Combat Bruxism Symptoms

Are bruxism symptoms ruining your day? All too often people are wakening up to the nasty bruxism symptoms that do nothing but ruin the rest of the day. If you have felt the signs of teeth grinding you'll know the ones. When you wake in the morning to aching jaw pain, headaches, facial pain and tenderness around the facial region in general.

These are all typical bruxism symptoms that let you know you are gnashing away at your teeth during the night.

There are things you can do to alleviate the pain. One of the most common aids available is to use a mouth guard or a bite plate. Your dentist will probably recommend you use one of these to prevent further damage. There is a problem with these for many though. They come in quite pricey. While getting rid of pain is something you are willing to put money too to destroy the pain. Commercial businesses know this. The price of dental mouth guards to combat bruxism symptoms are heavily inflated. Fair enough they do use high-grade rubber in their plates in order for the mouth guards to sustain some heavy grinding and not wear through to your teeth being ground. They aren't indestructible though.

When the mouth guards cave in they need replacing. That's an expense you could do without. Nonetheless, you really can't be without them or you back track to the pain that the symptoms of bruxism bring.

What else can be done? You might be wondering. Well, looking through a variety of resources during my research into the symptoms of bruxism, causes and cures I did come across several exercises that can indeed rid bruxism symptoms altogether.

Natural remedies such as mouth exercises using nothing more than an apple has been known to dramatically reduce jaw pain felt in the morning after bruxing activity simply by exercising the jaw muscles before bed.

TMJ Treatment Options in New York City

New York city, a city famous for just about everything and the city definitely keeps up to its name by providing first class TMJ treatment. The city is famous all over the country for using advanced techniques in the treatment of TMJ. A number of people suffer from this disease - temporomandibular joints disorder. However New York offers solutions in the form of various treatments to control and correct the damages done by TMJ.

If you should suffer from any of the symptoms of TMJ, then you should know that the city has many different institutions which are more than capable of handling this for you. Within no time of your treatment, you'll notice relief from pain, and a definite pathway to recovery.

TMJ disorders are caused due to an imbalance with the jaw movement and the skull. Due to this imbalance, a person can experience various problems, from acute headaches, to stiff necks, back aches, ear aches etc. The causes of this imbalance are varied and could be anything from stress to bad dental bite. A proper diagnosis of TMJ through various medical examinations are done in order for the appropriate treatment to be administered to a patient.

TMJ treatments vary from person to person depending on their individual cases. Some patients may require little treatment, while others may require extensive treatment, and at times even the possibility of surgery. Whatever the case may be, you should know that the city has all the specialists who have the skills, expertise and provisions to administer the right type of treatment to patients. So if you live in New York or the surrounding areas and you think you have any of the TMJ symptoms, do not hesitate to make an appointment with one of the specialists, to get yourself treated. Some of them even have free, no obligation consultations.

Arthritis Pain Relief - 3 Best Exercise Tips For Joints and Joint Pain - Nurse's Guide

If you have arthritis or osteoarthritis you know how your joints can hurt. Aches and pains galore. You may often wonder whether you should be moving them or not. However research has shown that moving the joints is best. Staying active is the key. You want to move those joints as much as possible. Move around throughout the day and don't sit for endless hours.

By moving your body you increase the blood flow which helps to lubricate the joints which helps in reducing or relieving pain. Yes many people with arthritis are trying to figure out ways to lubricate the joints. And the easiest way is to get the blood moving. It will also help your brain and may help prevent dementia.

When you get up in the morning you may be stiff. But as soon as you move around you get the blood flowing and lubricating the joints. Of course moving will also help with weight loss and help if you have weight problems also. And the blood moving to your brain will help you think better and then think even more about moving!

1. You want to think about low impact first of all. You don't want to jar the joints yet you want to get them moving. For the best cardio you want to keep one foot on the ground at all times. The best exercise would be walking.

If your arthritis pain is severe you can try swimming or water aerobics. Water helps eliminate impact and helps soothe joints. Try to find salt water pools instead of chemical-laden chlorine pools. Many clubs are going to salt water pools these days. Riding a bike is another good low impact exercise activity. You can actually burn 500 calories an hour while cycling. If you aren't physically capable of riding a bike then try a recumbent bike. Especially if you have back pain or back problems or injuries. Recumbent bikes are fun and some can be close to the floor if that's a requirement.

2. Keeping steady. You want to avoid activity that has a lot of pivots, turns stops and starts. Tennis can be jarring but is an excellent lifetime activity if you just take it slow and easy. Many arthritics play tennis and just play a slower game. If you've never learned it's never too late. There are even tennis tournaments for people in their nineties.

If you're so inclined, cross country skiing or snowshoeing burn as many calories as jogging and without the stress. For inside activities that will help the joints use an elliptical machine. It provides very little impact and is safe for your joints. Joints absorb shock so avoid any jarring in whatever sport or activity you participate in.

3. Strengthen you joints. You want to build up and tone the muscles that surround your affected joints. These could be muscles in the back, knees or hips for example. You can get significant arthritis pain relief and pain reduction by improving your posture and your overall joint mobility.

If you follow some of the tips in this article and get your body moving as much as possible, you'll start to notice less stiffness and joint pain and enjoy significant arthritis pain relief. There are many other exercises you can do to help lubricate the joints. Keep moving is the most important advice for anyone with joint pain or arthritis. Remember that moving the body is the best joint lubricant.

Healing Joint Pain Through Hypnotic Movement

Arthritis is not the only source of joint pain to affect our bodies. Old sports injuries and the residue of auto accidents can affect our bodies for years after one has supposedly recovered from the acute effects of the accident. The former high school football player with the bad knee, the chronic pain of an old whiplash injury, such residual pains are all too familiar to many of us. Chronic emotional stress can also settle in the joints. Carpal tunnel syndrome is but one example of the way emotional stresses, often work related, can settle in the body.

What if you could learn for yourself simple movements that can easily eliminate pain, and restore flexibility and strength in the joints? Movements that can address all of the sources of joint and muscle pain mentioned above. These movements are easy and pain-free to perform and take as little as 5 minutes a day. In other words, in about as much time as it would take to find and open a bottle of pills, fill a glass of water, and drink, your clients could experience moving their way to a radical reduction in pain and healing and strengthening the joint. This is the promise of a new technology for healing called hypnotic movement.

The concept of hypnotic movement is simple. The body has a deep inner knowledge of how it wants and needs to move in order to alleviate stress on the joint, increase healthy circulation, restore flexibility, and relieve pain. These simple movements are easy and natural for anyone to experience. In fact, most of us have already experienced hypnotic movement at one time or another. Have you ever noticed the way your body stretches sometimes when you wake up in the morning with a stiff back? Sometimes when you wake up stiff, and you take the time to get up slowly, you may find your body reaching up in a slow relaxed stretch, perhaps your muscles tremble slightly, and you might even sigh or moan with pleasure as you stretch. Have you noticed how good your back feels after you have stretched out the kinks in this way? This is an example of hypnotic movement. Of course you didn't think you were in trance. But you were, having just woken up, in a state of being relaxed and connected to your body and its needs.

This state of relaxation with increased body awareness is not the usual state of deep hypnotic trance that most hypnotists and their clients are familiar with, in which the body lies in peaceful repose, while a hypnotist leads you on a journey and offers hypnotic suggestions. This is a state of "alert trance", just like that morning stretch, in which mild relaxation is combined with a profound awareness of our body and its feelings. This state is similar to the trance which athletes describe when they are running a marathon, or playing at their peak in a sports event. They call it being "in the zone", a blissful state of stepping out of their daily worries and feeling merged with their body as it performs flawlessly in the sport. Sportsmen know this altered state quite well and seek it out in every competition and practice, even though few understand that it is a type of hypnosis. To achieve the results of hypnotic movement you need to work with a hypnotherapist who is familiar with this alert trance.

While many of us have surrendered to our bodies' natural hypnotic movements once in a while, few of us listen to our bodies' needs for movement very often because we have as a culture been trained to override our bodies' feelings and needs as children. How often were we as small children told to stop fidgeting (a movement little bodies should be doing lots of) when forced against our nature to sit still at a desk? Stop wiggling, sit still, no you can't go to the bathroom, don't make those noises, children should be seen and not heard...etc.etc. It is no wonder that most of us start regarding our bodies as a stupid object, a vehicle that at best carries us around, but then has all those aches and pains that we don't understand. Then we are trained to believe that there is nothing we can do for our bodies' pains except take it to a doctor. There we receive pills to make it better. We have lost the knowledge of our bodies' healing powers.

Well, there is good news. Your body may have stopped making these healing movements years ago, but it still knows how to move in all those miraculous ways. All it needs is some help in awakening these latent inner powers! And that help can be provided by a hypnotherapist trained in Somatic Healing, of which hypnotic movement is one of many techniques.

Let me illustrate this with a story. A client came to me with severe sciatica. The pain radiated constantly down his right leg, forcing him to contemplate leaving his job permanently on disability. While some folks might be thrilled by a ticket to a life of leisure, this man loved his work in the construction business and wanted to get well. Unfortunately, the doctors didn't hold out much hope, given the depth of his pain. While I led him gently into the mild alert state of trance, I gave him suggestions that his body knew exactly how to move in its own way to relieve his pain. I used a number of other suggestions to trigger this movement. Soon his body was twisting in the peculiar combination of stretches and wiggles that is hypnotic movement. Within about three sessions his pain was gone. But, this was not just because of his work in my office.

