Tips For Improving Bone and Joint Health

In the United States, one in three adults suffer from some form of chronic joint pain. Most of these joint pain problems can be reduced or avoided completely with just some basic changes in our everyday lifestyles. This article is designed to give you tips and advice that can help.

1. Lose weight - Carrying around extra body weight creates severe strains on your joints, particularly the knee joints. You can drastically reduce the amount of pain you feel in those joints by simply losing weight. In fact, losing as little as ten pounds of body weight can help improve the joint pain problems almost immediately.

2. Stretch first - If you exercise a lot, and particularly if you work hard to build muscle, you need to be sure you stretch first. Many bodybuilding and weight lifting related joint pain problems are caused by tendinitis, which is an inflammation or irritation of the tendons. This type of joint pain can be reduced or eliminated by stretching, because you'll warm up your tendons before working them too hard, and they'll be more flexible and able to handle the added weight or exercise loads you're putting on them.

3. Warm Up - This tip also applies to anyone who exercises or lifts weights regularly. Your body needs to be warmed up properly in order to work properly and avoid excess injuries. Warming up allows your tendons to flex and become more supple, allows the muscles to loosen up and work better, and gets the blood flowing through your body.

4. Change Exercises - Whether you're an avid or occasional exerciser, you might want to consider changing the type of exercise you do. Impact style exercising such as step aerobics or kick boxing is much harder on your joints, and can cause a lot more pain and problems. Change to exercises such as yoga and water based workouts to take the load off your joints and help prevent more pain problems.

5. Don't over exercise - Regardless of the type of exercise you do, or how heavy your workout is, your body needs time to repair. Someone who does hours of intense exercising daily will have more problems with chronic joint pain than someone who allows their body to recuperate. Your muscles, tendons and ligaments all need time to rest and repair after a hard workout. That's what causes them to strengthen over time.

6. Change Positions - Even if you don't workout, your job or daily routines could be the cause of chronic joint pain. Sitting or standing all day are examples of routines that can cause joint pain. Try to vary your routine a bit, to give both your body and your joints variety and rest periods.

7. Get Better Shoes - Women who wear high heeled shoes have 7-10 times greater chances of developing joint pain and problems. If you're in love with super high heeled shoes, at least try to vary the height regularly. Wear one inch heels for a day, then two inch heels another day and so on. It's best if you simply stick to heels lower than three inches though.

Likewise, if you wear tennis other other types of shoes, you need to make sure they fit properly. Your toes should not be cramped, and there should be the proper amount of arch support. Your shoes should also have some sort of cushion, particularly under the ball and heel areas of your feet.

8. Get Your Supplements - Making sure you're getting enough of the required vitamins, minerals and supplements is one of the best ways to help reduce, eliminate, and even prevent chronic joint pain. Calcium is important to keep your bones strong, and strong bones keep your joints healthy. You also need plenty of vitamin C and anti-oxidants. Fish oil and flax oil provide omega-3 fatty acids, which work wonders for keeping your joints in optimum health, and glucosamine helps improve joint flexibility, as well as helping to rebuild joint cartilage.

Type 2 Diabetes and Musculoskeletal Disease: Is There a Connection Between the Two?

Type 2 diabetes is associated with numerous chronic diseases. Musculoskeletal disease or disease of the muscles and their associated ligaments, and other connective tissue, is one of the most common problems among people with diabetes. With the ever-increasing number of diabetics suffering from joint pains, one question is left unanswered: is there a connection between Type 2 diabetes and musculoskeletal disease or do these two disease entities only happen together by chance?

According to John Hopkins Point of Care Information Technology (POC-IT) Center, a vast number of diabetics have musculoskeletal disorders. The most affected joints include the hands and feet and the shoulders. And with the increasing duration of uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes, the tendency for the development of musculoskeletal disease increases as well.

The most common forms of musculoskeletal disease in diabetics include:

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome is most often characterized by the limited movement of the wrist brought about by the entrapment of an important nerve in between the small bones of the wrist. More than twenty percent of diabetics have carpal tunnel syndrome.

2. Dupuytren's contracture is characterized by the stiffness of the joints of the hands due to inflammation involving the joints. Flexion of the little finger, the ring finger, and frequently the middle fingers, renders them more or less useless. This condition always starts in one hand, but eventually both become deformed symmetrically. According to John Hopkins POC-IT Center, almost forty percent of people with Type 2 diabetes also suffer from Dupuytren's contracture.

3. Flexor tenosynovitis... "trigger" finger is the most common symptom of flexor tenosynovitis. It is caused by nodal formations over the tendons that cause flexion of the fingers and thumbs. Trigger finger will limit finger movement... you will find when you try to straighten your finger, the finger will lock or catch before straightening out. This joint problem occurs in twenty percent of people with diabetes regardless of their blood sugar control.

4. Osteoarthritis... according to John Hopkins POC-IT Center, osteoarthritis is believed to be associated with diabetes because of obesity. People who are suffering from chronic osteoarthritis tend to develop Type 2 diabetes because of the habitual usage of glucocorticoids, a steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. In a study published by Hippokratia in October 2007, it was shown the cause of osteoarthritis in diabetes is not merely due to obesity. The researchers of this study point out even non-weight bearing joints of people with diabetes also become involved in this musculoskeletal problem which only shows the development of osteoarthritis and diabetes may have a common pathophysiologic mechanism which is still unclear up to this time.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of connective tissue disease in the US. It can begin as early as the second decade of life and peaks in the fifth and sixth decades. By age 70, more than 80% of people have some form of bone degeneration.

Type 2 diabetes and musculoskeletal disease may be seen together because of coincidence. They may also be due to a common pathophysiological mechanism that is yet to be discovered. However, for most people suffering from the pains brought about by musculoskeletal disease, one thing remains important: the treatment that can permanently ease their joint pains whether they have Type 2 diabetes or not.

Regain Your Balance Now, Here is How

Over the past several months, we have been discussing imbalance, dizziness, vertigo, disequilibrium, etc., how to find out if you are at risk, etc. We know that as part of the natural aging process individuals will become more prone to imbalance associated with changes in the spinal joints from degenerative joint disease, and the disturbances in the ocular reflexes which are pre-programmed to the spinal movements. These disturbances can also lead to anxiety, changes in respiratory dynamics and changes in the digestive system as these systems are all hard wired and linked together, thus changes in one system affect the others systems as well. Changes in breathing dynamics alone are probably responsible for half of the dizziness in society. These changes not only create anxiety and panic disorder, but will eventually lead to a permanent change in your systemic pH, which can lead to all sorts of problems.

The good news is that these disturbances are not only reversible, but are actually quite easy to fix. Inappropriate ocular reflexes are corrected through appropriate eye exercises, which are orchestrated to strengthen the specific ocular weaknesses, which need to be addressed. This alone typically improves imbalance and disequilibrium immediately. Breathing dynamics can easily be corrected by increasing rib excursion and thus increasing lung vital capacity. This will immediately reverse aberrant changes in systemic pH, any panic disorder induced from such, gastric problems, which may be associated, etc.

Inasmuch as these problems are quite reversible and easily fixed, it is certainly with an understanding that treatment is provided under the guidance of a health care provider adequately trained in treating problems associated with imbalance and postural and gait abnormalities.

It is unfortunate that the vast majority of balance problems go unnoticed and untreated when they are easiest to correct, as most individuals don't appreciate that they even have a problem because they do not take the time to get screened. Society has been trained over time to obtain routine blood work, and other "routine" and "preventative" screening procedures, because we know that if we do not have them, we may miss something that would have been easy to fix had it been diagnosed early on but was ignored because no screening was ever done. Balance screening is no exception to this. Simply put, the longer you wait, the longer it will take to fix, and the more likely you will incur a fall and thus have a serious injury to overcome. I have mentioned several times in my column that you cannot tell if your balance is impaired without screening. If you can tell, it is only because it has already gotten so severe that it becomes apparent just standing or while walking about. If this is the case, not doing anything about it is like being diabetic and not taking your medication and not changing your diet. It will just be a matter of time.

Supplements For Osteoarthritis in Pets

Our pets are part of our family. For many of us our special furry friend/friends are like one of our children. And one thing is for sure we all want the best for our pets. Nevertheless, while our pets do communicate with us it is sometimes easy to overlook or misinterpret conditions that gradually make their way into our pet's lives. One of these conditions is osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.  

Arthritis is a general term referring to inflammation of the joint. The most common form of arthritis in pets is osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative joint disease. This common condition is most often found in large animals but can affect animals of all sizes. It is characterized as loss of cartilage (the shock absorbing gel like material between the joints) and joint degeneration leading to pain and lack of mobility.  

Pet degenerative joint disease initially can be difficult to recognize. Joint stillness after a nap, or an extended period of rest, are common signs of its onset. As the disease becomes more advanced, your pet may not have the enthusiasm for certain playful activities they once had. In severe cases they may not be able to make it to the litter box or through the pet door in time to do their business.  

Supplements for osteoarthritis in pets is a topic of great interest for most pet owners with either aging animals, those with birth defects that exasperate the condition (hip dysplasia), and those who have overused their joints.   The goal in slowing, stopping, and ultimately revering osteoarthritis in pets is to find supplements which include ingredients that have been shown to be effective in reversing the condition.  

Let's cover a few of these:  
*Glucosamine: As pets age many lose their ability to manufacture adequate amounts of glucosamine to keep their joints moving freely and absorb the shock of running, jumping, and playing. This ingredient should be one included in any pet osteoarthritis supplement.  
*Chondroitin, Bovine cartilage extract - While some joint health benefits have been derived from the use of chondroitin or bovine cartilage extract they do not seem to be as effective as glucosamine when used alone; due to their low absorption rate. Nevertheless, these are supplemental ingredients that should be considered.   *Vitamin E - Research studies support the idea that vitamin E is beneficial for osteoarthritis in pets. The benefit was thought to be due to vitamin E's membrane stabilizing actions and antioxidant properties.  
*B5 (Pantothenic Acid) - Some research suggests that a deficiency in this obscure B vitamin reduces cartilage growth.  

