright 穢 2009 Barbara Bourke and Walter Last. All rights reserved.

Rub On Relief Review: Why The No 1 Natural Pain Relief Cream Is So Good

This article gives a short review of Rub On Relief cream, a product from Living Well Nutraceuticals. This #1 natural pain relief cream earned its mark from the use of homeopathic ingredients that work wonders to provide pain relief for many different pain conditions.

What Is Homeopathy?

As one of many natural healing remedies, homeopathy started out in Europe and is also used by the early settlers in the USA. It was discovered by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the 1800s, when he uncovered a medicine principle known as "like cures like". This breakthrough was later called homeopathy.

The basic idea is that if a small dose of medicine is introduced into a healthy body and it produces symptoms similar to the sick, this medicine can also cure that sickness. However, higher doses will not work as it prevents the body to function naturally.

Homeopathy has branched into two paths: classical, which is premised on a single remedy for an ailment; and clinical, which combines remedies for synergistic healing. Rub On Relief cream derives its benefit from the latter by using a mixture of 8 homeopathic ingredients. We explore briefly what these ingredients do below.

Belladonna -- Used as an anaesthetic for surgery before the Middle Ages, Belladonna is used in cough syrups to alleviate throat pain; it is also useful for intestinal inflammation and menstrual cramps.

Naja -- This ingredient targets the nerves, the pain center of the body, to quickly heal and soothe pain.

Rhus Tox -- This is known to treat arthritic pain, joint stiffness, sprains, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis.

Ignatia -- The Chinese have used Ignatia to calm nerves and relieve pain. It gives more mobility in muscles and joints by relaxing nerves and muscles to ease blood flow.

MSM -- This delivers vital sulphur to connective tissues to help form health bonds that promote quick healing.

Menthol -- By increasing blood flow and circulation to the area it's applied, Menthol speeds healing. However, too much of it causes a burning sensation, so Rub On Relief uses the titrated form (which uses less Menthol for same effect).

Phosphorus -- Regulating the nerves that send the pain message to the brain, Phosphorus reduces the agonizing burning feeling in your muscles.

Lachesis Mutus -- This removes toxins from the blood, thereby reducing swelling in the joints and the accompanying pain.

How Homeopathic Ingredients In Rub On Relief Works Wonders

This mix of 8 homeopathics in Rub On Relief works wonders to relieve pain in many situations. Let's look at what ingredients are active for the following pain conditions:

Sprains, Arthritis, Backaches: Rhus Tox, Lachesis Mutus

Inflammation, Nerve tissue pain: Menthol, Naja

Burning sensations: Phosphorus

Shooting pain: Belladonna

Muscle spasms, Emotional pain: Ignatia

In addition to these homeopathic ingredients, Rub On Relief contains Cetyl Myristoleate and Magnesium Sulfate to provide a total solution for effective pain relief.

As can be seen in this review, Living Well's Rub On Relief cream is made from natural but potent ingredients that provide synergistic healing for many pain problems.

TMJ Exercises - The Solution to a Painful Problem?

It is possible to strengthen just about every single part of our bodies in some way or another. This is even true for our jaws. Yes, it is possible to do TMJ exercises and strengthen your temporomandibular joint. The TMJ is the joint that is in charge of how your jaw moves. It controls the opening and closing of your mouth and the movement of your lower jaw from side to side. It's a cartilage covered ball and socket joint. The joint also has a disk in it whose job is mainly to prevent wear and tear from taking their toll on your jaw. While your jaw gets plenty of exercise when you eat, there might be other times when you want to do other kinds of exercises that will improve the health of your jaw.

Most people can go their entire lives without experiencing severe problems with their temporomandibular joints. Of course between five and fifteen percent of the population do experience some kind of problem with their TMJs and experience some kind of pain. Making sure to exercise your TMJ can help you prevent as well as overcome many of the issues that accompany TMJ disorders. Just make sure to do them properly or you could injure your jaw further.

A similar comparison can be made to sore elbows and ankles. If your elbows and ankles are sore, do you need to exercise those parts of your body all the time to heal them if they are injured? Of course not. Typically you apply ice and heat to the affected area of your body and then, once it starts to feel better, you might exercise it to strengthen the muscles that surround it. This is the same thing that you need to do with your temporomandibular joints. While there are facial yoga exercises that you can do to strengthen your jaw, if you over do it then in the long run you could end up doing more harm than good.

If you have been experiencing signs and symptoms of a TMJ disorder you need to figure out what is causing the problem before you try any strengthening exercises or begin any treatments. Sometimes they are caused by the shifting of your teeth (this can't be cured by facial exercises). Sometimes the disorders are caused by stress in your daily life. Before you try to treat the problems in your jaw joint, you need to figure out what is causing your jaw to move incorrectly or to lock. Seek out the help of your doctor and dentist to figure out what is causing your disorder. Exercising your TMJ could only exacerbate the problem if you try to do the exercise before figuring out the cause of the problem.

Of course, there are plenty of reasons that you should exercise your temporomandibular joints on a regular basis. Exercise will strengthen the joint and the stronger your jaw, the easier time it will have standing up to the wear and tear of TMJ disorders. Just make sure to proceed with caution if you start to experience pain.

How to Prevent TMJ Disorders

In case you have been told that one particular treatment can detect the development of temporomandibular joint syndrome, you better think again. In fact, there is no evidence that there exist such a thing at the moment. It is primarily because you cannot perfectly sense that you are slowly developing the disorder. Its symptoms are closely similar to other ailments so you will never suspect it in its onset. You better contemplate on the potential treatment first before giving it a try. However, there are things you can do to prevent it from happening. That sounds better.

Jaw problems tend to heal on their own after a couple of weeks or months. Your case may not turn out to be as chronic as it seems if you seek help earlier. There are many therapies that can prevent it from getting worse. You just need to figure out the best for your case. Keep in mind that you will need assistance from a professional in achieving this goal. That is the right way to deal with it. Some of these therapies can even be done in the comforts of your home.

One of the most effortless treatment for TMJ symptoms is hot or cold compress. All you need is hot water or ice and heat or cold pack. You may even utilize a towel if you do not have a pack readily available. Just be sure that you do not burn yourself when you use heat. This can improve your TMJ's function and gradually reduces pain, too. The ice pack can also decrease the inflammation and eventually numb the pain to promote healing. Be certain that you do not place the ice pack directly into your skin, too. Wrapping it in a clean cloth can do better. You may also need to start a soft diet while you undergo medication. Avoid hard and chewy food items as much as possible. Prefer blended and soft foods to let your jaw rest for the time being.