No, he learned to use hypnotic movement on his own, and simply did these simple exercises every time the pain arose, and at night while lying in bed. Soon he was back at work. Then one day he fell off a platform on the job and sprained his ankle. The pain was severe, but by this time he had mastered the art of listening to his body's needs. No, he didn't call me. He spent a few minutes resting at the work site, relaxing into that deep state of body awareness we call "The Zone". Then he allowed his foot to move for a few minutes very slowly, free of pain, in its own unique way, as I had taught him. Within half an hour he was pain free and back on his feet. I was not there to witness this miracle, but he was thrilled to share this story with me, and a co-worker called me to ask if I could teach him to use the powers he had witnessed with such amazement. That's why my favorite somatic healing practitioner, Brigitta D'Amato, calls this work "Somatic Self-Healing". Because we empower our clients to heal themselves!

I have trained hundreds of practitioners in these techniques as a part of the Somatic Healing training. Using hypnotic movement, we have achieved excellent results in a wide variety of joint and movement related conditions including:

o Rheumatoid arthritis - I was crippled with the disease 29 years ago, and developed this technology to heal myself. I've been entirely symptom-free since 1984. ( I now use hypnotic movement to keep my body flexible and strong so I can pursue my hobby of rock climbing and mountaineering. At 57 I have the flexibility and grace of a 30 year old thanks to hypnotic movement) I have helped many more with this condition.

o Carpal tunnel syndrome - We've seen immediate reduction in pain, stiffness and swelling, and continuing improvement through daily practice.

o Osteoarthritis - We've seen flexibility restored, swelling reduced or eliminated, and pain sometimes completely removed in knees, hips, lower back, and fingers. One client was able to restore her ability to play her favorite Rachmaninoff piano pieces in a single session by giving back the strength and flexibility in her fingers. Now she says every time her fingers begin to swell and hurt, she simply uses a simple massage and movement technique to restore complete freedom of movement in 5 minutes or less.

o Sciatica - I have worked with many clients helping them learn to rotate and re-align hips on their own

o Post-traumatic injury pain and stiffness - We have achieved remarkable results with long-term post-traumatic pain from automobile accidents and other injuries. We have had especially good results with whiplash injuries.

o Chronic back pain - Backs respond quite well to hypnotic movement. See our web article, Healing Back Pain for more details, including hypnotic movements you can start doing now to improve your back.

o Post surgical recovery - If you suffer chronic pain even after corrective surgery, hypnotic movement can be very important for a full recovery. See our article on Hypnosis and Surgery for more details.

Would you like to learn these healing powers for your own body? I developed the hypnotic movement process in 1979. I have been teaching it since 1995. In all these years, I have found that almost anyone can learn to enter this delightful zone of body awareness, and can learn in a remarkably short time to become a master of the hypnotic movement technique. It can be used in conjunction with pain medications and any other medical treatment, and physical therapy, which I find works well with hypnotic movement. Tell your doctor you want hypnotic movement therapy. Then call our office at (800) 950-4984 and start learning now how to control and maybe eliminate your pain while healing your joints!

Arthritis in Dogs Today

As dog owners, people should pay close attention to their pets for signs of illness. An arthritic dog has a hard time getting around. The dog may walk with a stiff and hobbling gait. The dog may no longer be interested in playing with dog toys, walking or any other physical activities and prefers to spend most of the time sleeping.

Causes of Arthritis

Arthritis is a debilitating disease causing stiffness and pain in the joints. Dog joints like human joints are susceptible to many different disorders. These disorders include diseases such as immune disorders, development disorders that include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative disorders, trauma and infections. Once a joint is affected, it can lead to arthritis. Arthritis is basically inflammation in the joints. Most dogs develop joint diseases in varying degrees. The resulting arthritis ranges from a mild case to a debilitating case.

Types of Arthritis

There are basically two commonly found types of arthritis. The first is osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease. This caused by the wear and tear of the joint mostly due to age. The second type is the Inflammatory Joint Disease, which is the result of other conditions like infections, disease, or trauma to the joints. These conditions result in an inflamed joint.

Which Dogs are at Risk

Large breed dogs and overweight dogs are usually susceptible to acquiring arthritis. Dogs that have suffered injury to their joints can also develop osteoarthritis. There are also risk factors associated with certain breeds of dogs, especially dogs that hereditary disorders like dysplasia.

Managing Arthritis

To manage arthritis in dog's veterinarians recommend controlling the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis with medication. This should also be accompanied by a suitable diet and exercise and supplements.

Managing a dog's weight is important. Overweight dogs are prone dysplasia and osteoarthritis. Surgical and medical interventions for arthritis will not be effective unless the dog reaches the recommended weight. Get the dog running by chasing after it's favorite dog toys.

Exercise keeps the dog's joints and muscles active. Low impact exercises are best for a dog suffering from arthritis. Walking up and down stairs, swimming, treadmills, and leash walking are some of the exercises depending on the severity of the dog's disease. To encourage a dog to swim, purchase floatable dog toys that the dog can fetch from the water.

Arthritic symptoms worsen with cold. By giving a dog a warm, dry, and draftless sleeping area will keep the dog comfortable. A firm orthopedic foam bed that distributes the dog's weight evenly effectively reducing pressure on the joints can help an arthritic dog as it curls up with favorite dog toys. Purchasing an arthritic dog a sweater to manage the cold weather can help with the joint stiffness.

Limit excessive motion on the dog's joints by providing ramps instead of stairs and elevating the dog's water and food bowls.

Treatment of Arthritis in Dogs

Glucosamine and Chondroitin are commonly used supplements used to manage arthritis. The supplement works by repair the damaged cartilage. It takes at least 6 weeks before the healing effects are noticed. There are also injectable medications available that help either repair damaged cartilage or help in the production of new cartilage.

Giving your dog anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce the swelling associated with arthritis in dogs and help in pain management. Drugs that can be given include buffered aspirin, NSAIDS like carprofen, deramaxx, ketoprofen, and EtoGesic.

Surgeries like Hip Replacement Surgery is an option for a dog badly afflicted. This treatment is however expensive and dog owners prefer to take other options, utilizing surgery as the last option.

Stem Cell Therapy for Joint Pain

A few years back chronic diseases were considered to be incurable. People have been very much suffering due to these diseases as no treatment was available. But now with technological advancements in medical science chronic diseases are now curable with the help of this therapy. These days, this therapy for joint pain is helping people all around the world.

In human body there are many joints and people can have pain in more than one just one of them. Moreover it can affect a person of any age group. It is a fact that these days joint pain is increasing in young people a lot due to many diversified reasons. Most common cause of joint pain in the body can be injury to the ligaments or tendons of the affected joint. Injury may not only affect ligaments but can also cause suffering to the cartilage and bones of the joints. Strongest symptom of inflammation and infection in the joints is the pain. Joints can be categorized into acute pain. Acute pain is the one which remains for a few seconds or little longer than this but declines as soon as healing takes place. The chronic pain varies from mild pain to severe joint pain and remains for a longer period of time.

Let us see how this therapy for pain works in helping people to get out of this pain. These are basically those cells which have the ability to differentiate into different types of cells of the body. They divide without any limitations. These sells are injected in the body of the patient. On reaching the targeted organ or part of the body these cells start multiplying by the millions and millions. These factors in the assistance of the blood vessels produce new rich blood cells. These new cells replace the old and damaged cells by healing the body or the organ form the pain. In this way a person gets rid of the chronic pain without any surgery or any other painful treatment.

One drawback of this treatment is that it is not available in all parts of the world due to various controversies. In case one decides to go for this treatment then he will have to visit one of those countries which are providing this type of treatment. The most successful person in treating the people from this therapy is Dr. Gonzalez in Mexico. Visiting Mexico for medical tour is of beneficial in many ways. Some of these are listed below:

One can reach Mexico in an economical fare.
In addition to the treatment, one can also enjoy the entertaining atmosphere in Mexico.
You will be able to receive treatment in the hotel you will be staying in and you will not have to visit any of the Mexican hospitals.
One can enjoy delicious meals of Mexico as well.
In short visiting Mexico will earn you good health from your treatment, and an entertaining vacation as well.

Debunking the Myths of Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)

OA is the most common cause of disability and about half of patients with other chronic illnesses also have osteoarthritis. There are certain myths patients have about degenerative joint disease that continue to persist but simply are not true. Here are the top 5 and the actual truths:

1) Osteoarthritis is simply part and parcel of getting old

a. It is not inevitable. It's a complicated process and one that has to do with the way receptors in cartilage cells react to physical forces.

2) Medical imaging tells the whole osteoarthritis story

a. In fact, we cannot tell how much pain or trouble functioning a patient will have based on the x-ray degeneration. The two do not correlate. Meniscal tears on MRI's in older patients are seen over 80% of the time, but they are not usually a cause of pain.

3) Nothing can be done for osteoarthritis.

a. We cannot rebuild cartilage yet. That may be something stem cells help us with in the future. However, treatments such as physical therapy, medications, injections, bracing, can help dramatically relieve pain non-operatively.

4) Patients think when they are using a joint they are causing damage.

a. No evidence actually backs this up. Evidence actually supports the long term benefits of exercise. When a patient receives an injection into an arthritic joint, it can allow exercise and increased musculoskeletal and cardiac health. The pain relief allows for these benefits, and further joint damage is not always promoted.

5) Patients think they will all need surgery from osteoarthritis.

a. About 40% of senior citizens have osteoarthritis of the knees or hips. Only about 5% of those will ever undergo a joint replacement.

The Mysterious TMJ(D)

Mention "TMJ" to people, and almost to a person everyone either knows someone who has this disorder, or they have it themselves. Despite the millions of people who suffer from TMJD (Temporo Mandibular Jaw Disorder) there is mostly just educated speculation as to the possible causes of this disorder. Even less is certain about its cure.