In summary, we have just touched on a small number of helpful supplements for osteoarthritis in pets. Your next step is to locate a well respected supplemental formula to treat osteoarthritis in pets. Additionally, all pet owners should make a good effort to keep their pets weight under control. Excess weight is one of the primary causes of degenerative joint disease.

TMD-TMJ - Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD/TMJ) is a painful and often debilitating neuromuscular disorder with symptoms which can affect the entire body. TMD/TMJ sufferers rarely associate their symptoms with dental-related problems and, therefore, seek help from doctors who are unequipped to diagnose or treat TMD/TMJ and unable to recognize the signs, leaving the condition misdiagnosed as migraines or other health conditions.

TMD/TMJ occurs when the teeth, jaw muscles and jaw joints are out of alignment. Only a neuromuscular dentist has the training and equipment to properly diagnose and treat TMD/TMJ. The symptoms range from obvious dental problems and damage, to pain and dysfunction throughout the head and body. The muscles and nerves of the jaw work in conjunction with the nerves and muscles of the face, head, neck, and shoulders. Any problem affecting the nerves and muscles of the jaw causes a chain reaction. Symptoms of TMD/TMJ include:

· Jaw pain

· Clicking or popping jaw - A disc of cartilage inside of the jaw joint keeps the joint from rubbing together. When the jaw muscles move this disc out of place, the joint rubs together, causing clicking and popping that is sometimes loud enough to be heard by other people.

· Limited jaw movement or locking jaw

· Tooth grinding

· Loose teeth

· Worn, chipped, or cracked teeth or fillings

· Pain and sensitivity in teeth

· Crowded teeth

· Receding gums

· Difficulty swallowing - Caused by severe muscle tension in the jaw, neck and face.
· Facial pain

· Pain behind the eyes

· Headaches (often misdiagnosed as migraines) - Caused by constant muscle tension, and clenching or grinding the teeth.

· Ringing ears (tinnitus)

· Congested ears

· Shoulder, neck, or back pain

· Numbness in arms and fingers - The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves, located between the neck and shoulders, leading down to the hands and fingers. Spasms, started in the jaw muscles and continuing through the neck and shoulders can pinch this nerve bundle.

· Depression - Caused by chronic pain and the constant, unsuccessful search for a cure.

Causes of TMD/TMJ

The cause of TMD/TMJ is not always known. We do know that it can be hereditary, and is sometimes caused by trauma, such as an auto accident, or by poor dental work. The onset can be sudden or gradual.

Treating TMD/TMJ

Fortunately, TMD/TMJ can be effectively treated. The first step correcting TMD/TMJ is a thorough evaluation of the bite alignment and the nerve and muscle activity. The beauty of TMD/TMJ treatment is that, while full and permanent correction is a multi-phase process, most people experience immediate relief from symptoms after the first day of treatment.

· TENS (transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation) acts like an electrical massage, relaxing the muscles, topping the spasms, and relieving the pain and the majority of symptoms.

· Temporary bite correction uses a temporary appliance to achieve the correct bite alignment, making gradual adjustments.

· Permanent bite correction involves making the necessary changes to keep the bite improper alignment and can include reshaping the tooth enamel, or using crowns or braces, so that the teeth hold the bite in proper alignment.

TMD/TMJ can only be treated by a neuromuscular dentist. The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) is the world's premier post-graduate dental teaching center. Leading cosmetic dentists from all over the world attend LVI to learn the most advanced techniques in neuromuscular and cosmetic dentistry.

Yoga Is Fantastic For Joint Pain

Yoga is one of the most popular physical exercises carried out by most people nowadays. Yoga includes exercises carried out to help an individual mentally as well as physically in the Hindu faith. Yoga involves a person carrying out physical exercises as well as meditation. Therefore it creates healing in the mind and the body as a whole. By using meditation, yoga provides spiritual enlightenment and tranquility to the individual.

Yoga has many advantages for the person mentally and physically and you may be asking yourself, "why is doing yoga good for those with joint problems?" Well. yoga is very essential especially to people with joint pains in the following ways.

Yoga is one way for a person to heal the various joint that are in pain.There are certain movements in the exercises involved when doing yoga. These help you to be flexible as well as to balance and stretch the body in a gradual process. In addition to the above, instead of just going to a physician to help you with the joint pains, this could be one of the more effective and natural way to get rid of them as well as being a way of life for you. Secondly yoga will start to lubricate stiff joints. It induces the body to gently secrete fluids that will continuously lubricate joints for example giving lubrication to the knee and shoulder joints alike.

According to a few researchers worldwide, who studied on the health of a person, healing of a person starts with the mind of that person himself/ herself. Yoga is one of those type of exercise that trains not only the body but the mind as well. As such, the best way of healing joint pains is not only by meditating but focusing it on healing the joint problem area. There are many people that have failed to heal because their minds can only think focus on life from a negative aspect and not believe in the miracle of the mind. Yoga is one of the ways used for training the mind to be positive everyday come what may.

How to Take Care For Your Dog's Ears

Dogs are quite prone to ear infections. It is one of the most common problems when it comes to dogs. Vets say that this is the most common reason dog-owners go to clinics. This is because of dogs' earflap. While it protects your dog's sensitive ears, it also creates a moist, warm environment. This makes dogs' ears ideal for bacteria or yeast growth. Because it was coming from the ear canal, your dog's ears will accumulate a lot of bacteria, causing infection. Furthermore, if your dog's ears are not regularly cleaned, wax tends to build up, raising the risks even more. If your dog has any signs that he is uncomfortable, you should consider ear problems. You can tell that it's an ear infection when the dog repeatedly shakes his head, or tilts his head. They do this to relieve themselves of the pain caused by the infection.

Ear infections have three main causes. The most common are ear mites; these can be found in both cats and dogs. While they are not unusual, they can cause something even more severe. Ear mites that have been left untreated could promote bacterial growth. Secondary infection is always a hazard as this can cause a lot of damage to your pet's ears. They are parasites which feed on the wax inside the ear canal and it's best to treat ear mites at an early stage with miticides to prevent infection.

Primary infections can also spread out in and develop into potentially damaging diseases. These start out with bacteria, fungi or yeast that accumulates and feeds on the wax of the ear canal. Sometimes, dogs can have multiple types of infections in their ears. You will know that your dog has an infection when you smell something foul in your dog's ear. In some cases, pus or other fluid will come out of the ears. It is best to take some preventative measures in order to stop infections; cleaning the ears regularly is a sure way to prevent it. However, if your dog already has an infection, your doctor will usually prescribe a topical, antifungal or antibacterial medicine.

Aside from infections and ear mites, dogs can also develop ear problems if they are allergic to certain elements in the environment. Insects such as fleas and gnats are very common; they can irritate the outer portion of the ear. This is the reason why many dogs have ear infections without showing any physical symptoms. Allergies to food and pollens can cause a physical effect on the dog's ears. The skin will turn leathery and rough. It will also be very red and itchy.

Ear infections are quite easy to cure. It's best that your dog is taken to a vet at the onset of any symptoms. Leaving the infection untreated could cause a lot of damage to your dog's ears. Usually, medication is enough to cure an infection. However, if the case is severe, and the treatment has been delayed for quite some time, surgery might be the best option.

A Holistic Approach to TMJ

Understand that TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) pain and associated problems make it difficult if not impossible to identify the exact nature of the cause of the problem. Holistic Specifics has approached TMJ with the attitude that we cannot fix everyone, but we can contribute greatly in the wellbeing and recovery of the many who are now suffering.

As has been known for over 3000 years, tight, spasmed muscles have pain associated with TMJ. Tight muscles hurt. Through the use of Therapeutic Massage, we can address this tension and many times relieve it entirely. This soreness, or pain in many cases, is not readily acknowledged by the conscious mind, but is registered and controlled by the sub-conscious mind. In other words, we have developed habits (both good and bad) to deal with the discomfort.

The muscle tightness we are talking about would be in, or associated with, those muscles that control chewing, speech, facial expression and swallowing. These muscles are affected by being over-used when grinding the teeth at night. They may be affected by your bite being mis-aligned. The muscles may have been traumatized during an accident, or when being slapped or struck on the side of the head. A disease such as arthritis may have set in, which complicates the issue. Some clinicians believe strongly that oral habits such as tongue thrusting, wide yawning, and nail, lip, or cheek biting, can precipitate a situation that puts the jaw in an abnormal position and may weaken or overstress the muscles. This continuous stress can result in tight and spasmed muscles.

More females are prone to TMJ than are men, and a greater prevalence of women in their childbearing years suffer from TMJ. This may indicate a serious possibility of a need for better nutrition during those times when a woman is eating for two.

Studies suggest that women on hormone replacement therapy were 77% more likely to seek help for TMJ as are women who are using oral contraceptives (19%). The downsides of the hormone estrogen is becoming more clear as more studies are being done.

Work habits and posture, things that we do every day, are done without thinking. Those habits that affect the muscles of the jaw or those of the neck, head or even shoulders, may reflect into the jaw muscles. Habits such as cradling a telephone between your ear and shoulder, carrying a heavy shoulder bag, singing, anything that promotes a forward head position, or hunching forward can contribute to tension throughout the body, as well as spasmed muscles.