You can also ask for prescription medicines from your TMJ dentist. You can easily purchase this over-the-counter for short term relief from TMJ symptoms. Analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can provide temporary relief from the pain. However, if you wanted a long term relief from the disorder, your TMJ dentist can prescribe a surgical operation for worse cases. On the other hand, it may directly affect you bite and can drastically alter your dental structure. Opt for non-surgical remedies such as wearing of dental appliances like night guards. This is a convenient way to commence your healing process. Make sure you set an appointment with your TMJ dentist sooner.

How to Get Pain Relief for Spinal Stenosis Without Drugs or Surgery

The human backbone (spine) is a very complex biological structure. The spine is composed of 26 bone discs that are called "vertebrae". The complex mechanisms and structures of the spinal column allow us to bend forward, backwards, and side to side. Additionally, the spine carries an electrical system called "nerves" that transmit complex electrochemical messages to our organs, muscles, other skeleton bone structures (arms, hands, feet), and it is all wired back into the brain, our biological computer system.

There are a wide variety of injuries and ailments that can affect the proper functioning of the spine. Infections, injuries, and tumors can lead to different spinal problems, such as spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, arthritis, scoliosis, compression fractures, and many others. In this article, we will focus on a single spinal injury, spinal stenosis, and how the pain from this condition may be improved by chiropractic care.

What is spinal stenosis?

In its simplest definition, spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column which puts pressure on the spinal nerves. Spinal stenosis mainly affects those over the age of 50 and the elderly population in general.

As some people age, the spinal joints become arthritic and form bone spurs. The ligaments thicken, and the discs may collapse and protrude into the spinal canal. Since there is a limited amount of room within the spinal canal, these intrusions put pressure on the nerves. As a consequence, there is often back and leg pain, which can be made worse by standing or walking.

Symptoms of spinal stenosis are varied and may include pain in the neck or back, pain in the legs and arms, numbness, weakness, or foot problems. Traditional allopathic medical treatment involves surgery, medications, braces, and physical therapy.

In some of the most severe cases, medication is not sufficient to relieve pain, and epidural steroid injections are used to suppress the nerve-pain impulses. When even steroid injections don't work, surgical decompression may be recommended. Both of these treatments are invasive and potentially dangerous. This is why chiropractic treatment of spinal stenosis may be a better option.

Since the main cause of pain in spinal stenosis is the compression and narrowing of the spinal canal pressing in on the nerves, effective chiropractic treatment would involve manipulating the spine to open up the canals to allow for a natural increased blood flow and less pressure on the nerves. Special spinal decompression manipulation techniques are employed by the skilled chiropractor to relieve pressure on nerves and blood vessels.

Additionally an advanced technique called non-surgical spinal decompression therapy may also be may helpful. This computerized treatment produces negative pressure within the disc, which gives the patient's body an opportunity to heal naturally.

An added advantage to chiropractic treatment is its cost effectiveness and safety. The risk of injury associated with chiropractic care is exceedingly low. Many thousands of people have obtained relief from overwhelming spinal and back pain, using chiropractic treatment.

In fact, there are many reported instances of people with spinal stenosis, who after repeated failures with traditional therapies, finally found pain relief when they discovered chiropractic treatment for spinal stenosis!

Compensatory Movement Patterns

When a machine moves, stress on the moving components will deteriorate or wear out the machinery. If the alignment of the specific segments or moving parts is not ideal then the machine will eventually break down. In contrast to machinery, stress on the moving segments of the human body is necessary and graded stress can actually improve the strength of the involved tissues-two of the advantageous characteristics of the human body. There are upper and lower limits that determine whether or not it will be beneficial to the health of the tissues. Any loss in the precise movement can begin a process that can induce changes that can cause micro trauma to macro trauma in the involved tissues. I will try to give you examples of common movement impairment syndromes that will create faulty mechanical wear and tear which eventually leads to pain or dysfunction.
 
Over-Stretch Weakness
 
Muscles can become weak when they're maintained in a lengthened position, particularly when the stretch occurs over periods of prolonged rest. For example, the development of elongated dorsiflexor and shortened plantar flexor muscles in the patient confined to supine bed rest with the sheets exerting a downward pull on the feet, causing an additional force into plantar flexion, therefore lengthening the dorsiflexor muscles. Another example is the prolonged stretch of the posterior gluteus medius that occurs while sleeping on your side. A woman with a wide pelvis with her uppermost leg positioned in adduction, flexion and medial rotation will test weak in hip abduction, extension and lateral rotation. The resultant lengthening of the muscle can produce postural hip adduction or an apparent leg length discrepancy in a standing position.

Sleeping in a side-lying position with the lower shoulder pushed forward pushes the scapula into abduction and tilted forward. This position can stretch the lower trapezius and possibly the rhomboids. The top shoulder can also be susceptible to pull the scapula into the abducted, forward position as well, especially if the thorax is large. This sleeping position can cause the humeral head in the glenoid to migrate towards a forward position.

Characteristics of muscles with over-stretched weakness include:
 
1. Postural alignment controlled by the muscle indicates the muscle is longer than ideal.
 
2. Muscle tests weak throughout its range of motion and not only in its shortened position.
 
An over - stretch weakness can also be caused by a strain from trying to lift a heavy object. Remember, strain is a minor form of tear in which the filaments of the muscle have been stretched or stressed beyond their physiological limit resulting in disruption of the Z-lines to which the actin filaments attach. These disruptions alter the alignment of the myofilaments which interferes with the tension-generating ability of the contractile elements. Muscle weakness occurs and in many instances, pain when the muscle is palpated or when resistance is applied during muscle contractions. For example, if the upper trapezius is strained, weight of the shoulder girdle itself might be excessive for the muscle. The shoulder's pull on the muscle causes it to elongate and the muscle is unable to heal. A strained muscle might actually be under constant tension even when it appears to be at its normal resting length. Typically, a strained muscle is unable to support itself against gravity when positioned at the end of its range. Furthermore, the muscle is unable to maintain its tension at any point of the range when resistance is applied.

When a muscle becomes elongated and weak, then it's contribution or tension-generating capabilities will change and another muscle will have to take over, creating a compensatory movement pattern. This will eventually become the normal pattern which then causes health problems down the line. Therefore, stretching might not always be optimal to alleviate muscle spasm or pain. Stretching and placing excessive force demands on the muscle is contra-indicated if it is strained. It is the length of the muscle and the presence of pain that act as guides to whether the muscle is merely weak from atrophy or weak form strain.