The temporo mandibular joints are small ball-and-socket hinge like structures on each side of your head that essentially connect your lower jaw to your skull. The lower jaw has rounded ends (condyles) that smoothly move in and out of this socket when one eats, speaks, yawns, etc. The surfaces of these bones are covered with cartilage, so bone is not grinding on bone, and the surfaces are also separated by a small disk which acts as a shock absorber. Sixty-eight pairs of muscles in your face and jaw area work to help stabilize this joint so that it moves smoothly to ensure speaking, swallowing, chewing, breathing, and even keeping your head on your shoulders! For the person with TMJD, however, any or all of these movements can become extremely painful as the condyles become dislocated or the cartilage excessively worn or overly stretched.

Researches now divide the disorders of the temporomandibular joint into three categories: one is myofascial pain, and it is the most common. This pain is characterized by discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function and the neck and shoulder muscles. Then there is of the internal derangement of the joint, which means the jaw is dislocated, the disc is displaced, or the condyle is injured. The last category is degenerative joint disease, such as arthritis in the jaw joint. (See reference below.)

This much science knows, but the certainty seems to stop here. The causes of TMJD seem to be as variable as the people who have it. Actual numbers of people experiencing TMJ disorders fluctuate widely, ranging from five to fifteen percent of the population of the United States to more than thirty-five percent of people. Women are more likely to develop this condition than men...and no, excessive talking is not to blame, although talking can cause pain if one has this disorder!

Amazingly, many suffering from a TMJ ailment seem to know the exact cause of his/her disorder. Some develop this condition due to facial or head injuries because of blows to the head, jaw or face, or from whiplash A great many sufferers indicate that they developed TMJ pain after prolonged dental procedures. Could it be your bite? Maybe your spine is misaligned. Do you need orthotics in your shoes? Perhaps there is a genetic connection. NIDCR is conducting a study to identify biological or genetic factors that may contribute to this disorder. Another recent study suggests there is a link to serotonin levels. While it would seem very reasonable to blame grinding and clenching of teeth for TMJD, ironically many people who grind and clench never experience TMJ pain. Arthritis can certainly be a cause, as can simply having tight jaw muscles due to stress.

Overuse of the jaw is another possible cause. Excessive gum chewing, nail biting and gnawing on items like plastic straws can overtax the muscles of this joint.

You may be experiencing TMJ problems if your jaw clicks, pops, catches, or locks when you open your mouth, Frequent headaches, neck-aches and ear pain and ear infections are other indicators of TMJ joint disorder. When TMJ affects the ear, one may then experience dizziness, lightheadedness, ringing in the ears, and a fullness or pressure on the ear drum. (Perhaps you don't need those antihistamines after all.)

Pain from the jaw can also radiate down your shoulders into your arms. Your teeth may not line up when you close your mouth, and you may not be able to open your mouth fully. In fact, the old song about the leg bone being connected to the hip bone, being connected to the back bone is an entirely appropriate analogy of TMJ pain. You may experience aches and pains throughout your body as your jaw struggles to align itself.

Fortunately, most people suffering from TMJ disorder will recover without medical intervention. Others will recover but will continue to have periodic bouts of the condition. Sadly, there are those for whom the pain of this disorder will become an indelible black mark on the fabric of their lives. Those with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint may not experience total recovery either. Whether your case of TMJD is fleeting or permanent, experts agree that one of the most important things you can do is to ease the stress on the jaw joint, and this can be done through dietary changes. This does not mean one must subsist on oatmeal, soup, or pureed foods for six months to a year, and that is how long (or longer) it may take for your jaw to fully recover. It does mean, however, that a diet that is easy to chew will be most helpful for your condition.

Other possible courses of action for improvement involve physical therapy, chiropractic work, applying heat or ice packs, massage therapy, hypnotism, and avoiding extreme jaw movements (such as wide yawning, singing, gum chewing, screaming, etc.) Learning stress reduction techniques is another possible course of action, as well as short-term use of pain relievers. Mouth guards are widely prescribed by many dentists, but one must remember that mouth guards are not a cure for TMJ disorder. Mouth guards will help prevent damage to one's teeth if one is grinding and clenching excessively, especially at night. Mouth guards, however, do not address the fundamental issue of WHY one is clenching and grinding. For some people, wearing a foreign object in one's mouth can cause an increase in clenching and grinding and resulting pain.

Be cautious with this disorder. More medical treatment is not necessarily better. Some dental experts urge that TMJD treatment be conservative and reversible. "Conservative treatments do not invade the tissues of the face, jaw or joint. Reversible treatments do not cause permanent, or irreversible, changes in the structure or position of the jaw or teeth." (ibid). Always seek a second opinion if you are advised to have orthodontics to change the bite, or crowns, bridge work or grinding the teeth down to balance the bite. "Scientists have learned that certain irreversible treatments, such as surgical replacement of jaw joints with artificial implants, may cause severe pain and permanent jaw damage. Some of these devices may fail to function properly or may break apart in the jaw over time." (ibid).

TMJ disorder can be an extremely painful condition that can affect every moment of your life, not just when you're eating. Sleep can be disturbed, work can be compromised, activities are affected (whether they be sports, exercise, singing, or playing wind instruments) participation in group outings can be affected, and your dental health as well as your overall health and well being can suffer.

Remember the old expression, "patience is a virtue, possess it if you can..." Most of us are sadly lacking in this virtue and want a quick fix, but patience, time, a softer diet, and stress management will go a long way in easing the pain of this disorder for the majority of people who suffer from it.

Hip Joint Pain Treatment - What Is the Best Method to Get Relief?

Hip joint pain is not at all a rare condition. It affects a lot of people and it can be the result of a lot of medical conditions. It is highly important to determine the exact cause of the pain in order to act accordingly and to put an end to it. Otherwise, the pain will keep on bothering you and, even worse, will aggravate. Arthritis, a disease that usually affects older people, is one of the most common causes of hip joint pain. It is a degenerative condition, so, under no circumstances it should be left untreated. The worst case scenario includes surgery for replacing the affected hip.

There are, however, other medical causes that result in hip pain. Tendonitis and bursitis are just two of them. The first one refers to the inflammation of the tendons surrounding the hip and the other one to the inflammation of the bursa on the exterior of the hip joint. Previous hip fractures or injuries can cause pain even after many years have passed. There are also childhood affections that cause hip joint pain in adulthood. Developmental dysplasia and perthes are example of such diseases that cause hip joint damage starting from early years of life.

Before starting any kind of treatment for hip pain, you should definitely ask for a doctor's opinion in order to identify the root causes of your pain. Only after having this information you, together with your physician, will be able to figure out what is best to be done. Sometimes gentle exercises and physical therapy is recommended. Anti-inflammatory drugs are the most common treatment method. Nevertheless, many people turn to herbal supplements that have about the same effect.

Boswelia and rosemary, for instances, are herbs with a high content of anti-inflammatory substances. Angelica is also very effective in case of hip joint pain because it contains, besides anti-inflammatory substances, analgesic compounds and muscle relaxant compounds. 250 mg of feverfew extract, taken daily, has a better action than some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Pineapple is a good choice for relieving hip pan because it contains a chemical known as bromelain, with a high capacity of diminishing inflammation. Stinging nettle, turmeric and wild yam are other examples of herbs that can be sued in treating hip joint pain.

Other sufferers choose to obtain relief by massaging the affected hip with analgesic essential oils. Lavender oil, rosemary oil and chamomile oil are relieving pain fast, while juniper and cypress oil are reducing the inflammation of the joint. Rumatone Gold oil is also recommended for patients with hip pain.

New Diagnostic Joint Disease and Pain Tools Could Put Spring Back Into Feline Steps

Cats are known for their crazy antics and acrobatics, but take a look at an older cat and you quickly realize the difficulty these geriatric pets have in performing even the simple tasks they used to do every day-jumping onto a favorite couch or pouncing at a toy mouse. Many of these feline friends suffer more than just the aches and pains of old age. They have a condition called osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that progresses with age and affects about 75 percent of senior cats.

With Morris Animal Foundation pilot-study funding, researchers at the University of Montreal are studying osteoarthritis in a new way, by looking at both the behavior and anatomy of cats with the disease. The scientists are using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to look at joint damage in the hip lumbar region, elbows and knees of a dozen felines. In animals with the disease, the normal cartilage cushion in the joint breaks down, and the bones rub against each other, often causing bone spurs. Unfortunately, evidence of joint disease doesn't always show up on traditional X-rays, and it can be difficult for even an experienced veterinarian to make the correct diagnosis.

"Underdiagnosis of the disease is leading to undermanagement of osteoarthritis in cats, and also underdevelopment of products dedicated to managing feline osteoarthritis," says Dr. Eric Troncy, professor at the University of Montreal. He says MRI is much more sensitive in showing structural changes in the limbs of cats, which can help veterinarians identify joint disease.

Cats with osteoarthritis often have an altered gait and put more weight on their unaffected limbs. So, researchers are also developing a pain scale and a quality-of-life scale, using quantitative gait analysis and telemetered locomotor activity monitors to record how the disease affects the animal's function levels.

This is the first study aimed at validating both the objective and subjective pain of osteoarthritis, and Dr. Troncy hopes the results will help his team develop an effective treatment for this painful condition. Currently, there is no approved method for alleviating the long-term pain of joint disease in cats, but the results of the study may allow researchers to look at drugs or nonconventional painkillers to help manage the disease.

"This would represent a huge change for cat osteoarthritis management and welfare," says Dr. Troncy. With proper disease management, older cats may find themselves with a bit more spring in their steps.

Relief From Joint Inflammation

Joint pain is no laughing matter. Different people experience different levels of pain in different areas for many reasons. Joint inflammation is usually the root cause of most joint pain. In order to really understand how to treat joint inflammation and pain it helps to understand why the pain develops in the first place.