Stress can manifest itself in so many different ways. Serious illnesses and disease are a result of the stress we allow ourselves to experience. Not knowing how to deal with stress is not an excuse and does nothing to reduce the effects of stress. Stress management can be learned and easily implemented into anyone's life. Simple techniques such as breathing effectively and efficiently can have a profound effect in reducing stress. For more serious conditions, Thought Field Therapy or Emotional Field Therapy can be utilized.

With respect to both of the conditions previously mentioned (spasmed muscles and Stress), a healthy lifestyle which utilizes both exercise and nutritional supplementation (with essential nutrients) will make a tremendous difference. Human beings require a full complement of minerals (macro & micro) in order to utilize vitamins properly. We also need Anti-Oxidants to fight off the free radicals created by the toxins in our environment, and a healthy circulatory system to deliver it to all of the cells. Exercise is an easy method of enhancing the circulatory system in the body.

Sounds simple doesn't it? In actuality, it is! The first thing you must do is make a decision. Ask yourself: Do I want to continue to get what I've always got, by continuing to do what I've always done, or is it time to CHANGE? If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then it really is time for that change. Start by taking very small incremental positive steps. Don't try to do it all at once. Remember, you have the rest of your life ahead of you to make the improvements in your life. Just start by doing the obvious. Look in the mirror and be honest with yourself. Let that person in the mirror tell you where you need to start, and then take action. The hardest part of training for running a marathon is putting on those running shoes. Once the shoes are on and you take that first step. it gets easier and easier to take the next.

May you have much success on your journey to health!

Neck Pain and Dizziness Part 2

In part 1 of the article I wrote entitled "Neck Pain and Dizziness", I asked the question on whether or neck pain and dizziness are related to each other.

If indeed they are related, this would help us understand why we often have the two happening at the same time, but more importantly, if we focus on alleviating our neck pain, we can also alleviate our dizziness as well.

This is very important, because if you Google drug treatments for vertigo, you will see a host of pharmaceuticals for this condition, and any time we can avoid taking medication for something we can help naturally, then you've vastly improved your overall health.

Also in part 1 of Neck Pain and Dizziness, we mentioned that the center in the brainstem responsible for balance is called the vestibular nucleus. Four sources for stimulating or sending information to the vestibular nucleus were reviewed: the Inner ear (Labyrinthine), the cerebellum, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and the cervical vertebra C1-3. This type of vertigo is called Cervical Vertigo, or Cervicogenic Vertigo, and this is where we left off.

So let's continue.

CERVICAL VERTIGO:

A relationship between cervical spine trauma and the symptoms of vertigo has been researched and documented. Dr. Linda Luxon notes in her chapter titled "posttraumatic vertigo" (1) that this type of vertigo can be explained by 'disruption of cervical proprioceptive input'.

From the Latin word proprius, meaning "one's own" and perception-is one of the human senses. Hence, one's own human sense functions to sense orientation of ones limbs in space. In the case of the neck or cervical spine, we have proprioceptors throughout the anatomy of the neck. They function in the neck to sense stretch or quick movements, and ultimately tell our brain where we are in space and time.

This information of where our head is in space then gets relayed or sent to the vestibular nulcei, the balance centers in our brain. The major source of cervical spine information gets sent from with the joints and capsules in the neck.

That said, whenever a problem with the upper cervical spinal joints exist, or a problem with the neck in general, altered signals get sent to the vestibular nucleus, sending faulty information of where our head is in time and space.

The result?

Try Dizziness and Vertigo.

So why would our neck have a problem with the joints and capsules in the first place, that would result in the faulty relaying of centers to the balance centers in the brain? Trauma for one. Any motor vehicle accident, or jar that we take to the neck. Better yet, postural stress. Postural stress of being in front of a computer, using our cell phones, sleeping awkwardly, driving for a long duration, and a host of other things that we do on a daily basis.

All in all, this is actually great news. If you suffer with neck pain, vertigo, and dizziness, and have not had any relief, then focusing on correcting the neck problems may actually help not only your neck pain, but your dizziness as well.

So, the question becomes, why don't you know about this?

Not to get too political, but, the drug industry is a Multi Billion dollar industry, and they have a stake at promoting their products. Unfortunately, as well, in general, society is looking for a magic pill. One that we go to bed at night with, and wake up in the morning with whatever we took the pill for fixing the problem. That is the "should be world" and unfortunately, we live in the "is world".

The "is" world when it comes to vertigo, dizziness and neck pain, IS to improve the "mechanical function of these joints", fix the faulty signals being sent to the vertigo centers in the brain, and fix the vertigo, dizziness, and neck problems.

I know that If I where you, I would be asking right about now "What the heck is mechanical function of the neck joints???" More importantly, "how do I fix the mechanical function of the neck joints"????

Well great question, funny you should ask. I try to explain things in a simple and easy analogies to understand things that we may not be familiar with. So, think about our joints in the neck like a door hinge.

Now I know that this analogy is a bit crude, but, we all understand how a hinge joint works. With a door, the way the hinge joint was designed allows the door to swing open and swing closed. All we have to do is push the door and viola, it swings open.

Two joints in the body that are called hinge joints are the elbow and knee. These joints can swing open and closed, or flex and extend in one direction, like a hinge joint of a door (more or less). But think about when that hinge joint becomes faulty.

Perhaps it is rusty, or not lubricated properly, the joint stops working properly. When that happens, the door may not open up as much, the joint my grind, and then it really becomes difficult to get through the doorway. If we force the door too much, where the hinge is mounted to the framework, that may begin to loosen up as well. Now you have an even bigger problem.

Well the neck joints are similar in the way they breakdown. The joints in the spine or called facet joints (see above diagram for an illustration). In the case of the facet joints in the neck, when we bend our neck to look downwards, the joints open up or separate. When we look up to the sky, the joints bear down on each other and come together. We also have the ability to turn left and right, and laterally flex each ear to the respected shoulder.

This is what we call "normal joint mechanics" or mechanical function of the neck joints.

So how do we fix this mechanical function in the neck? Well, techniques to improve range of motion, in all directions is the first suggestion. In order to do that, we have to first determine what ranges of motion or what direction we are limited in.

As a quick reference, AMA guidelines for spinal motion are as follows

Flexion= 60 degrees

Extension= 75 degrees

Cervical Right Lateral Flexion= 40 degrees

Cervical Left Lateral Flexion= 40 degrees

Cervical Right Rotation = 80 degrees

Cervical Left Rotation = 80 degrees

So step 1. would be to evaluate your own range of motion with the "eyeball method" and determine if you have a) full ranges in all direction b) pain free movement b) symmetry between left and right motions (that is, left motion is as good as right motion and vice versa).

Once you have determined any "dysfunctions with your range of motion, you are ready to go on to step 2. So keep posted for my 3rd and final installment of "Neck Pain and Dizziness" where I continue to give you valuable information to help to improve your mechanical function of your neck and get rid of your vertigo once and for all.

Till next time, watching your back (and neck)

Reference:

Luxon L. "Posttraumatic Vertigo" in Disorder of the Vestibular System, edited by Robert W. Baloh and G. Michael Halmagyi, Oxford University Press, 1996

Is Hip Pain Keeping You Up at Night? Read This!

Does hip pain limit your everyday activities such as walking up and down stairs or getting up from a seated position? Do you have trouble sleeping because pain keeps you awake? If you are reading this, chances are you can relate to some of these symptoms. You may even be taking prescription medications or using walking aids to help relieve the pain you endure on a daily basis.

Maybe you've even considered hip surgery as a way to end your pain once and for all. As an orthopedic doctor, I know how you are feeling. I frequently treat patients who are faced with the choice between living with pain or hip replacement. More than 400,000 operations are performed each year that include total or partial hip replacements and this number is constantly increasing.i

The decision to have hip surgery should be a cooperative effort on the part of you, your family, and your orthopedic surgeon. Recommendations for surgery are based on the extent of your pain, disability, and damage to your hip joint. Before reaching the conclusion to operate, your doctor will most likely advise you to consider other treatments first, such as pain medication, physical therapy, and exercise.

Wait Before Going Under the Knife!

Before you rush to judgment on whether or not to have hip replacement, you might want to try managing your pain by making some simple lifestyle changes. Listed are just a few suggestions for hip pain relief.

•Weight Loss - Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial when it comes to the stress on your joints. Let's face it losing excess weight benefits your entire body - your heart, brain, muscles, and bones. The right combination of portion control and light exercise may be the secret to managing your pain.

•Exercise - Although some exercise is good for you be sure to avoid activities that cause pain. Some muscle soreness is to be expected but it should work itself out as you move through your day. Take it easy when you feel a sharp or shooting pain while exercising or if the pain lingers for hours or even days.

•Rest - Stop what you are doing when you feel pain. You should rest for at least 24 to 48 hours before resuming your old activity level.

•Apply ice - When you're feeling pain it is usually because of inflammation in your joint. If pain is intense try applying ice four or five times a day for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

•Elevation - Recline with your feet up to help reduce swelling and help reduce pain.

•Supplements - Since cartilage is what makes your hips move without pain there are supplements that are extremely helpful such as glucosomine & chondroitin that restore damaged cartilage. Omega 3 fish oil and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) are excellent natural ingredients that lubricate your joints and aid in the efficiency of movement.

•Pain medications - Over the counter pain killers with ibuprofen will aid in targeting inflammation and reducing pain.

New Alternative to Hip Replacement!

When is it time to get your hip replaced? This is a question not easily answered. The treatments mentioned above may decrease hip pain but may not be the answer for everyone. Depending upon the damage shown in x rays, you may or may not be a candidate for surgery. There are certain conditions that rule out the possibility of hip replacement such as Parkinson's disease, high risk of infection, and overall poor health.

