Saturday, April 12, 2014

Joint Pain Remedy Solutions


Many people around the world suffer from joint pain. Whether it is severe or mild it affects a lot of people around the world and it can have a serious impact on the quality of people's lives. Many associate joint pain with the elderly, however this is simply not so. A lot of age groups suffer joint pain for various reasons, and it can impact a lot on their daily activities. Whether you are a sports person or not, pain in the joints is a fact of life, that you do not have to tolerate. There are many joint pain remedies out there, and you just need to find out what your condition is, and try to fix it in the appropriate way.

Causes Of Joint Pain

There are many causes of joint-pain, and in order to find joint pain remedies, you need to find the cause of your pain. Joint pain can in general be divided into a few separate categories, or causes in general. Sometimes it may be a combination of more than one.

Wear and tear is a very common cause of pain. You may have it from an overuse injury, which means you have simply done too much of the same work over and over on one particular joint. It may come from a previous injury that has not healed and you have aggravated it. It may also come from osteoarthritis, which is the number one cause of joint pain amongst people, and the most common form of arthritis. You may also be experiences joint inflammation.

Conditions that affect your metabolism can also cause a lot of joint pain. Gout is a common example of that.

Autoimmune disorders are also a common cause of joint pain. This is when your body produces antibodies against its own tissues and it is most commonly in the form of rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis

Many people suffer the painful symptoms of arthritis and its related diseases. The symptoms that they can suffer include, inflammation, swelling, redness, pain and stiffness. There are so many different kinds of arthritis but the most common is osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the other two very common types. Osteoarthritis happens when the protective cartilage covering the bones wears away. Which means that the bones are rubbing together. The causes a lot of friction, pain and swelling. It gets worse and worse as the cartilage deteriorates further. It is most commonly suffered in the hands, hips, knee and spine and it gets worse with age. There are no definite causes of arthritis but it has been shown that heredity and lifestyle play a powerful combination in determining the severity of arthritis. There is an osteoarthritis treatment available for you. The older you are the more at risk you are as your joints have been degenerating slowly over time. You are more likely to get arthritis if you are female than if you are male. If you are a heavy person, and are carrying a lot of weight, then you are putting more stress on your joints and it is likely that you will develop arthritis. If you do repeated heavy liting you may be more prone to developing arthritis. As mentioned above there are many joint pain remedies that can aid with arthritis, you don't have to live in pain.

Joint Remedies

There are many joint remedies that you can apply yo help get rid of the pain.


  • As mentioned before if you are overweight and suffering joint pain then it is likely that your obesity is causing a lot of stress son your joints. You should address this first and then if you joint pain does not go away look for other options.

  • You can have a look at your diet as there are some products that will exacerbate the pain. Sometimes dairy products, citrus, alcohol, some meat, beef, pork, lamb, and vegetable oils have inflammatory effects and if your condition is inflammatory then this is a joint pain remedy that you should consider. You can find a good arthritis diet out there for you.

  • Some natural joint pain remedies are popular and have reports of working quite well. Epsom Salt, which is magnesium sulphate, is often used. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is absorbed well through the skin. You can take a bath in it.

  • You can also use exercise and strength training to strengthen the muscles around your joints. This will take the pressure off the joint and hopefully make it stronger and take away a lot of the pain. You can find a wide range of osteoarthritis exercises that can help you to ease the pain that you are experiencing. Consult your doctor and then get into a gym and start working on your strength.

  • A popular supplement that is naturally occurring in the body is glucosamine. You can buy it almost anywhere and it is not so expensive in some places. There is a little bit of choice available too, whether you take liquid or capsule form.

Hip Replacement Timing - Why Delaying May Be the Wrong Choice


My world was split into two. With medication I was pretty well pain-free but unable to concentrate or focus on anything at all. Without it I was in serious pain and my mobility was so reduced that I could barely manage stairs let alone leave the house. Diagnosis - severe osteoarthritis. My life had become focused on my hip and the prospect of surgery.

A hip replacement at 52? No! Surely I was too young. I asked my medical friends, who were unanimous in their answers; "delay having a hip replacement for as long as possible". Okay, I thought stoically, I'll hang on. But for how long? How would I know when I'd reached "as long as possible"? How could I factor in the length of time I'd be spending on a waiting list? How was I going to function until then? And was waiting really the right answer? I entered "hip replacement timing" into Google and started reading.

The first thing I learnt was that all weight bearing implants have a finite life. As the two surfaces rub together they shed minute bits of debris. This debris sets up a reaction in the body which loosens the tight fitting implant. A loose implant is a painful implant. Sooner or later it will need to be replaced.

Wear is not just associated with the length of time we have the implant for, it's also about what we do with it. The more active the patient is the greater the rate of wear and young people tend to be more active than their elders. From my point of view one of my desired outcomes from surgery was to get back to an active life. Maybe a bit more subdued than before (no more rock climbing) but still one where I challenged myself physically from time to time.

I learnt also that weight plays a key role in how quickly a weight bearing joint, such as a hip, lasts. Heavier patients wear out their hips faster than lighter ones. This is true for both the original joint and its replacement. Students of mechanical engineering will understand that 1kg of body weight puts approximately 4kg of pressure on a hip joint.

But did any of this really matter? If a hip replacement is a fairly straightforward, routine operation surely they could just change my implant once it wore out? Sadly that isn't the case.

Revision surgery involves taking out the old implant and replacing it with a new one and is considerably more complex. Second time around (let alone third) there is less bone stock to work with and the tissues surrounding the joint, and holding it together, have lost much of their flexibility. Without that flexibility it is harder to align the new implant optimally and correct alignment is crucial to reduce the rate of wear.