Traditionally, the emphasis is placed on stretching the muscles that have shortened, but equal emphasis has not been placed on correcting muscles that have lengthened. Lengthened muscles will not automatically shorten when stretching the antagonist. A client who demonstrates Lower-Cross Syndrome might have an exercise program that stretches the hamstrings, however, this does not concurrently shorten the lengthened muscles such as the lumbar back extensors. It would be prudent to shorten the elongated muscle while simultaneously stretching the shortened muscle. This is especially important when the lengthened muscle controls the joint that becomes the site of the compensatory motion as a result of the limited motion caused by the shortened muscles. For example, during forward bending, excessive lumbar flexion can occur as a compensatory motion because of shortened hamstrings. The best intervention would be to stretch the tight hamstring muscles but also shorten the back extensor muscles as well.
 
Altered Recruitment Patterns

A person with shoulder pain has excessive shoulder elevation during shoulder flexion to 90 degrees as compared to a person without shoulder pain. The elevation is present even after the patient no longer experiences the pain. Runners who tend to keep their weight posterior-closer to the rear than to the front of the foot show they use the hip flexor strategy, which also involves an excessive use of the tibialis anterior muscle, leading to shin splints. In contrast, runners who keep their weight line forward can be observed to use more push off with their ankle plantar flexor muscles.

The upper trapezius muscle, which is the upper component of the force-couple that controls upward rotation of the scapula can be more dominant than the lower trapezius. Muscle testing might show a weakness of the lower trapezius or the serratus anterior. One might notice excessive shoulder elevation when abducting the arm. Muscle strengthening might not necessarily change the pattern of recruitment. Instructing the client in correct performance of shoulder motion using a mirror is as important as the strengthening exercises you might prescribe.

An individual with an exaggerated swayback posture who stands in hip joint extension has diminished contour of the gluteal muscles, suggesting a weakness in these muscles. The hamstrings will usually take up the slack in hip extension. The hamstrings are extremely susceptible to an overuse syndrome when they are dominant because of the inadequate participation of the abdominal, gluteus maximus or even rectus femoris, as well as the lateral rotators of the hip. 

The TFL (tensor fascia latae) and rectus femoris muscles are more dominant than the iliopsoas muscle hip flexion. In this situation the client will show excessive hip medial rotation. The person usually has a swayback posture.

The TFL, anterior gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles are more dominant than the posterior gluteus muscle in the action of hip abduction. When abducting, the client will substitute with medial rotation and flexion of the hip.

The extensor digitorum longus muscle is more dominant than the anterior tibialis muscle for the action of ankle dorsiflexion. The client will extend the toes as the initial movement of dorsiflexion instead of ankle motion.
 
The hamstring muscles are more dominant for the action of knee extension. In walking or running, once the foot is fixed on the ground the hip extension action from the hamstrings contributes to extension of the knee. Hip extension to assist in knee extension is commonly used by the person who has weakness of the quadriceps muscles. To reenforce the knee extension action, the person flexes the trunk slightly to use gravity to further contribute to the knee extension movement. A similar pattern is seen in the runner who uses the hamstrings for knee extension control. He or she will bring the knee backward toward the body rather than bring the body up to the knee as when climbing stairs.

When asked to perform finger extension, many individuals will demonstrate a small degree of wrist flexion. This type of compensatory movement pattern occurs most frequently with individuals who perform a lot of repetitive wrist flexion such as typing. As a result of this position of wrist flexion movement, the position of flexed joint and the anterior position of the flexor tendons reduce the carpal tunnel space, which can result in carpal tunnel syndrome.    
 
In summary, the mechanical stress on tissues arising from movement impairment syndromes can cause a wide variety of injuries. The various injuries implicated can be degenerative changes in cartilage and joints, ligament strains, joint inflammation, myofascial strains, myofascial tears, tendinitis, bursitis, neuropathic pain from entrapment and compression and adhesions are a few examples. The better you get at muscle testing and identifying these compensatory movement patterns, the better you'll be able to keep your clients from injury.

Facet Joint Pain Is One Of The Main Causes Of Low Back Pain & Neck Pain

Are you suffering from facet joint pain? Try to answer the following questions. Are you suffering from back pain or neck pain that is not going up to your fingers or toes? Does your neck or back pain moves up to shoulder or buttock? Does your pain increase with backward movement and turning around? If your answer is yes for all the questions, you are probably suffering from facet joint pain.

Diseases in the Facet joint are one of the main reasons of the spinal pain (neck pain, back pain, low back pain). Survey shows that facet joint pain is responsible for 15-45% of low back pain, 42-48% of back pain, 54-68% of neck pain in general population.

In most of the cases this problem cannot be correctly diagnosed because of inconsistent results of imaging techniques. Only when the problem gets worse the facet joint arthropathy can be seen in X-ray, CT Scan, and MRI. Again, facet joint arthropathy in these imaging does not mean that they are responsible for pain.

The gold standard in diagnosis of facet joint pain is diagnostic facet joint block. It is very simple; local anesthetic drug is injected into your facet joint or nerve supplying the joint. If your pain is relieved then you are suffering from facet joint pain.

Now it is diagnosed that you are suffering from facet joint pain. Question is: how to solve this problem? Mainly there are two processes to solve this problem. Firstly, we can give local Anaesthetic and Depo-steroid injection into the facet joint. In the second process Medial Branch nerve that supplies the facet joint is blocked or ablated.

In the first process your pain will be relieved, but you can't get long-term relief. The second one is more effective than the first one. Here Radio Frequency Generator is used either to ablate the nerve with conventional radio frequency, or pain signal is blocked with pulsed radio frequency without any damage of the nerve.

Treating Gout - 10 Tips For Pain Relief

When you wake up at 2 am with unbearable pain in your big toe - or elsewhere - you need quick pain relief! If you are prone to gout attacks or have a history of gout in your family, be prepared and learn about treating gout proactively - stop eating the high purine foods that increase the uric acid in your blood which can eventually lead to a gout attack. Here are some tips to help you get through a gout attack and to help prevent a reoccurence:

1. Have a kit handy which includes the items you need for a gout pain attack. Chances are, you won't be able to run to the pharmacy in the middle of the night, even if you could walk on your foot or, horrors, put on your shoes and socks! If you keep your supplies somewhere handy in a box or bag, you will always be prepared when a gout attack occurs.