Hip replacement surgery is usually performed for severe conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, broken hip, and bone tumor. After exhausting other treatment methods mentioned above to alleviate your symptoms, surgery may become necessary. The good news is that there are some new and improved methods of performing hip replacement that are not as invasive as the standard surgery. These advancements include the following:

•Mini-Hip Replacement - This procedure uses two small incisions, and x-rays to guide the implant into position. It is hoped that this will prove to be a quicker, less painful recovery time. This may not be an option for everybody but the younger, athletic baby boomers, usually under 55 may be likely candidates for this procedure or the next one known as:

•Hip Resurfacing - In this procedure the implant is smaller and less normal bone is removed. The damaged hip's ball and socket can be relined with smooth metal rather than cutting the worn bone away and replacing it. Resurfacing relieves hip pain and improves hip function by replacing the parts of the hip that have been damaged by disease or arthritis.

Almost as Good as New!

In the past if you were suffering with pain from hip damage you were asked to wait as long as possible before undergoing surgery. This is because a standard hip replacement usually wears out in about 15 years. Now with some of the new advancements in hip surgery it is more likely that younger patients will be given the opportunity to choose one of these techniques to treat their painful condition.

In addition to new alternatives to hip replacement procedures, research is being conducted to improve not only the technique but the eligibility of the patient. The areas of study underway include which patients are more likely to do well after hip replacement and how to improve recovery programs used after surgery. Information for patients regarding minimally invasive hip replacement surgery has been developed by the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.

Physical therapy is an important part of your rehabilitation. The exercises most effective are those that increase range of motion and make muscles strong without putting too much stress on the joint. The goals are to increase overall fitness and increase blood circulation by walking, bicycling on a bike machine, swimming, or cross country skiing.

Hip replacement is often called the miracle surgery because it is successful more than 90% of the time. ii Your new hip joint will reduce the pain you felt before surgery. However, always work with your physical therapist to create a recovery program that is individualized just for you. High impact sports such as running or playing basketball may never be approved by your doctor so be careful not to overstep your physical boundaries.

Remember, hip replacement isn't for everyone. You may be able to manage your pain by making lifestyle changes that affect your flexibility and range of motion. If hip replacement is your only alternative, consult an orthopedic surgeon and be sure to ask about some of the alternatives to the standard hip replacement surgery.

How to Effectively Understand & Deal With Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis - Age-Progressive Phenomen

The musculoskeletal system exhibits a significant number of changes as we age, not only do the joints change but the surrounding tissue changes as well, thus causing varying degrees of neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatic nerve pain, also known as sciatica. Two of the changes that we will focus on in this article are osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Osteoarthritis, as the label of a condition, is somewhat misleading because inflammation is not generally related to this condition, although pain may be. Degenerative joint disease is perhaps a better label. Osteoarthritis generally affects individuals over 50 years of age. Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance in bone absorption over bone formation and is thought to be found most frequently in postmenopausal women. In both conditions, other factors come into play and may be exhibited in other segments of the population, other demographic groups, as a result. In both osteoarthritis and osteoporosis inactivity, immobility, and a sedentary lifestyle may exacerbate the condition leading to more neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process affecting the joints, particularly in the elderly, and may be asymptomatic (pain-free) or may cause considerable pain, particularly in the lower back and legs (sciatica). Joint changes may include erosion of the cartilaginous surface of the joints, degenerative changes to the soft tissue in and around the joints, and ossification or calcification of the connective tissue, particularly the ligaments and the edges, both superior and inferior, of the vertebrae themselves (osteophytes or bony bridges, spurs). All of the aforementioned factors may lead to a pain complex of back pain and sciatica. While it is difficult to say just how much these changes are directly associated with aging and how much is due to trauma, accident, and/or inactivity, it is obvious, both microscopically and macroscopically (to the naked eye), that aging is a factor. During research I conducted at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH), the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), and the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) The Smithsonian, it was immediately apparent that osteoarthritis is an age progressive, degenerative phenomenon. Osteoarthritis appears most frequently in the secondary curvatures of the spine, those of the cervical and lumbar regions. With each decade after the age of 30, calcification and ossification grow increasingly prevalent. It seems likely that this is an adaptive response to weakening muscles and connective tissues as we age. With decreased activity and increased age-progressive phenomena, it is likely that pain, particularly neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, will become increasingly prevalent.

Osteoporosis, as noted above, has to do with an imbalance between bone absorption and bone deposition. While generally believed to affect the long bones, the vertebrae are markedly affected by osteoporosis. A few of the factors contributing to this condition are the inability to absorb calcium through the gastrointestinal tract, diminished or loss of gonad function in postmenopausal women, inactivity, immobility, and a lack of weight-bearing stress on the skeletal system, the bones themselves. Additionally, osteoporosis may be caused by heightened levels of cortisone in the body, both exogenous (coming from outside of the body) or endogenous (being manufactured in the body). Regardless of etiology or cause, osteoporosis is increasingly evident as we age and is responsible for a large number of fractures experienced in individuals over 50 years of age. With fractures, particularly fractures of the vertebrae, neck pain, back pain, and sciatica are evident and, in fact, quite common.

Both osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are age-progressive phenomena, growing ever more prevalent with each successive decade of life. While different factors come into play, it is apparent that inactivity, immobility, and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to both of these conditions, and the associated neck pain, back pain, and sciatica. While it is true that there is a progression, it is not true that it is unavoidable or irreversible. In both instances, it seems apparent that there is an adaptive response on the part of the body to offset inactivity and immobility. The fact that osteoporosis seems more prevalent in individuals who are inactive and underweight, and osteoarthritis seems more prevalent in people inactive and immobile, this would seem to indicate that an individualized and medically supervised program of exercise would help to offset both conditions, in varying degrees. The complex factors involved in both conditions are neither inevitable nor irreversible, as noted above, and should be evaluated holistically and individually. The musculoskeletal system, and the body as a whole, is remarkably resilient and adaptive. Given the proper exercise program, an individual may, in fact, reduce his or her "skeletal age" significantly, thus alleviating or eliminating neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica.

Physical Therapy Can Help to Treat Rotator Cuff Tears

The risk of injuries and tissue damage is high in tissues and joints that are highly mobile and functional. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint. All the major activities across this joint are promoted by rotator cuff muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint in all upper limb 3-dimensional movements.

Rotator cuff injury involves moderate to severe injury to the shoulder region that may be acute in the form of trauma, accidental fall or it may occur in a chronic setting as a result of overuse injury due to repetitive movements across upper limb that makes supporting tendons or ligaments weak and vulnerable to minimal trauma. Rotator cuff tear manifests as painful movements and limitation of range of motion across the shoulder joint that is also followed by weakness of shoulder and visible abnormal angulations due to swelling in some cases.

You are at likely risk of developing rotator cuff tearing if you are an athlete or sports person who has a high rate of physical activity along the shoulder joint especially swimmers, carpenters and painters. You are also at risk if you are employed in body building and weight lifting or of advancing age with degenerative bone or joint diseases

Rotator cuff tear injuries is the most common form of injuries in professional tennis and badminton players and moderate to severe damage to rotator cuff muscles can greatly limit all types of activities across the shoulder joint. Physical therapy is needed for a number of reasons. It is very important to maintain normal circulation of blood across the joint capsule without affecting the nerve supply (brachial plexus) or healing tissues of shoulder joint. This is only possible if physical activity is performed across shoulder joint under tight supervision to avoid any trauma. Physical therapy helps in early recovery and restoration of full range of movement across the shoulder joint. Physical therapy is soothing and helps in relieving inflammation related shoulder joint pain.

Rotator cuff tear involves ligamentous damage in most cases and unless the tearing is very severe, no surgical manipulation is needed. Almost 80% of the cases get resolved with conservative therapy like ice-packs, steroid injection and anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and edema. Although the rotator cuff is made up of 4 different muscles, supra-spinatous is most vulnerable to injury or tearing in a rotator cuff tear. Most therapies aim at making your shoulder injury painless or numb so that the natural and innate immune system can take over the task of tissue healing and repair (or regeneration).

As discussed previously, rotator cuff tears are most commonly seen in professional players and athletes and besides improving the injury, physical therapy also helps in stabilization and strengthening of small muscles and fibers. This is because these muscle fibers are more likely to suffer injuries because of high impact motion across shoulder joint and most gym exercises aims at strengthening of large muscle groups only.

Physical therapy exercises that aims at correcting rotator cuff tear involve weight lifting and muscle strengthening via light dumbbells. To support and stabilize joint tissue, resistance banding is also performed that helps in relieving edema or swelling in the joint region and restore the compromised blood supply across the joint capsule. Medicine balls and other similar equipment help in healthy recovery and improved range of motion by passive muscle contraction.

It is strongly recommended not to lift heavy weights from the affected limb and avoid overstressing the shoulder joint by hardcore physical exercises. Never start any therapy without seeking the advice of your healthcare provider or without the supervision of your physical therapists.

10 Effective Ways to Alleviate Arthritis Joint Pain

This article emphasizes on the 10 effective ways to alleviate arthritis joint pain and inflammation.

1. If one notices symptoms of arthritis in one's body, it is always advisable to see a doctor and take his suggestions. Medications prescribed by doctors can suppress arthritis joint pain. Pain killers or analgesics like aspirin, naproxen, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are commonly used to relieve pain. Narcotic pain relievers like oxycodone, codeine, propoxyphene etc are also taken; but one should not depend much on narcotic pain relievers as they are habit forming. Diseases modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARDs like etanercept, anakinra, abatacept, infliximab etc are also taken by patients. These drugs improve the body's response to any disease. Gold injection, methotrexate injection, kenalog injection and cortisone injection can also give relief.

