Soothing Aching Joints

Did you know that over 20 million adults suffer from osteoarthritis? That's right, a huge percentage of adults face regular joint pains and stiffness. Men and women alike are susceptible to osteoarthritis. It is the age and wear and tear that provokes this joint disease. Although on average men will show symptoms before women do, the disease tends to be a general side effect of getting older. It usually occurs in men when they are reaching their mid 40's and it generally occurs in women when they reach their 50's. With so many people dealing with the same health complaints, there are that many more solutions to ease the aches and pains. From diet to exercise and vitamins, there are many ways that you can soothe aching joints and regain comfort and mobility.

If you are looking for a natural route, consider taking supplements. There are premium joint relief formulas that can treat symptoms of rheumatic conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. The supplements are created with high quality extracts to help sooth aches and pains and increase mobility. Often times one of the most challenging circumstances of a rheumatic condition is the lack of mobility and limited range of movement. Especially in the morning time people will notice inflamed and painful joints with limited mobility. Although for many these symptoms carry into the afternoon and even night hours, it can be especially noticeably in the morning time. Natural supplements can help make mornings easier and provide relief through the entire day.

Ingredients like glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate can really help sooth aching joints. Both ingredients play a role in part of the make up of cartilage and connective tissues. Together they can help slow down the break down of cartilage and help cartilage absorb shock. The Arthritis Foundation supports and encourages the use of chondroitin sulfate. Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are most often found paired together for optimum results.

Other ways to help reduce pains is by getting exercise and changing your diet. Nuts, salmon, veggies, and strawberries are a few foods that can help relieve discomfort. Sometimes joint pains can actually be a result of the lack of exercise. Exercise strengthens your muscles and helps increase joint flexibility.

The best way to help sooth joint pains is by doing a combination of exercising, eating healthy foods, and taking supplements. By implementing all three practices into your daily schedule you can seriously improve flexibility, comfort, swelling, and your overall health and sleep schedule.

What Every Dog Owner Should Know About Canine Hip Dysplasia

Ask any veterinarian what is the hardest and most frustrating dog disease there is and most of them are certain to answer, "canine hip dysplasia." Canine hip dysplasia or CHD is a condition wherein the dog's thigh bone does not properly fit into the hip socket. In this scenario, the cartilage becomes damaged, the joint slowly gets destroyed, and the dog experiences pain and swelling in the affected area. Hip dysplasia in dogs is not the same as hip arthritis. However, dog hip dysplasia is one cause of hip arthritis in dogs.

* Canine Hip Dysplasia Can Be Inherited

Some experts believe that canine hip dysplasia is a genetic disease. If an adult dog has dog hip dysplasia, it will pass the disease on to its offspring. To prevent hip dysplasia in dogs from spreading, the only solution is to not breed dogs that have the disease. The solution sounds very simple and straightforwards, but it can be a challenge to actually do it because the symptoms of canine hip dysplasia are not easy to identify in dogs. In fact, there are dogs that do have canine hip dysplasia but the symptoms are not visible until it is too late or the dogs have already been bred. In addition, dogs that are perfectly normal can have the gene for canine hip dysplasia, and they are bred, which causes the disease to be passed on.

* Symptoms of Canine Hip Dysplasia

Usually, dogs with CHD appears lethargic and do not move around much. They often have a hard time getting up when they are sitting, have lameness in the back of their legs, and dislike going up the stairs. Dogs with CHD also tend to hop like a rabbit when they are running. The symptoms of canine hip dysplasia generally don't show themselves until dogs are in their middle age. However, there have been cases when dogs as young as five or six months exhibited the symptoms of canine hip dysplasia.

* Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Currently, it is still not possible to determine if a dog is carrying the dog hip dysplasia gene or not. Canine hip dysplasia cannot be determined by a blood test or genetic test. Instead, veterinarians are able to diagnose the condition by physically examining the dog and taking x-rays routinely. X-rays help veterinarians assess how far along the disease is and how effective the treatment is helping.

Dogs with hip dysplasia can be x-rayed using two techniques: the hip-extended ventrodorsal view x-ray, and the PennHIP radiography technique. The hip-extended ventrodorsal view x-ray gives the veterinarian a frontal view of the hip-joints and pelvis, providing the veterinarian the best view as to how severe the condition is. PennHIP radiography is an x-ray technique that is often used to see if there are any hip looseness in dogs.

* Treatment Options for Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Unfortunately, canine hip dysplasia is not yet a curable disease. However, dogs diagnosed with hip dysplasia have non-surgical treatment options available to them in order to relieve them of the symptoms of canine hip dysplasia. One non-surgical treatment option is the use of pain and anti-inflammation medications. Some of the CHD drugs include Deramaxx, Ectogesic and Rimadyl. These drugs have been found to be effective at relieving dogs of pain and inflammation, enabling them to live normal lives. Other non-surgical treatment options include physical therapy, controlled exercise and weight loss programs.

If the non-surgical treatment options are not adequate, surgery is the only other treatment option. With surgery, the malformed joint can be corrected, thus eliminating the cause of the hip pain. When dealing with hip dysplasia in dogs, there are two ways to approach surgery: prophylactic surgery and therapeutic surgery. Prophylactic surgery is undertaken in order to stop the arthritis and joint problems from progressing. Therapeutic surgery, on the other hand, is undertaken to treat hips that already has arthritis.

Currently, the primary preventive surgical procedure for dogs with hip dysplasia is the triple pelvic osteotomy. In this procedure, the pelvis is cut in three different places and the hip sockets are rotated. This type of surgery is recommended for dogs whose arthritis has not yet set in or joint is not yet damaged.

Pubic symphysiodesis is another preventive surgery that can be done, but only on very young dogs. This type of surgery involves manipulating the pelvis so that it grows in such a way that the hip is connected tighter. The effectiveness of this procedure is still under study.

Total hip replacement and femoral head ostectomy are two types of therapeutic surgeries available for dogs with hip dysplasia. Larger dogs with canine hip dysplasia are often the recipient of total hip replacement. In this procedure, the socket is replaced with a high density medical plastic and a non-corrosive alloy is used as a ball joint. This type of surgery enjoys a high rate of success. Dogs who undergo total hip replacement are able to resume activity and live a normal life that is free of pain.

The femoral head ostectomy, on the other hand, is a type of therapeutic surgery wherein the top of the femur is removed. As a result, the painful grinding that the dog with hip dysplasia experiences at the hip joint is eliminated. The femur is made to freely float, which causes scar tissue to form. This scar tissue then acts as a false joint. Femoral head ostectomy is not advised for dogs with mild cases of arthritis. It is most effective when done on dogs that are smaller and well-muscled.

* Prevention of Canine Hip Dysplasia

Careful breeding is one of the best way to prevent the spread of hip dysplasia in dogs. Dogs who are predisposed to CHP can be helped by controlling their weight while they are still young and making sure the hips do not take on any undue stress. If the onset of canine hip dysplasia cannot be delayed any longer, dog owners can look into dog insurance packages to help cover costs of CHD surgery. In addition, potential dog owners should look for information on breed risk before acquiring puppies. It is best to make sure that puppies being sold have an OFA, PennHip of GDC certification.

My Back Hurts - Could it Be TMJ?

TemporoMandibular Joint Dysfunction, often called TMJ or TMD, is known as the "great imposter" because so many symptoms that patient complain of can be related to this disorder. The list of possible TMD symptoms include back pain, dizziness, ear congestion, ear pain, eye pain, facial pain, fatigue, headaches, jaw clicking or popping, jaw locking, migraines, muscle twitching, neck pain, ringing in ears, shoulder pain, sinus congestion, and many others.

Acute trauma to the jaw joint will usually result in pain in and around the joint. Most dentists are able to treat this type of trauma with hot and cold compresses, soft diet, jaw exercises, and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Patients with chronic jaw joint problems, on the other hand, rarely have pain in the joint. Instead, they tend to complain of neckaches, headaches, backaches, ear congestion or pain, and even numbness and tingling in the fingertips. This article will help explain how TMD is related to these seemingly unrelated symptoms.

The nervous system of the human body consists of two parts. The voluntary nervous system is the one you control with your brain. If you want to throw a ball, all you do is think about moving your arm and the necessary muscles work in a coordinated fashion to make it happen. The involuntary nervous system is the part that controls everything else. Most people are aware that it controls things such as your heartbeat, breathing, and digestion, but it also controls all the muscles you don't think about. When you raise your arm to throw a ball, the muscles on the other side of your body also contract to keep you in balance. You don't have to think about it; it just happens.

The main goal of the involuntary nervous system is to keep you alive. This requires placing more importance on certain areas of the body than others. If you fall down, your hands automatically go out to protect your head from hitting the ground. Better to have a broken arm or wrist than a brain injury. Likewise, if you have a splinter in your left foot your body automatically places more weight on your right foot. If you don't remove the splinter, eventually your right foot would start to hurt because it is overcompensating for the injured foot.

Patients with TMD usually have irritated jaw joints, which is similar to having a splinter in your foot. Whether due to a bad bite, a slipped disk, or trauma to the joints, the only way the body can take the pressure off the joints without consciously thinking about it is to change the head position. Try this simple exercise: Open your mouth, look up at the ceiling, then close your mouth and notice which teeth touch first. Next, open your mouth, look at the floor, and close your mouth and notice, which teeth touch first. For most people, it's quite different, and one position is usually more comfortable than the other. Naturally, you can't walk around all day looking at the ceiling or at the floor, but the body can figure out a way to change the bite while your head is level. By holding the head in a different position (usually forward), the bite changes just enough to take the pressure off the irritated jaw joint. In order to do this, however, the neck and shoulder muscles must be constantly contracted to keep the head from falling over. Better to have sore neck muscles than be unable to chew or talk.