2. First step - spray the affected joint with a deep penetrating pain spray, such as STOPAIN, which is readily available at most pharmacies;


3. No STOPAIN? A lot of people are saying they get quick relief by spraying WD-40 on the painful joint. I don't know what's in WD-40 that would stop the pain, but since it's a penetrating oil, it would get to the affected joint quickly;


4. Take some TYLENOL or other over-the-counter pain reliever; however, don't take aspirin, it just makes matters worse;


5. If you have a bathtub, soak in a warm bath in which you have dissolved 2 handfuls of EPSOM SALTS and one handful of ROCK SALT. Some people have reported success by also adding some APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. If you don't have a bathtub, you can soak in a bucket or other large container;


6. Drink a LOT of WATER to start flushing the monosodium urate crystals from the affected joint and the uric acid from your body. If you don't have high blood pressure or aren't on a sodium restricted diet, drink a glass of water in which you have dissolved 1/2 teaspoon of BAKING SODA a couple of times a day;


7. CHERRIES are very good for gout pain. Eat 1/2 pound of fresh or canned (unsweetened) dark, red cherries each day. They aid your circulation and reduce inflammation. If you prefer, you can drink 100% natural cherry juice (no sugar), concentrated cherry juice which you dilute (no sugar), or buy Cherry Extract. If you don't like cherries, blueberries would be the second choice;


8. Don't drink alcohol, coffee, tea, soda, or any other drinks that contain caffeine. Do drink a tea made from BURDOCK ROOT, or take BURDOCK CAPSULES;


9. Take HAWTHORN BERRY supplements. They will reduce the inflammation and increase your circulation also. Other helpful herbs are ADDER'S TONGUE and DEVIL'S CLAW;


10. Each day take 1000 mg of VITAMIN C, 250 mg of VITAMIN E, B COMPLEX, BETA CAROTENE, and FISH capsules. It's also a good idea to always take a MULTI-VITAMIN each day.

There you have it! Ten steps you can take now and/or when a gout attack occurs. Read below for more information and a FREE mini-course.

Water Your Joints

You've heard the hype about drinking water, but did you know that maintaining proper hydration can do far more for your body than just helping you lose weight? In fact, fluid intake will help to promote circulation and help to reduce the toxicity that leads to joint inflammation. It might well be the key to relieve joint pain.

Nobody knows more about water and its many benefits than Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj. "Dr. B." is the author of Your Body's Many Cries for Water and he outlines the following facts pertaining to water and joint pain:

Water prevents and helps to cure arthritis.

Rheumatoid joint pain - arthritis - is a signal of water shortage in the painful joint. It can affect the young as well as the old. The use of pain-killers does not cure the problem, but exposes the person to further damage from pain medications. Intake of water and small amounts of salt will cure this problem.

Water prevents and helps to cure back pain and relieve joint pain.
Low back pain and ankylosing arthritis of the spine are signs of water shortage in the spinal column and discs - the water cushions that support the weight of the body. These conditions should be treated with increased water intake - not a commercial treatment, but a very effective one.

Not recognizing arthritis and low back pain as signs of dehydration in the joint cavities and treating them with pain-killers, manipulation, acupuncture, and eventually surgery will, in time, produce osteoarthritis when the cartilage cells in the joints have eventually all died. It will produce deformity of the spine. It will produce crippling deformities of the limbs. Pain medications have their own life-threatening complications.

If you're experiencing joint pain, and you've tried everything else, maybe you should consider drinking more water! It's worth a shot, and you've got nothing to lose but the pain.

Rash on Legs With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Often when women feel the onset of rheumatoid arthritis - more excruciatingly the joint pain, a rash on the leg or both legs may appear and it can be extremely difficult to find the right solution or supplement to put it to rest.

Psoriatic arthritis tends to be ones first suspicion as to the cause, but what is clear though is that rashes appear at many different times and should not be strictly associated with the ailment you are suffering from at that time, although it's perfectly acceptable to draw a correlation between the two.

So, if you are using NSAID's to treat the swelling around the joints then these themselves could be the culprit as the effects of these are well documented today.

Common prescription medicines for rheumatoid arthritis include Plaquenil, Norco and Ibuprofen, and aside from such treatment affects as liver damage, heart disease and heart palpitations or arrhythmia which can lead to cardiac arrest, they can also give you a rash.

If you are using more than one prescribed NSAID then don't be afraid to chop and change between the two.

NSAID's are just one way to treat joint pain and you shouldn't feel they are the only means you can seek pain relief.

In fact prescription drugs do nothing to stop the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, rather they just numb the pain so if you are using these solely to treat rheumatoid arthritis, in no way are you helping the remission process.

If you want to keep using NSAID's but resorting to just one supplement still doesn't help, then you should seriously start thinking about changing your lifestyle habits so you can incorporate different therapies to treat the pain.

Exercise is the best form of treatment, specifically swimming. By increasing your muscle strength you immediately provide support to the joint and an almost instant lift in your health and how you feel.

Low impact sports are best so as to avoid stress on the joints, and don't be afraid to use natural supplements which include omega 3, 6, 9 proteins, ingredients like reishi and capsaicin, and supplements like vitamin D and magnesium, which is the only element which has been proven to increase bone density by some 11% over the course of 9 months, as was carried out by the Journal Medicine in 2009.

Once you're off the NSAID's and in to a more proactive and positive lifestyle, it's highly unlikely that any rash on the legs will remain.

Joint Pain Worrying You?

What has inflammation got to do with joint pain?

Normally, a healthy immune system triggers the inflammatory response in order to deal with the sporadic threats like injury or inflammation. But in the case of many women, these inflammatory responses are constantly at a low level. This chronic, but low-grade inflammation prevents the regeneration of cells and at the same time repair as well as gradually tear down tissues which also include the ones in your joints.

Causes of joint pain due to chronic inflammation

The causes of chronic inflammation can be attributed to a diet which is too high on the amount of refined carbohydrates and at the same time too low in essential fatty acids. A high carbohydrate diet can extend for a long time in terms of high levels of insulin which can disrupt cellular metabolism and spreads inflammation. Undiagnosed allergies in terms of foods or sensitivities can also contribute to inflammation when those are eaten. A lot of women with chronic inflammation can also suffer from digestive problems due to an inflamed digestive tract.

Another factor contributing to inflammation can be stress. Cortisol is a hormone which is released when a person is under stress. The most common which can be experienced by everyone is sustained stress and can cause an inflammation in no time.

Most of the women report their first joint pain when they are in a state of perimenopause or approaching menopause. During this transition hormone shift can occur especially fluctuating estrogen levels can have a heavy impact on how joints feel. Since, estrogen normally has an inflammatory effect in the body, falling estrogen levels can also increase the symptoms of chronic inflammation.

Joint pain remedies-

There are a lot of ways through which you can relieve your joint pain and you can start with the underlying causes. Dietary changes can help a lot such as reducing the amount of refined carbohydrates as well as sugar can make a dramatic difference to your pain in the joints. Healthy eating comprising of foods such as including more of fruits and vegetables which contain anti-inflammatories and at the same time adding a high quality multivitamin can refuel your nutritional deficiencies. Other treatment for joint pains can include;

• Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
• Changes in lifestyle like stress relief as well as moderate exercises
• Physiotherapy

you can find all types of joint remedies at our site with the price you wanted to see.