2. Maintain proper posture, changing position frequently while lying or sitting, keeping the affected joint on an elevated position to drain out fluids, doing light physical exercises like walking, swimming, and avoiding high impact strenuous exercises can help to control joint pain. Avoid repetitive movements, running or jumping because these would cause further damage to worn out joints. Often arthritis patients are asked to go for sea swimming or sea bath as a remedy for pain. The iodine rich sea water acts as a pain relieving agent.

3. Controlling body weight through dieting and exercises is a necessity for pain control. Sedentary lifestyle is to be avoided. Patients should always keep themselves active but remember also to never over work a joint. This may worsen painful condition

4. Massaging is a way to relieve pain. But it should be done through gentle strokes and kneading. Aggressive massaging can cause further damage to worn out joints, by damaging the vulnerable tissues around the joint. Hot vinegar, paraffin, castor oil, a mixture of olive oil and kerosene, camphorated mustard oil, heated olive oil, rumatone gold herbal massage oil, and even essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender etc can be used for massaging aching joints.

5. Hot and cold compresses if applied alternately on aching joints can give some relief.

6. Giving a warm water bath to the affected joint by mixing Epsom salt with the bath water is a pain relieving technique.

7. Rubbing garlic cloves on aching joints and using turmeric paste or roasted sesame seed pack as poultice may also reduce the pain.

8. Rubbing ice cubes wrapped in fabric on the joint can help coping with pain.

9. One should also be careful about the diet one is taking. Alkaline diet is recommended for arthritis patient. One should cut down on the consumption of beef, pork, and meat. These items raise the level of gout causing uric acid in the body. Fresh fruits, vegetables, salads and oily fishes like salmon, herring, tuna, and sardines should be included in diet. Omega3 fatty acids contained in oily fishes is very beneficial for treating arthritis pain. Joint inflammation can be checked by avoiding intake of alcohol and caffeine.

10. If the joint pain becomes too debilitating, the patient may also take recourse to joint replacement surgery.

Shoulder Pain? Check the Biceps!

Shoulder pain is prevalent in the United States, 9% of American adults reported having shoulder pain in 2006 according to the CDC. Shoulder pain can be the result of many different things from osteoarthritis to a heart attack. One of the causes of shoulder and arm pain that commonly gets overlooked is bicep tendonitis.

The biceps muscle crosses the shoulder and elbow joints and its main action is to flex the arm and supinate the forearm. Both of these movements are used when opening a bottle with a corkscrew; supination to unscrew the cork and second flexion to pull the cork out.

Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon, the part of the muscle that attaches to bone. Symptoms of tendonitis can vary from aches or pains and local joint stiffness, to a burning that surrounds the whole joint around the inflamed tendon. With tendonitis, the pain is usually worse during and after activity, and the tendon and joint area can become stiffer the following day as muscles tighten from the movement of the tendon.

Biceps tendonitis can be confirmed by an easy and quick test. Start with the painful arm out in front of you with the thumb pointing up, have someone push down on the arm with even pressure, keep in mind that this is not an arm wrestling match. If weakness is shown, the arm pushes down easily, and pain in the shoulder is felt with this movement than Biceps tendonitis is a possible cause of the shoulder pain.

To confirm find the bicep tendon which is about an inch above the armpit and just inside the ball of the humerus, or the main arm bone. If tendonitis is present the tendon will be relatively easy to find, will feel ropy and exquisitely tender. Once the tendon is found massage in a straight horizontal fashion with the pads of the fingers, not in a vertical motion or in a circle but horizontal only. After 30 seconds or so repeat the thumb up test to see if there is any improvement, if the massage is done correctly the arm should be stronger.

This type of massage used is called cross friction massage and is great for tendonitis. Do this cross friction massage 4 times per day for 30 seconds to a minute each time, followed by ice to the area. Since it is an inflammation of the tendon doing some anti-inflammatory herbs would also help improve the tendonitis. Look for natural anti-inflammatories such as Devil's Claw and Boswelia, I personally like Boswelia Complex by MediHerb.

If diligent with the cross friction massage, ice and anti-inflammatory herbs the tendonitis should clear up in 2-4 wks. If doing a physical activity with the arm such as lifting, pulling or pushing do the cross friction massage before and after the activity. Also a good shoulder adjustment from your Chiropractor can put the humerus back in the correct place and decrease the chance of further injury.

How to Overcome Joint Pain with 3 Exercise Tips

If you are suffering from joint pain or arthritis, then you must be eager to seek about joint pain cure. If fact, the best way to overcome joint pain is simply, exercising regularly. However, there are people who still insist on excusing themselves from exercise routines as they claimed that they do not have time for exercises or that they simply have less energy than before to exercise. Well, these are all just lame excuses. If you are having pain in your joint and you are looking for ways to overcome joint pain, then it is time to start getting rid of those pains with regular exercising. Let us look at 3 ways to help you with your condition.

A good way is to walk. Take a good long walk at least three times a week or do a step-aerobics or low-impact exercise routine. All these can provide your exercise with maximum results. There is no proof that running is bad for the joints. But you need to remember that it may aggravate a joint pain injury if you already have one. Always remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

One of the most important ways anyone can take to prevent joint pain at the knee is to lose weight if you are overweight. Extra weight puts extra stress on your knees. For example, if you are already 10 pounds overweight, then you are putting 60 pounds per square inch of extra pressure on your knees every time you take one step. Ouch! That extra pressure you put on your joint can slowly but definitely erode the cartilage in your knees, leading to arthritis joint pain.

Another way is to do muscle stretching. However, you should not do bouncing when doing stretching, as this can lead to a muscle pull. So what kinds of muscle stretching can you do? You can try this. Try to hold a slow, steady stretch exercise for 15 to 20 seconds, then relax and repeat this. It is best to flex up by stretching before any exercise, especially running and walking. It is also a good idea on another hand to stretch each day. Ask your doctor to teach you the correct way of stretches that focus on potential arthritis trouble spots, such as the knees or the lower back.

Just keep in mind that exercise is not only good for your joint pain, it is good for your health too. Hence, start exercising now!

Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Dysfunction

The SI joint is composed of the sacrum bone and the two ileum bones on both sides. The sacrum is made up of five vertebrae which are anatomically fused together and the ileum forms the pelvis. The joint is held together by a large ligament. The primary function of this joint is to support the weight of the upper body in the standing position, the available range of movement is very little. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction happens when pain, injury or inflammation occurs.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be caused by different conditions. As with other joints in the body, the sacroiliac joint can also be affected by arthritis. Osteoarthritis, an arthritic condition can occur when the cartilage of the joint becomes thinner. The bone will then rub with each other and could lead to arthritis, which is the number one cause of SI dysfunction. Other condition that may cause SI dysfunction is direct impact to the joint like in falls. Due to postural changes and abnormality in hormones brought about by pregnancy, SI dysfunction is common in pregnant women.

Abnormal kinematics in the joint can lead to pain, and this is true in people with leg length discrepancy, or when one leg is longer than the other. Systemic disorders may also affect the SI joint like gout, RA (rheumatoid arthritis), ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis.

Pain in SI dysfunction is felt in the lower back region but can extend up to the buttocks. Intensity of pain increases when the back is extended like in walking, lying down or standing. Pain can be perceived in the hips and groin area. During physical examination, pain can be reproduced by giving stress to the joint.

Noninvasive treatment for SI joint dysfunction includes physical therapy. Invasive procedures include joint injections of local anesthetic and steroid. Lumbar stabilization techniques and stretching of the back are typical exercises that are beneficial for SI joint dysfunction patients.

5 Side Effects of Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement surgery is performed to replace a hip joint that is damaged and degraded, and is unable to perform to its intended purpose. An artificial material such as metal or ceramic is used in its place and this will relieve pain and allow patients to regain their range of motion and thus makes them able to perform things that they previously could not. Although the end results are impressive, there are side effects involved too.

Hip dislocation

Hip dislocation is a common side effect experienced by many patients post surgery. As the prosthetic used for the surgery is normally smaller than the patient's own hip bone, the replacement hip ball tends to slip out of the socket easily. The replacement hip joint may also irritate the tissues around it, causing inflammation of the tissues and possibly degradation of the bone. Bone degradation is a serious thing and can cause pain and additional corrective surgery.

Pain

Pain is an inevitable side effect that will definitely be experienced by all. Pain will affect the patient's ability to move about after surgery. Medication will be prescribed by the doctor to allow patients to feel more comfortable and pain will subside as time passes. However if patients experience severe or prolonged pain, they should seek care from a medical professional.

Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis or DVT is a common side effect post surgery which is accompanied by swelling and discolouration of the skin. DVT occurs due to poor blood circulation throughout the leg, causing blood clots. If the blood clot flows through the blood and enters the lungs, it can be life threatening and will cause breathing difficulties that may be fatal.

Infection

One very rare side effect is infection. Bacteria could get into the prosthetic joint area and trigger a body reaction, causing infection. However this is rare due to the disinfected environment in the operating theatre but it could still happen due to human errors. If patients experience high fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius accompanied by chills and discharging of body fluids, they must seek medical help immediately.

Nerve injury

Injuries to the nerves are uncommon due to hip replacement surgery. The nerves around the surgical site could be accidentally injured and/or damaged during surgery and this will cause numbness and a tingling sensation. In most cases, they are only temporary and patients will fully regain their feeling over a period of time. In more severe cases, they can be permanent and patients will never have a sensation at the injury site again.

Most side effects are only temporary and will go away with time. Most of them are not serious and will only cause some slight discomfort to the patient. However, there are rare and more serious side effects that could possibly occur. Patients are thus advised to speak to their surgeon and fully understand all the risks and side effects before deciding to undergo the surgery.