There is also a higher chance of a serious post-operative complications following revision work. These are nasty. They include painful dislocation ( a trip to A&E), infections (possibly necessitating the removal of the new implant to clean out the infection) and deep vein thrombosis (potentially fatal!).

The case seemed to be made - delay surgery - let one implant last a life time.

I was convinced. I was convinced for all of 10 minutes which is when I started to think about what that would mean for me. Years more serious pain and heavy duty medication and an ever dwindling life both inside and outside the home.

I started looking for the other side of the argument. Might the new generation of implants come to my rescue?

With traditional implants the hip side of the replacement joint was made of polyethylene, which wears out relatively quickly. Replacing this to give a metal-on-metal implant worked well and extended the life span of the new joint. Better yet was ceramic-on-ceramic - where both sides of the joint are made from a type of metal oxide known as ceramic. This has a very low rate of wear and unlike its metal-on-metal counterparts isn't associated with potentially hazardous metal ion debris. This form of ceramic is the 2nd hardest substance on the planet - the hardest being diamond. Somehow I doubted that would be available on the NHS. Still 2nd hardest sounded good. How long would that last?

Well the jury is still out on that question, mainly because these new prostheses are still evolving and sufficient time hasn't yet gone by to evaluate their wear rate. It is hoped that they'll last between 25-30 years - about double the life of a traditional implant. A quick calculation and I realised I'd only need one more (unless I was heading for a Guinness Book of Records type of life span).

I was already beginning to swing to the sooner rather than later approach when I found some information discussing the physiological problems associated with delaying surgery. Medics have always acknowledged that delaying surgery meant the patient would have to endure increasing pain and lack of mobility but the approach seemed to be it just had to be endured. Now the consequences of long-term severe pain and limited mobility are being recognised.

Whilst waiting for surgery my hip joint would continue to wear away increasing both the amount of pain I experienced and the need for very strong medication. Furthermore this wear might also gradually deform the joint itself and one consequence of that may be that options for less invasive surgery, such as hip resurfacing, were lost.

But it's not just the affected leg that is being damaged. As the "bad" leg become less able to weight bear the "good" leg must take on more of the work. The danger here is that the additional stress on the "good" leg's hip and knee joints will hasten their decline and may even result in further joint replacement work.

And it didn't stop there. All this pain and decreased mobility would result in weight gain, loss of muscle mass, a deterioration in the quality of life and an inability to carry out activities of daily living such as shopping and socialising. It sounded like a recipe for depression as well.

A survey of younger patients undertaken by hip replacement and recovery.com - a one-stop information shop - showed that almost 30% of younger patients felt they should have had surgery earlier and that delaying surgery had significantly affected their lives. Their most often stated concerns were the loss of quality of life and further damage to their joints. One respondent wrote touchingly about how she had not been able to participate in the lives of her growing family due to pain and immobility.

There is no simple answer as to what is the best time. I believe it is imperative that all hip replacement patients understand the advantages and risks in either going for early surgery or delaying it. Such an understanding will allow an informed discussion with the surgeon. If your surgeon radically disagrees with you and you don't accept his reasoning, then ask to be referred to someone whose views more closely match your own.

Some pointers as to when it might be time for the operation:

  • When the pain wakes you at night

  • When you are taking opiate based medication daily.

  • When you can't walk a mile or carry a bag of shopping.

  • When you realise you can't look after yourself

  • When you're quality of life is significantly diminished.

So did I wait? Well I tried to put it off a bit. I called my consultant who explained that I was already practically bone-on-bone and the maximum I could hold out for was two years. That, we agreed, wouldn't be worth the pain.

I am now 13 weeks post-op and pretty well pain-free. Yesterday I ran up the stairs. I've started going out - shopping and socially. I've got a life again. I love my new hip.

Seven Tips to Help Relieve Dog Joint Pain


Just as the name implies, Dog joint pain means pain that radiates in your dog from his joints. As your dog ages, he will start to have pain in his joints. This ailment is widespread among most breeds of dogs. Aging dogs also experience dog arthritis that begins in dogs as they advance in age, and causes pain in the joints. Here are a few signs that you need to keep an eye on if you think your aging dog is suffering from joint pain.

As most of the causes and effects of dog joint pain is internal, it may be hard to see by simply looking at your dog. Careful observation is about the only way you will be able to see the effects on your dog. If he begins walking in a peculiar manner, he may have joint pain.

If you notice that your dog's appendages are swollen, he most likely is in pain. If you or your vet has diagnosed your pet to have joint pain or arthritis, here are seven tips that may help relieve some of the pain:

1. Make sure he is getting food rich in nutrients. Vitamin and mineral supplements are available for dogs just as they are for humans. They play an important role in a dog's physical health. This is often the first place to look if your dog is in pain. Adjust their diet and try to limit their intake of unhealthy foods. Overweight dogs have a harder time coping with joint pain, and by losing just a few pounds, some of the pain may be lessened.

2. Out with the stairs/steps: If you have steps or stairs around your home, try installing a ramp for your dog to walk on. It is hard on a dog with joint pain to climb stairs, so a ramp can drastically reduce the amount of pain they feel getting up the porch.

3. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise: A body in motion tends to stay in motion, and an arthritic body is no different. Pain should never become an excuse for your dog to quit exercising. It is up to you to ensure your dog gets the exercise he needs. Don't overdo it though. If he begins to get tired, don't push him to exhaustion. Just because he can't run around or chase balls like he used to does not mean he can't go on a stroll with you down the block.