The human head weighs about as much as a bowling ball. Imagine holding a bowling ball in the starting position, close to your body with your forearm straight up and down. You could probably hold the ball like this for quite a long time. Now imagine moving the ball about six inches away from your body. How long do you think it would take for your arm muscles to become sore or irritated? Of course, you could use your other arm to hold up the first one, but eventually the other arm would become tired as well. In fact, if you could hold the ball up long enough, your shoulders would start to hurt, your back muscles might cramp, and even your feet may become tired because of the awkward position of your body.

By now you might be starting to connect the dots as to why TMD patients have so many seemingly unrelated symptoms such as headaches, neckaches, backaches, and shoulder pain. Holding the head in the forward position to protect the jaw joint requires a lot of tension in the neck and back muscles. This constant tension also compresses the nerves that pass through these muscles, so some TMD patients also suffer from shoulder pain and even numbness or tingling in the fingers. In order to maintain balance and not fall forward, the body may also compensate by rotating the hips, resulting in lower back pain, and flaring the feet out, resulting in foot pain.

Sometimes holding the head forward is not possible or is not enough to change the bite, and the joint remains painful as well. In certain cases the jaw position puts pressure on the ears, causing ear pain and even hearing loss. Sometimes the extra stress on the nervous system causes other unrelated problems to flare up, such as allergies, sinus problems, and eyelid twitching. And in many cases, the chronic pain combined with the stress can lead to depression and mood swings.

A dentist trained in TMD treatment that relieves the stress on the jaw joints has the potential to relieve most if not all of the above symptoms. If the symptoms have been long standing, however, other health care providers such as chiropractors, osteopathic physicians, physical therapists, and massage therapists may be needed for complete relief. And in certain cases, the "TMD symptoms" may not be due to the jaw joints at all. Back and neck disorders can also cause the same symptoms as TMD. In these cases, TMD treatment will be of limited benefit and your dentist may be able to refer you to the appropriate health care provider.

If you suffer from any of the symptoms listed in this article, it may be worth your while to have your dentist perform a TMD screening. I speak from personal experience; I suffered from lower back pain and numbness in the fingers for many years, potentially a career ending condition for a dentist. I never believed I had TMD because my jaw joints never hurt. With the proper diagnosis and treatment of my TMD, however, I have now been pain free for over two years, and continue to practice dentistry with no numbness in my fingers.

(Dr. Rogers is a general dentist practicing in Northern Virginia. His practice focuses on helping patients achieve better overall health through advanced dental treatments.)

How to Prevent Surgery When Correcting An Underbite

Orthodontics experts believe that, examining a patient for underbite correction early can save money now and pain later.

An underbite referred to as a type of malocclusion, is a dental condition where the lower jaw protrudes up and outward abnormally, partially overlapping with the upper teeth.

Bad chronic habits such as tongue thrusting, poor chewing and continuing the use of pacifiers and bottles can cause an underbite. However, heredity is the most common cause. Studies show that a patient needs to be examined as early as 7, if they have an underbite.

Young patients have it easier when correcting an underbite because their jaw bones are still growing. A number of options are available to correct the underbite. There are different options available when correcting an underbite for a young patient.

Expander
This device is used to make the upper jaw wider, and can help make a bite more precise. Bands are cemented to the upper molar and first premolar and attached to each other by metal bars. These bars run across the center of the mouth.

A turnkey activates the device. In the center of the mouth there is a hole, which is attached to the bars. The key is place in the hole and pushed toward the throat to widen the top jaw.

Reverse-Pull Head Gear
This appliance is used when the expander doesn't work. It includes a metal bar connected to cushions on the forehead and chin. Elastic bands are attached to the bar and the top molar bands to gently move the upper jaw forward.

The reverse-pull head gear can make a difference in moving a patient's jaw up to age 10. This piece of equipment requires patient compliance, because it has to be worn for at least 12 hours a day.

Chin Cap
In severe cases, a chin cap can be added in conjunction to a reverse-pull head gear. This device wraps around the chin and top of the head and to prevent movement from the lower jaw.

Adults and Underbite Correction
Surgery is the only option for an adult patient that seeks treatment for an underbite that is skeletal. The patient typically needs to wear braces for at least a year prior to surgery and six to nine months afterward. If the underbite is confined to the teeth, then braces could fix the problem.

Surgery requires an oral surgeon to fracture and redirect the jaw where it needs to go. Depending on the case and surgeon, a piece of jaw may be removed and pushed back. To keep the jaw secure, the teeth are wired shut after surgery. A liquid diet is necessary at this time, and weight loss is normal. A jaw could move back, but only in rare cases.

No matter what the cause, underbites cannot go untreated. The chances of getting Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, gum disease, tooth decay and speech problems are too high if the underbite is left alone. To prevent a surgery path, a patient needs to be seen early.

Joint Pain and Bodybuilding - Stay Healthy and Move Big Weights!

Are you struggling to keep your joints healthy while lifting heavy iron and packing on muscle? Do you worry that squatting, deadlifting, and benching heavy for months on end is going to take its toll on your knees, wrists, and back? Lifting heavy weights can certainly have its adverse side effects, but you can still take steps to stay healthy! Read on to learn how you can alleviate joint pain and, more importantly, prevent weight room injuries from happening in the first place.

Be Preventative!

You hear the word "preventative" a lot today when people talk about medicine and health care. This is a good thing! Just as you shouldn't leave your body open to disease, you need to take steps ahead of time to ensure healthy joints. People associate joint pain and bodybuilding like mom and apple pie, but that's not how it needs to be.

In short, no matter what you're doing in the weight room, start taking steps TODAY to keep your elbows, wrists, knees, and lower back safe and healthy. Do you need to stop squatting heavy? Do you need to stick to high reps and low weight when you bench press or deadlift? No! But you do need to drop that mindset that you'll deal with the problem when it finally arrives.

Wrap and Strap!

One of the best things you can do for joint health is to wrap your wrists and knees. When you bench press or do other heavy pressing movements, your wrists are at risk for some serious pain if you're not careful. If you keep a tight wrap on for your heavy sets, you'll not only keep your wrists heavy, you'll feel greater stability and move more weight!
As for you knees, you definitely want SOME kind of protection for when you squat, as well as for any other movement that gives your specific body trouble. When you are a beginner, stick to tight-fitting sleeves that keep the joints warm without giving you help on the movement. As you get stronger, start using heavier wraps to both protect the knees and give you a little boost in strength.

Does a Belt Help or Hurt?

If there's one area that strength athletes seem to complain about more than any other, it's the lower back. Though you shouldn't let anyone tell you that "squats are bad for you back," it's true that improper form on heavy exercises can lead to some serious pain and injury. The question is, should you start using a belt, or should you just make your lower back strong enough to do all the work?

The answer is both! If the muscles in your lower back are a weak point, you need to work the hell out of them with squats, deadlifts, rows, and back raises, all done without a belt and with a focus on proper arched form. However, if your lower back is not particularly weak compared to the rest of your lower body, you should be using a belt on your very heaviest sets of squats, deadlifts, and perhaps rows. It will add a bit of strength to your lifts, and it will help keep your spine in a safe, neutral position.

Do Your Hands and Wrists Ache From Work? To Relieve Pain and Revive, Do This Immediately After Work

Our jobs can put stress on our hard-working hands, wrists and forearms. Cooking, specialty construction like tile-setting and carpentry, detailed artisan and craftsmanship, and playing music are all types of work that leave our hands weary and sore.

Pain is a sign that our muscles and joints are overworked. When pain continues or recurs, you may be getting an injury. Our hands and wrists are especially vulnerable to repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.

You may be feeling extreme fatigue. Perhaps your hobbies and other non-work activities also involve hand and wrist movement. If fatigue is ongoing, it can lead to worse problems.

One sign of degeneration (wear and tear) is osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a state of inflammation. The body is reacting to over activity at the joints. Although there are many natural treatments for pain relief, the condition is mostly irreversible, so it should be avoided whenever possible.

We often try to ignore pain. We think our bodies will heal themselves (and they do, sometimes). We can't be bothered with the distraction of pain. And we don't want to think that something worse might be happening, like a chronic injury.

Taking care of our bodies at the first sign of pain is important for immediate relief and long-term health. With our upper extremities (hands, wrists, forearms, upper arms), it is especially important to think of the long-term repercussions of that pain.

There is a simple answer: it's a natural remedy that brings instant and long-term relief!

There is an all-natural method that can be practiced anytime, but it is especially helpful when practiced immediately after work. You can practice it before work and on breaks during your work-day, too.

As soon as you finish work, dunk your hands in a deep bowl of ice-water! This one basic first aid step will relieve your pain and inflammation instantly, and it will help prevent long-lasting injuries, too.

The Basics on Arthritis

According to the Centers for Disease Control, arthritis has affected 46.4 million Americans as of 2005, which is 21.6% of the total adult population. What is arthritis? It is a disorder characterized by an inflammation of the joint, which is the part where two bones in the body meet. The joint allows movement of the two connected bones.

This condition is considered as a rheumatic disease. There are over 100 different types of arthritis. The causes of this disease include injury, heredity, abnormalities in metabolism, infections, and other still unexplained reasons.

Symptoms of Arthritis

This disease is usually marked at the onset by joint pain that causes restricted movement of the affected part. The joint often becomes stiff and tender, and it may also swell, become red, and feel warm. Because arthritis is a rheumatic disease, its symptoms can affect different organs that are not related to the joint. In this case, symptoms can include fever, presence of lymph node, loss of weight, fatigue, and abnormalities in the kidneys, heart, lungs, and other organs.