Determining the Factors That Cause Hip Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease that affects the movement of the body that causes pain and loss of movements of the joints. It is usually chronic that can last on and off of a person's lifetime. There are over a hundred known kinds of arthritis that affect many areas of the body. In some forms of arthritis, there are associated diseases which affect tissues and other organs of the body. Determining the cause of your hip arthritis can be a little difficult. There are several factors that contribute to arthritis.

Some of these factors of what causes arthritis are:

Heredity or Genetics - This cause is not well understood. There is no exact explanation how heredity or genetics contributes to the formation of arthritis. Nonetheless, there are genetic variations that point to what causes your arthritis.

Age- As we age, cartilage becomes brittle and has lesser capacity to heal and repair itself.

Weight - Excessive weight can contribute to your hip arthritis because the joint has to support the load or the weight of a person.

Hazards at work- there are specific work load that have a higher risk of developing arthritis like heavy construction and jobs that are very physical.

Previous injury- Previous major injuries can be considered as causes to hip arthritis.

Illness and infection - a joint infection, multiply recurrence of gout and other medical conditions can contribute to the development of arthritis.

There is no known cure for arthritis. However, with early detection, it can help start the appropriate treatment as soon as the person begins to notice symptoms of arthritis. It is a fact that people cannot avoid old age or change genetics. But people can take control of their weight, the freedom to choose a job with varying activities, a healthy diet rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 oils to maintain a healthy joint and not get overweight.

In addition, before taking any medicines or alternative treatments, it is recommended to seek medical advice that can help plan daily routines and give advices that can help relieve arthritis.

The causes of hip arthritis can be managed effectively. Knowledge and understanding are the keys to deal with the discomfort. People with arthritis should never allow this disease to cripple them and make this a huge barrier to live a happy life. With right medication, change of lifestyle and proper exercise for arthritis can aid people with arthritis to bring down pain and the inflammation of joints under control.

Hip Pain

Hip pain can be frustrating. You want to walk but it hurts just to sit or stand. Severe hip pain can be very debilitating. Patients with chronic hip pain often end up getting hip surgery. The spine sits on the pelvis and the pelvis sits on the legs. The concave area where the pelvis meets the legs is call the acetabulum. The femur or long bone of the upper leg sits in the acetabulum. Pain in the hip is often due to a femur head subluxation.

Lower back and hip pain: If the head of the femur is out of alignment, the sacroiliac will go out of alignment and then the fourth lumbar disc on the right will start to bulge. The second cervical on the right will also go out of alignment. The femur head often goes out of alignment in two different directions: anterior superior and anterior inferior.

Hip pain causes: There are three main causes for the femur are going out of alignment. The first is crossing the left leg over the right and the second is due to emotional armoring at the third lumbar and the third is a second chakra imbalance. Because a misalignment of the femur is one of the main causes of the spine being unstable it is essential for every chiropractor to check it on every visit. Emotional armoring at the third lumbar and second chakra imbalances can be cleared out using CARE or Chakra Armor Release of Emotions technique. This will stabilize the femur as well as the sacroiliac joint.

Hip pain relief comes in the form of a chiropractic adjustment for the femur head or releasing the emotional armoring at the third lumbar and second chakra imbalances using CARE. If treated in time this often can prevent the need for hip surgery.

Important Information Regarding Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder

There are many medical conditions individuals are afflicted with these days. Some are more common illnesses whereas others may not be as prevalent as the usual ones. One such medical condition which falls somewhere in between the two rates of occurrence is temperomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ. It is important to highlight some of the general information regarding TMJ such as its true definition, symptoms associated with the disorder and possible remedies for curing an ailment of this type.

Definition of TMJ and Symptoms Associated with TMJ

TMJ can be defined as the inability of the muscles and joints in the jaw to work together accordingly to enable an individual to perform normal and necessary tasks such as chewing food. There are a number of often-cited symptoms which go along with TMJ. These may include headaches, neck pain, craniofacial pain, facial spasms, earaches, clicking of the jaw, grinding of the jaw and mental stress caused by the constant pain which the individual with TMJ experiences on a daily basis. The severity and rate of occurrence of these aches and pains will differ amongst various individuals and may be signs of other medical conditions besides TMJ.

Causes of TMJ

In order to properly treat TMJ, it is first beneficial to know about some of the related causes that go along with a medical condition of this type. Certain causes of TMJ may include teeth clenching habits, teeth grinding habits, malocclusion, trauma to the face and jaw regions and arthritis, just to name a few of the more common ones. Some individuals have experienced only one type of cause or may have fallen prey to more than one of the previously mentioned causes of TMJ. By pinpointing the cause of TMJ in a particular individual, the medical health professional may be that much more likely to prescribe a beneficial treatment to help rid the patient of their TMJ.

Ways to Diagnose TMJ

Individuals who experience some of the symptoms mentioned above may wish to go to their medical health professional to have a concrete diagnose given. As the previously mentioned symptoms can often be related to other illnesses and medical conditions as well, it is important for the individual to have their particular medical issues looked into by a doctor. Once the person experiencing the symptoms has had a consultation with the doctor, the medical professional will then perform certain tests to ascertain if the symptoms are related to TMJ.

The first thing the doctor will do once he sees a patient with symptoms such as these in a consultation is to inquire about each and every symptom and see if they are in correlation with a diagnosis of TMJ. Next the doctor will look at the range of motion of the jaw to see how that fairs. Once both of these things have been completed, the doctor may prescribe radiology imaging of the joint to see what lies beneath. The patient will have to submit to tomography of both the open and closed position of the jaw. The doctor may also pair the tomography with an MRI in order to reach a definitive conclusion with regard to a concrete diagnosis.

Treatment of TMJ

There are a few different treatment methods with regard to treating TMJ. These methods combine both medical and dental resolutions. The patient may be given anti-inflammatory medications for their TMJ. Along with the medications, the patient may be advised to apply hot compresses to the location of the TMJ and told to remain on a soft-food diet for a certain period of time.

Once the medications and compresses have done their duties, the next step is to visit a dental professional to have the jaw-related issues resolved. At the dental professional's office, the patient may have to have permanent dental corrections performed in order to ensure that the TMJ does not come back again. There are a few different dental treatments for TMJ which include orthodontics work, construction of a removable prosthesis or dental reconstruction. The treatment method which is applied will depend on the diagnosed cause of the TMJ.

Self-Treatment to Alleviate Symptoms of TMJ

There are also self-treatment methods which individuals with TMJ can perform in order to help alleviate their symptoms. Some of these include avoiding hard foods and gum, chewing evenly, preventing oneself from grinding or gritting their teeth, taking aspirin and applying a heating pad to the trouble spot.

Conclusion

TMJ is a medical condition which is not pleasant for individuals who are stricken with a disorder of this type. It is important that an individual who experiences symptoms of TMJ have it properly diagnosed by a health professional and follow medical advice with regard to curing themselves of this irritating problem. Although TMJ can be extremely uncomfortable it is something which can be resolved easier than one may think.

Radiofrequency Ablation Of the Sacroiliac Joint (SI Joint)

Pain in the sacroiliac joint causes low back pain in 10 to 25% of those with chronic low back pain. Unfortunately, there are 2 SI joints which can both cause pain at any one point in time due to degenerative arthritis. The SI joints have cartilage just like any other joint and can be afflicted with painful arthritis. Ahh, the beauty of getting older!

Typical treatments for pain coming from the SI joint include over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol and anti-inflammatory's, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, along with potentially a TENS unit.

If these treatments are not satisfactory, a pain management doctor can provide excellent relief of SI joint pain with various alternatives. One may be a short-term use of narcotic medications. Long term narcotics for sacroiliac joint dysfunction is not recommended.

Injections into the sacroiliac joint can serve two purposes. The first is diagnostic, which can tell the pain doctor if the pain really is coming from the SI joint. The diagnostic injection consists of numbing medicine with or without cortisone. This injection may provide a few weeks to quite a few months of pain relief.

At times, sacroiliac joint injections are performed for therapeutic benefit specifically and this would include cortisone being placed into the joint. If the injection was either performed for a diagnostic reason or therapeutic only, one important factor is to understand how much pain relief the patient achieved. If over 50% pain relief was achieved and then wears off, the injection may be either repeated or the patient may go on to have a radiofrequency ablation. Insurance companies will often require this much pain relief for subsequent approval of the radiofrequency neurotomy.

A radiofrequency ablation procedure of the sacroiliac joint consists of burning the small nerve endings that supply the joint with sensation. This can provide pain relief for a few months upwards of 2 years. Numerous small studies have looked at sacroiliac joint radiofrequency ablation and found that the pain relief worked well 30 to 90% of the time. There are no large-scale studies looking at the radiofrequency neurotomy procedure for SI joint pain.

Usually, insurance companies require greater than a 50% pain relief with a diagnostic injection prior to approving a radiofrequency neurotomy. This is the same as what it is with the facet joints of the lumbar and cervical spine. Newly search is coming out showing that even if patients did not get excellent pain relief with a sacroiliac joint diagnostic injection, the patient may still obtain excellent results with a radiofrequency procedure.

Additional research will hopefully tell us whether or not this is actually the case. If the radiofrequency ablation provides excellent relief and then after 6 to 18 months the nerve endings grow back, the pain may come back as well. It is at this point that the radiofrequency ablation procedure can simply be repeated.

Oral Health Affects and Reflects the Health of the Whole Body

Many are choosing to maintain their oral health routines not only for the sake of a picture perfect smile, but also because the mouth exhibits warning signs for more serious health issues. Good oral health is beneficial to the whole body, not just the mouth.

Poor oral health may lead to a variety of ailments that affect the mouth, including gum disease and tooth decay. If left untreated, the bacterium that causes plaque and tooth decay builds up in the mouth and is swallowed and absorbed into the bloodstream where it can clog arteries and damage the heart, according to Medical News Today.