Joint inflammation has several key symptoms. These include redness, swelling, joint pain, joint swelling and stiffness, and decrease in the mobility of a joint. In order to determine if a joint in the body is inflamed it is not necessary to be experiencing all of these symptoms at the same time. In many cases, people may only experience a few of these symptoms and can also feel as if they may have the flu. Some of the other feelings that can come along with joint inflammation are fevers, chills and fatigue. Each person may have their own unique set of symptoms present. It is very important to give the doctors and other medical personnel a thorough and detailed medical history in order to help them diagnose what is going on in your body.

According to WebMD, "Inflammation is a process by which the body's white blood cells and chemicals protect our bodies from infection by foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses." Joint pain that comes from arthritis stems from a reaction within the body. Most types of arthritis are autoimmune diseases, a response in which the body is fighting off something foreign when there is nothing foreign to fight off. The resulting inflammation causes joints to ache and be painful. In fact, arthritis is a word used to describe inflammed joints.

Pain can also come from the inflammation itself. Discomfort can be the result of the body's response to the supposed intruder. When joints swell in order to defeat the either imagined or unimagined threat, cartilage can be damaged. The body needs cartilage in order to function properly and comfortably. The joints of the body can become permanently damaged due to inflammation, whether it is chronic or not.

There is an obvious need for joint pain relief in a large section of our population. Not only do people find themselves battling joint pain as they age, but many suffer from it as a reslult of living an active life style. People who keep their bodies moving in high-stress ways often find themselves with joint pain. This can effect people of all ages!

Relief from joint pain is becoming an issue that is getting a lot of attention. In recent years there have been some newer choices in joint pain relief. Glucosamine has been one of the bigger "buzz" words finding its way to the market. A newer and more effective joint pain supplement, Celadrin, has recently been introduced to a wide market. The main ingredient of Celadrin, Cetylated fatty acids (or CFA's), has been the subject of several studies, and has been shown to be very effective in relieving joint pain, inflammation, and increasing mobility. Thankfully, joint pain relief may be just a cream or supplement away!

Why Glucosamine and Chondroitin Are Better Than NSAIDs in Treating Canine Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints that is not exclusive to humans. Dogs can also suffer from osteoarthritis. Large dog breeds in particular, such as Labradors, German shepherds and Great Danes are more vulnerable to canine osteoarthritis. Because their weight adds more strain, this naturally causes more vulnerability to their joints.

In the past, typical forms of treatment used in managing canine osteoarthritis involve non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs have been very effective in easing the swelling and inflammation in the joints as well as blocking the pain. However, glucosamine supplements in recent studies have shown very positive results in those suffering arthritic joint pain. Glucosamine supplements when taken in conjunction with chondroitin sulfate actually have proven to be more effective in managing moderate to severe joint pain than NSAIDs. These supplements have been studied in people, but the therapy has shown to be just as effective in dogs, cats, horses, and so on.

Reasons as why supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin are seen to be a better alternative to NSAIDs in treating canine osteoarthritis are:

1. NSAIDs and nutritional supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin are both effective in treating canine osteoarthritis pain. However, compared to NSAIDs, glucosamine, and chondroitin are virtually devoid of any serious side effects. NSAIDs, on the other hand, can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney problems and liver failure, among a long list of others.

2. Glucosamine and chondroitin treat the pain at the source. Glucosamine stimulates the growth of new cartilage to replace cartilage tissue damaged, while chondroitin helps to provide lubrication to the joints. This leads to a healing that reduces and eliminates joint pain. On the other hand, NSAIDs only deal with the harmful enzymes causing the inflammation and pain. This is not necessarily a bad thing but when you factor in the risks of using such powerful drugs, long term use makes the risk to high.

3. Glucosamine and chondroitin are produced naturally in us and our pets. These two supplements for osteoarthritis also come from other natural sources, such as shrimp, crab and other shellfish. Unlike them, NSAIDs are created synthetically in pharmaceutical laboratories. Natural supplement is this case is a safe and effective choice.

4. Effects and visible improvements of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements to the dogs health can be seen in as little as 7 days depending on the supplement used, to 6 weeks if pill form supplements are used. Long term effects can be sustained safely with daily use. NSAIDs are quick in relieving joint pain and inflammation but again, long term use puts your pet at risk for serious side effects.

5. NSAIDs are much more expensive than glucosamine and chondroitin supplements. For a dog that weighs around 50 pounds, a daily dosage of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements would cost around 50 cents a day. On the other hand, NSAIDs are expensive and $100 a month or more in treatment should be expected.

These are just a few reasons as to why glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are better than NSAIDs. There are more resources and more literature available online. Every pet owner with a dog or cat suffering from osteoarthritis should take time to get as much information as possible regarding the advantages of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements over NSAIDs.

These supplements have seen new complete formulas in liquid form come to market. Syn-flex for Pets is a leader in pharmaceutical liquid glucosamine sales. Syn-flex formulas, made for people and pets, combine the necessary glucosamine and chondroitin supplements and a host of others to help with inflammation and swelling. Syn-flex is dosed to your pet according to weight, and the liquid formula makes administering it to your pet very easy. The liquid formula is also fast acting since the body absorbs liquids almost completely letting the supplements give full benefit.

Head and Jaw Pain - How to Make it Stop

TMJ disorder can also be the cause of headache, or head and jaw pain.

If you thought that Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) only affected the jaw and was occasionally accompanied with earaches then you should also look into it the next time when you experience slight headaches as well.

The connection between the head and the TMJ can be felt if one pushes the lower jaw forward to its maximum extent while keeping the head and neck in position. As soon as this is done a sort of pressure or tension is felt at the back of the neck.

The headache occurs as a result of secondary symptom of the actual disorder of the jaw joint. Therefore, the sufferer may experience dizziness also. This has a simple explanation; since the TMJ connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone in the skull, any feeling in the joint can be easily transmitted to the head.

The TMJ is responsible for the movement of the lower jaw. If you notice carefully, it is only the lower jaw in our mouth that is movable. When we chew, yawn, grind or even talk, it is the lower jaw that goes up and down or sideways. So now you know why hand puppeteers move the lower jaw of the puppets only!

You see, there are groups of muscles for your lower jaw. One set will pull one way to close the jaw and another set will pull the opposite way to open the jaw.

When there is a disturbance, the muscles don't pull together evenly, leading to TMJ and headache. So this head jaw pain connection is telling you that your muscles and tendons of the neck and jaw and the joint or joints of the jaw are in trouble.

Read on and I will mention that I took care of these problems in an easy manner that you often can do at home.

In addition to the headache, you may be experiencing jaw clicking, neck pain or stiffness and even difficulty opening or closing the mouth.

Just to note - Heart diseases can also have a connection to the headaches. This is because heart disorders can cause the jaws to ache, which in turn transmit the pain to our heads. However, one should get a thorough check up for proper diagnosis to rule out heart disease.

Now you can see the head and jaw pain connection. If you have not, please begin to notice your symptoms and what you were doing that may bring this on. Although it could be something else such as stress or even heart disease, Often people find that it is caused by TMD.

It is best to start doing something as soon as you start to have the symptoms, as it can get quite bad, the longer you let it go. It may eventually end up in Lockjaw or your Dentist may suggest jaw surgery.

Benefits of Chiropractic Wellness Care

When I give workshops on how Chiropractic wellness care benefits people's health, I can be long-winded. This is simply because that the list of benefits is a very long one. When people understand that Chiropractic wellness care can do, most people understand that why the list is long.

Chiropractic wellness care indicates that the nervous system is the master controller of a person's health. It allows your nervous system to communicate with your body at superior levels. Here are a few examples of how Chiropractic wellness care can improve the quality of your life:

1. Neck and Head: Relief from headaches and migraines as well as relief from head pains, whiplash and acute and chronic neck pain. It promotes healthier discs and also relieves temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ).


2. 
   Breathing and Lungs: Relieves stress from lungs, improves of respiratory function, and decreases symptoms of asthma, sinusitis and allergies.


3. 
   Cardiovascular: Allows for greater nerve supply to heart and coronary arteries, improves circulation, less nerve stress and stabilizes of blood pressure.


4. 
   Digestion and Elimination: Improves digestion and elimination as well as function of throat, stomach, duodenum, small and large intestines, colon and anus. It relieves ulcers and promotes a greater nerve supply to the entire digestive tract, liver and gall bladder. Chiropractic wellness care can also help with kidney, bladder and colon disorders and dysfunctions.


5. 
   Upper Extremities: Relief from carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder, arm and hand problems.


6. 
   Lower Extremities: Hips, knees, feet are more balanced; less pressure on nerves and joints; better balance; improved posture; relief from sciatica and leg pain.


7. 
   Brain, Stress and Psychological Effects: Increased blood supply to the brain; improved concentration; reduced anxiety and irritability, depression, tiredness and clumsiness; and more energy.


8. 
   Immune System: Improved nerve supply to immunity organs, including spleen, tonsils, appendix and lymphoid tissue. Overall immune system function is enhanced.


9. 
   Overall Effects of Body Structure: Less pressure on body in general; joints are more aligned; weight is carried more evenly; better posture; more balance and energy; muscles are strengthened and balanced; trigger points and hot spots are removed; increased flexibility.

If you increase the nerve supply to your body, you increase health and wellness as well as your overall quality of life.

4 Frequently Asked Questions About a Clicking Jaw

FAQ 1. What is clicking jaw?

Every once in a while, a dentist receives a patient complaining of a clicking sound in their jaw. While some of these patients have just recently discovered that they have this condition, others have been patiently dealing with (or ignoring) the popping sound for more than ten years, or even longer for a few people.