Arthritis Statistics

This disease affects people across various age levels. It is experienced by males and females, whether children, young adults, or adults. All over the world, 350 million people suffer from the disease.

In the United States, over 50% of Americans having the disease are younger than 65 years old. More than 25 million of these are children. Of the total number of cases among Americans, 60% are women.

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, affects 27 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis, a disorder of the immune system that affects the joints, affects 1.3 million Americans.

Diagnosis

In diagnosing this condition, the doctor will gather information about the symptoms. The doctor will also observe the joints to see if any inflammation or deformity has occurred. Tests, such as blood tests, urine tests, and X-rays of the affected area, will be conducted.

The final diagnosis is taken from the observed symptom patterns and the inflammation of the joints, the X-ray results, and the results of the blood and urine tests. Sometimes the diagnosis is not confirmed with just one visit to your doctor; follow-up consultations may be needed.

If you are diagnosed with arthritis, you should not be alarmed, because not all cases are serious. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more chances you have to prevent permanent damage to your health. This will also give your condition a better chance of not resulting in a disability.

Prevention

You can prevent the occurrence of this disease by following some measures. First, you should achieve a healthy weight. Being overweight puts a lot of strain on the joints, particularly the knees, and may lead to the disease.

Regular exercise will also reduce your risk for arthritis. Exercise strengthens your muscles and helps prevent stiffness of the joints. However, you should avoid exercises that are too difficult or will cause a strain on your muscles and joints.

Finally, eat a balanced diet. This not only protects you from arthritis but protects your overall health as well. Eating healthy meals along with regular intake of vitamins and minerals that your body needs will keep your health and keep you in good shape.

Pain in the Butt: Piriformis Syndrome

If it hurts to touch a point that's in the middle of one side of your buttocks, you probably have piriformis syndrome. This chronic condition is very difficult to diagnose, because other injuries may produce exactly the same symptoms. Similar pain may be the result of an injury to bones, muscles, tendons, bursae (pads between the tendons and bones), the hip joint, or the sciatic nerve, but there are ways to determine from which condition you might be suffering.

If you feel most pain when you land after hopping on one leg, you might have an injured hip joint or a stress fracture in your pelvis or upper leg bones. An x-ray will usually reveal a joint injury, but only a bone scan will reveal a stress fracture.

If you feel pain in your buttocks, particularly when you touch your toes while keeping your knees straight, you might have a tear in the large muscles or tendons that run down the back of your hips.

If you feel pain when you touch a spot that's either on the lowest point of your pelvis (the part that touches a chair when you sit) or at the top of your femur (thigh), you might have injured your bursae (bursitis) or torn the tendons that are attached to bones at these sites.

If your back hurts, particularly when you bend backwards, and the pain goes down the back of your leg to below your knees, your sciatic nerve is probably being pinched in your back.

Cause: The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It starts on the lower part of your spine, [passes through a hole between the piriformis muscle above it and several other muscles beneath it, and goes down the back of your leg to below the knee. When you run, the piriformis muscle contracts and squeezes the sciatic nerve underneath it. Repeatedly squeezing and relaxing the piriformis muscle can damage the sciatic nerve and cause pain. This injury is thought to be caused by an innate tightness of the piriformis muscle or a structural abnormality in the path of the sciatic nerve. It can't be attributed to a specific error in training.

Treatment: Priformis syndrome won't ease until you stop running. Don't run again until you can run without feeling pain in your buttocks. If it hurts to touch, it hasn't healed.

In most cases, pedaling a bicycle will also be painful. You probably shouldn't do any exercise that causes you to bend at the hip while keeping your knees straight, because this will stretch the sciatic nerve. You might be able to swim, if it isn't painful. Medication doesn't usually alleviate the pain, and even if it does, the pain will return as soon as you stop taking it.

Sometimes, the pain will disappear after a rest of a few days to several months; frequently it does not. In this case your doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis by injecting a mixture of xylocaine and corticosteroid drugs directly into the piriformis muscle where it passes over the sciatic nerve. If the pain disappears, you may resume running only after a few weeks, but remember that this injury tends to recur. If you feel pain in that area, stop running immediately, and don't attempt to run again until you can do so without pain.

An Overview of the Most Common Old Dog Diseases

When discussing old dog diseases, it is always good to ask the question, "What exactly is an old dog?" After all, some ailments are far more commonly known as old dog diseases than others.

Depending on the breed, the meaning of "old" can vary, but it usually starts around 10 years of age. As a dog gets older, its behavior changes too. The signs of aging in a dog are very similar to those of humans. For example, old dogs have reduced energy levels. They sleep longer, they have less enthusiasm for energetic activities, and just don't play like they used to. Older dogs also experience changes in fur and skin (fur becomes matted more frequently, it takes longer for wounds to heal, and old dogs generally become more sensitive to extremes in temperature). And of course, older dogs experience changes in vision and hearing, making it tough sometimes to navigate the house.

Now, there are other, more serious diseases that old dogs are prone to. These include cancer, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders and diabetes. Let's look at each one in more detail.

Cancer is a tragic disease that can move surprisingly quickly, both in people and in pets. Symptoms include abnormal growths under the skin, as well as swellings that don't go away. Cancer may also manifest itself through bleeding or bloody discharge (from the eyes, mouth, ears, or any other opening). This, combined with difficulty eating, breathing, urinating or pooping, can be symptoms of cancer in old dogs.

Another common ailment is arthritis. Though not as life-threatening as cancer, arthritis in old dogs can be a debilitating disease that robs your pet of much of the enjoyment of life. Symptoms include difficulty rising, stiffness, irritability or reclusiveness. You may also notice that your old dog's muscles are atrophying as his activity level declines.

Kidney disease is also common among old dogs. If you notice increased thirst, urination, coupled with weight loss, your dog may be suffering form kidney malfunction. Vomiting and blood in urine or poop are serious symptoms, and if you notice them, contact your vet immediately. Of course, these symptoms could be caused by one of many old dog diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease or bladder stones. Again, see a vet right away.

Diabetes is common among people, but it is also common among dogs. You may notice increased thirst and urination, weight loss, weakness, and increasing levels of lethargy and depression in a diabetic dog. Diabetes, if left untreated, can be fatal. There is no cure for canine diabetes, but it can be controlled with insulin injections.

Finally, cataracts are also common in older dogs. The eyes become cloudy, the dog is unable to navigate around objects, and stops retrieving objects. Note, however, that all old dogs develop a graying of the eyes which is due to a hardening of the lens. Generally, this does not affect the old dog's ability to see. However, cataracts are a more serious condition that can eventually lead to vision loss. As in humans, canine cataracts can be treated with surgery

An old dog normally suffers some loss in energy and mobility, just like an elderly human. Helping your companion through as he gets older means treating him with extra patience and kindness. Give him more time to sleep, and more time to wake up in the morning. Understand that long walks may not be so long
anymore. Make it easier for him to reach his food, get outside when nature calls, and provide comfortable resting places.

And keep an eye out for symptoms of the more old dog diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, that your pet can be more susceptible to. Your dog will live longer and provide you with more years of loving companionship.

Dental Mouth Guards and Splints

Many people suffer from nocturnal grinding of the teeth, clenching of the jaw, and other TMJ disorders. TMJ stands for tempromandibular joints, which are the joints of the jaw that connect the mandible (the lower jaw bone) to the skull.

Teeth grinding, otherwise known as bruxism, can be caused by stress, hyper-activeness, or a misalignment of the teeth or jaw. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can cause varying degrees of pain and discomfort. These habits can also weaken teeth and cause chipping and wearing. If left untreated, teeth grinding can lead to an eventual breakdown of the teeth, jaw pain, headaches, loss of sleep, and other TMJ disorders.

Dental mouth guards and splints can relieve pain, discomfort, and wear caused by teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Specialty mouth guards can also be corrective, conditioning the body to stop grinding the teeth or clenching the jaw. These mouth guards are to be worn at night, during sleep to prevent the pain and discomfort associated with nocturnal bruxism.

One of the most common types of dental mouth guards being used today is the full upper mouth guard/splint. This therapeutic devise is constructed of a specialty material and can be constructed to your mouth's exact specifications by your dentist. Most commonly, the mouth guard fits over all of the upper teeth, but can also be fashioned for the lower set of teeth, should that be necessary, while providing the same results. The full upper mouth guard, sometimes called a bite plate, holds the jaw in a more comfortable position during sleep, reducing jaw clenching and teeth grinding.

The NTI is another type of mouth splint that may be used to treat jaw clenching, teeth grinding, and other TMJ disorders. Unlike the full upper mouth guard, which covers all of the upper teeth, the NTI is worn only around the top front teeth. These devices are also custom fit to your mouth's specifications, and can reduce clenching up to 66%.

While not dangerous, teeth grinding and clenching can cause problems if not properly treated. If the cause of these habits is due to structural problems with the jaw or teeth, then the use of a dental mouth guard or splint is one of the best ways to correct the problem. While sleeping, these bite plates will cause the jaw to settle into a more comfortable position, thereby eliminating the body's unconscious desire to grind the teeth or clench the jaw. Consult your dentist to see if the use of a mouth guard can help you.

Dog Health Issues

Like human health problems, some dog diseases, injuries and physical ailments are serious while others are not life threatening or fatal. Fortunately, the vast majority of health problems that dogs commonly experience can be successfully treated with medications, physical therapy, surgery, or other types of medical treatments.

Heartworm:

Heartworm is a disease caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis, which lives in the right side of the heart and the adjacent blood vessels. Its presence in these blood vessels causes cardiovascular weakness, compromised lung incapacity, and eventual death. Heartworm occurs primarily in dogs but can also occur in cats and other animals on rare occasions.