4. Be sure to make nutrition fun for your dog. If he does well in his exercise, give him a treat that is enriched with vitamins. These help with joint and hip development.

5. Make sure your dog has a comfortable bed to sleep on. They even make special beds for dogs that have arthritis. If you don't have a cushy bed for your pet, you might look into getting one.

6. Massage: Just as massage relieves stress and tension in us, it is beneficial to dogs as well. If his joints are hurting, massage them as you would someone's hand. The more you rub, the more relief your pet may feel. Be gentle when you massage your dog. They may try to bite or pull away from you if you do it too hard and hurt them worse. If they seem to relax, you are helping them. Results may not be immediate, but you should see improvement in your pet's walking and range of movement within a few weeks or months.

7. Have wood or tile floors? Cover them! Tile, wood, or vinyl flooring is usually smooth and often times very slick on the surface. Because of this, your dog may have a hard time getting traction and may slip and slide around on them. When a dog has trouble like this, they normally try to compensate by "running". All this normally accomplishes is the dog falling all over the floor. If you can't cover the floors with area rugs or carpeting, get a pet gate to keep Fido out of these areas if at all possible.

Just like dealing with a child, your dog will require patience when you deal with him. Dog Joint Pain may make your dog so slow or sluggish that you become impatient with him. Just remember, he's in pain and try to be sympathetic. Keep in mind that he won't be able to run and play like he used to.

By following the simple tips listed above, you can be a hero to your pet when it comes to relieving some of his pain. Try to refrain from using over the counter "human" pain relieving medication, as these may cause unwanted side effects, some of which may be severe.

Best Natural Ingredients for Muscle and Joint Pain Relief


Pain relief is a topic that I think we can all relate to as we all have dealt with it at one time or another in our lives. If you are lucky enough to not have experienced muscle or joint pain, believe me as you age you will. As I am a very active person and an avid athlete, pain management is something that I deal with often. Also I often tend to 'overdue' things and push my body to the limit often when training or playing sports. So getting minor injuries from bruises to sore muscles to sprains is not only common for athletes but also the average person who is not so active because of age, a hard days work or a pulled muscle which can happen doing just about anything anywhere at anytime.

It wasn't until I was in my early twenties when I started training much harder in martial arts and pushing my strength training to a higher level, did I look into what was available on the market for pain relief that was safe and natural. When I was a kid and a teenager, I never bothered taking anything as I didn't think much of pain because I just played through it and healed much quicker back then it seemed (oh to be young again).

Once I started to have to deal with pain more often because of my increased training and because I was getting older, I wanted only to use all natural ingredients that could help me that had no side effects. So naturally I looked into all kinds of natural ingredients and herbs that could help me to hasten recovery from bumps, bruises and strains in training and of course lessen the pain.

One of the first natural ingredients that I researched and looked into was Arnica, a natural herb used in homeopathic medicines for pain relief since the 1500's. This herb grows in the mountains of Europe & Siberia and is used topically in a variety of forms to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation & heal wounds. I remember using it when I started doing judo as the first few weeks I got some good sized bruises from training, it definitely helped reduce my pain and speed recovery.

Another all natural ingredient I heard about and began to use was Wintergreen Oil (also known as Methyl salicylate). Wintergreen oil is used in many topical pain relieving products, as its chemical makeup is essentially that of liquid aspirin. It is very potent on its own and must be diluted if used as a topical stand-alone product. Blended with other essential oils, it can help relieve arthritis and reduce inflammation in joints and muscles dramatically. At the time, I bought some popular topical products that had Methyl salicylate as the main ingredient in them (which is a safer bet than diluting or blending the oil yourself). I did buy Wintergreen oil eventually as a stand-alone product when I started looking deeper into pain relieving herbs and into this amazing oil.

I found that Menthol is used a lot in conjunction with Wintergreen oil in many pain relieving products and is another amazing natural ingredient I use and recommend. Menthol is a compound primarily derived from peppermint or other mint oils. It is similar to Wintergreen (methyl salicylate), as it is an anti-inflammatory and causes a cooling sensation when applied topically. An effective pain reliever, menthol has been shown in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology and the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity to be among the world's most effective pain-relievers for osteoarthritis.

I'm sure you have heard of using Cayenne Pepper as an addition to flavor dishes to make them spicier and hotter. It also has a rich history of being used for medicinal purposes. Native Americans have used it for over 9,000 years for healing and ceremonial use. Cayenne acts to eliminate or "burn up," substance P - a compound that carries pain messages to your brain. Capsaicin is the principal active ingredient of cayenne pepper. Capsaicin has been shown to be effective for easing pain caused by arthritis and nerve conditions when applied topically as a liniment or taken internally as a supplement. When I learned about this, I started looking for topical ointments and creams that contained cayenne and even tried taking it internally as a capsule.

Another natural ingredient I started looking into and ultimately using was Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). MSM is a natural, safe and odorless sulfur compound found in the human body. It has essential sulfur and methyl groups that are used in healing and repair processes such as supporting connective tissue repair and regeneration. MSM is known to speed relief from inflammation and promote lasting healing. It is also naturally cleanses and detoxifies and ultimately promotes healthy circulation by neutralizing free radical molecules. It is normally taken internally but can be used topically with DMSO which transports any other ingredients it is mixed with directly to the source of pain.

The last ingredient which I will talk about which I mentioned above is Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). DMSO is known to multiply chemical reactions in combination with other ingredients as it is a near perfect solvent and transporter. It is also used alone and is an organic, sulfur-rich substance found in the woody part of trees. I found out from a friend who recommended it to me and eventually gave me some pure DMSO that it is commonly used in veterinary medicine as a liniment for horses. Well if they used it treat race horses for pain relief I figured it could help relieve my muscle and joint pain too!