To put it simply, a clicking jaw is a condition where a sound is repeatedly produced every time one opens his jaw. This condition is sometimes used interchangeably with TMJ, but they are two different concepts. TMJ will be discussed at the latter part of the article.

Experts agree that clicking jaw may be an indication of serious health problems, and that they come with other symptoms such as headache, neck pain, and jaw pain one side. But if this condition is not caused by any health problems, it can be caused by any of the following: a person's habit of clenching his teeth (which is called bruxism), eating food items that are too hard, using the teeth to bite hard things, or an injury.

FAQ 2. Should you be worried if you have a clicking jaw?

Dentists say that the popping sound is normal, especially if it happens only occasionally. However, one is advised to seek the expertise of a professional if the sound is too annoying to bear, if it gives discomfort and unbearable pain, or if it comes with other symptoms.

FAQ 3. How can you treat this condition?

Depending on the causes and gravity of the condition, there are several methods that a specialist can do to help get rid of the popping sound. One of the methods is called resurfacing, wherein some parts of contacting teeth are shaved to make sure that they are aligned properly. Another technique involves the simple avoidance of chewing on hard candy, gum, and other food items.

FAQ 4. What is TMJ?

Many people equate TMJ with jaw disorders, but they actually mean TMJD or TMD, short for temporomandibular joint disorder. TMJ is the joint that connects the skull and the lower jaw. Furthermore, TMJD is a condition that has a wide scope, and it includes clicking jaw. In other words, TMD is the disease and clicking jaw is just one of its symptoms.

There are several ways to treat TMJD, and one of these methods is through TMJ exercises. One of these exercises involves putting your tongue at the upper palate, opening your mouth wide, and breathing for about 2 seconds. This exercise can be repeated up to 10 times everyday.

My Dog Is Limping: Can I Use Dasuquin With MSM?

Limping in dogs especially those associated with joints disease is a serious common problem affecting our pets, yet oftentimes neglected by some pet owners. According to some reports, one on every five dogs in the country today can be suffering from one or several forms of joints disease most of which are subclinical in nature.

Perhaps before we try to answer what's the possible solutions for this problem, it might be helpful for us to know some of the causes of limping in or dogs. By knowing these, we will be aware and kept abreast of the very reason why we need to take accountability and become responsible pet owners.

Injuries in the paws and claws:

Dogs of small breeds can easily be injured by some grasses with spikes or thorns. Access to playing fields with sharp stones is another factor that can cause some minor cuts to our dogs' paws and claws. Unfortunately, these cuts and lacerations can get easily infected that may eventually worsen the problem.

Sprains and strains:

Just like athletes in heavy work-outs, sprains and strains can also occur with hyperactive dogs particularly those guard dogs, working dogs and K9's. It is very important that exercise and other physical activities mo moderated with respect to the breed, sex and age of the animal.

Dislocations in certain joints:

It might be somewhat safe to say that dislocations in dogs may not be so common yet still an important cause of lameness in dogs. We may not realize it but major causes of dislocations include accidents involving cars or a fall from great heights. Most of the joints affected could be the knees and elbows that bear much weight during these circumstances.

Degenerative diseases:

Osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia and rheumatoid arthritis are pretty rising problems affecting our dogs. Breeds, age and diet seem to be primary factors why these are pretty common nowadays.

I wish to note here that simple limping in dogs can be learned and managed at home. Simple cuts can be treated just the way we care with our own in simple yet gentle ways. However, if you observe that the case of your dog seem to be getting worst and is not improving at all, it is highly recommended that you bring your pet to your trusted vet for a thorough physical examination.

So how about Dasuquin? Of course you can. Dasuquin has been claimed as the gold standard in joint supplements. Some limping problems especially those related to joints illness be well prevented from occurring with proper nutrition and supplementation of your dog using products like Dasuquin or other related supplements.

Specific ingredients present in Dasuquin can help alleviate your suffering dog. It can help also in the healing of joints problems and it can serve as prophylactic agent before those joints problems will occur. If you are in doubt, it would be wise to consult first your vet how to properly use Dasuquin for your dogs.

For more information about Dasuquin and how it can help your limping dog, come and check this in-depth Dasuquin with MSM reviews, a pet supply consultant's point of view.

Reduce Hip Joint Pain and Inflammation With These Methods

Hip joint pain can arise from structures within the joint or structures surrounding the hip joint. It joins legs with torso of the body, the thigh bone femur swivels in the joint made up of pelvic bones, this structure is like a socket and contains space and very less fluid in it. This socket like structure is called acetabulum. Any injury or infection fills this space with fluid or blood which restricts the free movement of the head of the femur causing pain, stiffness, and even locking of the joint. Inflammation, swelling, redness and warmth are few symptoms of this pain.

Muscles and tendons are attached to hip joint which in concert enables the movement of the joint, apart from the movement, muscles also ensure joint stability. In the hip joint large brusaes are present which are sacs filled with fluid and these are attached to the intersections of muscles to help tendons and muscles glide smoothly and without friction. Thick band of tissues and sciatica nerve is also attached to the hip joint.

Any inflammation caused to the structures of the joint or to those which are attached to the joint can cause pain in the hip joint. Inflammation or damage to the muscles attached to the joint can create problems during the movement, inflamed tendons commonly due to tendinitis or swelling of brusaes due to trochanteric bursitis can also cause mild to severe joint pain in the hip. Osteonecrosis is also one of the most common reasons for hip joint pain which occurs when there is inadequate blood supply to any part of the skeletal structure of the joint. The other reasons for hip joint pain are muscle pulls, and fractures either directly of the bones involved in the joint or to the femur and stress fractures which occur due to over use of the joint particularly by athletes or sportspersons. Many types of arthritis can also cause hip pain as they can infect tissues and muscles and also damage the brusaes to avoid smooth movement of femur in the acetabulum and of muscles and tendons.

Inability to walk properly or reduced stride are very common and early symptoms of hip joint pain. Bending and getting up from sitting position require lot of effort and the joint pose resistance during such activities. Pain in the hip while lying and resting also suggests some problem to the joint. Pain accompanied by redness, fever or swelling at the joint signifies serious joint problem in the joint. People having strained or pinched sciatica nerve or suffering from herniated disc may not be having any problem in the hip joint but they might experience some pain due to these problems.

NSAID are recommended by the doctors along with the treatment to control pain and enable the patient to move the joint. Herbs like echnacea, ginseng, winter cherry and ginger are also helpful in controlling pain and inflammation. Massages and exercises are always helpful in reducing the frequency of the painful episodes. In case of complete immovability of the joint, hip replacement surgery is the last option.

Fibromyalgia Pain Relief

Fibromyalgia pain relief is necessary for patients who suffer from debilitating aches, joint stiffness, muscle spasms, headaches, extreme fatigue, Fibro problems, and a vast assortment of other musculoskeletal problems. The condition can be further exacerbated by communal illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue, which can greatly increase a sufferer's pain.

The causes of Fibromyalgia are unclear, and the cures differ from person to person. This creates difficulty in providing comprehensive fibromyalgia pain relief for everyone. Each case of the illness varies from patient to patient which includes the areas, degrees and stimuli of painful discomfort. In order to design an effective plan for pain relief, an accurate diagnosis of the illness must be performed.

Fibromyalgia can be difficult to detect because there are not any solid tests that can diagnose the condition. A diagnosis is usually assigned after all other possible illnesses have been ruled out. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, and chronic fatigue also exhibit many of the same symptoms as fibromyalgia, and doctors normally want to eliminate other conditions before beginning to treat a patient for fibromyalgia pain.

After an accurate diagnosis, a person's health and lifestyle are evaluated to determine the best possible fibromyalgia treatment plan for a patient. The first fibromyalgia symptom that most doctors will attempt to treat is chronic pain, as this is the most discomforting condition for fibromyalgia patients.

Pain relief is normally treated using traditional medicine as well as alternative treatments. The common tools that doctors use are various types of physical therapy, antidepressants, sleeping pills and muscle relaxants. Physical therapy, which can take the form of hydro exercise, stretching, and walking may help reduce fatigue and muscular discomfort. The chronic pain of Fibromyalgia can cause doctors to prescribe antidepressants in patients who have been struggling with years of chronic health problems.

Issues like dietary changes and lifestyle changes can greatly aid in relief for many patients. Creating a nutritious diet that eliminates caffeine and sugar, which can cause stress on the body, is very important. In addition, certain supplements like bromelaincan and magnesium can help to reduce fibromyalgia pain in the shoulders, back, and neck.

Magnesium has recently become a popular treatment option for fibromyalgia, and has been shown to relax and provide lower back natural pain reliever in fibromyalgia patients. Bromelain, which is derived from pineapple, has anti-inflammatory properties. These help to minimize tenderness and join pain. Vitamin C can also provide relief to joint tenderness and swollen tissues.

There are many techniques of massage therapy that can be used for types of fibromyalgia pain, and one of the most useful is trigger point therapy. Trigger point therapy focuses on specific points of the body that are more susceptible to muscular tension and spasms. Applying pressure and massaging can release knotted muscles and provide fibromyalgia pain reduction in many patients.

Hip Dysplasia - An Issue Among Older English Bulldogs

Probably some people consider English Bulldogs as tough and intimidating dogs. Who wouldn't think that way when this breed possesses  certain characteristics that made people think that they are indeed tough and intimidating. Plus the fact that, they were originally used for bullbaiting as well as bearbaiting. Now who says English Bulldogs are not intimidating?