Dog Arthritis:

There is a wide range of treatment options available for treating arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease). Dogs with degenerative joint disease need adequate rest. Rest helps to decrease inflammation and strengthen joints. Too much exercise and over-use of the damaged joints will aggravate symptoms and may also accelerate joint destruction. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to determine how much rest and exercise a pet needs.

Too much exercise may make matters worse while not enough may reduce muscle tone. Your veterinarian can assist you in determining how much exercise and rest is ideal for your pet. As a guideline, any activity that causes your pet to become acutely lame for a period of time afterward is excessive and the level of activity should be reduced accordingly. Avoid strenuous exercise and periods of overexertion, which can accelerate the destruction within the joints.

The onset of dog arthritis can be due to a number of factors, including injury, obesity, genetic predisposition and poor nutrition. Some of the symptoms include stiffness, difficulty in climbing stairs, whimpering when standing, unusual movements, noticeable swelling in a limb, thickening joints and shying away from petting. If you do notice any of these signs, be sure to have your pet checked for canine arthritis.

Cancer:

Just like in humans, cancer in dogs is a very serious condition which can seriously impact the life of both the pet and its owner. There are several treatment options available depending on the nature and severity of the dog cancer, and often a combination of conventional and alternative therapies can be the most effective. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but it is believed that environmental and hereditary factors do play a role. Exposure to toxins, poor dietary habits, lack of exercise and underlying health issues can all increase the risk. Symptoms of cancer in dogs will depend on the location of the tumor, and can range from gastrointestinal problems such as bleeding, vomiting and seizures, urinary problems, Cushing's and loss of coordination.

Getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial, so it's important to have your dog tested immediately if you notice any changes in its behavior, notice any discomfort or can see or feel any stage bodily masses. Your veterinarian will be able to perform diagnostic tests to determine where the cancer is located and how severe the condition is. Based on this analysis he or she can recommend a course of action to treat the condition effectively and maintain the health of your pet

Depending on the nature and location of the cancer, there are several treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to remove the growth and possibly the surrounding tissues. Medications may also be administered. Other treatment options that are often used in conjunction with conventional methods are natural remedies that can help treat dog cancer as well as slow cancerous growths, boost immune function and improve general health and well-being. Medical science has chemotherapy, radiation and drug treatments available today is much better than what it was just a decade ago. Symptoms of cancer in dogs can be managed effectively, and conventional and natural therapies are proving effective in this battle.

Ensure your dog's health with a proper high quality diet, regular exercise and a clean, toxin-free environment. If you suspect cancer, make sure you talk to your vet right away. Find out all of the treatment options that are available.

Is Hip Joint Pain Wreacking Havoc in Your Life?

Joint pain in the hip is quite a usual disorder and can cause severe discomfort to people who suffer from it. The major cause of hip pain in the joint is arthritis but there are other medical factors that can come into play that may result in a patient to suffer from this pain. Because this pain affects ones mobility, it can be extremely impossible for one not to seek medical treatment, and the first option is normally medicine. In certain cases, medication can put the pain in control, but in other instances patients may have to opt for hip-replacement surgery in the hope of managing or eliminating the pain.

Some of the causes of joint pain are linked to the following - Trochanteric bursitis is a result of swollen bursa over the exterior of the hip joint and can lead to severe pain. Tendonitis, in one of the tendons around the hip joint, could lead to hip pain in the joint also.

Another reason that can cause joint pain in the hip is osteonecrosis, snapping hip syndrome, strained muscles or hip fractures, and other hip wounds. Some people can experience hip problems in their youth, and these can lead to hip disorders as they get older, that is why it is extremely important to always seek medical attention and not ignore the problem.

A good example of this is developmental dysplasia, where the hips are misplaced when a patient is still an infant. This child who suffers from dysplasia will have problems with hip joints, as they may not develop properly. These hip problems may become problematic for the child as they might hinder normal growth for the child, and may even lead to arthritis as they grow older.

Another threat for children that can cause permanent damage to the hips is perthes. As you can see, there are different causes of pain in the joints and the treatment that is given to the patient is heavily dependent on the actual cause of the hip pain. It is imperative that the correct diagnosis be made, as the wrong diagnosis may cause further problems.

Hip joint pain can be relieved by using warmth packs and ice bags, and people who sufferer from this pain need to have proper rest so that their joints can be relieved from the pressure of carrying the persons weight. At times, it may be necessary for joint pain sufferers to use crutches to help ease the pain on the hips.

Do Not Torment Yourself With Joint Pain

Whether it is severe or mild, pain in the joints can hinder you from doing things that are really essential to you. Daily activities like writing, cooking, and even getting dressed may feel like torture especially if you are bothered by your joints. A lot of sufferers always put off going to the doctor because they think that the joints are not really an important in the body. Many accept and live with the pain because it is "the way that it is." What we are not aware of is the fact that going to a physician can be a very priceless experience if you are someone that has severe pain in the joints. A doctor can properly diagnose your situation and determine what the agent of the pain is. In this way, he or she may be able to suggest a joint pain treatment for you.

Since there are numerous factors that may bring about joint pain, like repeated use, tendonitis, injury, arthritis, gout, and even viral infections, it is essential to get rid of something that might be serious. The doctor may ask several questions about the pain like its severity, duration, or location. In order to come up with an effective joint pain treatment, a physician may also ask about the things that aggravate the pain and the methods that you have tried for the treatment. The physician will also be interested to know if the pain is heightened whenever you move or stay still. It must be kept in mind that before actually going to the doctor's office, a mental note should be remembered. If it can help, you can also write the times during the day or the activities that you were busy with when the pain started. If there are more symptoms that might be bothering you, make sure to tell your doctor. All these things are substantial so that a good joint pain treatment may be required.

Opting for natural joint pain treatment

The need to be freed from a specific condition that has the capacity to disable and limits one's physical activities is probably the ultimate goal of many sufferers. While the various joint pain treatment medications have been linked to many negative consequences, it is advisable to look for pain relievers that are made of natural components. Joint supplements have been formulated to provide relief without the adverse reactions. Sufferers will surely never go wrong by going for a safe and effective arthritis pain treatment.

The efficacy of any supplement for arthritis pain is dependent on the ingredients. There are very few noted supplements that are made from organic anti-inflammatory components and also pain relievers such as glucosamine, natural COX-2 inhibitors, and chondroitin. These ingredients provide the ability to relieve pain and swelling which are both associated to arthritis. Containing herbs, collagen, minerals, and essential vitamins which all aid in the maintenance of the health of the joints one will receive pain relief with the best ingredients. For effective joint pain treatment, taking a supplement like Synotrex is a good option.

Lupus: It's Not Just All In Your Head - Solving The Riddle That Has Befuddled Millions

My aunt was always plagued with joint pain. Whether it was her hands, her knees or her hip, the pain just never seemed to go away. Doctors and specialists could not figure out what medical condition that she could possibly be suffering from. It was horrible watching her suffer from joint pain without any relief day after day. It seemed almost impossible to diagnose her condition and without a proper diagnosis it was impossible for her to receive the proper treatment! Little did we know that the identity of her medical condition is a systemic autoimmune disease that is prone to occur nine times more often in women than men called Lupus.

My aunt was constantly in pain all over with an "unknown" disease ever since I could remember.Lupus is also known as the great imitator due to its ability to imitate other medical conditions. This is due to the various symptoms it can show which make the medical condition even more challenging to figure out for its patients. Basically for the medical condition Lupus, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissues which then results in inflammation all over the body particularly within the joints. There are numerous other side effects and my aunt suffered from them not knowing the exact medical disease she had.

Although I have never experienced it myself, the pain that plagued my aunt was heartbreaking to watch. Lupus has periods of illnesses that occur without warning. Basically all the symptoms just flare up for no reason. My aunt would be fine one day and then too sick to leave her bed for the next day. I would watch her wither in pain without the ability to get up or partake in any activity. The disease took a huge toll in her life and it hindered her from doing all the things that she loved like baking, gardening and even teaching. She often compared it to me as if her whole body was being torn apart and she could feel pins and needles piercing through to the core of her body.

Although Lupus is treatable through addressing the pain and symptoms that appears, there is absolutely no cure yet. Even though this is the case, I still wish that my aunt's medical condition could have been diagnosed earlier so she could have enjoyed the benefits of the treatments earlier instead of having to suffer all those years.

Joint pain all over the body or targeted areas only is the number one symptom of Lupus but that's not all. Victims of Lupus often find that they will begin developing rashes and have dermatological problems. In addition, haematological symptoms like anaemia, pulmonary and cardiac symptoms like endocarditis or pulmonary haemorrhage or neurological symptoms like cognitive dysfunction are prone to develop in patients suffering from Lupus. The numerous amounts of symptoms that are caused by Lupus only makes the experience that much more painful, troublesome and tough to diagnose.

My aunt had most of the symptoms that I described and was suffering from more medical conditions than just joint pain. After running numerous tests and examinations and finally diagnosing her medical condition, she finally received the type of treatment that was necessary for her to find relief. Although she still has Lupus today, by diagnosing the symptoms of the illness she is able to better her life by easing the pain. She is no longer hindered as much as before and I can watch her enjoy all of the daily activities she once did which bring me back to the reason of why it is crucial to be able to be diagnosed with the proper medical condition in order to receive the relief necessary.

Get Pain Relief With These SI Joint Pain Therapies

The sacroiliac joints (SI joints) are formed by the sacrum and pelvis. The sacrum is like the tailbone at the base of the spine fits in between the two pelvis bones which are called the iliac bones. This joint is not a highly mobile joint because its role is largely one of providing stability and it is weight bearing in nature. Therefore it is held together by strong ligaments. Because this joint in under a lot of stress it is a common area to experience discomfort in and this is termed SI joint pain.