It has an amazing range of uses (can be taken by mouth, used topically, or given intravenously even) but I will only mention here as it is related to topical treatment for pain relief. I found that DMSO is used topically to decrease pain and speed the healing of wounds, burns, and muscle and skeletal injuries. DMSO is also used topically to treat painful conditions such as headache, inflammation, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis... truly an incredible natural compound.

Gallstones Cause Disorders of the Joints


Our body contains three types of joints: fibrous or fixed joints,cartilaginous or slightly movable joints, and synovial or freely movable joints. The most susceptible to disease are the joints of the hands, feet, knees, shoulders, elbows, and hips. Rheumatoid arthritis,osteoarthritis, and gout are among the most commonly found joint disorders.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Most people stricken with rheumatoid arthritis have a long history of intestinal complaints: bloating, flatulence, heartburn, belching, constipation, diarrhea, coldness and swelling of hands and feet, increased perspiration, general fatigue, loss of appetite, weight reduction, and more. It is reasonable, therefore, to conclude that rheumatoid arthritis is linked with any of these, or similar, symptoms of major intestinal and metabolic disturbances. I have personally experienced all the symptoms mentioned above when I suffered painful bouts of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis during my childhood years.

The gastro-intestinal (GI) tract is constantly exposed to a large number of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. In addition to the many antigens(foreign material) contained in foods, the digestive system may also have to deal with insecticides, pesticides, hormones, antibiotic residues, preservatives, and colorings contained in so many foodstuffs today, as well as some large-molecule drugs such as penicillin. Possible antigens include pollen from flowers, plants, plant antibodies, fungi, bacteria, and the like. It is the task of the immune system, most of which is located in the intestinal wall,to protect us against all these potentially harmful invaders and substances. To be able to accomplish this task every day, both the digestive and lymphatic systems must remain unobstructed and efficient. Gallstones in the liver seriously disturb the digestive process, which leads to an overload of toxic substances in the blood and lymph.

Arthritis

Doctors consider arthritis an autoimmune diseaseaffecting the synovial membrane. Autoimmunity, a condition in which the immune system develops immunity to its own cells, results when antigen/antibody complexes (rheumatoid factors) are formed in the blood. Naturally, the B-lymphocytes (immune cells) in the intestinal wall become stimulated and produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) when coming into contact with these antigens. The immune cells circulate in the blood, and some settle in the lymph nodes, spleen, mucus membranes of the salivary glands, lymphatic system of the bronchial tubes, vagina or uterus, milk-producing mammary glands of the breasts, and capsular tissues of the joints.

If there is repeated exposure to the same types of toxic antigens, antibody production will increase dramatically, particularly in areas where immune cells have settled because of a previous encounter with the invaders. These harmful antigens may consist of protein particles from putrefying animal foods, for example. In such a case, intense microbial activity can occur. The new encounter with the antigens raises the level of antigen/antibody complexes in the blood and upsets the fine balance that exists between the immune reaction and its suppression. Autoimmune diseases, which indicate an extremely high level of toxicity in the body, directly result from a disturbance of this balance. If antibody production is continually high in synovial joints, inflammation becomes chronic, leading to gradually increasing deformity, pain, and loss of function.

The overuse of the immune system leads to self-destruction in the body. If this form of self-destruction occurs in nerve tissue, it is called MS, and if it occurs in organ tissue, it is called cancer. Yet, seen from a deeper perspective, the self-destruction is but a final attempt at self-preservation. The body only 'attacks' itself if the toxicity has increased to such a degree that it could cause more damage than an autoimmune response would. It certainly has no intention of committing suicide, which is what the meaning of 'autoimmune disease' suggests. When the body's cell membranes are clogged with foreign, harmful chemicals and toxic particles like trans fatty acids(as found in fast foods, such as hamburgers and french fries), it is an absolutely normal response by the immune system to attack these contaminants. To call this survival response a disease is unscientific and reflects a lack of knowledge of the true nature of the body.

Gallstones inhibit the body's ability to keep itself nourished and clean, which makes them a leading cause of toxicity. They prevent the liver from adequately taking noxious substances out of the bloodstream. If the liver cannot filter out toxins from the blood, they end up being dumped into the extracellular fluid. The more toxins accumulate in the extracellular fluid, the more severely that cell membranes become clogged with injurious materials. An autoimmune response may be necessary to destroy the most contaminated cells and thereby save the rest of the body, at least for a while. When all gallstones are removed from the liver and gallbladder, the immune system does not have to take recourse to such extreme measures of defending the body on the cellular level.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritisis a degenerative, non-inflammatory illness. It occurs when the renewal of articular cartilage (a smooth, strong surface, covering bones that are in contact with other bones) does not happen at the same pace as its breakdown. The articular cartilage gradually becomes thinner until, eventually, the bony articular surfaces come into contact, and the bones start to deteriorate. Abnormal bone repair and chronic inflammation may follow this form of damage. Like most diseases, this symptom results from a long-standing digestive disorder. As fewer nutrients are absorbed and distributed for tissue building, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain healthy sustenance of bone and articular cartilage. Gallstones in the liver impair the basic digestive processes and, therefore, play perhaps the most important role in the development of osteoarthritis.

Gout

Gout,which is another joint disease connected to weak liver performance, is caused by sodium urate crystals in joints and tendons. Gout occurs in some people whose blood uric acidis abnormally high. When gallstones in the liver begin to affect blood circulation in the kidneys, uric acid excretion becomes inefficient. This also causes increased cell damage and cell destruction in the liver and kidneys, as well as in other parts of the body.