Equine Joint Care Basics - How to Take Care of Your Horse's Joints

It can be difficult to perfectly balance a horse's good health with its owner's equine needs, but when it comes to a horse's joints, overwork and trauma can lead to a horse's lameness and inability to perform any work at all. A disease called degenerative joint disease is found commonly among older horses and is a result of wear and tear, trauma, and the fact that domestic horses live longer than their wild brothers.

This is a condition that befalls most horse during their lifetime unless the horse is largely let alone to pasture and is never ridden. While a horse certainly is a wonderful mode of conveyance, the horse's body did not develop and evolve with a large amount of weight on top in mind. With this in mind, joint care should be an important aspect of your horse overall health care.

Degenerative joint disease is the name given to the condition that arises and progresses as a horse's joint becomes worn. The membrane within the joint is slowly worn and inflamed to where it no longer produces the fluids found in a joint regularly or in sufficient quantities. The limited amount of fluid causes the cartilage of the joint to thin and possibly even tear which will be painful for your horse. A horse with untreated degenerative joint disease will likely experience lameness.

The first sign of joint problems is puffiness around the joint areas. Unless you are looking for this, you are unlikely to notice it, and a horse that exhibits no other symptoms might still be on the path towards serious joint disability.

More overt and obvious symptoms involve clear pain in the joint areas, and your horse may be very reluctant to do work. At this stage, the horse will have obvious puffiness around the joints. You may note that your horse movements and gait seems to be stiff when you first brought her out and that they improve as she warms up. If you notice that maneuvers that usually would have been easily performed are now very difficult or your horse refuses to do them, this may also be a sign that degenerative joint disease has indeed set in.

You should bring your horse in for a checkup immediately if you suspect that it is developing degenerative joint disease. A flex test will be carry out on the joints. Afterward you will likely be asked to lead your horse to walk around briefly which will give your vet a chance to get a look at the horse's gait. At this point the vet will tell you what he or she thinks and your horse may require x-rays.

There are a couple of options to help manage your horse's joint problem. After working, you may choose to spray down your horse's joints with cold water. This simple exercise will help to reduce the swelling in the area. You might also consider limiting your horse to activities that do not stress the affected joints.

Last but not least, your veterinarian can administer injections, made out of your horse's own blood, that go directly into the joint to help mitigate the pain and inflammation.

Food Sensitivity Testing

Taken From a Health Talk Given Recently

I've been practicing alternative health care over the last twenty-five plus years and we do a lot of functional health care testing in our office to help people get well from chronic conditions that they have been suffering from. In a variety of conditions, we will rely on information from food sensitivity and food allergy testing as part of our protocol for helping these individuals get well. These difficulties with food sensitivities can be found in the most obvious situations such as reflux disorders, digestive disorders, colitis and irritable bowel as well as in other less obvious situations where people may have hidden allergies that they are really not aware of, and these may be undermining their immune system and their energy levels such as in adrenal fatigue syndromes and in other chronic health problems where people are worn down over a long period of time and progress to more degenerative processes that spiral-down their health.

There are three major ways of looking at food allergy outside of skin testing that I would like to address. Many people familiar with skin testing where many items are tested at once and this is a valid form of allergy testing and, in my opinion, should be reserved for those who have medically threatening conditions related to allergic responses where they may be at risk for anaphylaxis or closing up of the throat and disorders leading to compromise of the kidney and other grave medical conditions. Those are the kinds of patients that belong with a medical allergist. On the other hand, the vast majority of people with sensitivities and food allergies that are hidden from their awareness would likely be best served from the evaluation by a simple blood test, where your blood is drawn in the usual fashion and then reacted with, let's say, a hundred different foods, to see whether or not certain reactions occur to the blood indicating that there is a problem with that food.

So, in the area of food antibody testing, there is the classic IgE antibody assessment and the blood will be reacted with a number of foods and the laboratory will measure whether or not your blood has developed an antibody to the particular food substance and then measure how severe the antibody response is. The IgE food allergy assessment and IgE assessments in general, such as for other environmental elements like molds and trees, etc., that type of allergic response is more of an immediate response. Sometimes we call it an atopic response. An example would be the classic strawberry and hives reaction where you eat strawberries and some minutes later, you notice that you are developing hives. So these are the types of allergies that very often people would be well aware of and indeed, some authorities state that when somebody has an IgE allergy, that they are generally always aware of it. My experience has been different. There are actually many people who do have IgE allergies to foods and other inhalants and environmentals that are not aware of it, and so that is an important point to keep this in mind.

We do have testing for what we called "hidden allergies" and that would be IgG food allergies where a different type of antibody is produced by the food and this type of response can take anywhere from 72 hours up to a whole week to develop and so the impact on the body is delayed by the timing of the reaction in such a way that it is very hard to track. One cannot usually tell that the sweet potatoes that they were allergic to, that they had at dinner four days ago, is what is impacting their health and perhaps dragging down their energy levels at this point in time. So the finding of hidden food allergies can be a gold mine of value to the person who is suffering chronic health disorders in enabling them to get a hold of a list of foods that is pulling down their health quotient that they did not even know about, and that with that list, they are then equipped to eliminate those foods and avoid that "drag" on their physiology and help open up a new avenue towards healing and improved health.

The third area of food testing that I would like to talk about is leukocyte sensitivity testing and that is where we react your blood samples with the various foods that we are testing and we look to see what happens with the white blood cells. The white blood cells, the leukocytes swell in size, and they are rated as to a level of sensitivity; if they burst open they are considered severe reactions and these are rated for you. This is another form of testing in which we can detect foods that are offensive to your system, actually damaging your white blood cells which would signal alarm reactions in your body as it does in any form of allergic insult.

This alarm mechanism is then distressing to the rest of your system and your body has to deal with this. If you are compromised in one area and you are fighting this hidden allergy at the same time, you are left with less reserve. Solving food sensitivities and food allergies can follow a process to recovery in a variety of chronic health conditions especially fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, chronic digestive problems, and often chronic headaches. There are many conditions in which this can be a very valuable tool.

The All in One Source of Hip Injuries Information

The Hip Flexor inherently has a lot to do with the Hip Joint. Hip Joint pain is often intertwined or confused with Hip Flexor pain; hopefully this article can clarify on the former.