Usually when problems arise in this joint it is termed sacroiliac joint dysfunction and it result in SI joint pain. It can also be referred to as SI joint inflammation, SI joint syndrome and SI joint strain. This shows the complexity and vulnerability of this joint.

The reason why sacroiliac joint dysfunction develops can be varied. Just like any other joint in the body, it is also prone to degeneration that happens as a result of the wearing away of the shock absorbing cartilage. This results in bone on bone friction and is called osteoarthritis. This is a common issue with most weight bearing joints of the body.

Another common cause of SI joint pain is pregnancy. During the stages of pregnancy the body releases special hormones in preparation for childbirth that help relax the ligaments. The resultant relaxing of the joint structure and increased pregnant body weight can cause problems. Add on top of this the changed walking and standing posture of pregnancy and you have a recipe for sacroiliac joint pain.

Also any change or problem in the lower half of the body that disrupts the walking or gait cycle could cause SI problems. A leg length discrepancy, where one leg is longer than the other can do this. Also any injury to the lower back, foot, hip, knee or ankle can all result in a abnormal pattern of walking that places undue stress on the sacroiliac and causes joint problems.

Females tend to be more prone to sacroiliac joint pain than males. This may be due to the anatomical differences in the bone structure of the body. There are two things that aggravate the sacroiliac joint. When sleeping on the side, the top thigh can drop in and this opens up the SI area in a suspended and relaxed position. To prevent this it is recommended to sleep with a pillow placed between the legs. The other aggravating factor is cross legged sitting that is so typical of females. This puts the SI in a vulnerable position while bearing weight. The solution for this one is easy, just stop sitting cross legged.

Physical therapy for SI joint pain can be great. Yoga and pilates offer excellent benefits. Improving flexibility in stiff and tight areas can help reduce any compensation of the sacroiliac joints. Also building core stability can go a long way to helping take any excess stress off the pelvis. Remember the benefits and changes in the body may not be felt immediately with these activities, so it may require a slight commitment before you reap the rewards.

Arthritis Pain Relief - You Can Get Rid Of Your Arthritis Pain Naturally

A few years ago I accidentally discovered how to rid myself of arthritis pain, naturally. I got rid of my arthritis and arthritis pain forever by changing my diet. Unlike some other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis is not systemic - it does not spread through the entire body. Arthritis concentrates in one or several joints where deterioration occurs. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.

The synovium is a membrane that surrounds the whole joint; it's filled with synovial fluid, a lubricating liquid that supplies nutrients and oxygen to the cartilage. Cartilage contains a high percentage of water, but it decreases with age. Joints are designed for normal and painless movement and are primarily supplied by the synovium and cartilage.

As chondrocytes (the cells that make up cartilage) age, they lose their ability to make repairs and produce more cartilage; this process may play an important role in the development and progression of osteoarthritis. Injuries sometimes can be the start in the arthritic disease process; osteoarthritis can develop years later even after a single traumatic injury to a joint or near a joint.

An inflammatory response causes cytokines, to gather in injured areas and cause inflammation and damage to body tissue and cells; it's known to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis and other muscle and joint problems associated with autoimmune diseases. If you really want to get rid of your arthritis pain forever it may take a radical change in your diet and an ongoing commitment. One natural treatment method involves avoiding all inflammatory foods. Try massaging your fingers or other affected joints with coconut oil twice a day.

Keep in mind, if you take a joint supplement it should help do three things -- build cartilage, relieve everyday joint pain, and enhance your flexibility and movement. Many have told me that going off dairy products and gluten containing foods relieved their arthritis pain entirely. Some people swear by glucosamine and/or chondroitin and others say it didn't help at all.

An acidic diet, that is any foods not alive, is considered to be inflammatory to the joints. For snacks, choose raw nuts without salt instead of lifeless roasted nuts. Natural treatment for arthritis is usually a better choice because it's non-invasive to the body. Many arthritis sufferers have changed their diets and noticed significant or total improvement.

To be on the safe side always seek your doctor's advice before starting or changing your exercise program. Exercise in a heated pool; it will help reduce the pressure on your joints and the heat will help you loosen those joints. Your body has 147 joints in motion every day. Even the lightest exercise can go a long way to maintaining your joint mobility and overall health.

If you have pain and swelling in your fingers, try squeezing Thera-putty made for this purpose or exercising with two Chinese chime balls. Fight arthritis through proper exercise! Try to keep painful joint areas in motion, even in a limited manner.

If you're going to go the conventional treatment route and take medications, ask your pharmacist for drug inserts so you can read up on the drugs and understand any side effects or adverse reactions, before taking them. Be aware that the use of NSAIDs or Cox-2 inhibitors do not halt the progress of osteoarthritis and may even hasten the onset. Once you become more informed about arthritis you'll be able to plan an arthritis treatment program, natural or conventional or a combination of both.

Changing your diet to predominately fruits and raw veggies, like I did, can turn your arthritis pain around almost overnight. More and more doctors are investigating the benefits of alternative therapies and most don't object to patients trying them. One should not only search for relief of arthritis pain but work on preventing it.

What Are You Doing to Reduce Arthritis Pain?

Arthritis Pain? Stiff and Sore?
Learn what to do to stay more flexible!

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that primarily affects the large, weight bearing joints and the joints in the hands. It is a slow, progressive cartilage deterioration followed by "hardening of the joints" due to calcification and bone spur formation. The "joint cushion" deteriorates, which leads to pain and limited movement of the joint.

Signs and symptoms include:

-Early morning joint stiffness
-Pain that is worse after use
-Stiffness after periods of rest
-Creaking/cracking of joints after movement
-Tenderness and swelling in certain areas
-Restricted mobility
-Pain in the joint before or during changes in the weather

Possible causes include age. In the U.S., over 80% of the population over about 50 show signs of osteoporosis due to decreased ability of the collagen matrix to repair itself, and also from general wear and tear. Other causes include: obesity, poor diet, genetic predisposition, skeletal defects, hormonal imbalances, injury and food allergies and sensitivities. It develops in joints that are injured by repeated overuse from performing a particular task or playing a favorite sport.

SOME COMMON THERAPIES TO CONSIDER

Everyday Routines

Do some gentle exercises/stretches before you go to bed. While watching tv or sitting at your desk: Adjust your position frequently, periodically turn your neck from one side to the other, shake out your hands and bend and stretch your legs. Take frequent breaks throughout the day, every few hours, to stretch stiff joints and sore muscles.

Use an analgesic cream to massage the painful joint(s).

When ready for bed, use a moist heat pad on the painful joint. Another option, is to soak in a warm bath with 翻 cup Epsom Salt and 翻 cup Baking Soda. When you awake in the morning, you'll feel less stiffness in your joints.

Make Tasks at Home and Work Easier To Protect Your Joints

Avoid excess stress on your joints by finding products that are comfortable, easy-to-use or have friendly packaging. For example, in the kitchen use rubber jar openers and reachers, in the bedroom use zipper pulls, buttoning aids and bedrails and in the bathroom use tub bars and handrails.

Keep Moving

Movement helps to decrease pain, increase range of motion and endurance, strengthen your muscles, decrease fatigue and improve overall muscle fitness. Choose the activities that build the muscles around your joints but don't damage them that are good for arthritis. Include low-impact aerobic exercise such as Walking, Cycling, Aquatic Exercises, Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates, Country Line or Ballroom Dancing, or a gentle exercise/stretch class.

The key is to have a regular exercise program. The goal is to do a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity about 5 days/week.

Gardening can be very therapeutic and digging in the dirt can be helpful for sore hands.

Avoid: Running, Jumping, Tennis, High-impact aerobics, repetitive motions and inactivity.

Medications

No medications are completely free of side effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are the primary drug used for treatment with aspirin as the most common. Although NSAIDS provide temporary relief, they accelerate joint destruction in the long run. They prevent prostaglandin formation in order to decrease inflammation; they also inhibit cartilage synthesis and increase cartilage destruction, which accelerates osteoarthritis progression. Also, it may cause damage to the gastro-intestinal tract and increases ones' ulcer risk. Therefore, discuss with your doctor a medication plan for your specific pain symptoms.

Dietary and Lifestyle Modifications

Consider eating fish as salmon, mackerel, tuna, and herring as a source of omega 3's. Eat organic, unprocessed, unrefined foods with emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, legumes, lean meats, nuts, seeds and essential fatty acids from cod liver oil, flax seed oil, walnut oil, etc. Increase boron-rich foods including lettuce, cabbage, apples, dates, prunes, raisins, almonds and hazelnuts. Sulfur and methionine-containing foods as cabbage, brussel sprouts, garlic and onions are also beneficial. A half lb of fresh cherries or blueberries may be beneficial per day. They contain proanthocyanidins that aid in collagen metabolism and decrease joint inflammation. Consider juicing especially using pineapple due to its bromelain content and ginger due to its anti-inflammatory agent. Eat one cup of white or red grapes daily as the skin contains resveratrol, a natural compound known to act as a Cox-2 inhibitor and an antioxidant.

Drink six-eight 8-ounce glasses of filtered water per day to flush toxins and avoid dehydration.

Drink 1-2 cups of Green or Black Tea daily which is rich in polyphenols - compounds that suppress the expression of a key gene involved in arthritis inflammation.

Decrease or avoid eating dairy products, refined foods, meat, nightshade foods (tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant, peppers (not black pepper) and margarine)

Nightshade foods are alkaloids that increase inflammation and inhibit collagen repair.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and allergenic foods. An elimination/rotation diet is recommended. Avoid environmental toxins as much as possible. Avoid smoking, as the toxins in smoke cause stress on connective tissue.

Nutrient Applications

Although there may not be a magic bullet to "cure" arthritis, some supplements and/or extracts may help it to keep it better controlled. When buying a supplement, check its quality control, read labels carefully and try one product at a time to keep track of its effect.

Some supplements to consider:

Bromelain, Feverfew, Ginger and Turmeric-(have significant anti-inflammatory activity). Valerian, Passion Flower, Skullcap and Kava Kava are known muscle relaxants. White Willow Bark is the forerunner to aspirin. Boswellia Serrata has a strong analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. Taking these 2 herbs can be just as effective as taking Motrin. (take 240mg of willow bark and 1,000mg of boswellia per day.

Proteolytic Enzymes, taken without food, reduces pain and inflammation. Antioxidants may include: Grape Seed Extract, Vitamins C and E, Zinc, Glutathione, Selenium and N-acetyl cysteine. Vitamin C and bioflavenoids help in reducing the progression of osteoarthritis

Fish oil, Cod Liver oil and Black Currant Seed oil help to decrease inflammation.

Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate plus Sulfur and N-Acetyl-Glucosamine are building blocks for cartilage repair. Green Lipped Mussel Extract may be beneficial for severe osteoarthritis per a New England study.

Boron decreases urinary excretion of Calcium and magnesium. Adrenal support is needed which may include Pantothenic Acid. Calcium and Magnesium are essential for bone/ligament and muscle health.

Vitamin D supplement or a high Vitamin D diet may help to reduce ones risk for worsening their arthritis by 75%, per a recent high-profile study.

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A Detoxification Program may be beneficial.

Stress reduction is essential. Some effective therapies include Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Prayer and Spirituality. The emotional release of journaling about your feelings may assist in the decreased sensation of pain. Laughing, can relax muscles, reduce stress, relieve pain and boost your immune system. Decrease dwelling on the negative thoughts especially when coping with your pain as it can increase your risk of disability. Instead, focus on calming statements, etc.

Other Lifestyle Modifications May Include:

Regular chiropractic care is beneficial to address structural/postural problems.

Therapeutic Taping including Kinesiotape, wrapped around a joint to realign, support, and take pressure off it can have great benefits for arthritis sufferers.

Set a goal to maintain normal weight to avoid added weight bearing stress on the joints.

Massage Therapy may aid in increasing circulation, energy, flexibility and the body's production of natural pain-killing endorphins as well as improve sleep and immune function.

Acupuncture and Acupressure are ancient Chinese pain relief treatments. In acupuncture, needles are used to stimulate specific points in the body, and in acupressure, fingers are used instead of needles.

The interactions of the mind, body and spirit can have powerful effects on our health. Our office staff and expert Doctors and Practitioners are available to answer your questions specifically to your condition and make recommendations as needed. Additionally, we have available more specifics on the above topics discussed.

Natural Relief For TMJ Disorder

Dysfunction in the jaw muscles and joints also known as temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ could give sufferers excruciating pain. In some cases, pain is just occasional and temporary but in severe cases sufferers experience long term symptoms and pains. Pain is felt in the jaw and radiates to the face, ears, neck and shoulders. Symptoms also include jaw stiffness, pain and clicking sound whenever you open and close your mouth. Locking of jaw could happen in severe cases. Of course if the pain is too disturbing, you need to see a doctor or dentist. Natural relief for TMJ disorder is another option.

The exact causes of TMJ disorders are still not clear but suspected causes are jaw injury, clenching of teeth (bruxism), a bad bite, orthodontic braces, anxiety, stress and poor posture while sleeping causing jaw misalignment.

Because of the complexity of the jaw joint and muscles structure and movement, conservative treatment are usually recommended by experts and invasive treatments like surgery is always the last option.

One important natural relief for TMJ disorder is the knowledge or education about the disorder. By knowing what you are dealing with, you will know the things to be avoided that could make your condition worse. Sometimes bad mouth habits and posture can aggravate your condition. Knowing the nature of your disorder will also save you from too much anxiousness and worries.

Self care is another natural relief for TMJ disorder. Since this disorder involves jaw muscles and joints, it is best to avoid extreme jaw movements like wide yawning and loud singing. Activities that could put too much pressure and stress on the jaw should be avoided like habitual fingernail biting, gum chewing and eating hard to chew foods. Eat soft foods or cut foods into small pieces for smaller bites to prevent too much work for your jaw.

Jaw exercise is also a good natural relief for TMJ disorder. Learn some relaxation techniques like slow breathing to release muscle and joint tension. A therapist could help you with jaw relaxation exercises and massage to relax your jaw.

Pet Mobility Can Be a Serious Concern During Cold Weather Months

In the cold weather months many of us are busy with holiday preparations, traveling, and seeing family and friends once again. It is easy to lose sight of the fact that our dogs, cats, horses, birds as well as other animals may be troubled by painful arthritic joints. Pet mobility during cold weather should be taken seriously and adjustment made to both accommodate and heal ailing joints.

The most common joint condition affecting pet mobility in the cold weather months is osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. Over time wear and tear deteriorates the articular cartilage to a point where there is no longer a cushion between bones, leading to painful bone on bone action. This condition is most often seen in pets and animals that are middle aged or older, and can have a negative impact not only in joint health and pet mobility issues but can spill over to other areas as well.

One area of pet mobility or lack of pet mobility can impact is that of urinary tract health. Bacterial infections of the urinary tract become much more likely when animals retain urine longer than they should and pets with degenerative joint disease simply can't (or don't have the will) move well enough to make the long trip to urinate when joint pain is severe.

Another area where pet mobility can play an role is in obesity. When pets don't have the desire to run and play due to constant pain they tend to gain weight. The weight gain not only is unhealthy but it places additional pressure on already troubled joints.

Bladder and Kidney Stones: Studies show that inactive pets are twice as likely to have bouts with bladder and kidney stones.

The three examples are just a few of the major problems lurking when pet mobility is compromised. Next let's move on to a few home help ideas that have proven helpful for my pets and I'm sure they will work for yours as well.

*Invest in a heating pad: Our pets have access to a heating pad in cold weather months. The heating pad should have a buffer between it and your pets skin to avoid heat rash or other heat related problems. Make sure they get plenty of water as well, since the heat will tend to have a dehydrating effect.

*Moderate exercise: Keeping the muscles that support problem joints strong is a very important part of improving and sustaining pet mobility. If your pets joints have deteriorated to a point where any form of exercise is painful you might consider asking your vet about hydrotherapy, also known as water therapy.

*Litter box smarts: If you have older or physically challenged pets that require a litter box make sure to put a few extra boxes out during the cold weather months. This makes it easy for them to make it there and back with little or no distress.

* Supplements for rebuilding joint cartilage: There are a number of excellent all natural products on the market that can do wonders to improve pet mobility. Some natural ingredients have been shown to actually rebuild long lost cartilage over time and are worth considering.

In summary, joint pain whether it is caused by osteoarthritis or something else can create serious concerns both for pets and pet owners. The above suggestions of heat, muscle conditioning, litter box smarts, and cartilage building supplementation are four steps that can be implemented at home, are affordable, and just might produce long lasting results.

Gout - Pain Relief to Stop the Symptoms

Gout is easily known as the worst form of arthritis and often starts in the joints of the big toe and progress from there into other joints as the condition worsens. Gout is extremely painful and caused by inflammation in the joints. This inflammation is a result of high levels of uric acid in the body which then converts to crystals and settles into joints causing immense pain and lessened mobility for the gout sufferer. While, uric acid is a naturally occurring chemical in the body, most high levels come from food and the body's inability to clear it out in heavier individuals.

There are many forms of gout pain relief that can be offered to gout patients and are available in the forms of pain management medication, a healthy diet and lifestyle, an exercise routine that promotes healthy joints and a diet low in uric acid. Cherries have also been known to decrease gout symptoms and offer relief to those who suffer from the condition. All of these can be used together or in conjunction with another form of treatment your doctor many recommend. Before trying any new treatment for relief of your gout symptoms, always talk with your doctor and a nutritionist with gout treatment experience as they will be able to help you find the right gout pain relief for your specific case and symptoms.

A gout diet is one of the most effective ways to help prevent gout attacks and the onset of gout in the first place. There are many foods that are high in uric acid and while many of them are uncommon in traditional American cuisine, some you may be eating every day unknowingly contributing to your own pain level.

There are also many different types of supplements available that can be used to treat and prevent gout. Some of these are as simple as adding turmeric and ginger to your diet or taking regular fish oil and other supplements. These should also be discussed with your doctor, but all have been proven to offer relief and prevention toward gout.

Remember, left untreated, gout can create permanent damage to your joints and the possible onset of kidney disease. Work with your doctor and nutritionist to find the gout pain relief treatment system that will work best for your specific case and find relief in daily activities.

5 Ways To Reduce Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is a condition that is classified by the inflammation and corresponding agitation of the joints. It is a common health concern for many individuals, especially those over the age of 55, and is cited as the most common disability in the United States. Most of the time, arthritis is felt during the night or when the affected individual is about to go to sleep. Having this pain during the night results in discomfort and a lack of deep, restorative sleep. Affected individuals thus wake feeling exhausted, sore, and unable to fully enjoy their daily activities.

There are many causes of arthritis. One of the major factors in having joint pain and inflammation is old age. The ability of the cartilage to self-repair lessens because the cartilage becomes brittle as the person becomes older. Another factor is the excess body weights, which put pressure to the knees and hips that cause pain. Getting a good night sleep in a comfortable bed is one of the tricks in fighting arthritis instead of taking medications or painkillers.

Reducing Arthritis Pain Through An Adjustable Bed

• Sleeping in an adjustable bed is one of the ways to combat the pain during the night. Getting a comfortable sleep will help you lessen the pressure in your joints as well as the inflammation and the pain.