Yes, they look intimidating but actually, they are not. They are in fact considered as one of the gentlest among dogs. They are extremely people-attention seeking dogs and would love every bit they can get. However, just like other dog breeds, English Bulldogs are subject to some health issues that can lead to the deterioration of the quality of their life.

One health issue that can possibly affect this breed, especially older dogs, is hip dysplasia. Many dog owners are aware of hip dysplasia probably because their own dogs have experienced it. But to those who doesn't know the disease, canine hip dysplasia is a result of abnormal development of the hip while your pet is still a puppy. This abnormal development involves the ball (the head of the femur or thighbone) and the socket (the acetabulum). When the ball and the socket do not fit snugly, painful and damaging friction occurs and will later progress to cartilage destruction, inflammation and pain. This can later result to progressive arthritis that can possibly cripple your pet.

A dysplastic dog has less energy and movement and suffers difficulty when rising. Lameness in the back legs, reluctance to use stairs especially when going up, reluctance to jump or stand on hind limbs soreness after lying down and after heavy exercise are also signs of the existence of canine hip dysplasia.

Veterinarians use x-rays in addition to physical examination to diagnose the disease. Most vets use the hip-extended ventrodorsal view x-ray because it provides a frontal view of the pelvis and hip joints and allows for an assessment of the arthritis present. PennHIP radiography technique on the other hand is usually used to detect hip looseness in younger dogs. Other less commonly used methods to diagnose  hip dysplasia are computed tomography (CT scan) and ultrasonography.

Hip dysplasia can be treated medically or surgically, depending on the severity of the condition. Conservative or medical treatments include pain and anti-imflammatory medications, weight loss programs, controlled exercise and physical therapy. These methods can be very effective however, conservative or medical treatments do have their limitations. Some cases of hip dysplasia call for surgical treatment such as osteotomy (TPO) and femoral head and neck incision in severe cases.

A good practice to prevent this is to screen breeding dogs for evidence of hip joint subluxation.

Knee Joint Pain - Discover 3 Natural Supplements That Work

Knee joint pain can be caused by many things such as a knee injury from torn ligaments, worn out knee cartilage due to arthritis, or just a plain old knee joint infection. Even though there may be many reasons for knee pain, figuring out what is causing the affliction may require a trip to the doctor. For most people however, knee joint pain is cause by osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects the joints by causing deterioration to the cartilage that supports it. When there is degeneration in these areas, it can cause arthritis pain and inflammation. These symptoms can be mild to severe depending on the stage of arthritis you are in.

The cartilage that protects the bones in the knee from rubbing against each other becomes worn out. When this happens, the bones begin to cause excruciating knee joint pain because bone is rubbing against bone. As time goes on, joint deformities, joint stiffness and limited range of motion can also occur.

Because arthritis affects over 40 million Americans, there has been extensive research on several natural supplements that help alleviate joint pain, rebuild cartilage and decrease inflammation. Three such supplements that is used to treat arthritis pain are glucosamine, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), and chondroitin.

Glucosamine is a natural substance that is found in the body. It is manufactured into a supplement from a natural compound called chitin found in shell fish like shrimp, lobsters, and crabs. Glucosamine is needed to produce glycosaminoglycan. Glycosaminoglycan is a molecule that helps repair and rebuild cartilage and other connective tissues.

MSM also known as Methylsulfonylmethane, is a natural source of sulfur which has been shown to reduce inflammation and strengthen collagen. Sulfur also helps get rid of excess mineral deposits found in joints and tissues. This supplement is often used in conjunction with glucosamine.

Chondroitin is also a substance that is found naturally in the body. It is manufactured by extracting beef cartilage into a supplement. It has found to be an essential building block for the body to produce new cartilage and it may also block enzymes that cause cartilages to breakdown.

There are other natural supplements like white willow bark that can alleviate knee joint pain. White willow bark was the inspiration behind the now famous aspirin but we all know that aspirin can cause side effects such as stomach irritation. If you decide that a natural supplement is right for you, make sure it has all the ingredients discussed here.

Why Do I Have Burning Knee Joints? - Face the Pain With the Use of a Knee Brace

Whether you are an athlete, or you are just an active person, burning knee pain can ruin everything. You may be wondering how to address this pain without sleeping with a bottle of pain killers next to you. If you want to take a fresh look at how to face your knee pain, then read on...

When you suffer from burning knee pain, it can obviously keep you from enjoying simple daily activities. If you've ever experienced burning knee joints, you know how excruciating the pain can be. It's as if someone lit a fire under your patella.

So what should you do? Stop exercising? Stop living your life? Take a lot of pain medication on a routine basis? How about costly, long-lasting sessions of therapy? Or maybe an invasive surgical procedure is the only cure?

Face it: none of these options are pleasant, and while more extensive treatment may be necessary in the long run, there is something you can do in the meantime to help douse the fire: Wear a knee brace.

While only a qualified medical specialist can determine the cause of burning knee joints, in most cases, knee braces may help reduce the pain and add needed stability.

The burning joint pain that you feel in your knee is caused by inflammation. The burning knee pain you have can come from several different knee conditions. For instance wear and tear on the disc-like cartilage within the knee (otherwise known as the Meniscus), often causes inflammation, resulting in burning knee joints. Also, overuse can cause inflammation, as can arthritis, bursitis or a ligament tear. The inflammation is exacerbated by using the knee, and the more the knee is used, the more prominent the burning sensation becomes.

Consequently, any one of these and many other conditions can result in the symptom of burning knee joints.

A knee support is designed to easily fit on your leg, without being bulky, and can help support you while also allowing mobility. In this way, by helping to provide extra support to the joint itself, the brace helps to reduce stress on the joint when the knee is in use. The reduction of stress in turn helps to reduce the inflammation, and thus reduce the burning sensation. Therefore, with proper use, a knee brace may help you perform daily activities and partake in sports without being sidelined by burning knee joints.

This, of course is good news. But you may be thinking that you will have to save a ton of money to buy a well designed knee support. The even better news, therefore, is that in most cases, the knee brace you use does not have to be custom made!

There are many types and styles of knee braces available, each designed to fit your knee comfortably. This means that not only are knee braces readily available, but they are also more affordable since they do not have to be custom made.

OFA Certification and Hip Dysplasia

If you own a larger breed of dog or are looking for one, you may have heard the term OFA Certified. This refers to the dog's hip joints and is an indicator of potential problems for your dog. Hip problems for any active dog will cause pain and discomfort that will get progressively worse. The unstable hip joint will lead to osteoarthritis.

So, what is OFA certification? The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is the recognized certifying body to evaluate and determine if a dog will have problem hips. The foundation was established in 1966 by John M. Olin after he found that hip dysplasia was affecting his sporting dogs. Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition and can be evaluated by radiographs. The OFA maintains a database for hip dysplasia and now also maintains databases on other genetic disorders.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals has defined 7 categories to describe canine hip joints. They are: Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate, Severe. There are several different ways to treat hip dysplasia depending on the age of the dog and the severity of the problem.

For young dogs, under the age of 10 months, veterinarians can do surgery to stabilize the joint. This surgery is called triple pelvic osteotomy. It involves cutting 3 places in the pelvic bone, rotating the socket and stabilizing the ball part of the joint with plates and screws. This procedure is only for puppies because once there are arthritic changes in the joint, the surgery is not possible. Another surgical option is a total hip replacement. This is a complex procedure, usually done only at teaching hospitals and large specialty practices. It can cost as much as $1750.00 for one hip, which is usually all that needs to be done.

There are other non-surgical options available. One of the simplest and least expensive treatments includes weight management and exercise. Exercise should start with short leash walks which should gradually increase as the muscles get stronger. Strong muscles will help stabilize the joint and if the dog is overweight, losing weight will put less stress on the joint. This is effective treatment as long as the dog is not having pain from the exercise. You may have to backtrack to shorter walks. Cold and damp weather will aggravate joint pain for your dog, and warmth is soothing. If you suffer arthritis or joint pain and stiffness, your can understand how your dog feels.

Dogs can also be given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Your vet will know if and when this is an appropriate coarse. As with any medications, there are risks for side effects. Don't ever give your dog your NSAID medication. Side effects of these drugs in dogs is the same it is for us. Side effects include, stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea and decreased appetite. Some vets may recommend an all natural, human grade, pet supplement for your dog. It has been shown that glucosamine and chondroitin are helpful in rebuilding cartilage in the joint. It can take about a week of giving the supplement before the necessary level for results is reached.

It is important for you to consult with your dog's veterinarian to discuss the best coarse of action for your pooch. With some help from you and the vet, your dog can live a full, active and pain free life.

Natural Joint Pain Relief for Pets - What to Consider

You need to consider how big your dog is when you're trying to find the ideal natural joint pain relief for pets, as well as the causes of their joint pain. If they have arthritis, this is different than if they have sore joints from an excess of exercise. Depending on the situation, there are many different herbs that might be helpful. You also have many homeopathic options that might help with joint pain relief when applied topically or taken internally.

If you're looking for natural joint pain relief for pets, you're going to have to consider many different factors of the situation. You probably know that talking to your vet yields little information if they're not familiar with the use of natural therapies. For this reason, you should try to find a vet that you can speak with who is experienced with alternative medicine. They can talk to you about your pet to help you find the best natural joint pain relief.

Should your pet have inflamed joints, you might explore using herbal mixtures that can be taken as teas and tinctures. Three of the most popular for joint pain are Turmeric, St. John's Wort, and Feverfew. Each of these herbs are said to have anti-inflammatory properties, and may be applied topically as well as taken internally. Please be sure to consult your vet before trying anything.