The hip joint is the joint where the leg is attached to the upper torso, in other words the top of the leg connects with the pelvic bones. This is an extremely intricate area much like the Hip Flexor region because of the overlap, and many people suffer pain for many different reasons. Inflammation, tears, trauma, wear and tear, and many other factors can cause several serious conditions.

Hip Joint Pain Causes

Inflammation

Inflammation is basically the swelling of a body part when it is engorged by blood. It is a biological response in response to certain pain or other stimuli that signal that the body is being damaged or has been damaged.

Tendon Inflammation

Tendons are the strong tensile tissues that connect muscles to bones for the most part. In all cases they are attaching something in your body to another. When these become inflamed they can cause significant pain by not being able to operate correctly and by interacting with other internal parts they are not designed to. The result of this kind of inflammation is more often or not some sort of tendonitis.

Inflammation of Bursas

Bursas are little cushion like structures filled with fluid at all your major joints. Think of them like a pillow in between your head and the ground if you were lying on the floor. While your head and floor would hurt if they were directly moving against each other, with a pillow (bursa) in between any pain is ideally diminished during movement. When these bursas become inflamed however, they can become sensitive to movement and have functioning problems which leads to pain during movement.

Surrounding Injuries

Since the Hip Joint is central to a lot of body movements and functions, it depends on surrounding muscles and inner workings to function properly. When there are surrounding issues like lower back pain, Sciatica, Hip Flexor Tendonitis, there is often a correlation to Hip joint pain.

Wear and Tear

This is really the only truly age dependent cause of Hip joint pain that occurs somewhere just after middle age for many people. Any bad habits of posture, walking, etc. eventually start to catch up with you once you get older. The years of stress on the Hip can accumulate and emerge in different ways, but the result is usually a lot of pain, and in many cases this is why people need Hip replacement surgery as they age.

Common Conditions and Injuries

Arthritis

There are many types of Hip arthritis, but the most common is Osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis is caused by wear and tear because it usually affects elder people. In a joint there are many contributing body parts that help to ensure proper functionality; one of these is protective cartilage. In this condition the cartilage is slowly grinded down until only bone is left in the joint, and at this point a tremendous amount of Hip joint pain is suffered.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is caused by inflammation of the tendons connected to body parts, usually muscles. It usually occurs as a result of overuse of a certain body part, in this case the Hip Joint. Overuse in this case is a relative term that is measured in terms of bodily capacity (the fitness level) that can occur at any age.

Osteonecrosis

This condition results from a lack of blood flow to an area, in this case the Hip joint. There can be many reasons for restrictive blood flow which need to be diagnosed in person by a qualified physician. The reason for Hip joint pain with this condition is that the lack of blood does not allow for proper upkeep for cells, particular near the bones. Over time this leads to weaker bones that can become brittle and even collapse.

Developmental Diseases

From being a fetus to a child to an adult there are many ways in which people develop. Sometimes there are issues with development though because of diseases. The general term for this is Developmental Dysplasia, which is when a part of a person does not develop properly, like the Hip. There are numerous negative effects of this that usually reveal themselves first in some form of impaired walking and movement. Overtime these impairments will result in different types of Hip joint pain.

Treatments

As seen from the above section there are a wide variety of different Hip injuries that can occur. All of these need to be treated individually based on the specific case. It will be necessary at some point to see a physician in order to have any issues found or treated, the earlier you find the problems the better.

Pain Prevention

There are some things that you can do to prevent Hip joint pain from occurring in the first place. First of all, perform Hip Flexor strengthening to strengthen all the parts around the Hip joint. Strong muscles and tendons are necessary to prevent injury.

Take precautions if you are older. As people get older they become less mobile and durable, it is crucial to plan for this. Make sure that everyday things are organized properly, don't leave clutter around that someone can trip on, and get rid of anything slippery. If you live in a cold climate make sure to shovel and get rid of any ice around the house.

For women specifically, who have a higher risk of hip and back fractures in general, it is important to try to prevent injuries by getting all necessary nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and bisphosphonates to keep bones strong.

A final word on this subject - If you have any Hip joint pain or feel at risk, go visit your doctor to get more information, it is always better to be on the safe side.

Five Common Herbal Remedies for Arthritis

Treating the different types of arthritis can be very taxing. Aside from the differing views on which ones are effective, medication that control the signs and symptoms of the disease can be very costly. Not everyone can have access to such medications due to their inability to afford them. However, there are certain herbal remedies for arthritis that are proven to be effective and recommended by most health practitioners. The following are just five of the most common herbal remedies used to treat the different forms of arthritis.

Ginger. In one study, Indian analysts presented three to seven grams of ginger a day to eighteen individuals having osteoarthritis and twenty eight with rheumatoid arthritis. Over seventy five percent of those who joined the study described at the very least some relief from pain as well as swelling. Also after over 2 years of taking these high servings of ginger, none of them reported reaction. Lots of people drink ginger tea for osteoarthritis. A ginger compress is additionally advantageous for joint diseases.

Oregano. Oregano is a powerful antioxidant. The antioxidant in oregano and other medical mints is due to the substantial amount of rosmarinic acid, a compound that has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant as well as antiviral properties. The antioxidants in oregano could aid in protecting you against the cell damages caused by free radicals. Free radical reactions are certainly involved in inflammation, degenerative joint diseases and the aging process. And evidence is building up that antioxidants may aid ease osteoarthritis as well as rheumatoid arthritis and may be one of the herbal remedies for arthritis.

Pineapple. Bromelain, a chemical in pineapple, assists defend against swelling. Athletic coaches have recommending pineapple to athletes to avoid and handle games traumas. It is thought to have favorable effect on arthritis also. Bromelain can aid the body in getting rid of immune antigen complex that is implicated in some arthritic conditions. It also assists in the absorption of fibrin, yet another compound that is linked to other forms of arthritis

Rosemary. Consuming rosemary herbal tea is already one of the well known herbal remedies for arthritis. The plant's leaves have four anti-inflammatory substances- earnosol, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, and ursolic acid. Carnosol behaves in the same anti-inflammatory paths as steroids as well as aspirin. Oleanolic acid has actually been marketed as an antioxidant in China. Rosmarinic acid acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Ursolic acid, which makes up four percent of the plant by weight, has actually shown to have anti-arthritic effects in animal trials.

Sesame Seeds. One of the herbal remedies for arthritis that come Chinese medicine is consuming sesame seeds. One-half ounce of the seeds has about four grams of important fatty acids, 175 milligrams of calcium, 64 milligrams of magnesium, and, 0.73 milligrams of copper. Raised copper ingestion might be necessary throughout joint disease attacks considering the body's needs go up throughout inflammation.