• Your body is relaxed in an adjustable bed avoiding the joints to be swollen and you can sleep in any position that you like.


• If the person is injured, adjustable beds can help in the faster recovery. A third of our life is spent on sleeping and our body recovers during asleep. It is important that we give our body the best possible comfort when sleeping in order to hasten recovery as well as to recover from fatigue or exhaustion.


• Adjustable bed gives the best support for your body, which helps lessen stress that may cause joint pain. You can adjust the lower part of the bed if your knee hurt so that you can elevate your knee. This will cause your joint and muscles to relax.


• It is already proven that adjustable beds really help people not only with arthritis but also with back pain, neck pain, GERD and a lot more.

Reducing Arthritis Pain Through Therapeutic Remedies

Another way of approaching your arthritis without resorting to huge bills due to medications is by trying the alternative medical ways. Therapeutic taping for arthritis inflammation and pain is the second way of dealing with arthritis. You can try using wrapping tapes in taking off the pressure in the area of the inflamed joints, supporting the joints and for realigning the joints. These wrapping tapes can be bought in pharmaceutical store or grocery store.

Reducing Arthritis Pain Through Safe And Effective Supplements And Proper Diet

The third way of dealing with arthritis is by boosting your body with vitamin C and D. Lack of vitamin C and D will result in unnecessary pain so having enough vitamins C and D will give you pain relief. Grapes skin includes a natural compound known as resveratrol, which acts as a COX-2 inhibitor. It inhibits COX-2, the enzyme responsible for the pain and inflammation of arthritis. The last method is by taking or drinking green tea. Green tea is discovered to contain polyphenols, which fights the key gene that is responsible for arthritis inflammation.

Gout Pain - Is There One Miracle Cure for All?

As any gout sufferer will agree, gout pain is intense and agonising. Gout can come on very quickly and with little or no warning.

The body produces uric acid from the breakdown of food. A manageable level is maintained with excess being dissolved into the blood stream, filtered via the kidneys and passed via urine. If our bodies start to produce a higher level of uric acid, a build up occurs generally in the joints. the build up of uric acid leads to the formation of uric acid crystals causing inflammation and redness.

Once an attack has taken hold, gout pain can be debilitating. The pain can be so intense that the insignificant weight of a bedsheet over an effected joint can be unbearable.

Untreated, a gout attack can prevail for more than a week. If not treated attacks can become more regular and cause permanent joint damage. While most commonly occurring in the big toe joint, gout pain can also be experienced in the knee, ankle, elbow, wrist and hands, and even the hip joint.

There are many ways to treat gout pain both with prescribed medication and with natural remedies. I have, over the last 20 years, tried many.

For years I was using prescribed drugs that only seemed to work sometimes. I was prescribed drugs to prevent gout and had to take it daily. Although being diligent I still suffered regular attacks. The doctor then prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the pain!!

It seemed that I was going round in circles and getting nowhere. The preventative medication was not working and the anti-infammatory drugs were causing kidney damage!!

I decided to look for alternatives.

There were a number of natural treatments available that I found seemed to work well. Apart from a few lifestyle changes (which certainly helped!!) I discovered there were additional things I could be doing that helped with the gout pain.

Some of these treatments worked within hours.

One thing I have learnt during my time is that not every treatment works effectively for all gout pain sufferers.

So, is there one miracle cure for all?...Probably not I'm afraid.

The good news is there is a number of treatments (both via medication and via natural remedies) so all is not lost.

I have tried many of these treatments over the years and have created Gout Relief Online, a website dedicated to finding and detailing the gout pain relief programs available.

How To Deal With Osteoarthritis

Do you have painful and stiff joints that are difficult to move? Does the pain increase during cold weather? If you have these symptoms, you could be a victim of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is due to the natural wear and tear of the joints. It is also known as degenerative joint disease or hypertrophic arthritis and is common in adults over 45. The fingers, knees, hips, and spine are usually affected.

Signs of osteoarthritis are joint stiffness and pain that may increase during cold weather. There is swelling and limited movement of the affected joint that is sometimes accompanied by a cracking or grating sound.

Factors that contribute to the disease are injury to the joint lining or joint stress due to physical activities or aging.

At times, osteoarthritis is characterized by acute or sudden inflammatory episodes or flare-ups. These are common in joints of the hands and knees. Symptoms include intense pain, inflammation, and immobility. These flare-ups may be due to trauma or synovitis, the inflammation of the synovial membrane that surrounds a joint cavity.

Rest is important during acute cases but normal activity should be resumed as soon as symptoms disappear. Inactivity will only make the muscle around the joint smaller and weaker.

Acute pain and inflammation can be relieved with the use of analgesics or oral and topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). However, these have numerous side effects and should never be used without first consulting a doctor. A safer alternative is Flexcerin, a natural supplement that rebuilds worn joints, lubricates stiff joints, and soothes aching and inflamed joints. Check out http://www.flexcerin.com for details.

The following measures from Dr. H. Winter Griffith, a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice, may help those suffering from osteoarthritis:

1) To relieve pain, apply heat to painful and stiff joints for 20 minutes two or three times a day. Use hot towels, hot tubs, infrared heat lamps, electric heating pads or deep-heating ointments or lotions. Swim often in a heated pool or move around in a whirlpool space.

2) If osteoarthritis of the neck causes pain in the arms, wear a soft, immobilizing collar (Thomas collar). If this isn't helpful, buy or rent a neck-traction device for home use.

3) Massage the muscles around painful joints. Massaging the joint itself is not helpful. If osteoarthritis affects the spine, sleep on your back on a very firm mattress or place 3/4-inch plywood between
your box springs and mattress. Waterbeds help some people.

4) Avoid chilling. Wear thermal underwear or avoid outdoor activity in cold weather.

5) Keep a positive outlook on life. Don't think of your self as an invalid. Remain active to prevent wasting of muscles.

Teeth Grinding, Jaw Clenching, And TMJ Disorders

TMJ refers to the tempromandibular joints, which are the joints of the jaw that connect the lower jaw bone (mandible) to the skull. These joints allow us to open and close our mouths, chew our food, and speak to one another (or ourselves). A TMJ disorder is any condition which interferes with these actions. Teeth grinding, teeth and jaw clenching, and locked jaw are some examples of conditions which relate to TMJ disorders.

They are sometimes difficult to diagnose, as there are many different causes for these conditions. TMJ disorders are most commonly caused by muscle tension in the jaw, perhaps due to increased stress and anxiety, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, or excessive chewing. Some other habits may be linked to TMJ disorders, such as consistently sleeping on one side of the jaw, chewing a lot of gum, or overextension of the jaw.

Other causes of TMJ disorders may be misaligned jaw joints or teeth, either due to structural problems with the jaw or teeth (such as a birth defect or scar tissue), or due to an injury to the jaw or surrounding areas. Other conditions such as arthritis may also lead to TMJ disorders.

If left untreated, these disorders can lead to headaches, earaches, joint and muscle pain (especially in the face, neck, and shoulders), loss of sleep, locked jaw, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, a clicking sound in the jaw, and/or limited movement of the head and neck.

Many people experience some of these problems and, most of the time, minor problems with the TMJ will correct themselves over time. They may reappear down the road, but the condition will not normally get any worse. However, some people suffer chronically from TMJ disorders, and must receive some type of treatment to deal with the pain and discomfort they may experience.

One of the best treatment options for teeth grinding, clenching, and other TMJ disorders are the use of dental mouth guards or splints. These custom-made guards are provided by your dentist and are used to relieve tension on the jaw during sleep. They help prevent teeth grinding and, if used regularly, can help curtail these nocturnal habits. Two common types of these guards are full upper mouth guards, which fit over all of the upper teeth, or NTIs, which are worn around only the top front teeth and have a high success rate stopping clenching.

Other methods to help treat TMJ disorders are available, and the best method really depends on the exact cause/s of the disorder. If high stress or anxiety levels are to blame, then stress management techniques may be the best line of defense. If the problem is due to structural problems with the teeth or jaw, then dental adjustments may bring these problems to an end. No matter what the cause, applying soothing heat to the area is often helpful, as well.

Consult your dentist to find out what steps can be taken to help treat any TMJ disorders you may be suffering from.

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome and What Causes It?

Is IBS a Disease like Crohn's or Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. It is not a disease like Crohn's or inflammatory bowel disease.

Symptoms vary widely from person to person, but they may include some of the following:

• Abdominal pain, sometimes localized to lower left quadrant
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Alternating diarrhea/constipation
• Change in stool consistency or appearance
• Mucous in stool
• Feeling of incomplete evacuation after bowel movements
• Sunset onset of uncontrollable urges to have bowel movements
• Excess gas
• Pain when sitting down
• Excess gurgling/rumbling/growling in stomach and abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Burping
• Loss of appetite
• Unpleasant taste in mouth
• Heartburn
• Backache
• Lethargy
• Anxiety and/or depression
• Insomnia
• Heart palpitations
• Irritable bladder or incontinence
• Gynecological problems

As you can see, it is a long list. Many of the symptoms can be caused by other illnesses or conditions. Please do not self-diagnose. See your doctor - or several, if necessary - until you have a specific diagnosis.

If you experience any of the following, get to the hospital or see a doctor immediately. They are NOT symptoms of IBS:

• High temperature
• Blood in stool or fresh bleeding with bowel movements
• Constant, unrelenting pain

Most experts agree that IBS does not cause permanent damage or lead to more serious conditions such as cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.

What Causes IBS?

After talking to several doctors, nurses, and a dietician, I received no answer to this question. There is nothing definitive on the Internet, either. However, criteria have been established that help physicians diagnose irritable bowel syndrome. Called the Rome III Criteria, you can get more information at RomeCriteria.org.