Uric acid is a waste product resulting from the breakdown of cell nuclei; it is produced in excess with increased cell destruction. Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcoholic beverages regularly, using stimulants, etc. all cause marked cell destruction, which releases large quantities of degenerate cell protein into the bloodstream. In addition, uric acid production rises sharply with over-consumption of protein foods, such as meat, fish, pork, and eggs. Incidentally, all the aforementioned foods and substances lead to gallstone formation in the liver and gallbladder.

A person may experience several acute attacks of arthritis before damage to the joints decreases mobility and the gout condition becomes chronic.

Effective Health Tips to Reduce Migraine Headaches


Headaches are common and there are times when many of us suffer from minor to severe headaches. However, when we speak about migraines, issues that are related to headache should attend to immediately.

Migraine is caused by anomalous brain activities; sometimes external social and psychological factors may work as a trigger for migraine as well. Migraine in men is slightly different from that of women's with the latter facing risks of suffering from migraines during menstruation. Hormones imbalance that surfaces during menstruation is the main cause of these migraines. It is important to following some medical tips that can help to alleviate or control the headache symptoms. These attacks are usually associated with physical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and sound.

There are many factors that can contribute to the causes for migraine. Do note that these factors can well be independent of the family history too. Some of these factors are excessive mental pressure, use of birth control pills in women, disturbed sleep, improper food habits, and physical stress due to over exertion. In some rare cases, certain food items may trigger migraine as well. Though migraine is not considered a serious brain disorder, it definitely can cause serious disturbance to lifestyle and impact to health. Treating migraines can be quite complex and there is no standard migraine treatment as well. However, migraines can sometimes be treated with alternative medicines. These include acupuncture therapies, herbal supplements, intake of minerals and vitamins, and antioxidant supplements such as Coenzyme Q10.

Apart from migraines, you should also take note of tension headaches as they have symptoms that are quite similar to migraines. However, it is important to know that the cause of this headache is actually quite different. Usually this type of headache is caused by hectic lifestyle patterns. Most people usually suffer from tension headache, but if it becomes chronic then it will become a concern. Treatment for headache includes alternative medicines, medications, relaxation techniques, meditation, exercise, yoga, and regulated stress levels.

Last but not least, you should also know another major type of headache known as cervicogenic headaches; also known as neck related headaches. This type of headache is caused by injury to neck and upper back muscles. The best way to treat this headache is to prevent it from happening in the first place. There are many simple tips that can help to keep this headache away. Many of these tips are focused on maintaining the right posture during working, driving, sleeping, reading, lifting weights, carrying babies, and backpacks. Paying extra precautions while doing these activities can help to prevent cervicogenic headache. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Instead of taking medication for headaches, why not avoid or prevent it from occurring in the first place? Start by avoiding the headache triggers.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Neck Pain Relief - Natural and Herbal Ways to Manage Neck Pain


Physical therapy, exercises, joint mobilization can ease out the discomfort caused by neck pain. Physical therapy includes manual examination by therapists, measurement of the patient's range of motion and testing of tender points in the neck or palpation tests. Exercises should include gentle stretching exercises that can reduce spasm and muscle tightness and also strengthen neck muscles. Exercise also increases the stability of core muscles and improves muscle coordination. The common exercises that can be done include using a stair stepper, walking on treadmill, swimming laps and using a cross country ski machine.

Self-help, natural and herbal ways to manage neck pain

1. While doing day to day activities, bending, twisting, if neck pain is felt, one must immediately stop and take necessary precautions. Pain must be understood as a warning sign.

2. While sleeping, one must be careful about supporting the neck properly. The mattress used should be appropriate; neither too hard, nor too soft. A soft mattress or a high pillow has adverse impact on spine alignment and may build up tension in the spine.

3. The patient should avoid slouching.

4. For those who spend maximum time on phone, a speaker phone or head set is advisable.

5. Usage of neck traction devices help in controlling neck muscle spasm by stretching the soft tissues. This is one way of treating neck pain.

6. Weight reduction will reduce the excessive pressure on spine.

7. Take food items rich in calcium, vitamin D. They will help to check osteoporosis or bone thinning.

8. One should avoid holding neck or keeping neck bent for a long time. One should change positions frequently even while sitting or lying.

9. Improper lifting techniques can also strain your neck muscles as well as back muscles. While lifting heavy objects, one must bend the knees, hold the spine erect, place the object in between the feet which should be quite apart from each other; for instance shoulder width apart.

10. Take frequent breaks from work, and practice deep breathing and neck mobilizing exercises every half an hour. This reduces stress and also lessens neck tightness.

11. Ice pack or a pack containing frozen peas may be held tightly against neck muscles for at least 15 minutes. This will soothe painful conditions.

12. Swelling of neck muscles can be reduced with the help of jet streams or hot shower hitting the affected muscles.

13. Massage therapy is an effective way of treating neck pain. Massaging soothes the strained muscles and tendons of the neck. Herbal massage oils like natural massage oil, arnica oil, rumatone gold oil, nagachampa ayurvedic oil, lavender body massage oil, sandalwood oil, capsaicin creams etc are best for relieving neck pain.

14. Herbal supplements prepared from herbs like eucalyptus, cayenne and devil's claw are very helpful in minimizing intensity of pain and inflammation of the sore muscles. Intake of herbal supplements such as Rumatone Gold Capsules thus can prove useful.