Apparently, Turmeric is great for human use and is said to be useful in helping some dogs with inflamed joints, as well as arthritic joints. You can ask your vet about feeding them the turmeric as the vet can recommend the dosage. Some people have claimed to have mixed the turmeric powder with oil such as jojoba or almond, and applied it directly to the joints as a natural joint pain relief for pets. It is said that the orange color of this herb is very strong, so the oil will definitely be visible on their skin.

You should be able to tell if any of these forms of natural joint pain relief for pets work for your pet because they will act differently if their pain is relieved. Depending on the size of your pet, you might give them some tea or tincture of these herbs with their food. However, make sure you speak with a vet who has full knowledge of alternative medicine, before you give your pet anything.

Some things, like an overnight infusion of Nettle tea, are said to be a nutritive and useful without much precaution, but you still need to make sure your veterinarian approves your decision before you give your pet anything.

If you're using herbs that are anything other than nutritive; that is, herbs that are stimulating or anti-inflammatory, you should seek advice from someone who has experience prescribing natural joint pain relief for pets. This will help you to be sure to make the right decision.

Banish Pain In Hip Joints For Good

Pain in hip joints is extremely common and can be caused by a wide variety of mechanisms. Growing old gracefully sounds like a pretty good plan, but with joint pain as a constant companion, being graceful is easier said than done. Aches and pains may be something you've learned to live with over time but they don't have to be. Effective, natural and safe treatment is available for not only hip pain but for every joint pain you may be suffering.

Finally getting rid of the nagging symptoms that continually remind us of the passage of chronological time can be a totally life changing experience. There is no reason to feel as old (or older) than the date on your driver's license. Getting older does not have to be accompanied by a loss of mobility, especially when joint health becomes a priority.

As a classical guitarist or a concert pianist, arthritis or bursitis can spell the end of a loved avocation (and the beautiful music, too). Joint pain in the fingers or shoulders is not just uncomfortable but, for some, can be debilitating. If you make your living with your arms and hands, as a carpenter, seamstress or computer programmer for example, it can make your daily work life miserable.

Pain in hip joints is especially troublesome because not only is the pain pronounced and nearly constant but it also makes it difficult just to get around. It is not uncommon for someone with severe hip pain to be practically confined to his or her residence, unable to even go out for a leisurely walk in the park or down the beach. This shouldn't be and, in many cases, needed be. There are alternatives.

Pain in hip joints may be caused by:

(1) ARTHRITIS is one of the most common causes
(2) BURSITIS is also a very common cause
(3) OSTEONECROSIS causes low blood flow to the hip area
(4) TENDONITIS occurs in tendons surrounding the hip joint

Unfortunately, sufferers of joint pain find themselves having to choose between "biting the bullet" and bucking up against the pain or turning to medications to dull the effect. Those who choose drugs open themselves up to a whole new slate of side effects often brought along by the remedy itself. It's a vicious cycle, really. Now here comes the good news.

Natural treatment is available that has been proven effective in relieving joint pain but does not bring the side effects common with prescription pain killers or even over the counter pain relievers. Natural ingredients like Glucosamine Complex, Chondroitin Sulfate, Ginger Root and White Willow Bark, when combined together with certain other elements in precise proportions, can bring relief to aching joints like axle grease to a squeaky wheel.

Pain in hip joints is often associated with the elderly, but anyone can fall victim to this painful problem. The inability to walk comfortably or to even sit or lie down without constant, nagging discomfort affects the whole body's health. This is something for which relief is available. Look into it.

Why Would You Need Hip Replacement Surgery?

Hip replacement surgery sounds like a scary procedure to go through. It is a major operation as many patients prefer to postpone the surgery for different reasons, including not wanting to go through with it due to its fairly long recovery process or due to the severity of the operation; in fact, patients will agree to tolerate the pain and discomfort for long periods, instead of just scheduling a surgical procedure to improve their quality of life and return to the way they used to live.

When ones hip joint wears down, the hip bone and cartilage start rubbing directly against each other which causes pain and limited movement. At the beginning, symptoms may not be as severe, and pain medication or physiotherapy can help, it is when these solutions no longer relieve symptoms that a problem begins. This process begins due to arthritis, rheumatism, a bone fracture or just time taking its toll. The main reason for hip joint problems remains Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. This disease causes the cartilage covering the bones to stiffen which then leads to it cartilage wearing away.

The pain or restricted movement can suddenly limit you from going through your daily routine at the same pace and efficiency as before. At this point you should start discussing the option of having the surgery. You do not want to wait and let the symptoms reach the point when you are barley functioning at all, in addition to the fact that postponing a prognosis may affect the option of going through partial hip replacement instead of a total hip replacement surgery.

There are two types of surgery: total and partial hip replacement, also known as Hip Resurfacing. A 'Hip Resurfacing' procedure is usually meant for younger patients with less severe pain, as only the femur head (the highest part of the thigh bone) will be reshaped in order to accept a metal cap with small guide stem which is set into the pelvis. In a total hip replacement, not only the femur head is replaced, but the whole joint of the hip (femur head and neck) and the femoral canal is reamed out. Early decision to go through the surgery can be the difference.

After deciding on handing the surgery, another reason to postpone total or partial hip replacement is of course the cost of this procedure. Without the right type of health insurance coverage, this surgery can cost patients up to 50,000$, not an easy sum to come by. Patients without these means may be postponing surgery for lack of any other option available while forced to deal with the pain and the inability to function properly.

Patients who have run in to a "financial wall" must seek other options, including options such as "Charity Care" and going through this surgery abroad. The second option of 'medical tourism' is becoming more and more popular as prices of hip replacement or partial hip replacement are substantially lower abroad.

Stop Suffering From Knee Joint Pain

Have you ever spent a couple of hours in rush hour traffic and when you finally reach your destination, you can't get out of the car because of knee joint pain? This can be a humiliating experience if you have an audience when you finally do get out of the car and try to walk. Typically, within a little while you can walk it off, but wouldn't it be nice if this didn't happen at all?

As we age our bodies don't produce enough of the substances we need to keep our bones and joints functioning as they did when we were younger. This gives us knee joint pain as well as other types of pain. Our joints become stiff and don't work well. There are things we can do to fix this problem. First of all you should start taking a supplement that helps replace the things your body now lacks. There are a number of joint supplements that contain glucosamine compounds, chondroitin sulfate and MSM. These are the primary things that your joints are lacking and by replacing these you will stop experiencing the pain you have become accustomed to recently.

After you have allowed the supplement to work(it may take a few weeks to get the full effect) you need to increase your activity. Regular exercise of some kind will help you keep knee joint pain and many other types of pain away. Start out by taking a 45 minute walk 4 times a week. You will likely find that you enjoy it so much you will want to start doing it every day. Regular exercise will help keep your joints more flexible and will prevent the Knee joint pain and other joint pain from returning. Exercise will also make you feel better just in general.

Treatments For Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease and degenerative arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis. It involves the breakdown of cartilage in the joints and is primarily found in older adults. Symptoms include aching, soreness, pain, bony enlargements in the center of a joint, and joint swelling. Osteoarthritis is most commonly experienced in weight bearing joints such as the knees and hips. It is typically the result of aging, but can be intensified by other factors such as heredity, injury, obesity, joint overuse, and stress. While there is no cure for Osteoarthritis, there are helpful treatments that and lessen the pain, increase mobility, and enhance the individual's quality of life. The type of treatment an Osteoarthritis patient receives will vary depending on a myriad of factors. If you suspect you are experiencing Osteoarthritis, it is critical that you discuss your symptoms and treatment options with your personal physician to ensure you are getting the right treatment for your particular needs.

Most common treatments include:

• 
  Physical therapy and exercise. A licensed physical therapist can advise you on specific muscle strengthening exercises that will help support ligaments and tendons and help alleviate pain.


• 
  Supportive devices. Supportive devices increase mobility, prevent falls, and are great for pain relief. A hinged knee brace, can be used to stabilize ligaments and tendons which will significantly decrease pain, while devices like crutches or canes can lessen the direct stress on joints. When selecting a device, make sure it is lightweight, comfortable, and easy to adjust for a precise fit.


• 
  Medication (oral or injected). Your doctor may prescribe you pain-relieving and/or anti-inflammatory medications which can help with Osteoarthritis management.


• 
  Weight Control. Keeping your weight in a healthy range will reduce the stress on your joints.


• 
  Hot or cold therapy. Hot or cold compresses can be administered to reduce pain and swelling.


• 
  Removal of fluid. If excess fluid surrounds the joints, your physician may choose to drain that fluid manually in order to alleviate pressure on the joint.


• 
  Alternative treatments. Some medical research concludes that glucosamine and chondrotin can rebuild cartilage, especially in the knee. There are also other (currently unproven) supplements that are also associated with Osteoarthritis treatment. Likewise, some people swear that acupuncture and bio-electric therapy alleviates pain, though there have not yet been any conclusive studies to support these claims.


• 
  Surgery. If less invasive treatments prove ineffective, your doctor may recommend corrective surgery.

Note: This information is not intended to supplement or replace advice from a medical professional, or to diagnose or treat any condition.

Study Finds Oral Hyaluronic Acid Helps Horse Joint Post-Op Healing

Oral administration of hyaluronic acid (HA) may help improve healing in horses after arthroscopic surgery for joint disease, according to researchers at Oregon State University. In the study reported in the July issue of the Equine Veterinary Journal, 48 yearling Thoroughbreds (57 joints) received oral HA or placebo for 30 days after surgery for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions.

"Based on our results, it was clear that those horses treated with oral HA post-operatively had much less swelling and seemed to return to a normal clinical appearance faster than those treated with placebo," said Brady Bergin, DVM, assistant professor, Oregon State University.

The horses were divided into two groups: Group 1 received 100 mg of HA once a day, and Group 2 received a placebo. At the 30-day exam, horses were graded by the synovial effusion by size of the OCD lesion (the lower the number the better). Group 1 had an average score of 0.67, and Group 2 scored 2.05. Oral HA showed benefit over placebo for all joint lesions in all locations, according to the researchers.

HA is a glycosaminoglycan found in skin, cartilage, vitreous humor of the eye and in joint synovial fluid. It is used intra-articularly (in the joint) for both humans and horses in the treatment of joint disease. Additionally, it has been used intravenously in horses.

According to the researchers, "OCD is a growth disorder within the developmental orthopedic disease complex and is considered a manifestation of osteochondritis." The surgery they performed is to prevent degenerative joint disease. Intra-articular HA has been used for more than 30 years in horses. It is found to reduce lameness associated with joint disease. Oral HA has only been in use for 4 years.

Bergin noted that oral HA gives a horse owner a good option for joint health care because it is "natural, safe and effective." He explained that although oral HA can be a supplement to other therapy for arthritis and lameness, a horse owner should consult his or her veterinarian first to determine the horse's treatment plan.

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The Benefits of Natural Pain Relief During Pregnancy

There is no question that you will be looking forward to welcoming your new baby into the world. As exciting as this time can be, it can also be very painful. Among other things, your hips, back, and ankles may become strained as your body adapts to the weight of the baby. Unfortunately, if you think painkillers are bad for your health, there is no telling how dangerous they are to the fetus. Therefore, you may want to try natural pain relief until the baby is born. Chances are, these products will be much safer than painkillers that have a proven record of causing damage to unborn babies.

Depending on your situation, it may be of some use to try supplements that will give extra support to your joints. For example, Joint Advance can help keep your joints as strong and flexible as possible. That said, if you are not sure whether or not you can use this type of medication, you can easily ask your gynecologist. Once he/she realizes that you are trying to do the best for you baby, it will be much easier to gain access to information about how to handle your joint pain.

If you want to try natural pain relief, there are many different products to try. Interestingly enough, if you are having problems with weight bearing activities, it may help to try Joint Advance. This particular remedy was carefully designed to provide your joints with the kinds of nutrients that will encourage cartilage growth. From there, you should notice that you will have fewer problems standing, walking, and lifting things. You may even find that you want to continue using natural pain relief after the baby is born. At the very least, you won't have to worry about your joints developing arthritis later on in life.

Quick Relief For Your Gout Joint Symptom Discomfort

Gout can bring about a number of unpleasant side effects, but the most common complaint is joint pain. This pain can be mild at times, but for many, a flare up means they can't walk, and moving in any position is painful. This means the most common thing gout sufferers want to know is how they can manage their gout joint symptom and pain that comes their way.

Prevention is key, but there are times when preventative measures won't work. In those cases, there has to be something that can be done to get rid of or at least lessen the pain.

Gout pain is a direct result of high levels of uric acid in the body leading to deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints. The kidneys process uric acid but they can not always keep up especially when there is just too much of it.

Someone who is a heavy drinker or eats foods rich in purine, for example, is going to have a bigger problem with uric acid build up and are therefore more likely to suffer from gout. The kidneys will focus on clearing out the alcohol, and the uric acid secondly or they become overwhelmed by the amount of uric acid. That means levels will build up dramatically. When that happens, the uric acid has to find somewhere to go.

Excess uric acid forms crystals, and those crystals have a special place they like to go. The most common spot is in the toe joint but deposits can occur in other joints of the body.

This causes pain, tenderness, and inflammation. If you think about your joints, you know they are normally cushioned with fluids that allow them to move freely without much friction. Imagine sharp crystals forming there instead - this gives you a good idea why gout is so painful and why the sufferer often seeks immediate relief.

When the first gout joint symptom appears, most want to do something right away. Left untreated a normal bout of gout will least from a week to ten days. You can take a NSAID right away. This is a pain reliever that will also help with inflammation and swelling, allowing some flexibility in the joint. Make sure you chose a pain reliever that also tackles inflammation, like ibuprofen, as painrelievers like aspirin can actually make gout symptoms worse by inhibiting uric acid excretion.

When the attack is severe, there are other options for immediate relief. Some doctors will give an injection of corticosteroid. This is a steroid and will work almost immediately. However, this is not something that can be used too often as it can weaken the joint tissues and surrounding bones and can lead to other problems in the future.

There are other steps that can be taken by the patient when they are experiencing pain. Trying to relax the area and keeping the joint elevated is always a good idea. If the muscles around the joint are relaxed, there won't be as much tension on the area, and thus less pain.

If you can stand the pain of weight on your joint, try applying some crushed ice wrapped in a towel. Keep on the joint for 10 minutes and repeat as necessary. This should help to soothe the pain as it has numbing effect.

Alternatively try a charcoal poultice. Mix together 1/2 cup of powdered activated charcoal and 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed and add hot water (not boiling) to form a paste. Gently apply to the swollen joint and cover it so it stays in place. You can either leave this on overnight or change about every 4 hours during the day. Beware, charcoal stains anything it touches so use old bedsheets or wear old clothes and take care with furniture and carpets.

Drinking plenty of water or herbal tea helps to dilute uric acid levels in the blood and aids the kidneys in flushing out the excess amounts.

Staying off the effected joint can also help, though this is not always something someone can to do. Learning to manage lifestyle is important to lessen the times when a gout joint symptom will occur. Take time to learn to modify diet and lifestyle so the attacks are fewer and further apart is the best way to deal with them is to prevent them in the first place.

Help With Arthritis Pain - Basal Joint Arthritis

Definition:
Basal joint arthritis is arthritis of the thumb. The basal joint is also known as thumb CMC (carpometacarpal) joint. This joint receives an enormous amount of stress especially with pinching motions. The amount of pressure taken in this joint when grasping, using a pinch between the thumb and index finger, is approximately 6 to 9 pounds of pressure for every 1 pound of pinch. It's no wonder that this joint wears out and has so many arthritic problems.

Arthritis in the basal joints can be one of many types of arthritis. The most common types of arthritis affecting this joint are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis. Traumatic arthritis generally happens due to injury of the joint. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.

Diagnosis:

Your Physician can do an array of tests to diagnose basal joints arthritis. These tests may include ex rays, bone scans, MRI, and a physical examination including manipulation of the joint.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of basal joints arthritis can include:

o Pain at base the of the thumb with use

o Aching joints at the base of the thumb that continues to be bothersome even after discontinuing use

o Deformity in the joint at the base of the thumb

o Tenderness of the base of the thumb

o Swelling in the joint at the base of the thumb

o Decreased strength in the basal joint

o Decreased range of motion

o Difficulty in doing tasks such as turning keys, doorknobs, jar lids, buttoning buttons and zipping zippers

o Severe pain when gripping

o Severe pain when pinching the thumb and fingers together

o Decreased ability to grip

o An unstable feeling in the basal joint

o An out of joint appearance at the base of the thumb

o An enlarged, bony appearing joint at the base of the thumb

o Limited joint mobility

Cause:

Exact cause of basal joints arthritis is unknown. Repetitive use and factors including injury, stress, muscle weakness, the aging process, heredity, and obesity may be contributing factors. Cartilage normally cushions the basal joint. When basal joint arthritis is involved cartilage cushioning degenerates and the bones rub together. This is what causes damage due to joint friction. Bone spurs of pure as the body attempts to repair the damage.

Increased risk factors include:

o Age (these joints arthritis generally happens after the age of 40).

o Gender (basal joints arthritis is more frequent in females).

o Past injuries to the basal joint including fractures, sprains, and jamming the thumb.

o Disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.

o Excessive use of the basal joints.

o The family history of basal joint arthritis.

Treatment:

Treatment for basal joint arthritis can include medication for pain and swelling, corticosteroid injections, splints, and in some cases surgery. The main focus of treatment is pain reduction.

Arthroscopic surgery may be required to reduce pain. Surgery can only be performed during early and middle stages of basal joints arthritis. Advanced stages of basal joints arthritis cannot be repaired with arthroscopic surgery. This is why it is important to discuss treatment options with your doctor during early stages of the condition. Other surgical treatments available are; joint fusion, Osteotomy (bone cutting), Trapeziectomy (removal of the trapezium bone) and joint replacement.

Pain reduction:

Limiting the use of the joint is one of the best ways to decrease pain. One way this can be done is by wearing splints that immobilize the basal joint and facilitate proper positioning.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including OTC medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, can be used to treat joint pain and swelling. Tylenol can also be used for pain relief. When these OTC medications are non-effective your Physician can prescribe stronger NSAIDs.

Often a combination of splinting and NSAIDs will greatly decrease pain.

Corticosteroid injections can be used for pain relief. Corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation in the joint. Care must be taken when using corticosteroids.

Range of motion exercises can also improve joint pain and mobility. These are done by manipulating the joint through all natural movements. This should be done carefully multiple times daily.

Applying heat or cold can also assist with pain. Many people find ice packs work great in alleviating pain and swelling in the basal joint. Other people have difficulty using ice as it increases other types of arthritic pain. Application of heat works better in these cases. Using a heat pack or a heating pad for 10 to 15 minutes of the time several times throughout the day can decrease stiffness and pain in the joint.

Decreasing use by modifying household chores and finding ways to use other joints when possible to allow this joint time to heal is also an effective way of decreasing pain. Any way that you can decrease use of the basal joint and still keep your independence will be helpful. Simple adjustments in the house such as finding larger handled flatware, adding a key chain or something large to grasp to zipper pulls so that you can manipulate your own zippers, specialized door handles, specialized faucets, and many other adjustments that can make throughout your home can decrease the aggravation you put on the basal joint.