Those with diabetes are advised to take extra care of their mouth and teeth. Diabetes inhibits the body from making insulin, which turns sugar into energy. The inability to control sugar levels in the saliva exposes those with diabetes to more frequent and severe gum and bone infections, say health experts at the Mayo Clinic. This could potentially cause those with diabetes to lose more teeth than someone without diabetes. According to the American Dental Association, diabetes also causes a weaker immune system, which can lengthen healing time after any major dental procedure.

Maintaining oral health is especially important in children. The World Health Organization warns that poor oral health in children can cause chronic infections and poor nutrition due to the inability to eat without pain or discomfort. Pain from infections can lead to sleeplessness and affect growth and weight gain, as can poor nutrition. A healthy diet is important for providing children with the proper vitamins and nutrients that are needed for proper growth of teeth, gums and a strong immune system, says the ADA.

The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body and can exhibit warning symptoms that something bigger might be wrong. Dry mouth can be common when you are thirsty or on certain medications, but can also be a sign of Parkinson's disease, anxiety disorders, depression and diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is important that you get your mouth checked regularly for any symptoms that might be a sign of something bigger, especially for patients with braces.

You should be able to differentiate symptoms that appear in the mouth regularly and when to be alarmed. It is common for women to have swollen gums and cold sores before their expected time of menstruation, but those normally go away once menstruation begins. Swollen and inflamed gums are also a side effect of some oral contraceptives. Gingivitis is also common during pregnancy and expecting mothers should be sure to stick to their dental hygiene routine to ward off any extra plaque that may build up.

It is important for people with crooked teeth to seek help from an orthodontist. Crooked teeth can add to the severity of oral diseases and potentially affect the way a person eats, breathes and talks. When left untreated, these issues can lead to more serious issues like bite problems, sleep apnea and speech impediments, just to name a few. New braces can irritate the mouth, but it is important to be able to differentiate bigger warning symptoms from normal braces irritation.

Keeping up with oral health not only benefits your smile, but your entire body. It is especially important for teeth to be clean if a patient has braces, even if the braces- invisible braces such as Invisalign- are removable. Good oral health reduces the risk of tooth decay, which may slow down treatment time for orthodontics patients.

Maintaining good oral health is as simple as flossing and brushing teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

Arthritis And Related Conditions - How To Treat Them Naturally and Successfully

As May is National Arthritis month, promoting awareness about a study recently conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on arthritis shows a rather alarming increase this disease has taken. The average person may believe this to be a condition associated with an aging population, however, even arthritis among children (juvenile arthritis) is also a relatively common occurrence.

As the first of America's baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) advance into late middle age, arthritis and other related rheumatic conditions such as fibromyalgia, gout, and scleroderma are taking up an increasing amount of health care spending. The recent study on arthritis conducted by the U.S. CDC spanned a six year time period from 1997 to 2003, and documented a 25 percent increase in the number of Americans succumbing to painful arthritis and other related rheumatic conditions.

Some 46 million (or 1 in 5) Americans suffer from arthritis, up from 36.8 million six years ago. The $81 billion price tag associated with treating these conditions represents about 3 percent of the gross domestic product. Baby boomers are leading the pack in this spending increase. Out of the newly 9 million people being diagnosed with arthritis and other related rheumatic conditions during this six-year study, 66 percent were between the ages of 44 to 64.

Interestingly, too, according to the researchers of this study, was that most of the increases in arthritis and other rheumatic related conditions occurred among people who also had other health worries such as diabetes, obesity, and heart conditions. This particular group seen an increase of 28 percent, up from 31.8 million to 40.8 million, compared to a 6 percent increase for those who were otherwise healthy, 5 million to 5.3 million.

Being overweight or obese are definite prime culprits for putting you at an increased risk for developing arthritis and its related conditions. A higher level of body mass index will put you at a higher risk for developing osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, and results from the wear and tear of normal movement. Osteoarthritis in the joint this year will eventually become a joint replacement years down the road. The pressure of gravity causes physical damage to the joints and surrounding tissues. Symptoms are:

1. pain

2. swelling

3. tenderness

4. decreased function

Rheumatoid arthritis is a little different, it is an autoimmune problem that occurs when the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lining inside the joint). If left untreated over the course of years, a gross disfigurement of the affected joints begin to appear in fingers, toes, knees, and elbows. This is a very chronic, and potentially disabling disease that causes symptoms such as:

1. joint pain

2. stiffness

3. swelling

4. loss of joint function

Arthritis is really not just a single disease. There are actually around 100 different variations of arthritis, or other related rheumatic conditions. Arthritis literally means 'joint inflammation', and the term 'itis' actually means inflammation. So, in essence, any part of your body can become inflamed and painful due to arthritis. Some rheumatic conditions can result in debilitating, even life-threatening complications, and affect other parts of the body including muscles, bones, and internal organs.

In conclusion, drug treatment options did rise sharply during this six year study period (24%). But, other costs such as hospital stays dropped, so that actual per-person spending evened out to remain unchanged. Researchers concluded that the main reason for increased spending on treatment was due to the newly increased number of people developing arthritis.

In comparing the rising cost of treating arthritis, how do you suppose these findings compare to the rising costs of other health care problems Americans are being diagnosed with in general?

Clearly, the only control that seems to make much sense at all is to help educate and motivate people to become healthier. There is no question that the incidence of arthritis does seem to increase with age, however, nearly three out of every five sufferers are under the age of 65. You can not control the aging process, no one can, of course. However, you can choose to make yourself healthier, that is an option that is realistically doable for anyone.

Getting enough exercise to help increase joint mobility in arthritis sufferers is one option that is consistently being preached. But,it alone will not be enough, it is very hard to freely move painful joints through exercise that are chronically dry and dehydrated. Diets need to be addressed and modified. Increased intakes of omega-3 fatty acids and other whole food nutrients will swing the odds in favor of a successful remission of symptoms.

F. Batmanghelidj's book "How To Deal With Back Pain and Rheumatoid Joint Pain" is an inexpensive self-help manual anyone can read to learn more about water's amazing role in relieving joint pain naturally. In this short paper back book, you will learn that joint pain is simply just a signal that your body is emitting to let you know that your joints are thirsty and dehydrated.

Listen to that signal, give your joints what they need to be healthy and stay lubricated every day with nothing more than pure water!

Joint Pain

Joint pain can affect one or more joints in the human body. An injury or inflammation of joints can cause it. Some of the other reasons for joint pain include rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The former is an autoimmune disorder causing stiffness and pain in joints while the latter involves degeneration of cartilage at a joint. Osteoarthritis is quite common among people in their mid-forties and older.

Another reason for joint pain could be bursitis. It refers to inflammation of the bursae. The bursae are sacs filled with fluids. They act as cushions allowing free and smooth movement of muscles and tendons over the bones. Apart from this, some of the other common causes of joint pain include septic arthritis, tendonitis, infectious diseases (such as influenza, rheumatic fever, hepatitis etc), external injuries including fracture, strains or sprains due to unusual exertion, gout, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, etc.

It is advisable to consult a doctor if joint pain persists for more than a couple of days. Home remedies are often effective, but before using them it is always better to diagnose the cause and nature of the joint pain. This could be done easily with the help of few medical tests that are not very expensive.

Contrary to the common perception, joint pain is no longer associated with old age; it could affect a person of any age group. Joint pains are affecting more and more young people. This is said to be due to long hours working on computers, increasing stress, improper dietary habits and neglect of physical fitness.

Joint pains can affect even a physically fit person. This is evident by the increasing number of sportspersons complaining of joint pains. The time taken for recovery from joint pain can vary from a few weeks to a few years.

Nutritional Dog Arthritis Supplements: Australian Ingredients That Work On Joint Pain

Your dog's recovery from canine arthritis has many components. It's not just about their joints. It's also about their diet, weight, and activity level. An all-natural supplement should include ingredients that are effective on joints while also providing nutrition and energy. Australia is the foremost country in harnessing these ingredients against joint pain.

Canine arthritis comes in two types: degenerative joint disease and rheumatoid (inflammatory) arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis must be treated with antibiotics prescribed from your vet, so it's a good idea to get your dog's arthritis diagnosed before choosing a supplement.

Degenerative joint disease is the most common type of arthritis found in dogs and is also called osteoarthritis. It occurs with old age and is often genetic. Osteoarthritis causes joint pain because of the deterioration of the cartilage and bone in the joints of old dogs and the reduction of synovial fluid that lubricates the joints. This causes painful bone on bone action. Symptoms of canine arthritis include stiffness, limping, loss of range of motion, and difficulty getting up or down.

For owners, the downward spiral of their best friend can be upsetting. It's important to take action when it comes to your dog's joint pain, as there are supplements on the market that can get them going again. Treatment of joint pain and inflammation often includes vet prescribed painkillers, injections, and NSAIDs. These options come with serious side effects to your dog's liver, kidney and gastrointestinal tract. The alternative to these costly and unhealthy treatments are all-natural supplements.

Most owners turn to glucosamine powder or fish oil to treat their dog's arthritis. This treats the most obvious problem, joint pain, but ignores the co-factors in your dog's health. The discomfort of arthritis and inflammation causes most dogs to become inactive and overweight, putting even more strain on their already deteriorating joints. The most effective and efficient all-natural supplements should include ingredients that promote activity and a healthy diet, as well as including glucosamine or a marine extract, such as shark cartilage.

Holistic vets in Australia are already using these requirements and are encouraging owners to look for these nutritional types of supplements over one-ingredient supplements. Australia produces several ingredients with a quality that is much more effective than ingredients sourced from other countries. This is due to their tropical climate and environmental awareness in prohibiting pesticides and promoting organics.