How To Reduce Hip Pain


Hip pain is something that most people commonly associate with advanced age, and most people will recall having seen movies or advertisements showing old people hobbling about while complaining loudly of the agony their hips were causing them. While it is certainly true that pain in the hip is common among older individuals, mostly due to the onset of joint pain from arthritis, there are other causes of such pain. Young people can also experience this type of pain due to physical injuries or simply from overuse.

Physical Therapy

One of the best ways to reduce pain from the hip is through physical therapy. Physical therapy can help you both reduce the pain that you feel and to improve the range of motion and mobility of your hip. This is particularly true in the case of physical injuries, where certain muscles need to be rehabilitated or trained to take over the duties of injured tendons and ligaments. One of the best forms of physical therapy that has consistently shown effective results in providing pain relief is chiropractic treatment.

The very first thing that your chiropractor will do when you schedule your first session will be to go through your medical history in detail. It is important that your chiropractor know the exact cause of your pain, what injuries or medical conditions you may have had, and what treatment you have already had, if any. This will enable your chiropractor to accurately assess the extent of your problem and determine just which type of treatment is appropriate for you.

The most common treatment for pain in the hips is chiropractic adjustment, where the joints are manipulated and adjusted to relieve tension within those joints. This tension is a common contributor to joint pains and by realigning the muscles, tendons and ligaments around the joints, you make it easier and faster for your body to heal itself. You will probably also be prescribed certain exercises or stretches to do on your own at home to keep your body limber and help your hip regain its full range of motion.

Rehabilitative Exercises

One problem that chiropractors and therapists often face is patients not playing their part in their own recovery. Your therapist can only do so much in scheduled sessions with you, and it is really up to you to perform the required exercises at home in order to improve your condition. Some patients give up because these exercises are tiring or cause additional pain, but it is occasionally necessary to endure additional hardships in order to set yourself properly on the road to recovery.

You can also do hip strengthening exercises even if you have not been prescribed such exercises. You should use pain as a guide if you are thinking of doing your own exercises. If an exercise causes you pain, then you should stop immediately and either do a different exercise or consult your chiropractor or therapist first. By combining rehabilitative exercises with proper chiropractic treatment and physical therapy, you maximize your chances of recovering from whatever is causing you hip pain.

TMJ Treatment Options The Natural Way


TMJ treatment options come in numerous shapes and sizes. All too often, however, these TMJ treatments arrive in the form of expensive visits to the doctor and medications containing harmful side effects. Fear not, for there are many home remedies that will help you to conquer the TMJ disorder that's been plaguing you for years.

Once you begin performing the home remedies we are about to set forth, there's a good chance you'll be surprised at how much relief you're attaining. Let's get started with these TMJ treatment options so you can start feeling better today:


  • We all know how important a healthy diet is to our overall health. Did you know that altering your diet can also help your TMJ disorder though? Here are a few items you'll want to add to your diet each week: trail mix, artichokes, pumpkin seeds, kidney beans, and brown rice.

  • Breathing, neck, body, and additional exercises are quick and simple TMJ treatment options you can do from home. Breathing exercises and especially helpful and easy to do. Try to find 5 minutes each day - perhaps a few times per day if you can - to fully relax your body, breathe in deeply from your stomach, and exhale slowly. This pattern of breathing is an effective tool that is also used during yoga, meditation, and sometimes just during a stressful work daywhen you're trying to relax.

  • Perhaps the most important physical exercise you can do is jaw exercises. This is a TMJ treatment option you can do from home, at work, and even on vacation. These easy to do but effective exercises include strengthening, massaging, and stretching the jaw.

  • Many of you may grind your teeth at night while you're sleeping. Instead of waking up in the morning in pain - and popping expensive pain medications that contain harmful side effects - try using a mouth guard. While these dental splints will help relieve your pain, it's important to note that the relief is only temporary. You'll want to combine mouth guard use with the tips above.

Alternative Medicine Techniques For The Modern World


The Western world is generally perceived to be the bringer of modernity, and oftentimes, their particular standard when it comes to certain areas of life, such as medicine for example, is deemed to be the ultimate and absolute measurement for modern living.

In the field of medicine, for example, it has been traditionally perceived that mainstream medical treatments are the only acceptable means for treating patients with several diseases. Lately however, with the growing acceptance of alternative medicine techniques that employ unconventional treatment methods, but are nonetheless proven to have healing capabilities, the Western standard is slowly opening up to these newer treatment techniques.

Alternative medicine techniques refer to certain treatment approaches that deal with an illness from another medicinal approach. For example, these techniques might originate from indigenous and traditional practices and utilize unconventional treatment tools, and have only been recently discovered by modern scientists. Moreover, in the United States, several collected pieces of evidence have proven that these medicine types are effective for several conditions such as neck and back pain, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and many more.

Here are some popular examples of these techniques:

The first one is Acupuncture. This alternative technique has long been practiced in China. As a matter of fact, it's already been in use for 2,500 years for treating several diseases and conditions, such as back pain, bone or joint injury, allergies, gout, and even severe headache. This technique is executed by inserting one or more needles in specific areas of the body and in different depths, and are left there for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Many people have since testified that acupuncture is effective and has treated them either incrementally or fully - and the explanation for this is that the needles are inserted in specific areas that coincide with the body's line of energy.

Another alternative technique is the Craniosacral therapy. This was introduced in the 1970s by John Upledger, and is done by exerting mild pressure in certain key areas of the cranial bones, specifically near the skull's sutures. Moreover, this can also be done on the whole body, but the exerted pressure should specifically be mild. With these strategic applications of pressure, CST generally corrects the body's dysfunctions and imbalances that may be contributing factors to painful conditions. Some of the diseases that CST specifically targets include back and neck pain, TMJ dysfunction, orthopedic problems, central nervous system disorders, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Medical massage therapy is, of course, another popular alternative treatment option, and is widely perceived to be one of the more well known alternative medicine techniques. Medical massages are widely offered in hospitals because of their inherent capability to relieve certain painful ailments and medical conditions.