How to Cure Knee Pain With CFA Supplements

In our culture, fitness is the symbol of youth and vitality. However, for some people exercising comes with a price. Long-time runners often complain of knee pain. Some give into the pain and stop their workouts. Others say, "No pain. No gain." Wouldn't it be great if you could cure knee pain and continue the healthy lifestyle that you love? There is an answer: cetylated fatty acid (CFA) supplements.

Cetylated fatty acids lubricate cell membranes, allowing your joints to move freely again. For runners and people who are on their feet all day, it can cure knee pain so they can live active, healthy lives. CFA's have been medically and clinically proven to provide significant improvement in as little as 30 minutes.

The good news is that CFA's like Celadrin are available in topical and oral supplements. People who have taken CFA supplements report these benefits:

o Fast-acting relief. In a double-blind clinical study, subjects who took CFA supplements experienced relief in less than half an hour. Subjects who took placebos experienced no relief.
o Available in over-the-counter oral and topical treatments. The great news is that you don't need a prescription to cure knee pain with CFA supplements.
o 100% improvement in clinical trials. All patients who took CFA supplements experienced speedy relief from joint pain. Cetylated fatty acids lubricate the joints while combating inflammation.
o No reported side effects. Cetylated fatty acids are safe and comply with FDA requirements.
o Restored flexibility. CFA supplements help rebuild flexibility in knee joints and provide long-term relief for people who use it regularly.

Cetylated fatty acids enhance cell membranes and promote elasticity in the joints. As CFA's lubricate the joints, the joints are cushioned from the stress and strain of everyday impact. For runners, CFA's are the key to regaining the mobility and flexibility necessary for working out. Why miss out on life when you can live it to the fullest?

Here are some conditions that can benefit from CFA supplements:

o Sports injuries. CFA's can mend and repair a variety of sports injuries by reducing inflammation and relieving the pain.
o Knee injuries. CFA's repair the wear and tear of knee impact and provide fast and long-term relief for common knee pain. They also prevent re-injury by lubricating joints.
o Elbow pain. CFA's reduce swelling and provide relief to painful elbows. Used daily, you'll notice significant improvements in flexibility and movement.
o Joint problems. CFA's lubricate the joints and provide a fluid cushion to prevent re-injury.
o Lower back pain. CFA's relieve the pain and inflammation of back pain due to stress and injury.
o Psoriasis. CFA's reduce inflammation both internally and externally, relieving pain and soreness associated with skin conditions.

CFA supplements are your key to an active life. Work out. Run a marathon. Take a hike. Don't let knee and joint pain keep you down. For people who want to cure knee pain, cetylated fatty acids are the answer. By reducing inflammation, providing lubrication, and healing tender joints, CFA supplements can help you live life to the fullest. Why let a little knee pain ruin your day? Try all-natural cetylated fatty acids, and your knee pain will be a thing of the past.

Why Hip and Ankle Mobility Are So Important

Here is how each joint within our body should function.

繚 Ankle should be mobile

繚 Knee should be stable

繚 Hip should be mobile

繚 Lumber spine should be stable

繚 Thoracic spine should be mobile

繚 Scapula should be stable

繚 Gleno-humeral should be mobile

If the joints that are supposed to be mobile are not then the joints that are supposed to be stable will not be stable they will be used as if they are mobile.

Can you see the problem; the joints that are not supposed to be mobile are being used as if they are. This will create pain.

When we lose ankle mobility, we get knee pain

When we lose hip mobility, we get back pain

We know that these should be mobile, so why do they become immobile for so many people?

Basically this is because the ankle and the hip are not used. We wear shoes that stop are feet from adapting to different surfaces so they don't need to be mobile and we sit down all day with no movement through the hips while are lower back gets ridiculously tight and makes your hips stable.

When the ankle is no longer mobile, instead of taking the impacts of connecting with the earth it sends the impact to the knee instead and the same happens with the hips, the impact is sent to the lumbar spine.

So these areas take the impacts intended for other joints and so it causes pain.

So how can you become mobile again?

It is as simple as moving the joint the way it was intended. However if you haven't mobilised your ankles and hips for a while, most likely the joint will now be compressed. What I mean by this is the joints are jammed together and will seem like there cemented in place.

So you need to decompress the joint, basically remove the two joints away from each other slightly so the joints have more room to move around. I would advise you get a specialised in kinetic chain assessment to do this for you. Once this is done you will find that it is a lot easier to move the joint and mobility drills will be far more effective.

To mobilise the ankle, start by moving the foot in an up and down motion, pointing the toes up and then pointing them down. Next draw circles with your foot rotating through the ankle joint go one way and then the other and then to finish with shake the foot off as if it has water on it.

To mobilize the hip joint, imagine you are hoola hoping and take your hips round in big circles trying to push the hips all the way forwards, backwards and out to the sides. Next tilt the pelvis up at the front and then down at the back. This will start to get your hips mobile again

Here is a quick video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucyelm7nrgo

That shows a quick mobility drill I advise my personal training clients in Manchester to perform before exercise.

Have a go, get mobile and reduce knee and back pain.

Harry Pointon

Manchestercitypersonaltrainer.com

Natural Treatment for Joint Pain

Pain in your joints can be caused by inflammation, arthritis, or degeneration of the cartilage. More and more people today are concerned with the harmful side effects of taking pharmaceutical drugs. There are many products that offer natural joint pain relief and one substance that is very effective is n-acetylglucosamine, or NAG for short.

Benefits of NAG

N-acetylglucosamine is one of the eight essential sugars your body needs. After hearing that, you may think that must be wrong because sugar is not good for us. The essential sugars are called saccharides and are not fructose or sucrose. When your diet includes these eight essential sugars, your body will be better able to ward off disease and infection. Studies have shown that they lower your cholesterol levels, diminish allergy symptoms, and lower body fat while increasing lean muscle. The essential sugars can also help detoxify your body of wastes and can help treat autoimmune conditions such as diabetes and psoriasis.

NAG is found in the shells of shrimp, shark cartilage, shitake mushrooms, and even grasshoppers. Fortunately it is available in supplement form. NAG can reverse cell damage and rebuild cartilage, thus offering natural joint pain relief. Since it can repair certain types of cell damage, it also helps with inflammation and the damage caused by it. Nag is an effective treatment for diseases like interstitial cystitis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Other Supplements That Offer Natural Joint Pain Relief

There are numerous products on the market today that may or may not offer relief from pain and stiffness in your joints. Here is a list of some of the best ones at reducing pain and inflammation.