The top four ingredients that any good natural dog arthritis supplement should include are: turmeric, celery seed, papain and cayenne.

1. Turmeric has long been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders and speed wound healing. In a dog supplement, the enzymes of the turmeric herb have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that may reduce the swelling in your dog's joints without upsetting their stomach.


2. Celery seed treats arthritis and fluid retention, which helps with joint pain, yet it also stimulates appetite. As your dog begins to feel better and become more active, this will serve to get him up and going, starting the cycle of a healthy diet and an active life.


3. Australian Papain comes from the sap of a papaya. The sap contains a protein digesting enzyme that rids your dog of intestinal parasites. This will ensure that you dog responds to the supplement well, processing the ingredients without a problem.


4. Cayenne is the key ingredient that gets your dog active again. It decreases fat intake and increases metabolism, both at rest and when exercising. This will help you dog shed weight and get active.

These ingredients provide nutritional health and a kick-start for an active life. When combined with a naturally occurring glucosamine and a marine extract, your dog will be on the road to recovery from joint pain and inflammation.

What Is TMJ and What Can Be Done About It?

Temporomandibular joint disorder usually referred to as TMJ disorder or TMD, is a chronic ailment that affects many people. This disorder is responsible for dozens of symptoms that can arise when there is a problem with the joint between the jaw bone and the skull. If you put your fingers just in front of your ears and open and close your mouth you will feel exactly where the TMJ is. There are two of them - one on each side of your head and they are used a lot.

Just as in your backbone, there is a disc between the jaw bone and your skull. When you chew you apply a lot of pressure to your TM joints and the disc is there to distribute that pressure to spread it out along the contact points. The TMJ is used a lot every day since everyone has to eat and chew food but it's also used when we talk and yawn. It's one of the most used joints in your body.

Some of the most commonly complained about symptoms caused by the TMJ disorder are headaches, migraines, earaches, toothaches, neck pain, and clicking or popping sounds when the mouth is opened or closed. But there are many other symptoms that are all centered on the head and neck. In some of the more severe cases the jaw will shift on one side when the mouth is opened causing it to be lopsided and painful.

Many times a doctor will recommend surgery to fix this problem but you should be very careful there. The main problem with surgery is it can be very painful and expensive. You should also consider that the TMJ disorder is a physical condition and most physical conditions can be treated successfully with therapy. It would be very prudent to do everything possible and explore all other options for TMJ therapy before resorting to a surgery where the recovery interferes with your ability to eat and speak.

Probably the chief cause of this disorder is grinding your teeth or clenching your jaws while you are asleep. That would be caused by stress, tension, or anxiety and no matter how you go about treating the symptoms of your TMJ you will need to treat the stress also because when you grind your teeth or clench your jaws in your sleep you will be undoing any benefits gained through whatever TMJ therapy or treatment you are using.

That brings us to the question of what can you do about TMJ disorder. Probably the most logical course of action is to use a two pronged treatment plan. First you will need to figure out a way to reduce stress. There are many different ways to do this including Yoga breathing exercises, listening to soothing music, talking to others with the same condition, therapy sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist, taking walks in a park, and trying to take items off your "to do" list.

Then, while you are treating your stress you can begin treating your TMJ symptoms with exercises designed to be TMJ therapy. When it comes to physical therapy there is a specific guideline that all physical therapy exercises are focusing on. First you want to use exercises that reduce any swelling and stretch the muscles to allow the joint to have a more normal range of motion. Then you want to do exercises that repair and strengthen the muscles around the joint so there is less of a chance the problem will return.

So when it comes to treating your TMJ it's all about therapy. You have to use tension reducing therapy to lower your stress level and attack the root cause of your TMJ disorder and you should use TMJ therapy exercises to treat your symptoms. If you can find some simple exercises that help you relieve the pain and cope with your symptoms it will be simply a matter of consistently finding the time to do these stress reducing therapies and your TMJ therapy.

When Bursitis Pain Attacks the Shoulder

Shoulder bursitis is one of the most common causes of upper arm pain. The shoulder bursa can be described as a bag filled with fluid that lubricates and surrounds the muscles and tendons of the shoulder. When inflammation occurs, this is called bursitis. When bursitis pain attacks the shoulder, diagnosis and treatment is required to restore the shoulder back to it's normal state.

The shoulder actually has more than one bursa. The subdeltoid bursa is the largest one, and the one that is most likely to cause a problem. The subdeltoid bursa is also referred to the subacromial bursa. When the subdeltoid bursa becomes inflamed or irritated, it can be difficult to move the shoulder or even perform daily activities that involve use of the arm.

What Causes Bursitis in the Shoulder

Injury is the most common cause of shoulder bursitis. This can be a result of a fall, a blow to the shoulder, or even overuse, such as exercising or repetitive movements that a person is unaccustomed to. Overuse of the shoulder joint and muscles can lead to pain that can be quite debilitating. Sometimes the pain seems to start out of the blue with no recollection of injury or any event to trigger the pain. Inflammation associated with the shoulder tendon is called "tendonitis."

Symptoms Associated with Shoulder Bursitis

With shoulder bursitis, chronic joint pain is the main problem. The pain typically starts out gradual and increases over time. The pain normally is located on the outer part of the shoulder and can sometimes be sudden and severe.

This pain can be felt over the deltoid muscle area around the shoulder. It can also spread down the arm to the elbow or wrist. This bursitis pain can be affected by lying on the affected side or trying to reach above your head.

Some people have what's called a "painful arc of movement." This simply means that there is no pain when the arm is not moving, but they develop pain when attempting to lift the arm. This usually occurs when raising the arm to about 60 degrees of elevation. Once the arm extends beyond the 90 degree point, the pain eases or subsides completely.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your doctor will perform an exam and a series of manual tests, one of which is called an impingement test. This is to determine whether there is inflammation of the bursa or the tendons.
It may be necessary to perform blood tests and/or x-rays. An ultrasound is most commonly used to diagnosis true bursitis.

There are several treatments options used for bursitis. Your physician may recommend one or all of them.

* Pain medication or anti-inflammatory medications
* Rest the affected area
* Physical therapy performed by a physical therapist, chiropractor, or osteopath
* Securing the shoulder by utilizing a sling or brace
* Acupuncture
* Natural supplements to restore the shoulder back to its normal function
* Arthroscopic surgery to remove the bursa

The first thing you must do is determine whether or not you have bursitis. Once a diagnosis is made, your physician can implement an appropriate treatment plan for you.

Safeguard Joints That Are Prone to Injury

Many of us take joint health for granted. The strange thing is that you can injure a joint and not even know it. Injury can take place by simply overusing a particular joint or wearing the wrong type of footwear. But once an injury has taken place, it can lead to a gradual degeneration of that joint. The cartilage can begin to tear and bone rubs against bone causing pain and inflammation of surrounding tissues. Joint pain can often manifest after the age of forty and after that the need for joint pain relief can grow more intense. By caring for your joints now, you could avoid pain later.

Which joints require the most care or joint support? Let's take a look at 10 joints that are most prone to injury.

Joint Support for Elbows: Injuries to the elbow joint can occur when playing sports like mountain climbing, racquet sports, baseball, or any sport that involves a throwing or swinging action like golf and volleyball. Elbow injury could also be caused by an occupation that involves repetitive use of the elbow joint.

Joint Support for Ankles: The ankles bear the largest weight. Injuries to the ankle usually occur when we step on uneven surfaces and twist the ankle. Vigorous physical activity such as jumping, landing on a hard or uneven surface can also cause injury to the ankle joint. Joint pain relief becomes vital since it can limit our mobility.

Joint Support for Knees: The knee joint is a weight-bearing joint. Common knee injuries can be due to a blow to the knee by a fall, a sudden stop while running or a twist of the knee, or overuse. Pain can gradually increases with age.

Joint Support for Back joints: Historically the lower back usually incurs more wear and tear. The back bears the weight of the body, but also bears extra stress when we lift heavy objects. Laborers and athletes who do weight training are more susceptible to back aches. Injury can also occur due to poor posture or being overweight. Joint pain relief may be found by massage therapy. Injuries to the back can be difficult to rehabilitate and are more likely to recur.

Joint Support for Shoulders: Being a ball and socket joint, the shoulder joint is flexible and affords wide range of motion. Pain here can arise due to poor posture, wear and tear, overuse, aging, sports such as baseball or tennis, even repetitive household chores that affect the shoulders. Many have found joint pain relief by adopting a proper posture or giving adequate recovery time between sports events.

Joint Support for Neck: A pain in the neck can be due to contact sports, lifting heavy objects or a jerking movement of the neck. It can also be due to poor posture or sitting at your desk for extended periods without stretch breaks. Stretch exercises for the neck can help bring joint pain relief.

Joint Support for Wrist: The most common injury to the wrist is linked to joint impact due to a fall or an accident. The wrist can also suffer injury due to poor positioning of the wrist on a keyboard for prolonged periods. Repetitive use in daily activities can also trigger wrist pain.

Joint Support for Fingers: Wear and tear occurs more easily and shows itself gradually. Simple tasks become difficult such as paring an apple, knitting, or opening the lids of a jar. Joint pain relief may be found by increasing circulation and regular exercise.

Joint Support for Hips: The hips are weight-bearing joints. The cartilage can begin to wear and tear faster especially for those involved in sports like golf, skiing, track, soccer or football. Professional dancers are also prone to hip pain as are those who over-exercise. Many find joint pain relief through low impact exercises.

Joint Support for Toes: Injury here is more common among people who play on artificial turf.. People who wear footwear that does not give support to the forefront joints are also prone to toe injury.

Some of you reading this may think the damage is already done, what can I do? There aren't any ways to bring back time but fortunately there have been scientific breakthroughs that can help restore joint health to some extent.