The average patient sees three doctors over three years before finally receiving a proper diagnosis.

The criteria for irritable bowel syndrome are outlined below.

• Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least three days per month in the last six months, associated with two or more of the following:

- Improvement with defecation

- Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool

- Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool

It is important to obtain a specific diagnosis before you assume that you have IBS. Other diseases may cause similar symptoms, and they must be ruled out before making any assumptions. There is no diagnostic test available (yet) that can prove you have irritable bowel syndrome. However, extensive examinations can rule out other, more serious conditions such as celiac disease, bowel cancer, and Crohn's.

Other Conditions that May Affect People with IBS

According to recent research, those with IBS may also suffer from one or more of the conditions on the following list:

• Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
• Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Periodic limb movement (PLMS)
• Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (MCSS)
• Tension headaches
• Irritable bladder
• Primary dysmenorrhea
• Migraine headaches
• Vulvodynia

There may also be an overlap of conditions such as:

• Globus
• Functional chest pain
• Functional heartburn
• Functional dysphagia
• Functional dyspepsia
• Aerophagia
• Functional vomiting
• Rumination syndrome
• Functional abdominal bloating
• Functional constipation
• Functional diarrhea
• Functional abdominal pain
• Gall bladder dysfunction
• Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
• Functional fecal incontinence
• Functional anorectal pain
• Functional defecation disorders

Functional disorders do not produce abnormal test results and nothing unusual is seen on endoscopy or x-ray. These disorders are generally diagnosed by deciding what they are NOT, and then categorizing them by symptoms.

Disclaimer

The material provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to replace proper medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Always consult your physician and other appropriate health-care providers before taking any medications, natural remedies, or supplements; or before changing your diet. Discuss all plans, symptoms, and medical conditions with your doctor.

Any use of the ideas contained herein is at your own discretion, risk, and responsibility. The author assumes no liability for any of the information presented. There are no representations or warranties, either express or implied.

You should not begin or discontinue medical treatment based on information contained in this, or any other, article.

The Health Secret Your Jaw Can Tell

More and more our society is looking for the "silver bullet" of health. Every second TV ad suggests a drug to "fix" any health condition imaginable. Wouldn't it be great if your body could indicate its level of health and function? It can! This article explains the significance of your jaw, how a simple self-test can indicate your functional status and what you can do to achieve "true health".

Move your jaw side to side in a sawing action. Did it pop or click on one side? Can you move it more to one side than the other? Are you unable to fit your four fingers stacked vertically (no overlapping!) in your mouth? When you bite down does one side contact before the other? Chances are you tested positive in one or more of these tests for jaw imbalance and if you did, you need to read on!

The jaw joint or the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be a source of discomfort for many people. TMJ Disorder (TMJD) or TMJ Syndrome and has been associated with a wide variety of other symptoms, some far removed from the jaw itself, for example chronic headaches, sinus problems, visual disturbances, ringing and pain in the ears, facial pain, tingling and numbness in the fingers and even low back pain.

Even more interestingly, TMJD has been associated with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and depression. Scientists and medical studies have been unable to explain the connection of TMJD to such a wide variety of dysfunctional conditions affecting both body and mind.

This may be because "scientists" overlook two indisputable facts when they look at human health.

First, the body and mind are one - a single unit linked together from head to toe via joints, muscle and connective tissue called fascia (remember the song, "The leg bone connected to the knee bone..."?).

Second, form follows function. So any "weak links" that cause structural imbalance in one part of the body will transfer throughout the body, decreasing its form and therefore its entire function also. For example, compensating for a broken toe may eventually work its way up to the neck and yes, even the jaw.

To be truly healthy is to have good function, which dictates that your form or posture must be good also. The pain, the symptoms associated with TMJD and even the TMJD itself are simply manifestations of dyfunction resulting from postural imbalance.

So why is the jaw a good example to demonstrate your level of health and function? Because it is highest joint in the body and the last area your body can compensate for postural imbalances transferring up from lower down. Also since the jaw is linked to the skull, we can easily discern dysfunction like muscle tightness, pain, popping or clicking.

Another reason to test the jaw is because the alignment of the mandible (jaw bone) can affect the pituitary gland in the brain. The pituitary gland is considered "the master gland" and is chiefly responsible for maintaining your body in a healthy, internally balanced state called homeostasis.

Lets trace the links to the pituitary. Keep reading and you'll learn the secret to "true health".

The mandible is connected to a bone in your skull called the sphenoid with muscles called the medial and lateral pterygoids. The sphenoid houses the pituitary gland in a small depression called the sella turcica. So any structural imbalance in the TMJ from strength differences in the pterygoids will transfer structural imbalance to the sphenoid, which will then compromise the function of the pituitary and homeostasis.

Now it might be easy to think that if you can correct the imbalance in the jaw with a bite plate or some surgical procedure you would fix the TMJD and be as healthy as a horse right? Wrong! This approach is doomed to fail because the jaw is also linked to the shoulders and sternum.

The mandible is connected to the shoulders and sternum via a bone just above the level of the Adam's apple called the hyoid bone. The hyoid is a "floating bone" and unlike any other bone in the body in that it does not contact other bones; rather it is suspended above and below by muscles. Its main function is to act as an anchor for the muscles that connect the mandible to the hyoid. These muscles are called suprahyoid muscles and act to open or pull the mandible down.

But wait! Muscles called the infrahyoid muscles connect the hyoid to both shoulder blades and the sternum. Their function is to anchor the hyoid in a level, "neutral" position, which is difficult because any unevenness in shoulders height or slouching will unbalance the hyoid and therefore the jaw and pituitary.

The shoulders and upper back are you guessed it, connected to the lower back and pelvis, which will only be as balanced as the "core" muscles allows them to be. The core is a system of muscles in the trunk and hip region like the glutes (butt) and abdominals that act as the body's foundation by stabilizing the pelvis and low back.

The jaw tests you tried earlier can now be looked at as indicators of the status of your core since all posture and function originates here.

So now the jaw reveals it's secret: "True health can only be achieved when the strength of the muscles of the core is balanced and the posture realigned.

Is it possible that to thrive both physically and mentally could be this simple?

Yes! We like complicated things and to make things complicated. We have been conditioned to think that complicated drugs and surgery are the answer to our health problems. They're not.

That being said restoring balance to the core is not easy. Here's why.

Your brain like all animals is hardwired for survival so it favors using mobilizing muscles that cause gross movement to move your body out of danger. Stabilizing muscles like the core muscles are less likely to be favored and more likely to become weaker since they oppose movement.

The mobilizing muscles now have to work overtime. They compensate by tightening since they have to perform their own function plus that of the weak stabilizing muscles too. Compensating muscles cannot perform both jobs effectively so muscle strength and length imbalances develop causing postural imbalances. A classic example is the hamstring muscles tightening in response to gluteus maximus weakness.

Compensation is a great technique to help you run away from a hungry lion but complicates things when you try to access the root problem of core weakness. So it doesn't matter how much "core training" you do, you will most likely just strengthen the tight mobilizing muscles and engrain the imbalances even more - like driving your car with bad wheel alignment.

So what is the solution to accessing the weak core muscles and reestablishing the body's function? Wouldn't it be great if there were some technique that could "activate" and strengthen the weak core muscles?

The good news is there is a technique called Myotonix that does exactly that. It is a form of manual therapy based on the principles and techniques of acupressure, osteopathy and trigger point therapy and to improve posture. The results are instantaneous and astounding.

This article has highlighted the significance of jaw function as an indicator of whole body function and how dysfunction in any one part of the body affects the whole. Total body health will only be realized when we recognize the connection of our form to our function. So with this knowledge, the next time you go to your dentist you can tell him the health secret of his jaw!

Clenching Teeth at Night - Why You Need to Stop it Now!

Clenching teeth at night is something more of us do than we realize. Clenching or grinding the teeth without knowing is also known as bruxism, and sleep bruxism means we do it in the night - affecting our sleep, our spouse's sleep, our stress levels, our general well being and the health of our teeth!

What's Wrong With Clenching Teeth At Night?

If you or your partner has noticed your clenching your teeth in your sleep then it's important you take action. Although many people ignore the problem, thinking it simply doesn't matter, the truth is that it can become very serious if you don't do anything about it.

Some of the short term effects you might notice include:

• You'll be three times more likely to suffer from headaches,


• You might get aches in your face muscles and jaw,


• You could find it difficult to open your mouth completely,


• Ear ache,


• Disruption of your sleep,


• Disrupting your partner's sleep,


• Receding gums,


• Tightness or stiffness in the shoulders,


• Teeth movement.

These short term effects of clenching teeth at night are bad enough in themselves - you might become more irritable, more stressed, and less able to function properly both in your job and in your social life - all of which can even make the grinding worse, making it a vicious cycle.

However, if you don't do anything about it then you might start to experience more serious long term problems:

• You could develop temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) which means problems with the jaw joint,


• And eventually your teeth will wear away and could break,


• You might even have to pay for costly repairs to restorative teeth work.

So if you still think you don't need to do anything about it - think again!

Take Action Starting Now

The first thing you can do is visit the dentist to make completely sure that bruxism is what you have. In some cases, the cause of it can be an underlying condition which will need to be treated first.

However, in the majority of cases it's simply stress and anxiety and excess energy building up in the body, which means you need to work on yourself if you really want to get to the bottom of your clenching and stop teeth grinding.

Most dentists will recommend you wear a mouth guard. This is useful for clenching at night, as you do it without realising and the guard will protect against wearing away of the teeth. But this is only a short term solution - many people find that it still doesn't end the stress, and some may even bite through their mouth guard!