Moreover, since 2004, these add-on services have been offered 30% more to hospital patients because of their established alleviation for not just pain management, but even for anxiety and depression. The major conditions that medical massage therapy targets are stress relief, relief for patients with cancer, and of course pain management. The more popular massages include the Thai massage, Swedish massage, hot stone massage, deep tissue massage, and Marma therapy massage.

SuperFeet Green Insoles Will Make Hiking a Breeze


Problems in your ankles, knees, hip or back may be related to your feet. The health of your feet has a dramatic impact on the health of your body. Many people do not realize that instability in the foot can lead to painful skeletal alignment issues. Feet that are not properly aligned cause the ankles to try and compensate for the misalignment which, in turn, leads to knees trying to compensate for the now improperly aligned ankles, next the hip and back all become misaligned as they all try to compensate for the other misaligned joints.

Because the feet are the foundation of the entire skeletal system, even a slight misalignment can allow the arch to collapse and cause foot pain to spread to the knees, hips, back shoulders and neck. Strained muscles, spinal distortion and poor posture can follow. Without a firm foundation to hold your body's infrastructure in place, the sensation of comfort is only temporary.

IMPROPER ALIGNMENT CAN CAUSE:

• Foot and ankle pain

• Knee stress

• Hip joint stress

• Lower back strain

• Spinal distortion

• Neck strain

While cheap generic cushioned insoles that are made with gel or soft foam that may seem comfortable at first, the lack of firm support will soon become apparent as they fail to adequately support your feet. Non-supportive and gel-based insoles do not effectively align the body, and can increase fatigue and foot pain. Firm support under the foot helps improve the way your shoes fit your feet.

Everybody's feet are different, but everyone can benefit from the support and comfort provided by Superfeet Premium Insoles. Designed using the proven principles of Podiatric medicine, these high quality Insoles provide maximum support and shock absorption and feature Agion簧 antimicrobial top cover treatment to reduce bacteria and help prevent foot odor. All Superfeet Premium Insoles have a patented Encapsulating Stabilizer System簧 [ESS簧] to provide ideal bio-mechanical support, allowing your foot to move easily through its full, healthy range of motion, lowering the risk of fatigue and injury.

Superfeet Green Premium Insoles help relieve the pain and discomfort caused by an unsupported foot during everyday activities, sports and work. The Superfeet Green are recommended for footwear used in running/jogging, walking, hiking, alpine skiing and industrial type footwear. They are ideal for feet with medium to high arches.

For active people, Superfeet Green provide that little extra to keep you safe and comfortable. Proper cushioning and support are key to an injury free hiking trip. Whether you are out for the day, or spending a few weeks backpacking mountainous trails, support and cushioning will help prevent injuries like rolled ankles, and lessen joint aching. These Insoles deliver under the most demanding circumstances.

Green means go, and the Superfeet Green Premium Insoles allow you to go all day long with maximum support. Providing the most stability, shock absorption and support, the Green insoles help reduce over-pronation while stabilizing the mid-foot. For detailed information about these and other fine quality Orthotic Arch Support Insoles, visit The Insole Store today!

What Are the Joint Pain Causes?


There are many causes of joint pain, though the majority is from illnesses. Joint discomfort can also be felt from injuries, infections and some allergic reactions to medications. Treatment for joints will depend on the unique cause and situation. You may need to have joint replacement surgery, need to switch medications, or just take immune suppressant's. Most joint pain is destructive and degenerative, so you may need to change your activities or lifestyle to accommodate or find relief for the joint discomfort, depending on the severity.

Joint discomfort can be associated with pain, your nervous system, head symptoms, muscle symptoms, swelling, movement symptoms, skin symptoms, muscle weakness, fever, body temperature, stiffness, and fatigue. Some of these causes are very easy to treat while others cannot actually fix the cause, but allow you to function with the joint problems. Finger joint pain not only causes discomfort, but debilitation in some more serious cases.

Viral infections, the common cold, the flue and other bacterial infections all can cause joint pain. The many types of arthritis cause joint pain, from light pain to very sever and debilitating pain. The list of arthritic causes is extensive. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatism, Reiter's syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, gonococcal arthritis, and inflammatory bowel syndrome are common culprits.

Some other common causes for aching joints are African sleeping sickness, east African trypanosomiasis, optic neuropathy, anterior ischemic, and West African trypanosomiasis. Severe joint pain causes are avascular necrosis, bartonella infections, bertonellosis, haemoglobin S/haemoglobin Lepore, Boston, Hemoglobin S/haemoglobin ), Arab, and Hemoglobin SC. Charcot joint pain, which is the degeneration of a stress bearing joint, such as your knee, is caused by repeated trauma, chronic haemarthrosis, chondrocalcinosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Joint redness, painful joints, joint inflammation, joint swelling and other joint symptoms are all associated with arthritis. Some causes of arthritis are acrodysostosis, Behcet's disease, Blau syndrome, Caplan's disease, Ciproflaxin, Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hypertostosis, Escherichi coli, Farber's disease, Bone fracture, Hemophilia type A, Hepatitis A, Kawasaki disease, Mayaro virus fever, Methimazole, mixed connective tissue disease, Mycoplasma pneumonia, obesity, PAPA syndrome, pituitary tumor, rheumatic fever, rubella, sickle cell disease, Streptococcus suis, raised Urid acid levels, West Nile fever, and Winchester. And that's just naming a few.