• Ashwagandha has been used in India for centuries to strengthen the immune system. Joint problems are relieved because it inhibits the 5-Lox enzyme.
• Annatto Bean Powder
• Boswellia
• Curcumin (inhibits the Cox 2 enzyme)
• Eucommia Ulmoides
• Ginger Powder
• MSM (helps to rebuild cartilage)
• Yucca

What About Glucosamine?

You may be wondering why glucosamine was not included in this list. That is because both glucosamine HCL and glucosamine sulfate can only be utilized by your body if you have a certain enzyme in your gastrointestinal tract. Many people do not have the right enzyme so the glucosamine is prevented from relieving joint pain.

When the enzyme is present in the GI tract, then the glucosamine is transformed into NAG or N-Acetyl-Glucosamine. NAG is then used by the body to reduce inflammation and pain in your joints.

How to Understand Rheumatoid Arthritis & Osteoarthritis - Chronic Pain and Treatment Strategies

The previous two articles in this series analyzed and discussed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in some detail. The link between chronic pain and RA was analyzed and the progression of the RA chronic pain complex was revealed. Particular attention was paid to small joint pain, usually involving the neck, hands, and feet in the early stages of the disorder, then spreading as the disease takes hold and progresses. The progression of chronic, often acute pain affecting the larger joints, to include the upper, middle, and lower back, hip and knee pain, and even leg pain, usually expressed as sciatica, was discussed. As discussed in "Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis - Dealing With Chronic Pain Associated With RA Part I & II," RA is a chronic and systemic disorder, widespread throughout the body, and without cure. In this article we will discuss the differences between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an often misdiagnosed, misunderstood "cousin," osteoarthritis (OA). We will discuss diagnostic features distinguishing the two disorders, the symptoms of RA versus OA, and some treatment variations and similarities. The very different outcomes, or prognoses, as well as certain strategies for confronting the two conditions head on will also be explored. Finally, strategies for alleviating, and in some cases eliminating, the chronic pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis will be offered. Chronic pain treatment strategies, to include treatment for neck pain, back pain, hip and knee pain, and sciatica, will be compared and analyzed.

As noted above, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic disorder. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease occurring when the individual's immune system doesn't work properly or malfunctions. Rheumatoid arthritis causes chronic, often acute pain, stiffness and swelling, and progresses from small joint involvement, to large joint involvement, and ultimately to multiple organ consequences. Chronic pain associated with RA is usually the result of an inflammation of the synovial membrane, synovitis. The inflammation of the synovial membrane leads to friction, the friction leads to joint degeneration, which leads to more inflammation, which leads to more friction and joint degeneration. As the disease progresses, and begins to affect other organ systems, the result is usually total disability. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis has not been established. Many experts believe that RA may be the result of genetics, environment, and/or a number of other factors to include hormones and the body's reaction or response to stress. Onset of RA typically occurs in women between the ages of 30 and 50 years of age. However, rheumatoid arthritis has been known to strike the very young, men, and certain ethnic groups, to include a disproportionately high number of Native Americans. RA is also seen in higher numbers among smokers. Rheumatoid arthritis is generally not attributed to such things as aging, trauma and injury or obesity. Beginning with small joint pain and stiffness, the disorder culminates in deformity and chronic, often acute, back pain, hip and knee pain, and sciatica.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is generally considered an age-progressive phenomenon. Sometimes called the "wear and tear" disorder, OA may also be attributed to injury, trauma, stress, and/or obesity. Osteoarthritis typically expresses with joint pain, stiffness, and loss of function and did decrease in the range of motion. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis generally affects weight bearing joints, particularly the spine, the pelvis or hips, and the knees. Chronic back pain, particularly of the lower back, and leg pain (sciatica) are quite common. However, OA may also be present in the neck, the hands, particularly the finger joints, and even the big toe. Osteoarthritis generally worsens later in the day or after considerable activity. Alternately, rheumatoid arthritis is generally known for morning stiffness or stiffness occurring as the result of a lack of activity or after periods of prolonged inactivity.

Significantly, while as many as 1.5 million individuals in the United States have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, over 20 million people have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. While diagnosis for osteoarthritis is usually established with the use of x-rays, in some cases CAT scans, rheumatoid arthritis usually takes a more comprehensive battery of diagnostic tests to properly diagnose. RA sufferers may require extensive blood tests, x-rays, CAT scans, and in some cases even an MRI to properly diagnose the disorder. The very different symptoms of the two disorders, one systemic and the other a "wear and tear" disorder, are evident in the laboratory and radiographically (x-rays).

Treatment strategies for RA and OA are often remarkably similar. Although RA requires pharmacological intervention, generally in the form of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARDs, to reduce stiffness and chronic pain, as well to inhibit joint damage, this should not be the only treatment strategy employed. DMARDs often take weeks, even months to build up in the bloodstream and fully take effect, so NSAIDs are often used synergistically, and as a stop-gap until DMARDs are effective. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, may also be treated by NSAIDs. However, ibuprofen and acetaminophen are routinely prescribed for pain associated with osteoarthritis.

In addition to medication, both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are responsive to physical therapy and ice to reduce inflammation and swelling. Individuals suffering from RA or OA typically respond well to exercise. Exercise is particularly effective for RA sufferers in order to offset periods of inactivity and the stiffness associated with a sedentary lifestyle or simply the stiffness related to characteristic morning stiffness. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, responds well to exercise for different reasons. Individuals affected by OA, a typically age-progressive, trauma, and stress related phenomenon, respond quite well to strengthening of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the core muscles responsible for posture and overall strength. As muscles atrophy, deterioration of the bones, particularly the vertebrae and weight-bearing joints, is quite common, leading to "wear and tear" and an exacerbation of the overall condition and subsequent degeneration. The degeneration leads to a constellation of chronic pain symptoms, to include neck pain, back pain, and sciatica.

Ultimately, while etiology or cause of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are quite different, symptoms, such as swelling, inflammation, stiffness, and chronic pain are characteristic of both conditions. Individuals suffering from RA and OA are affected by a progressive disorder, both leading to total disability if not properly treated. Individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis, because of the very nature of the disorder, have a much better chance of alleviating and even eliminating the long-term effects. RA is, by its very nature, more problematic. That being said, individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may take control of the outcome, their prognosis, by engaging in an aggressive, holistic treatment strategy, one typically designed to treat the symptoms, since etiology is still unclear. In both instances, medication, ice for inflammation, swelling, and to reduce pain, and a medically approved, individualized program of stretching and exercise should be commenced as soon as possible. Chronic pain associated with both conditions should be taken as a warning to do something, rather than to do nothing. To do nothing will exacerbate either condition, leading to further degeneration and the progression of both disorders and their symptoms, to include chronic pain in the form of joint pain, neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica.