NSAID or Natural? Joint Protection for Old Dogs

Both NSAIDs and natural supplements for dog arthritis are effective, yet only one provides joint protection over the duration of your dog's life. All-natural joint supplements for canine arthritis have been proven to be effective without the severe side-effects that prescribed drugs can inflict.

Old dogs with arthritis in their joints have two basic approaches to managing the pain and discomfort: NSAID or natural. With degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis, it can be treated with either option. However, if you dog suffers from inflammatory arthritis, a vet will need to prescribe antibiotics. It is always a good idea to get an initial assessment of your dog's arthritis so that it can be treated most effectively. Joint pain, as a result of canine osteoarthritis, can manifest itself in several symptoms. The most common symptoms are soreness, lethargy, limping, stiffness and disinterest in getting up to go for a walk.

Once your dog has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, the vet may prescribe an NSAID. NSAID is short for "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug." These drugs act as both painkillers and anti-inflammatories. They cannot be combined with Tylenol, ibuprofen or corticosteroids. While they are effective, they come with strict and regular dosing instructions and can have mild and fatal side effects. Common mild side effects include diarrhea, vomiting and refusing to eat. Fatal side effects include developing a toxic liver and kidney as well as gastrointestinal problems. It is important to keep you dog hydrated while they are taking these medications. The risks of taking NSAIDs requires that you get regular blood tests done on your dog, so that you vet can check the toxicity levels of your dog's kidneys and liver.

While NSAIDs provide immediate relief from pain, dog arthritis is a long-term condition that is managed more than it is treated. This means that NSAIDs can only ever be a short-term solution.

Many owners are now turning to natural alternatives such as glucosamine, chondroitin and fish oil. Natural joint alternatives for your dog provide a cheaper, long-term management plan for your dog's joint pain. They have few side-effects and can be taken safely in conjunction with NSAIDs. They come in different forms, from oils to powder to pills.

The best alternative supplements will include a combination of naturally occurring glucosamine with marine extract to help rebuild cartilage and re-hydrate the synovial fluids between the joints. They should also include ingredients that stimulate appetite, give your dog energy and are easy on the stomach. It's necessary to monitor your dog's activity levels once they begin a supplement so that when they feel better they won't over-do it before they're back in shape.

Alongside a joint supplement are other alternative remedies such as massage, acupuncture and hydrotherapy. A healthy, anti-oxidant rich diet and easy, regular exercise is a good start towards managing joint pain. Another simple way to ease your dog's pain is to provide them with softer bedding to relieve the stress on their joints.

As always, the most important thing is to do what is right and healthy for your dog. Each dog is individual in how he or she responds to different types of treatments. Watch your dog, chart their mobility and find what works for them.

Shuttlecock Woes - A Layman's Guide to Common Badminton Injuries

A rather common opinion about badminton is that it is one of the safest games possible-a fun, family game innocent of malice and devoid of any real danger of injury. Such notions are highly probable, given the immense popularity of the game worldwide, as entertainment for children during playtime as well as a serious Olympic sport.

However, contrary to popular opinion, badminton players are also prone to injury-some so intense in nature that they may take months to heal completely. According to one study conducted by a Denmark-based group of doctors and published in 2006, badminton injuries occur at an average rate of 2.9/person every 1000 hours of play time. Despite being a non-contact sport, where there is no physical contact between the opposing players, badminton injuries happen frequently-mostly due to over use of certain parts of the body and sometimes because of accidents happening suddenly and painfully. Mostly they occur in players who wear the wrong shoes, do not warm-up, warm-up more than required, sport bad technique, are overweight or generally unfit. Injuries are witnessed in players who have not indulged in sport for a while as well as in seasoned players who have overused body parts such as wrists, ankles, knees and elbows to name a few.

Acute/Accidental injuries:

Ankle Sprains- Although still wanting in detailed statistical studies, some research papers have shown that on an average, ankle sprains constitute more than half of all reported badminton injuries. An ankles sprain can be described as the stretching and or tearing of ligaments and muscles in the ankle. In extreme cases, there may also be damage to tendons, bones and other joint tissues. The resulting bleeding within tissues can cause sudden edema and swelling of the ankle, which in third degree sprains, often takes more than 6 months to heal completely. Ankle sprains are accidental in 99% of the incidences and happen when the player lands on his partner's foot or on the floor with his own foot turned inwards, outwards or flexed. The extremely quick directional changes required during badminton, often cause the feet to roll over or twist, resulting in a sprained ankle. Fatigue, extra body weight and shoes with more than normal 'grip' are frequent contributors to such injuries.

Meniscus Tear- This also goes by the layman-friendly alias 'Torn Cartilage Knee Injury' and is as painful as a sprained ankle. During the intricate footwork required during a badminton game, the meniscus or cartilage, which provides a soft cushioning between the thigh and shin bones, sometimes ruptures, causing pain in the joint-line of the knee, swelling and inability to flex the leg completely. This may sometimes also be accompanied by an injured or totally ruptured ligament, which increases the pain factor and healing time. Normally, the swelling and pain settles down easily for most people. However for some sportspersons, the knee can become prone to knee locking or 'giving way', in which case, surgery is required.

Muscle Strain- Unexpected movements, such as a sudden overhead smash, may put muscles in various parts of the body under pressure, thereby causing a disruption of fibres in the affected muscle. This can result in pain, swelling, bruising and in extreme case, loss of function. Muscles commonly affected are the hamstring, knee, shoulder and calf, to name a few.

Ocular hurt- A Malaysian study reportedly called badminton the 'sport which presented the greatest ocular hazard in Malaysia'. Another Canadian study backed up these claims saying that 30-58% of all eye injuries in Canada caused by racquet sports were attributed to badminton. This may seem funny to a layman, since a shuttlecock looks anything but devious, with its lightweight feathery appearance, compared to the heavier balls used in tennis and squash. Although the frequency of eye injuries on an average is more in squash than in badminton, the latter does account for injuries which are greater in severity. This is partly because the bottom round of the shuttlecock fits into the eye orbit and also because of the extremely high speeds achieved during badminton. Badminton is widely considered to be the fastest racquet sport in the world and shuttlecocks have been known to reach speeds of more than 300 km/hour. On 25 September 2009, Malaysia's Tan Boon Heong set the international smash record of 421 km/hour in the men's double's category at the Japan Open 2009. This is 1/3rd the speed of sound at sea level, so one can imagine the effect of a shuttlecock travelling at that speed and hitting one's eye. It would be painful to say the least.

Fractures- Fractures are fairly rare in badminton, although some have been reported. They normally happen when another player's racquet hits a player's arm or leg or if the player himself falls down heavily or if another player missteps and falls/steps on him/her.

Chronic/overuse injuries:

Achilles Tendonitis- Loosely defined, Achilles Tendonitis or Achilles Tendonipathy is an inflammation of the heel cord of the foot. In reference to badminton, it can be described as a chronic degenerative change in the Achilles Tendon (a cord of inelastic tissue connecting bone and muscle running from heel to calf) occurring due to repetitive jumping and running, worsened by poor warm-up techniques. More common as one ages, it also tends to worsen with activity.

Tennis Elbow- Do not be mislead by the nomenclature of this particular injury. Tennis Elbow is often seen in sports other than tennis and very frequently among badminton players. The injury, known as Lateral Epicondylosis among the medical fraternity, is a chronic overuse injury which occurs due to the inflammation of the tendons of the forearm on the outer part of the elbow. Players who indulge in repetitive backhand strikes are often subject to Tennis Elbows. Change of grip size, lack of recovery and excess stretching tend to make them worse.

Golfer's Elbow- This particular injury is similar to Tennis Elbow in mostly all respects except for the location of the injury. While Tennis Elbow causes inflammation on the outer part of the elbow, Golfer's Elbow usually occurs on the inner side of the elbow with the pain sometimes radiating along the forearm. It is also a chronic degenerative problem, mainly caused by an overuse of the wrist.

Jumper's Knee- As the name suggests, this injury often comes on due to repeated jumping on hard surfaces. Known in medical terms as Patellar Tendonitis, the Patella Tendon located below the knee cap is affected over a long period of jumping and landing during badminton. Activity normally worsens the tendon damage and a rupture may sometimes follow with lack of rest

Rotator cuff injury- The most prominent shoulder injury to affect badminton players over time, typically a rotator cuff injury is brought on over time by repeated stress to the shoulder area while playing overhead shots in badminton. It usually begins as a lingering irritation in the shoulder known as an 'impingement syndrome', which if left uncared for, worsens to develop partial tears in the rotator cuff muscles. Further activity and stress can cause a complete tear in one or more muscles in the area.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction- The Sacroiliac Joint connects the sacrum at the base of the spine to the ilium of the pelvic region. Continuous badminton playing with low core stability causes an anatomic issue in this joint, which results in chronic lower back pain. The condition is known as Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and affected players are advised to refer a physician for a complete evaluation of the condition.

Neck sprains- Focusing on the shuttlecock for long durations and turning one's neck accordingly in various directions, can cause the neck to be extended beyond the normal angles, especially while playing smashes and strikes around the head, thereby causing neck sprains.

Cramps- A cramp can be described in a badminton player as a sudden and intense pain caused mainly in the leg area due to major loss of fluid, overheating of the muscle and fatigue. Although the suddenness of a cramp could warrant it to be placed in the "acute injury" category, it is considered to be a chronic injury, since it happens after playing badminton for a long time.

Abrasions and blisters- Common yet less malignant as compared to the rest of the above-mentioned conditions, abrasions occur mostly on the hands and knees due to direct contact with hard surfaces when the player falls or scratches himself. Blisters occur due to pus or fluid formation under the skin caused by extended periods of gripping a racquet, an abrasion not being cleaned or healed properly and heels or toes being continually encased in shoes or being in direct contact with a hard surface for long periods.

Prevention and cure:

It would be wise to adhere to the oft heard rule in the exercise arena "You don't get fit to play a sport, you play a sport to get fit!" Therefore it is advisable for badminton players of all ages and levels to take a few important pre-game precautionary measures, which include but are not limited to increasing fitness levels, better nutrition, decreasing weight, getting the proper shoes, grips and other attire, warming-up before playing and improving playing technique.

One cannot stress enough the importance of a good warm-up session before and cool-down session after a heavy game of badminton. A typical warm-up should include about 5-10 minutes of gentle jogging , spot walking or skipping, followed by short stretches of 30 seconds each, slightly longer stretches on the tighter muscles ending with stretches for certain individual muscle groups like shoulder, hamstring etc. If the player wishes, he/she may also follow this with certain specific exercise drills such as push-ups, sit-ups and the like. Stretching releases tension within muscles, allows freer movement and circulation and not only prepares the body for heavy-duty badminton, but also the mind. Begin the game with around 5-20 minutes of gentle shots with your partner and then gradually increase the pace and tempo of your game. Ideally one must end a game with cool down exercises and stretches too.

Shoes and grips especially are of utmost importance in preventing ankle and elbow injuries respectively. Gripping a racquet too hard or long can bring on a Tennis Elbow, while wearing heavy grip non-supportive shoes cause ankle sprains and Achilles Tendonitis.

To prevent elbow issues, take extra care to buy a good quality racquet which fits precisely into the palm of your hand. Turn your racquet into a powerful, injury-preventing instrument by adding more grip to the handle, taking care not to add too much to disrupt the racquet balance. For those of you, who already have suffered from Tennis Elbows before, it would make sense to wear a Tennis Elbow Compression Strap, which works by reducing tension on the elbow tendons.

Badminton requires the player to slide across the court and hence it would be a good idea to get shoes which have a good arch support, shock absorbers to prevent injury to the ankle, heel cups to keep the heel protected and special soles which do not provide much room for friction with the ground below. Take care to buy a shoe which has a combination of these qualities in order to be assured of all rounded protection. Never wear jogging or basketball shoes for your badminton game and make sure you keep a pair of good badminton shoes aside meant solely for badminton.

A few other recommended products for badminton injuries include orthotics and insoles, knee and Achilles straps, ankle braces, shoulder supports and blister socks.

To prevent eye injuries, many research scientists recommend that certified plastic polycarbonate glasses be worn by beginners and experienced badminton players alike.

Lastly, as a generic rule, make sure you are always well stocked up on water or isotonic sports drinks, especially while playing badminton in hot weather, since like all other sports, badminton too tends to sap the fluids and cause dehydration.

When a badminton injury has already happened, quick and correct procedures are essential for a speedy cure. In case of acute injuries like sudden sprains, strains and tears, the first step towards healing is correct diagnosis. This must be followed by the rest, ice, compression and elevation protocol which is absolutely necessary for recovery. Special care must be taken to keep weight off the injured area and lengthy periods of rehabilitation are a must. In case of a sprained ankle a removable plastic cast walker may be necessary to provide the required support. Tennis Elbows can usually be alleviated by rest and ice therapy, but in the more severe cases, pain relief and anti inflammatory medication and sometimes corticosteroid injections are required. Golfer's Elbow on the other hand is usually treated with tape, elbow guards, manual therapy and stretching. When Achilles Tendonitis occurs, ice packs are normally helpful, but a minimum rest period of three months is required for the body to produce the collagen tissue in order to repair the injured tendon.

Sounds scary? It doesn't have to be! Badminton can continue to be a fun sport for all those who have even a smidgen of interest in it. The fear of injury need not come into the picture at all, if the necessary precautions are taken and if players choose to keep themselves intelligently informed about the protocols to be followed- in case of injury.

Keep the shuttlecock flying fearlessly and treat yourself to a great injury-free badminton blast!

Glucosamine Sulfate

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It is a degenerative disease that affects the joints, and at times causes inflammation. Osteoarthritis is most commonly known to degenerate cartilage and cause the formation of bone spurs. The age of the person is the primary cause of this disease. Most of the people over the age of 60 suffer from osteoarthritis to some extent.

Glucosamine sulfate is one of the most effective ways of treating osteoarthritis. There are three different types of glucosamine: glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and glucosamine NAS. Glucosamine sulfate is the most preferred form of glucosamine on the market today because of its ability to be quickly absorbed by the body into the joints. This rate of absorption is also known as bioavailability. Glucosamine sulfate has the highest bioavailability out of the other types of glucosamine.

The way glucosamine sulfate works is by encouraging the production of glucosamine glycans, which is a nutrient that helps cartilage naturally grow. By taking glucosamine sulfate, the production of your cartilage will increase over time, and begin the healing process of your joints. Once this process begins to take effect, the reduction of pain will commence.

Most people begin to feel the effects of glucosamine sulfate within the first two months of taking this supplement. Within three months, most patients are almost pain free.

And because glucosamine sulfate is naturally present in your body, its side effects are minimal. It has actually been proven in clinical tests that a person can experience more side effects by taking typical over-the-counter pain medications. In fact, during a double blind study of glucosamine sulfate and sugar pill placebos, the glucosamine sulfate had less recorded side effects than the placebos.

The best way to effectively prevent the degeneration of the joints due to osteoarthritis is to take a glucosamine sulfate supplement. It has the potential to repair the joints without the side effects. Consult your physician to see if this treatment is right for you.

How to Cure Your TMJ Disorder

The most common treatment for TMJ pain is a combination of heating pads and cold packs, a soft diet and anti-inflammatory medications. Of course, just as there are a whole host of symptoms of a TMJ disorder, there are many different treatments that can be used in different combinations in order to achieve a TMJ cure. Since the TMJ joint is one of the most used joints of your body it can be hard to treat.

Some of the TMJ treatments used the most are:

1. Heat and Ice therapy - These can be used to help reduce muscle spasm and tension. If the disorder is caused by an injury to the TMJ it is best to use an ice pack right away to relieve pain.

2. Jaw rest - In some patients where the TMJ disorder is aggravated by grinding the teeth together it's beneficial to keep the teeth apart as much as possible. These patients are also advised to refrain from chewing gum or eating chewy, hard or crunchy foods like raw vegetables, nuts and candy. It's also a good idea to stop eating big hamburgers and any foods that require you to open your mouth real wide.

3. Physical therapy - for some patients a TMJ cure is gained through exercising the jaw muscles. This is done by passively opening and closing the jaw, with massage, and by using electrical stimulation to increase the range of motion and the strength of the joint while reducing the TMJ pain.

4. Stress management - Yoga and its breathing techniques to help reduce stress is a good idea. You can also join stress support groups or get psychological counseling and medications that reduces stress and muscle tension. Some people seek a TMJ cure through biofeedback which helps you understand when you have increased muscle activity and spasms so you can develop techniques for controlling them.

5. Medications - Some of the most widely used medications use to cure TMJ disorders are anti-inflammatory drugs. Ibuprofen (like Advil) and naproxen (like Aleve) or steroids can help control swelling and tissue and muscle inflammation. Sometimes muscle relaxants like diazepam are used and in severe cases an injection of cortisone can be used.

6. Occlusal therapy - This is done by using an acrylic appliance which is custom made and fits over your teeth. It is mostly used at night to keep you from grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw muscles but it can be used during the day also. Its main function is to balance the bite.

7. Correction of bite abnormalities - Sometimes corrective dental therapy is used for TMJ cure. A dentist can use orthodontics to correct an abnormal bite or make adjustments of bridges or crowns to ensure you have a proper alignment of your teeth.

8. Surgery - Surgery is usually a last resort. It is usually suggested after other therapies have failed or in cases where there is significant damage to the tendons and bones of the TMJ. Surgeries may include ligament tightening, joint replacement or restructuring or TMJ arthroscopy.

Usually it takes a full dental and medical evaluation to diagnose a patient with TMJ disorder. Then it will be important to figure out the root cause if you want to use the correct treatment for your TMJ cure.

The 5 Trigger Points of Sciatica

Sciatica is a symptom, or group of symptoms, caused by any number of conditions which compress the sciatic nerve. The main symptom of sciatica is pain radiating from the lower back or buttocks, down the back of the thigh. Pain may travel as far as the calf muscles. There may also be associated tingling, numbness or weakness.

There are numerous conditions which may cause sciatic pain. These include a lumbar disc herniation (also known as a slipped disc, or herniated disc); spinal canal stenosis; sacroiliac joint dysfunction and piriformis syndrome.

Sciatic pain can also be caused by trigger points (T.P's) within the gluteal (buttock) muscles. This is sometimes referred to as myofascial pain.

A trigger point is also sometimes known as a muscle knot. They are hypersensitive points within a tight band of muscle which often refer pain throughout the area they are found in. T.P's can be felt as small, tender lumps within a muscle, which when compressed, often cause pain which may radiate elsewhere and a twitch response in the muscle.

What are the 5 trigger points of Sciatica?

Sciatic pain radiating into the hamstrings can be caused by trigger points found in the buttock muscles.

Sciatica caused by T.P's develops gradually with no specific point of injury; there may be a cramping or tight sensation in the buttocks or hamstrings and tenderness when pressing these muscles. There is not usually any lower back pain, walking and even running may be pain free and strength is rarely affected.

The 5 T.P's which most commonly cause sciatic pain are described here:

1, 2 & 3: Gluteus Medius

Gluteus medius is one of the three Gluteal muscles ('glutes') which form each buttock. They are responsible for extending, abducting and laterally rotating the hip joint.

Gluteus medius is found just below the Iliac crest. There are three common T.P's in this muscle which can refer pain into the posterior thigh. They are located at the origin of the muscle, all three in a row, just below the iliac crest.

4: Tensor Fascia Latae

TFL (as it is shortened to) is a small muscle found on the outer hip. It attaches to the front of the iliac crest and descends downwards to converge with the IT band on the outer thigh.

A trigger point can often be found in the superior half of the muscle, which radiates pain inferiorly, down the IT band and lateral hamstrings.

5: Piriformis

The Piriformis muscle is a small muscle found deep within the centre of the buttock. It originates from the Sacrum and crosses horizontally to the head of the Femur (thigh bone).

It is strongly associated with Sciatica as a condition called Piriformis syndrome can also cause sciatic symptoms. However, this is an actual compression of the nerve caused by muscle tension or an anatomical variation where the nerve passes through the Piriformis muscle (rather than behind it). This occurs in around 10% of the population.

This is not the same as a Piriformis trigger point which does not affect the sciatic nerve at all, but radiates the pain into the hamstrings in a similar fashion.

The most common trigger point found within the Piriformis muscle is in the muscle belly, slightly towards the insertional tendon. This trigger point will refer pain into the outer buttock and down the back of the thigh.

Trigger Point Therapy

There has been lots of research undertaken into the best treatment of trigger points. Acupuncture (or dry needling) and ischemic pressure have been shown to be the most effective.

Acupuncture is the insertion of a needle into the trigger point. The small needle is inserted into the trigger point and left in place for a few minutes. During this time, the muscle gradually relaxes and lengthens. 3-4 sessions of dry needling are usually required to eliminate the trigger point.

Ischemic pressure is the application of direct pressure to the trigger point, with enough pressure to temporarily cut off blood flow to the TP (ischemic = no blood!). The aim of this technique is to stimulate receptors in the muscle which regulate its tension, to reduce the muscle tone. This pressure also provides an analgesic (pain relief) effect due to the release of pain mediating substances. Once the pressure is released, a sudden influx of blood to the point helps to flush out any waste products and bring the required nutrients for healing.

Following either technique, it is recommended that the muscles treated are stretched thoroughly to reset the muscle spindle length.

To conclude, if you are suffering from sciatic pain which had no specific point in time when the pain first developed and you have no lower back pain, consider trigger point therapy to your glute muscles. This simple form of treatment can ease pain in a large number of sciatic patients.

Non-Surgical Knee Pain Relief With Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy, also known as low level laser therapy or LLLT, is an alternative, non-surgical method of treatment that has existed since the late 1960s. Cold laser therapy was being utilized in Europe and Asia for decades before the FDA finally cleared the first cold laser in the United States in 2001. Since that time there have been hundreds of clinical studies that support the efficacy of cold laser therapy for knee pain relief. It is a great option for those searching for alternatives to conventional methods that might have failed them in the past.

Which Types of Knee Conditions Does Cold Laser Therapy Help Relieve?

A cold laser is a non-surgical treatment tool used by a licensed physician to help relieve knee pain caused from a knee injury, degeneration, arthritis knee pain, baker's cysts, meniscus tears, bursitis of the knee, tendonitis of the knee, chondromalacia patella, and failed knee surgery. Individuals who suffer from chronic knee pain can benefit tremendously from treatments. The therapy is unique in that it enables patients to experience knee pain relief without knee surgery, medications or knee injections. Unlike pain medications and knee injections cold laser therapy treatments are considered non-invasive,do not cause any harmful side effects, and are completely painless.

What Other Conditions Are Treated With Laser Therapy?

In addition to relieving knee pain and inflammation the treatment can be used by physicians for treating a myriad of other musculoskeletal conditions. The treatments have also proven to be effective for neck pain, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain and arthritis pain. Researchers are also investigating the possibilities of cold lasers being used to heal broken bones more quickly, to help regenerate the nerves in injured spinal cords and to help regenerate new skin in burn victims.

How Does The Treatment Work?

Cold laser therapy treatments work by using highly focused, specific wavelengths of light to target the area of injury. The light penetrates deeply into the tissue in the form of non-thermal light photons. This light helps stimulate and excite damaged and injured cells' mitochondria. The mitochondria is considered the 'powerhouse' of the cell. By exciting the mitochondria the metabolic rate of the cell improves thereby healing and repairing the tissue at a faster rate. In addition, to relieving knee pain, treatments have also been shown to improve tissue growth, cell communication, and cell nutrition. As a result of cellular excitation, lasers also accelerate lymphatic activity which ultimately helps reduce edema or swelling in and around the knee joint. Additionally, the therapy aids in achieving an increase in blood flow and in the formation of new capillaries in and around the knee joint.

How Many Knee Treatments Does it Take to Experience Relief?

The exact number of treatments depends on the duration and severity of the pain. In addition, an examination, an x-ray or MRI evaluation of the knee joint must be performed and taken into account in order to help determine an accurate treatment plan. The good news is that the effects are cumulative and improve with each treatment. It usually takes a series of 10 to 30 treatments for knee pain sufferers to get the most beneficial results; however, in many acute cases the relief can be immediate. Moreover, it is important to continue the treatments until the doctor has indicated that the therapy is complete.

Contraindications to Therapy...

While the FDA has classified cold lasers as "non-significant risk" devices, the treatments are not appropriate for individuals who are pregnant, or who observe the presence of potentially cancerous skin lesions near the site of the knee injury. This knee treatment is also contraindicated for individuals who take medications that result in photosensitivity.

The Most Important Step...Choosing The Right Knee Pain Relief Doctor...

Finally, choosing the right doctor that specializes in cold laser therapy for knee pain is as important as the treatment itself. Any health care professional with a license can own a cold laser, but in order to get the best results find a doctor who only treats the knee joint and who has devoted their practice to using this type of therapy. If you choose wisely, you will have a greater chance of achieving knee pain relief and ultimately avoiding knee surgery.

All rights reserved Copyright 穢 2011 Dr.Schnee,D.C.,PA

Dog ACL Or Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair - Three Surgical Options

If you have recently been told your dog needs ACL repair surgery, you are probably a bit confused as to which surgery is right for your pet. Injury to a dog's ACL, also known as the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), is the most common orthopedic injury found in large breed dogs today. A torn CCL may be the result of sudden acute trauma to the knee or "stifle joint," or may develop slowly as in overweight dogs with progressive degenerative joint disease.

The most conventional surgical option is referred to as Extracapsular Stabilization or (ECR). Think of this surgery as replacing a rope. The ligaments inside a dog's stifle joint crisscross, running through the joint. Once torn, the ligament is unable to support the function of the stifle joint. The ligament will never repair itself. The surgeon will use materials such as stainless steel wire to wrap around the lateral fabella and through a drilled hole in the tibial crest. This technique is performed outside the stifle joint, restraining abnormal motion. The ultimate goal is for the artificial ligament to provide the stability needed for the joint to function normally. Eventually, the wire will loosen slightly, muscles will strengthen and the development of scar tissue will help to stabilize the joint.

A second, more invasive surgery referred to as Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is thought to be a good alternative for larger dogs. This approach actually changes how the stifle joint functions, whereas the goal of ECR is to mimic the mechanics of the joint. In TPLO, a cut is made with a custom curved saw at the top of the tibia bone. The tibial plateau is then rotated along the curved osteotomy, so as to change the slope of the top of the tibia. The bones are held in place by a metal plate and screws, allowing the bone to heal. This technique eliminates the need for cranial cruciate ligaments by leveling the angle of the joint itself.

The TTA procedure or Tibial Tuberosity Advancement is considered less invasive than TPLO, and brings with it fewer complications. In TPLO, joint stability is achieved by rotating the tibial plateau. Conversely, in TTA, joint stability is achieved by repositioning the patellar tendon. This involves cutting the front part of the tibia bone and advancing this portion of bone forward in order to realign the patellar ligament. This eliminates the abnormal sliding movement within the stifle joint. A custom bone spacer, plate and screws are used to keep the bone in place, and a bone graft is placed into the gap in the tibia bone to stimulate healing.

The three surgical procedures listed above each come with their own set of risks and benefits. It is imperative that you discuss with your surgeon, the best option for your dog.

Various Disc Conditions

There are many ailments that are related to the spine. Disc conditions can be the very problematic to treat. It takes around twelve weeks to heal which is a really long time. Whereas a ligament strain takes around four weeks to heal and a muscle strain heals in around three weeks.

Special care and attention needs to be given to disc problems. In order to determine the best treatment plan, proper diagnosis and examination has to be carried out. Chiropractors are specially trained to treat the intervertebral disc and the spine. You can determine with the help of your chiropractor if there is a spinal disc problem. If it is so, then a proper treatment plan will be laid out by your chiropractor for recovery.

The most problematic stress is when you bend when lifting anything and when you twist. The pressure on the discs of the lower back is almost doubled when a person leans forwards. This stress becomes a lot more when some object is lifted which is far away from the body. When the person lifting the object turns, the shearing force is transferred to the disc and the fibers that make up the outer covering of the disc starts to tear.

Excessive and continuous stress or a badly healed injury can result in chronic disc problems. The disc becomes thin and dehydrated when the wear and tear starts taking place. The body tries to stabilize the weak disc in this way. This results in bad functioning of the back joint and even arthritis. In these types of cases of chronic disc disease, dull pain and stiffness are the outcomes.

Degenerative disc conditions are also treated by chiropractors. The pain and discomfort caused due to degenerative joint disease can be eased by manipulation and along with other methods like stretching, exercises, moist heat and massage therapy. The process of pain can be slowed down or halted altogether with proper kind of continued care. You should take proper care of your spine and consult a chiropractor in case you have had problems with your disc before. Although a disc cannot heal as it is new but with proper treatment and support, it may not have to face the problem of joint arthritis which is usually the case after a disc injury.

Degenerative disc conditions are also treated by chiropractors. The pain and discomfort caused by degenerative joint disease can be reduced by manipulation and other methods like stretching, proper exercise, moist heat and massage therapy.

Chiropractic Care and Temporomandibular Disorder - Why Do the Head and Neck Hurt?

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ), otherwise known as the jaw joint is associated with the upper cervical vertebrae. The muscles that move the jaw are largely innervated by the fifth cranial nerve, referred to as trigeminal nerve. Trigeminal nerve is one of the most complex and powerful nerves in the human body. It is completely responsible for your jaw and tooth functions. It provides sensation to your jaws, face tongue, sinus, palate, eyes, teeth, and lips.

The nerve accounts for approximately 40% of the brain's processing. The brain uses 40% of its energy trying to figure out what the trigeminal nerve is sending to and from it. It is also associated to the facial, hypoglossal, and vagus nerves. These nerves are responsible for sensation and function of almost all other muscles of the head, neck, and throat. Many branches of these nerves pass through the jaw joint wherein if one of them is strained, the rest of the nerves may get affected as well.

The jaw joint is one of the most complicated joints in your body, with a complex arrangement of muscles and ligaments allowing various types of movements. Any problem that stops the muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working normally together can cause temporomandibular disorder, a disorder that is painful to the jaw joint. Having this condition, a person may experience incorrect bites, jaw clicking, grinding and notching of the teeth, not to mention severe headache and acute neck pain.

An incorrect bite may mean a lot of stress and pressure being placed on your jaw. Sometimes in severe cases, a person with TMD can barely open his or her mouth widely, or will feel clicking, cracking or a "pop" upon opening. Often, patients report the onset of the jaw joint disorder occurring with some sort of unusual stress, such as final exams, or work-related issues.

In most cases, people rely on chiropractic care because it has been proven to be more effective than taking medications, not to mention it helps patients by using approach that is gentler, cheaper, and safer than what traditional care can provide. Surgery can also be an option for treating TMD. However, it is expensive and it takes time away from work and other activities during recovery, and it can be dangerous as well.

If you have TMD, chiropractic manipulation may be recommended with the aid of massage, ice/heat therapy, and some specific exercises. In most cases, your chiropractor's first goal is to eliminate the symptoms, particularly pain. Along with the treatment, your chiropractor may recommend specific exercises such as stretching and strengthening exercises. Stretching exercises helps to relax tight muscles, while strengthening exercises helps to tighten loose muscles.

Chiropractic care works well with disorders which are mechanical in nature thus it is very effective with TMD. This is the most preferable than any other options. Problems are more closely examined and eliminated by focusing on the underlying cause itself.

Cold Laser Therapy: Treatment for Osteoarthritis Knee Pain

Cold laser therapy may seem like a treatment that one would read about in a science fiction novel. Just in the past decade, however, it has become a recognized and often times preferred treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain sufferers who want to avoid invasive procedures.

Cold lasers are handheld, non-surgical devices that are used in a clinical setting. They work by emitting specific wavelengths of light thereby stimulating activity in the tissue on a cellular level. Once the metabolic rate of the cell is increased it initiates a number of beneficial biochemical events. The most obvious benefit is a reduction in both pain and inflammation. For example, a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study reported in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery found that laser therapy significantly relieved osteoarthritis knee pain and swelling in patients. The study also found that range of motion increased in the knee joint, and there was less sensitivity and tenderness around the knee joint.

Recently, an abstract entitled Low-Level Laser Therapy and Its Effects On The Quality of Life for Patients Suffering From Osteoarthritis Knee Pain in the Medial Compartment: A Detailed Analysis By Questionnaire found that 79.8% of patients diagnosed with moderate to severe arthritis in the medial aspect of the knee joint (inside part- where the knees touch) who were treated with cold laser therapy reported feeling moderately to a great deal better and their quality of life improved after completing just five weeks of care.

Besides helping reduce pain and inflammation in and around the knee joint, research indicates that cold laser therapy may help an arthritic knee by doing the following:

Fibroblasts production increases: Fibroblasts are needed to make cartilage.

Interleukin-1 is suppressed: Interleukin-1 is a protein that when released plays a direct role in destroying cartilage, it promotes the release of more enzymes that cause cartilage destruction, and it inhibits type II collagen from being produced (so that cartilage cannot be rebuilt or replaced). There are high levels of this protein in an osteoarthritic knee so cold laser therapy inhibits the release of this protein allowing cartilage to be maintained.

Growth factors are released: Treatments release growth factors which play a vital role in healthy knees because they stimulate cartilage cell production or chondrocytes. Moreover, the release of growth factors inhibits the release of interleukin-1.

Tensile strength of the tissue improves: Cold laser treatment is believed to improve the inter and intra molecular hydrogen bonding of the tissue thereby improving the strength of the cartilage so that it doesn't wear down or get injured as easily.

In conclusion, for individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis knee pain, and need relief from their knee pain, but would prefer a non-invasive procedure should consider finding a doctor who specializes in cold laser therapy for knee pain.

穢AKS 2011 All rights reserved

Knee Joint Pain Treatment, Symptoms and Major Causes

The knee provides the maximum support to our body and bears all the pressure and force while standing, walking and running. Therefore any disturbance in the knee joint leading to knee joint pain can be most disturbing. Serious condition of the knee joint reduces the mobility to a great extent leaving the individual confined to indoors being cut off from the outside world.

The knee joints are surrounded by different ligaments and cushioned by padded cartilages that help in bearing the load while standing. The fluid filled sacs called bursae present around the joint serve as lubricators to reduce the friction between the tendons.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the knee joint pain varies according to the cause, on the timing of the day or while performing a particular activity. Different symptoms indicate different causes that require different treatment.

1. Popping sound in the joint accompanied by pain

2. Feeling of crunching and grinding

3. Locking of the joints preventing the bending and the strengthening of the knee.

4. Swelling, inflammation and redness on the knee

5. Knee pain accompanied by fever.

6. Sometimes the pain starts with the first step of the day early in the morning subsiding later.

7. Climbing stairs causing pain in the knee.

Causes

Knee joint pains are caused due to injury, aging or over activity of the joints especially in sports.

1. Arthritis is the most common cause of knee pain observed in aged people due to the degeneration of the cartilage which forms the support of the knee and is inflammatory.

2. Autoimmune disease like Rheumatoid arthritis and Gout also cause pains in the knee causing inflammation.

3. Chondromalacia is observed in younger women due to the softening of the cartilage in the knee.

4. Women suffer from knee pains after menopause due to low estrogen levels.

5. Bursitis that occurs inside the knee.

6. Calcification of the ligaments inside the knee can cause pains.

7. Infection in joints.

Treatment and medication

1. Exercises like swimming and cycling are beneficial in treating arthritis related knee joint pains in the early stage. In extreme cases knee replacement surgery is performed that helps to regain the lost mobility.

2. Application of ice packs and hot compresses relieves the pain.

3. Regular massaging of the knee with medicated and herbal oils like Rumatone Gold, eucalyptus, aloe vera gel camphor and menthol helps in reducing inflammation and the pain.

4. Drinking few cups of tea made from meadow sweet flowers, marigold is helpful in treating knee joint pains.

5. Opting for a low calorie diet to keep the body weight in control.

6. Sufficient rest should be provided to the knees with regulated movements to prevent deterioration of the condition.

Dogs and Arthritis - Overview of Arthritis In Dogs

According to available statistics, between 25 and 30 percent of all dogs suffer from arthritis. That means in some ways, dogs and arthritis almost go together. Unfortunately, this joint condition can be just as painful in dogs as it is in people. And like people, dogs can develop one of several forms of arthritis.

What Arthritis Is

Your dog's skeletal system is a marvelous framework of bones, ligaments and cartilage all working together. The joints provide the flexibility needed for different movements such as running, jumping, walking and climbing, among many others. Sometimes, however, things go wrong with the joints and movement is painful and impaired. Arthritis can develop when a joint sustains damage, whether it's caused by physical trauma (such as an injury) or disease. Once this occurs, a dog's ordinary movements become much more difficult and painful.

Arthritis is caused by inflammation in a joint. The condition is categorized by the source of this inflammation. There are two main types of arthritis - degenerative (osteoarthritis) and inflammatory.

Osteoarthritis (sometimes called degenerative joint disease) is by far the most common type of canine arthritis. This type of arthritis develops over time and is often caused by injury to a joint which eventually damages or destroys the cartilage that protects the bones. In addition to injury, excessive jumping, excessive weight or even just the aging process can cause cartilage destruction and eventually lead to arthritis. Hip dysplasia and patella luxation ("loose" kneecaps) can also cause the type of joint degeneration that causes arthritis.

Inflammatory arthritis (sometimes called inflammatory joint disease) is the other main type of arthritis, but it is far less common. It can be caused by an infection (such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever or a bacterial infection) or an underlying immune disorder such as lupus erythematosus. This form of arthritis typically affects more than one joint and is associated with overall stiffness, fever and loss of appetite. Rheumatoid arthritis can also occur in dogs, although it is rare.

Age and Breed Susceptibility

Although it's true that younger dogs can develop arthritis, older dogs are much more prone to the condition. In young dogs the cause is likely to be an injury, but in older or overweight dogs, it is more likely to be caused by simple wear and tear. Some breeds are more susceptible to arthritis than others, although it can occur in any dog. As a general rule, larger breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Collies, Rottweilers and German Shepherds are at higher risk.

Symptoms

Your dog might be stiff or lame after exercise or a long nap, or he might be reluctant to climb up or down stairs. Don't automatically assume he has arthritis, however. Although these symptoms could be signs of arthritis, they might instead be the result of some other health condition. Instead of making assumptions, take your dog to the vet for evaluation and appropriate treatment.

As a general rule, however, dogs with arthritis will exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:

* Limping or walking very slowly
* A reluctance to go on walks, climb up or down stairs, run, jump or play
* Yelping in pain when touched, or resisting being touched
* Slowness or visible difficulty when rising from a lying or sitting position

In addition, dogs with chronic arthritis might become aggressive, depressed, nervous or lethargic.

Treatment and Therapies

When it comes to dogs and arthritis, early diagnosis and good management of the condition are the keys, because arthritis cannot be completely cured. As a result, arthritis treatments and therapies are intended to reduce the symptoms and make arthritic dogs more comfortable.

Gentle, low-stress exercise and moderate quantities of nutritious, healthy food can help control an arthritic dog's weight and thereby reduce weight-induced stress on arthritic joints. Leading an active lifestyle will also ensure that a dog's joints are kept in motion and cause less pain. Dogs should be taken on a daily walk to keep them as mobile as possible.

Anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs can be used to help alleviate the pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness associated with arthritis. Analgesics such as aspirin or acetaminophen can also encourage movement by helping to overcome the pain. When the arthritis is causing extreme pain, cortisone injected directly into the joint can result in almost immediate relief.

A large number of joint health supplements are also available when you're dealing with dogs and arthritis. Most contain glucosamine and chondroitin, although some include additional ingredients such as specific vitamins and minerals. Finally, you can also help by giving your dog a soft comfy place to sleep, such as a thick foam rubber cushion. Dogs and arthritis are a painful combination, but there are some things you can do to help.

Chiropractic And Leg And Hip Pain

Subluxation of the spine results in leg pain and hip pain. This can result in irritation of the nerves, muscle spasms and pain. Hips and legs provide support to the entire body and provide stability, mobility, strength and flexibility. This is the reason why there is a lot of stress on these parts of the body. Due to the place where the spine connects with the pelvis, hip pain is at times confused with backache.

The hip is a ball and socket joint where the hipbone connects with the thighbone. Cartilage separates the two bones and it behaves like a cushion so that the bones do not rub against each other. When this cartilage wears out, there is swelling and pain and this result in hip pain. This condition is commonly also known as arthritis.

Some reason for leg pain and hip pain can be wrong posture and sitting for long period of time. These activities can cause ruptured or slipped disc. Cracks take place in the intervertebral disc and the soft nucleus leaks out. Slipped disc takes place in case the disc pushes on sensitive tissues and creates pain. Weakness in the legs, sciatica and numbness are caused due to disc pressing against the spinal nerve. There might be a need to perform surgery to remove the herniated disc material if the rupture is large and is not managed correctly.

Due to fracture or sprain, at times pain occurs. Usually, fracture takes place only in older people who fall and have osteoporosis. After a leg or hip fracture, you can observe swelling, stiffness, limited mobility and numbness. If you think you have fractured your leg or hip, you should go to a medical professional soon. Sprains are not very serious but should be treated by a doctor so that it does not result in a serious injury.

The main cause of your leg and hip pain can be determined by your chiropractor. Usually, these problems can be treated with the help of spinal adjustments. Your chiropractor will also give you advice on exercises so that you can stabilize and rehabilitate the misaligned and injured spinal structures. Work habits, posture and diet will also be examined and analyzed. This is because to completely get rid of the problem, you need to identify and correct the real cause of the problem. So, if you are suffering from hip pain or leg pain, you should go for chiropractic treatment immediately.

Remedy For TMJ - Over the Counter and Prescription Treatments

TMJ or Temporomandibular joint disorder generates excruciating pain and soreness in the jaw joint. Victims often experience trouble while speaking, eating or expressing themselves. People suffering from this condition can either use some kind of natural remedy for TMJ or medications and even surgery for most serious cases.

Occasionally this problem can go away on its own, especially if it is causes by stress. People suffering from Temporomandibular joint disorder are recommended to eat soft food, apply warm and cold packs to the jaw and lessen the activities that involve the jaw movement, like yawning or chewing gum.

A variety of medications are available in the pharmacy stores like ibuprofen and aspirin, these two simple old time drugs are very useful because usually the cause little or no side effects and can successfully relieve the pain. However for the acute cases the treatment would require other medications as well. Some of those medications include antidepressants, injections or muscle relaxation drugs like corticosteroids. In the worst cases treatment may also suggest surgery as a way to correct your jaw alignment, however this is rarely the case and only used in the most serious cases.

A doctor may also prescribe a mouth guard, similar to those athletes use to wear, to avoid teeth grinding at night, or he/she can also prescribe a cognitive therapy for reducing stress. Stress is the most common cause of TMJ so most of the time people suffering from this condition actually fight stress, so engaging is some kind of stress reducing activity can be an excellent method to prevent or control this problem in the first place.

Hip Bone Problems and Treatments

One of the major joints of the human body is the hip joints. Hip joint is the joint where your pelvis bone meets you thigh bone. These joint are also referred to as ball and socket joints. These days you will find many people suffering from this problem. Hip joint injuries are caused while playing sports, running or as a result of falling. Majority of these injuries can be cured easily. However, there are some which can results in serious complications if you ignore them. The hip bone is very much required for easy mobility.

One of the major causes of pain in the hip joints is trauma. Apart from this, there are many sources of inflammation which cause pain in this area as well. Some of the most common problems which lead to pain in these joints are Bursitis, Avascular Necrosis and Arthritis. These problems do not only lead to pain in the joints but also lead to stiffness.

There are many ways to treat hip bone problems. The treatment of bursitis is complicated. It also depends on whether it involves any kind of infection or not. These problems can be treated by stretching exercises or it may require you to take on pain medications. Sometime physical therapy programs are also used to cure bursitis.

It is very important for you to consult a qualified doctor if you suffer from pain in hip bone or joints. It is very important that the treatment of these should be well directed towards the specific cause. Some of the common symptoms of hip joint problems are inability to bend the hip, swelling of the hip or the thigh area, signs of an infection, including redness, warmth and fever etc.

With so many hip joint pain treatment options available, you will surely able to find one, which will solve your problem.

Arthritis Vs Aging - The Epic Battle Rages

There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and related autoimmune diseases. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection.

People with arthritis have pain. The following are some ways that may help relieve some of the pain associated with arthritis. Remember when your pain is better, you move better and you feel better. Before you use any of the following, check with your doctor.

Use dry heat; this includes a heating pad, a warm dry towel, a heat wrap, or even a rice sock:

• You can make a rice sock by using 1 large box of uncooked rice, place the uncooked rice in a man's tube sock (a new one would work best).


• Tie or sew the end of the sock.


• Place the sock in the microwave for 1 minute or until the sock is warm.


• Place an affected area for 15-20 minutes.

Use moist heat

• These types of heat can decrease pain and stiffness.


• Moist heat includes a warm bath or shower.


• The use of a warm wet towel placed in the painful area for 15 minutes can be helpful.

Use cold packs

• Some people with arthritis use cold packs to help their painful areas as ice packs can be used to reduce swelling at the painful areas.


• An ice pack can be placed at the painful spot for 15 minutes.


• You can use gel packs, a commercial cold pack, or even a bag of frozen vegetables.


• Make sure to cover the ice pack with a towel or some type of cloth to protect your skin.

Rest

• Listen to your body-if you are tired, take a break and rest.


• Most adults need about 7 hours of sleep a night.

Exercise

• Exercise is one of the best gifts you can give your body-especially if you have arthritis.


• If you dread the treadmill and won't be seen in an aerobics class, don't fret. Exercise can be sculpted to fit your life.


• You may want to try water aerobics-it is not only low impact, but it helps decrease your pain level.

The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is joint pain. Pain is often a constant and may be localized to the joint affected. The pain from arthritis occurs due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscle strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue. For those exploring potential treatment options, doctors often recommend a simple lab test for arthritis that can be selected from our lab test library to assess your situation.

A NOTE OF CAUTION: Remember, to be safe when you use heat and cold applications. The heat and cold application temperatures must not be too hot or too cold. Be sure you can touch the cold or heat pack without hurting your fingers and hands. Be sure to use a heavy cotton towel between your skin and the application. This will help even more in protecting your skin. Please check with your doctor if you have concerns such as sensitive skin, and/or circulatory impairments.

What is Transient Synovitis?

Some parents are shocked to know that their child is experiencing pain in the hip. This sometimes make the parents panic unnecessarily. Transient synovitis is usually the common cause of the pain experienced by kids as young as 3 to 10 years old. This condition may complicate to arthralgia and arthritis. But sometimes this also occurs if the child had sore throat or had a flu recently. If this is the case, there is no need to worry.

Transient synovitis is the condition wherein the synovial membrane, especially those that are in the joint, are inflamed. Reasons of the inflammation are sometimes viral or bacterial. It may also be a symptom of an underlying disease like Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP) disease. LCP is a condition where the bone in the thigh softens and grows back irregularly. Transient synovitis can also be a complication of a type of childhood arthritis. Sometimes, the reason can be unknown or simply a result of sore throat or flu.

Symptoms of transient synovitis include pain in the hip area. The pain is often spread in the thigh, groin and knee. Because of the pain, walking, and even standing maybe restricted and uncomfortable. Because of this, the child may limp while walking.

The symptoms alone can be used to diagnose the transient synovitis. But since a painful hip can also be because of other disease process, additional tests may be requested to rule out other serious cases. If a blood test shows an increase in white blood cell count, then the reason may be viral or bacterial. Ultrasound provides visual image of the condition of the membrane in the affected hip joint. This is to give us an idea of the extent of the inflammation. An x-ray will also provide visual image of the bone and we can see f the bone growth is irregular therefore ruling out LCP.

To treat transient synovitis, apply heat and massage the affected area. If you are admitted to the hospital, traction may be used. Traction of the hip is usually 45 degree flexion. If you are just in the confinement of your home, then try to prevent putting weight on the affected hip or limb. Prevent activities while you are still experiencing pain. If possible, have a complete bed rest for 7 to 10 days or until you are able to move and walk. Non -steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be given along with analgesics for pain and anti-pyretic for fever.

Pain from transient synovitis usually goes away after 7 to 10 days. After that, the doctor may request for another x- ray to make sure that the inflammation has totally subsided. Sporty and active activities are not allowed until after 2 weeks of recovery. This is just for safety measure to make sure that the inflammation does not come back. The intensity of the activities should increase gradually to prevent the recurrence of transient synovitis. Swimming is advised to slowly start the joint moving again.

Flex Protex - Arthritis Pain Relief?

If you have Osteoarthritis, by now you've probably taken your fair share of over the counter meds - Advil, Aleeve, Ibuprofen... There is a limit to it all however - how often can you keep popping pills, and how many exactly can you pop before you eventually tear a hole in the lining of your stomach?

You might want to try another approach instead - the nutritional health supplement approach. One of the best nutritional supplements available today for arthritis pain relief is Flex Protex, which is safe, all natural, and side effect free.

Flex Protex is a health supplement based on a variety of all natural herbs and compounds present in nature to help relieve inflammation and rebuild damaged joint cartilage.

One of the key ingredients present in flexprotex is glucosamine, an amino sugar found naturally in the exoskeletons of shellfish, or obtained by the fermentation of foods such as corn or wheat. This monosachride is popularly used for the treatment of osteoarthritis as it is one of the main components of joint cartilage and is thought to help rebuild joint cartilage and thus aiding in the treatment of arthritis inflicted damage.

Also present in flexprotex are Cox 2 inhibitors. Cox 2 inhibitors inhibit the chemical reactions caused by Cox 2, an enzyme responsible for initiating inflammation - or in the case of arthritis, inflammation of the joints which in turn leads to pain upon the performance of physical activities. The Cox 2 inhibitors present in flexprotex actually function as an alternative form of NSAIDs (Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs - such as Advil), accredited with supplying the same anti inflammatory pain reducing action, but without all the negative side effects.

Flex Protex is packed with over 120 different antioxidants, responsible for counter acting the damage caused to your body by the presence of free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for attacking your body, causing damage to various parts including your muscles, tendons and ligaments, which in turn leads to inflammation and the searing pains that you experience. So by drastically increasing your daily intake of antioxidants with Flex Protex , you can thereby prevent the occurrence of inflammation and help prevent arthritis pains.

In addition to the abundance of the all natural inflammatory fighting agents glucosamine, cox 2 inhibitors and antioxidants, Flex Protex also contains the naturally found herbs Boswelia and Ashwagandh. Boswelia and Ashwagandh are two of the herbs brought down in the ancient medical texts of Ayurvedic medicine for the all natural treatment of arthritis. These two powerful herbs have proven abilities to relieve the pain of inflammation caused by arthritis as we know from centuries of practice of Ayurvedic medicine's ancient healing methods.

Why wait for the next time you experience shooting pains or are diagnosed with a stomach ulcer (thanks to an overdose of NSAID's)? Give the nutritional supplement approach a try.

Joint Pains - How Can Essential Fatty Acids Help?

The right fats can help to alleviate painful joints

As people get older they expect to have less mobility and agility. They also come to expect the aches and pains that elderly people seem susceptible to.

Interestingly, if you have sore joints you probably also suffer from dry, rough skin, which gets worse in colder months.

You don't have to expect your joints to be painful just because another birthday comes along. And you don't have to accept dry, rough skin either. The solution to both of these problems may be far simpler than you'd have thought.

Unfortunately, in arthritic conditions, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles become painful and start degenerating, leading to further swelling, pain and discomfort. Unless a solution is found to stop this degeneration in its tracks, the problem will only get worse with age, leading to excruciating pain, and the need for strong medication.

Most people don't have enough of the right fats in their diet

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) are required in your diet, because your body is incapable of producing them. As 95% of people are deficient in these unique fats, their lack in your diet may be one of the reasons that you are experiencing joint pain.

Essential Fatty Acids are necessary for the production of the special secretions that allow our joints to stay lubricated. This liquid is called synovial fluid, and keeps joints well lubricated and pain-free. Furthermore, these special fats are also required to build and deposit the material that makes your bones, and they also help to transport minerals. Without them your cell membranes will battle to do their job efficiently, as malleability, flexibility and permeability are all influenced negatively when there are not enough EFA's.

Digestion and your joints?

Many researchers now believe that allergic reactions may also have an important role to play in joint and muscle pain, such as arthritis and rheumatoid conditions. Good digestion is therefore also critical, to ensure that nutrients are absorbed and utilized optimally, otherwise allergic responses can result, which contribute to inflammation and pain.

When protein isn't digested properly, allergic reactions are common, because undigested protein molecules are seen as invaders by the immune system, and the body then produces antigens to fight them. EFA's help digestion by slowing stomach emptying time, to allow maximum nutrient absorption, as well as ensuring that the digestive tract works well, as the cells that line the stomach and intestine also require these essential fats to work optimally.

Immunity and inflammation

EFA's also facilitate immune functioning, helping to minimize inflammatory responses as well as helping the body to heal when they are supplied in optimal amounts.

Eicosanoids are produced from EFA's, which are tiny hormone-like substances that help to regulate many hundreds of actions in the body and brain. PG1, is the derivative from Omega 6, and is responsible for keeping inflammation under control, so would be very helpful in keeping joints pain-free.

Unfortunately, PG2, another derivative, is produced from animal meat, eggs and dairy, and has the opposite effect, which leads to inflammation, swelling, and pain sensitivity. So, you may decide to cut down on animal products and increase your consumption of plant-based protein instead, so that your body produces less PG2.

The right balance of the right fats

Although many people believe they are getting enough EFA's in their diets, most of these fats are damaged through careless processing methods, so you have to find an undamaged source of both Omega 3and Omega 6 EFA's if you want to ensure optimal amounts of pure, undamaged essential fats, to help your immune system, cell and membrane functioning and anti-inflammatory processes.

Excessive quantities of saturated fats, such as fats that come from animal products, as well as damaged fats and oils, from shelf-stable oils, and vegetable spreads and margarines also contribute to problems, as the body has little requirement for saturated fats, and no requirement for damaged fats. This results in a body burden of fats that have no function, are dumped in cell membranes, tissues and organs, and lead to further ill health, and allergic potential.

The right fats and oils form the foundation of optimal health, and can make a significant difference in how you feel on a daily basis - and how your joints feel!

Other nutrients necessary for pain-free joints

Nutrients that facilitate optimum immune functioning will also support the elimination of joint pain, because the stronger the immune system is, the better it can support your health. Therefore vitamin C and D as well as zinc and magnesium, coupled with all the necessary nutrients for basic good health, can provide the support required to keep your immune system working optimally.

Orthopedic Treadmill Belts - Friend Or Foe?

Almost all treadmills offer orthopedic belts on at least a 1/3 of the models, if not more. Many people are not aware that this is an option, and not a must when purchasing a treadmill. Treadmills now offer orthopedic belts and/or decks and all is not what it seems when choosing these options.

Pros:

The Orthopedic belts one the market are said to cushion and protect joints of connective tissues of you hip joints, ankles, and knees. Treadmills like NordicTrack offers DuraSoft Cushioning belts which are said by NordicTrack to reduce joint impact on joints by as much as 19 to 33% as compared to road running. NordicTrack also offers a belt that has a 5 position adjustable cushioning. Many people prefer the ability to decide which is best for them at any given time throughout their workout life.

The Smooth 9.17 and BodyGuard treadmills also have treadmills that offer orthopedic belts due to the popularity among many with shin splints and heel spurs. Most often people that only use treadmills as there main source of exercise will occasionally have these aliments occur. The HealthRider that is widely available at stores like Wal-Mart and the large bulk stores offer the Ortho Belts for the same reason and popularity that have many thinking that these are much better for them.

Proform offers a Quiet tread belt on several models that is just a regular tread belt, but the do offer a ProShox Impact Reducing Deck that states it will reduce joint impact by 28% compared to road running.

Cons:

Many service technicians hate to see people purchase treadmills with Orthopedic belts due to the fact that they will wear out the motor very quickly compared to regular tread belts. The fact that Orthopedic belts are much thicker than regular tread belts means that they cause excessive heat on the belt and wear on the bearings within the rollers.

The fact that the heat is caused due to the thickness of the belt directly correlates with the fact that the motor and all other parts are working harder, therefore causing the motor to wear out much quicker than normal. Many critics of the belt would tell consumers to either purchase a good pair of running shoes with extra support or that the positive effect you are feeling is all in you head.

Conclusion:

Orthopedic belts are really not worth the additional money unless you have a major physical condition that any extra cushioning will be a benefit. If you do choose to purchase a treadmill with an ortho belt, please take into consideration that you should be ready for extra maintenance and the fact that the motor will wear before a regular belt. Also, remember that with an orthopedic belt to choose a treadmill with rollers that are at least 2.4 inches in diameter to insure that the belt and motor will have as much room as possible.

If you are just a normal consumer looking for a good treadmill and you have no prior problems, just stick with a regular treadmill and tread belt.

Should You Worry About a Clicking Jaw?

Clicking jaw is a medical term for the clicking sound that is heard when the jaw is opened. You need not bother about an occasional click of the jaw as it is only to be expected in a highly flexible jaw joint structure. What should be a cause for concern and is discussed in this article is the issue that you may have with a clicking jaw joint that lets off a clicking sound almost every time you open your mouth. This problem requires urgent attention if there is a momentary pain accompanying the clicking sound.

A clicking jaw is not only a health concern but it is also annoying as the click is heard loudly by us because of the proximity of the joint to our ears. The jaw joint is highly susceptible to wear as it is one of the most utilized joints in our body. The joint is basically a hinge structure controlled by the muscular system. What this means is that a clicking jaw is a problem caused by the muscles supplying unequal forces to the joint while opening and closing the jaw. This disrupts the harmonious working of the joints and increases the wear in them.

One set of muscles does not move while the other is moving and you immediately hear a distinct click form your jaw. A clicking jaw might be the indication of some other health concerns if it is accompanied by other symptoms. Common symptoms to look out for are a headache, neck pain and a general feeling of stiffness in using the mouth to perform routine actions. One other reason why you may have a clicking jaw issue is because of your habit of grinding or clenching your teeth too often. A dentist might be able to give you an early warning by observing or looking for signs of excessive wear in your teeth.

Some of the ways by which you can reduce the intensity of the clicking jaw problem is by reducing the strain on your jaw muscles. For example you may avoid foods that are hard to chew or require greater effort to bite into. Another habit you can try to introduce is to give your jaw absolute rest for at least an hour a day. Perhaps you could watch your favorite movie, read or listen to music, all you have to do is avoid talking and eating during this time. Your jaw will get the rest that it requires.

Dealing With Hip and Lower Back Pain

The very serious problems that are relating to back pain are the hip and the lower back. Usually hip pain and lower back pain come hand in hand as the pain is very similar. As the causes of the lower back pains are same as of hip pains.

Your body movements are basically affected if you are having hip pains and or lower back pains. These problems cannot be fully removed and this becomes a very painful situation. The people over 40 years old who are facing this problem deal with a terrible experience as far as the pain are concerned. They must stay still at one place to avoid having body movements which makes it very difficult for them to walk around when they are in their home.

The causes of the hip pain and lower back pain occur as follows:
- The nerves that are connected to the hip are coming from the lower back which becomes affected by a neurological problem.
- Any injuries to the muscles in the lower back might also affect the hip muscles.
- Any injuries to the muscles in the hip might also affect the lower back muscles.
- Is very difficult to face these pains as it is not easy pain to deal with.
- Arthritis will also affect both organs the back and the hip adding more pain to the body.

If you were to ask your physician for the reasons behind hip pain and lower back pain, he may not be able to provide you with an answer. Causes of this pain can be arthritis, spinal stenosis and a fracture. The thigh bone, the femur and pelvis are connected together at the hip joint, as these bones have cover of articular cartilage, which is a different matter altogether as it works as a shock absorber. This act as a contraction and expansion as the existing pressure helps to protect the bones as the hip joint contain a lubricating substance around the muscles. In the hip joint you have a capsule that can go in any direction since the hip joint is the ball and the socket joint as the nerves nearby this area come from the lower back.

The lower back can always be treated with a treatment regularly, once the causes of your hip or back pain is found your doctors will provide you some medications with some routine exercises which will improve your daily habits. If there are any changes in your back pain it should be directed to your doctor, if there is any pain in your lower back or your hip you should contact your doctor as soon as possible as it can easily become a serious and major problem such as arthritis or a congenital hip or lower back problem. This is a situation in which your hip joint ball is not seated properly where is suppose to be at the socket, if the socket is not deep the ball will have to move from the edge of the socket.

While aging and use plays an important role as the situation arises in which the fluid filled sac is inflamed and create pain, a person over the age of 40 years old may get a fracture with a gentle fall and this will not be able to be operated and this patient must face this problem the rest of his life.

If by any chance you have your two legs which are of different length you might be getting into having a problem of hip or lower back pain due to the difference in length, arthritis needs a different treatment, which needs to be followed for a longer period of time.

The treatment usually is a treatment of heat and cold water which helps to alleviate the pain. Maintaining weight control is very important as well as using medications against inflammation is required. Hips and lower back will provide support to our body while the attention of our problems must stand out with very strong support.

A solution has been created which will help to avoid these pains and make you pain free, is a solution known as Muscle Balance Therapy which is the greatest back pain break-through of our generation.

If you need additional information about the Muscle Balance Therapy Please visit this site.

Treatment of Sacroiliitis

Sacroiliitis is a disorder that is far more complex than back pain and it is important to seek medical attention early if you develop the symptoms. The condition is complicated with a variety of causes; it may be secondary to an injury or pregnancy but this is not a disorder to gamble with. Delay may lead to joint degeneration or the pain may be a symptom of a larger, inflammatory arthritic condition known as ankylosing spondylitis. This is one of the many forms of inflammatory arthritis, the most common of which is rheumatoid arthritis. Complications of ankylosing spondylitis can be quite serious and include:

• Spine Deformities


• Difficulty Breathing


• Lung Infections


• Heart Problems. 

Symptoms OF Sacroiliitis

• Pain and stiffness in lower back, thighs, buttocks


• Pain becomes worse with walking, due to the motion of the hips.


• Psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition, may occur with a type of arthritis and sacroiliitis.


• Pain radiating down leg, often mimicking sciatica


• Limp


• Decreased range of motion


• Elevated temperature


• Bloody diarrhea occurs with Reiter's Syndrome, which causes painful urination, joint pain, sacroiliac joint pain, and eye inflammation, and accompanies sacroiliitis.


• Eye inflammation in one or both eyes, a symptom of Reiter's Syndrome and evident with sacroiliitis. 
  

Diagnosis

• History and Physical


• When examined, pain localized around sacroiliac joints, can be detected.


• Laboratory studies, including blood cultures


• X-rays of sacroiliac joints


• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan of sacroiliac joints


• Culture of fluid from affected sacroiliac joint 

It is important that the doctor be informed if there is a history of IV Drug use and whether any antibiotics have been taken recently. Recent antibiotic use can delay the proper diagnosis and identification of the infectious organism if a blood culture is done.

Treatment

The underlying cause and symptoms are considered when implementing a treatment plan.

• NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) such as naproxyn and ibuprophen reduce inflammation and pain.


• Cortiosteroid Drugs, such as prednisone and medrol, reduce inflammation and slow down joint deterioration.


• DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs), such as Azulfidine and methotrexate, help limit joint damage.


• Antibiotics, if an underlying infection is determined by a blood culture or culture of fluid from infected sacroiliac joints. Drug must be specific for that infectious organism.


• Rest to relieve strain on sacroiliac joints.


• Tumor necrosis factor inhibitor medications, such as Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, can block a cell protein that acts as an inflammatory agent. This helps reduce pain and stiffness. These medications are quite expensive and may not be prescribed unless other medications are not effective.


• Physical therapy will be started after the painful, acute phase is under control. Range of motion exercises and stretching exercises to improve muscle strength and joint flexibility.

         Decrease or eliminate smoking because nicotine decreases the blood flow to the affected areas and makes it more difficult for the body to fight the disease. 

These medications can effectively relieve the painful symptoms of sacroiliitis but they have many side-effects. They may interact with medications you are already taking so it is important that you understand all their side-effects and how to use them appropriately. Some of these drugs increase the risk of bleeding, the risk of a cardio-vascular event or damage to your kidneys, liver or gastrointestinal tract. Complete patient education is vital to the management of sacroiliitis and the effective relief of its symptoms.

Doctor...My Body Hurts. There's Pain In Every Joint... What's Causing It?

Joint pain causes can be divided into several categories.

Infections such as viruses (in particular, parvovirus) can cause a type of arthritis. Bacteria such as gonococcus (the bug that causes gonorrhea) and Borrelia, the organism that causes Lyme disease, are well known infectious causes for joint pain.

Trauma is an obvious cause. This can range from an athletic injury occurring more than 30 years ago leading to osteoarthritis in the knee to a whiplash injury that happened yesterday accounting for total body stiffness and pain today!

Disorders of the blood are an uncommon but important cause of joint pain. Leukemia and lymphoma can present as aches and pains. Often fever, sweats, and weight loss accompany the pains... but not always. Multiple myeloma- a malignancy that affects the plasma cells in the blood- causes ill-defined joint pains. Sickle-cell anemia and hemophilia both are associated with arthritis. A blood disorder due to excess iron in the blood- hemochromatosis- is responsible for causing both cirrhosis of the liver as well as an unusual type of arthritis.

Endocrine problems can cause aches and pains. For example, growth hormone excess is called acromegaly. This is a cause of terrible arthritis. Thyroid hormone deficiency also causes aches and pains that mimic the symptoms of fibromyalgia

Closely related to endocrine causes are the metabolic disease like gout and pseudogout which cause inflammatory types of arthritis.

The largest category of causes of aches and pains is arthritis. Wear and tear arthritis- termed osteoarthritis- is the most common form of arthritis. This arthritis is due to premature wearing away of cartilage, the gristly that protects the end of long bones. Osteoarthritis most often affects weight bearing areas such as the neck, low back, hips, and knees. It also affects the hands and feet. More autoimmune types of arthritis such as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis can cause severe total body aches and pains in the joints. These autoimmune diseases have more inflammation associated with them. In addition, constitutional symptoms such as low grade fever, weight loss, sweats, and fatigue are common.

Finally soft tissue rheumatism - termed fibromyalgia- is a very common reason for a person to have "total body joint pain". While not a life-threatening disorder, fibromyalgia, which is often accompanied by fatigue, short term memory loss, "fibro fog", and bladder and bowel disturbance is can be debilitating.

Strengthen Your Hip Joint!

Strengthen Your Hip Joint

Patrick Henry said,"Give me liberty or give me death."

You can let freedom ring after a hip replacement - if you are one of the 300,000 annual hip replacement patients in the US! Or if you just want to keep a healthy hip, learn some exercises that are sure to keep you hip and hop!

The hip joint has three degrees of freedom, which means that it moves in three different planes: the sagittal plane: flexion/extension; the frontal plane: abduction/adduction; and the transverse plane: external/internal rotation.

Don't let the doctor keep you in stitches on the "hipnotic" battlefield - learn to strengthen the hip joint and laugh your way into old age! Shake your left leg, take two steps then throw a left hook out of left field as you perform fundamental movements from the hip joint.

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint between the head of the femur and the socket of the pelvis. The hip has a joint capsule, which is a flexible sac around the joint allowing multiple movements such as the following (from a standing position): flexion - forward leg movement; extension - backward leg movement; abduction - leg moves away from sides; adduction - leg moves toward other leg; internal rotation - toes pointing toward each other; and external rotation - toes pointing away from each other. Avoid excessive flexion, adduction and internal rotation of the hip for the first six weeks after a hip replacement surgery. General info for patients with hip replacements include not bending the hip beyond 90 degrees, not bringing legs and knees together (adduction, internal rotation), and not crossing legs (adduction). The first task is easing patients into weight bearing exercises such as walking. For people without a hip replacement, their walking can tell a lot about their hip health.

Walking transfers body weight from hip joint to hip joint. Walking is divided into two phases, which include the stance phase, where one leg is standing on the ground; and the swing phase, where one leg is off the ground swinging forward to make the next step.

During the swing phase of a walk, the toes are prevented from hitting the ground because the gluteus medius on the stance side contracts, tilting the pelvis upward and lifting the leg clear of the ground.

A weak gluteus medius causes the pelvis to dip downward during the swing phase. The gluteus medius can be weak due to either an L5 nerve root lesion in the spine, proximal myopathy (muscular dystrophy, hip osteoarthritis) or congenitial hip deformities.

Calculations have been made using vector diagrams during the stance phase of walking. They show that four times the body weight is applied to the load-bearing surface of the hip joint. Therefore, being overweight places an increased burden on the hip joints, leading to premature osteoarthritis. Throw ideas of osteoarthritis out the window and start losing weight and strengthening the hip in rewarding workouts!

Strengthening and gaining flexibility in the hip joint should be a priority through proper conditioning and balance training. Flexibility can be gained by stretching out one leg while standing on the other, then bending the outstretched leg 90 degrees.

Strengthening can be achieved by looping a Thera-Band loop around the ankles and alternating mini squats for 30-60 seconds. A balance exercise can be achieved by standing on one leg for 30-60 seconds.

Beware of hip joint red flags! Some of the red flags are at half mast when there are some of the following casualties to the body: pain and swelling, pain when bearing weight on lower extremities, and discomfort or inability to sleep on the hip.

Exercises can prevent the red flags when they form good conditioning habits and utilize cross training. Patients with hip replacements can build strength comfortably through cross training in the water. Therapeutic water training is the best form of exercise for gaining flexibility and range of motion, especially in patients with a concern for their hip joint health. Anyone with a goal of increasing their hip joint degrees of freedom can have an effortless return of hip advancements in water training.

Dealing With Osteoarthrosis in Dogs

Osteoarthrosis can be used interchangeably with arthritis and degenerative joint disease. This is characterized when there is a loss of smooth cartilage that covers and protects the movable joints found in the end of the bones. Cartilage has no nerves, so if it touches another bone, no pain can be felt. Over time, the cartilages wear out exposing the bone. Since the bones have nerves, it results in pain and inflammation when they touch each other. This is a signal that there is arthritis present. In this disease you can find small bony projections which are called osteophytes. It forms in the bones close to the joints. This can add to the pain and worsen as it progresses.

There are many causes of Osteoarthrosis. One is the result of wear and tear on the normal joints. This occurs no matter what the age of the dog. This is referred to as primary degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthrosis can also be a result of another condition that affects the joint called hip or elbow dysplasia. This is also known as secondary degenerative joint disease. You may ask which dogs are prone to this problem. Any dog that suffers from congenital joint problems like dysplasia or patella luxation is prone to have Osteoarthrosis. If the dog also had injury to the joint or knee, it would likely to develop arthritis.

The symptoms of this disease may vary depending on the joints that are involved. Age of the dog and severity of the disease are also considered to be a factor. The primary symptoms may involve altered gait. The dog will tend to put much weight on its unaffected limbs. Because the dog is not using it or trying to put little weight on it, there could be muscle atrophy. An example is when a dog is suffering from hip dyplasia that involves hind limbs. The muscles of the hind limbs are thin but the ones in the chest and shoulders may increase because it is used often. The dog may have difficulty lying down or standing up. It may appear to be stiff. If you notice that your pet is having a difficult time to get up and down the stairs then he or she might have this problem. There are times when the dog doesn't have their normal appetite or their behavior is off. The joints may be swollen and the dog can't vocalize the pain. The dog might lick or bite the painful area. Some may look for warm and soft places to sleep.

If you think that your dog is suffering from Osteoathrosis, take him or her to the vet. X-rays and lab test can be performed to find out more about the affected joints. There is treatment for this problem through medicine and even surgical procedures.

Have Wrist Pain? Try Some of These Simple Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatments

Wrist pain, numbness, weakness, and sometimes cold or stiff finger joints are the symptoms that many people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome deal with on a daily basis. These symptoms can be more troublesome during the night.

Many people are familiar with the wrist pain of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but do not understand exactly how the condition occurs. Typically, carpal tunnel symptoms manifest after the wrist has become injured through repetitive strain. The median nerve, which is responsible for transmitting feeling to the wrist and hands becomes compressed.

This creates the various degrees of pain, discomfort and weakness experienced by carpal tunnel patients. Some simple treatments for wrist pain that many individuals find effective include massage, ice therapy, joint support gloves and anti-inflammatory medications. This article will go over some simple Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatments that many people have found helpful, and hopefully you will too!

Massage

Significant relief from symptoms can be found through gentle massage techniques done consistently two to three times each week. Many people find relief through gentle massage which is done on the base of the hand where the most flesh is found. This is a job for two hands, so you should make sure you have the massage performed by someone rather than do it yourself.

Ice

Ice therapy has been found to be a very beneficial treatment for some patients. The application of an ice pack to the inside of the painful wrist for approximately ten minutes can effectively relief the majority of symptoms for up to two hours. Ice calms inflammation and reduces swelling, which relieves the compression surrounding the nerve.

Joint Support Gloves

Gentle-compression gloves have found to be highly beneficial to those suffering from the wrist pain associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. These gloves capture the body heat of the wearer which effectively helps to relieve muscle and joint pain. The wide variety of joint support gloves available makes it easy for anyone to find a style that fits his or her budget.

Medications

Many patients find substantial relief from their symptoms with the combination of anti-inflammatory medications and one or more of the treatments listed above. Very easy treatments include certain non-habit forming medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen. We recommend that you consult a physician before beginning any new medication or treatment.

Massage, ice therapy, joint support gloves, and medications are just a few of the simple treatments that can be done for the wrist pain associated for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Treating Neck Pain, Headaches, and Other Problems Without Expensive Surgery or Drugs

Often many people overlook the Atlas Orthogonal Procedure when they experience Neck pain, Headaches, Vertigo, TMJ, Migraines, and other symptoms. They may resort to expensive surgical procedures or drugs first, which may not solve the issue at hand. Many patients find out about this non-invasive procedure called Atlas Orthogonal after they've already gone through surgeries. Sometimes they ask themselves why they weren't told about this procedure beforehand.

For example malpositions of the top bone in the spine called Atlas can cause some common jaw disorder called Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ). Through simple and painless procedures, Atlas Orthogonistmay be able to cause the discomfort associated with TMJ symptoms by adjusting the atlas vertebra. The jaw itself is held by 68 pairs of muscles of the head, neck, and shoulder. The muscles, ligaments and bones of the human body are very complex in nature. An Atlas Orthogonist has a great understanding of the entire upper cervical region of the spine. Luckily an Atlas Orthogonistcan identify the issue at hand, and they can align the upper cervical area of the spine by a correction to your atlas bone. Anyone who has TMJ should consider trying this before moving on to the next option.

Tinnitus is another problem that may be treated by Atlas Orthogonal Procedure The Atlas Orthogonist Specialize in the first of the spine. A lot of patients find it hard to believe that the Atlas Orthogonal Procedure care can be effective; but have found it very effective. The Atlas Orthogonal Procedure uses a percussion instrument to correct the misalignment of the atlas vertebra (the top vertebra in the cervical spine). Malpositions of the atlas bone may cause many problems in the body. Through simple corrections an Atlas Orthogonist doctor may improve the quality of your life, and help many different problems such as:

• Nervous tension

• Chronic fatigue syndrome

• Knee pain

• Trigeminal neuralgia

• Arthritis

• Headaches and Migrained

• Cervical and lumbar pain problems

• Arm pain

• Hip pain

• Lower back pain

• Sciatica

• Balance problems

• Allergies

• Numbness

• Fibromyalgia

When finding a doctor you should look for an Atlas Orthogonist who is a Certified Doctor. Some doctors have also started using BGI approaches in their Atlas Orthogonal practice. If you can find a doctor who uses this approach you will be in the best hands possible.

BGI (Bio-Geometric Integration) is an AO approach that focuses on the geometry of the human body. It applies the science of quantum physics to health and healing. BGI is a philosophy that the body is not just a physical structure but rather an energetic system. It also combines the energetic quality of the body and the idea of subluxation to create a perfect healing technique.

This approach uses the new understanding of the body to maximize Atlas Orthogonal effectiveness through light touches and gentle structural adjustments. BGI targets tensions patterns, and releases them gradually and progressively in the same way that they were accumulated. Through BGI, AO doctors are able to maximize your body's health, ability to recover, and wellness.