Gout related arthritis is a joint condition associated with the accumulation of urate crystals in the joints. It can be caused by familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy, juvenile gout, Kelley-seegmiller syndrome, lesch-nyhan syndrome. Rheumatoid arthritis which causes quite sever joint pain is caused by cartilaginous deafness syndrome, chromosome 22q deletion, chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, felty syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, human adjuvant disease, hyperprolactinemia, large granular lymphocyte leukaemia, systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and X-linked agammaglobulinemia.

It is important to remember that painful joints are a symptom of many different causes. You need to diagnose and recognize, rather than target the symptoms of joint troubles. This will help in determining why you are experiencing the discomfort in joints. Joint problems are commonly found in those 45 years of age and older. Most commonly rest, exercise, massage, stretching and warm baths can effectively treat nonarthritic joint issues. There are also anti-inflammatory medications that can relieve any swelling and inflammation. There is also special physical therapy for muscle and joint rehabilitation. You may need to have fluid removed from your joints to get rid of painful joints.

Without a doubt joint pain plaques millions of individuals. In some cases treatments or medication are effective in treating this problem. In other cases a more aggressive approach may be necessary. Regardless, new developments and technologies are making treatments more and more successful.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Carpometacarpal Joint Pain - A Pain In The Thumb


The thumb, with its unique ability to touch the other fingers, is hardly noticed by us until we have some sort of problem with it. That's when we become aware of its versatility and usefulness. One of the common complaints of the thumb is carpometacarpal joint pain. To put it in layman's terms, it is arthritis of the thumb joint. It causes pain at the base of the thumb when you pinch or grip something. The joint at the base of the thumb allows for it to be swiveled and pivoted and it is called the basal joint, or the carpometacarpal joint. This type of arthritis of the thumb joint, is common with those who are prone to osteoarthritis. This problem can afflict almost anyone; however, the degree of pain and response to treatment varies.

The basal joint, due to its constant usage, is particularly prone to wear. This causes the basal joint to get arthritic, causing pain, swelling and tenderness. In some people it is just a trivial pain and they ignore it. However, in others, the pain is from moderate to severe and would require medical attention and, in extreme cases, even surgery.

If the pain is mild, you can simply apply ice it for about 15 minutes to provide sufficient relief. There are many over the counter non-steroidal anti inflammatory medications available, such as ibuprofen, aspirin etc. However, it is advisable to be cautious, as there may be possible side effects. You could also wear a brace which supports the wrist and thumb. Physiotherapy can also be of help. If none of these help in easing the pain, then it is time to seek medical help.

The doctor, with his expertise, has many more options for treatment of the pain. Once the doctor has confirmed that the problem is actually caused by carpometacarpal joint pain, he may prescribe a stronger medicine. He could prescribe hand therapy or make you wear a custom prescription splint. He may give a cortisone injection to the joint. As a last option he may prescribe reconstructive surgery.

There are many different types of operations for relieving carpometacarpal joint pain. The most common operation involves total reconstruction. This is a three stage process involving different bones of the thumb and wrist, tendons and steel pins etc. Recovery usually takes about three months. The wrist and thumb will have to be kept in splints for about 4 to 6 weeks. Then, exercises have to be done to improve the strength and flexibility, and it is generally done under supervision. It is advisable to go easy on the wrist for a couple of months until it regains its full strength.

The patient's response to treatment is varied. For some, the ice and OTC medication are enough. For others, the cortisone shot does the trick, if not permanently, it lasts for quite some time. Most of those who underwent surgery get relief, but about 20% will develop a new symptom such as numbness, tenderness, no improvement in pinch strength, reduced flexibility of thumb movement, etc.

Carpometacarpal joint pain, can be ignored if it does not decrease the quality of life. For those who cannot ignore it, it is better to seek attention at an early stage. At an advanced stage, treatment and cure can be very difficult, if not impossible and the damage may be irreversible.

Arthritis Pain Relief Through Herbal Treatment


Arthritis is one of the biggest problem that has been faced by million of people worldwide. Arthritis is a general term that literally means pain and inflammation in joints. Though previously it was believed that only old people suffers from arthritis but now it has been seen that people of younger age group are also being affected by this disease. Arthritis is not a disease in itself. There is a general condition in which the joint becomes inflamed and causes great pain. Arthritis can be of many types but commonly three types are frequently seen. These are: -

(a) Rheumatoid arthritis

(b) Osteoarthritis

(c) Gout

(a) Rheumatoid arthritis - it is a kind of arthritis that is more associated autoimmune disorder that occurs due to attack of our immune system on the joints. It is also associated with the deformity in the body. It is commonly seen in people who are in their mid forties.

(b) Osteoarthritis - it is another form of arthritis that occurs due to age related changes. In this condition there is formation of osteophytes in the joints. The cartilaginous structure gets ossified and gets converted in the bone. This bone formation in the bone leads to the hindered movements and causes extremes pain whenever the joint is made to move.

(c) Gout - it is concerned with the formation of uric acid crystals in the joint. Due to any kind of deformity there is decreased in the serum uric acid metabolism thereby leads to the accumulation of uric acid in the joints. It is commonly called as the riches disease as it is more commonly seen in people who are well off.

Causes

· Ageing

· Over use of joints

· Hereditary factors

· Wrong feeding habits

· Infections

· Metabolic disorder

Symptoms

· Pain in joints

· Swellings in joints

· Restricted movements

· Redness over joint

· Deformity of the joint

· Cracking sound on movements.

Treatment

Though the anatomical changes are very difficult to be reversed but their have been certain ayurvedic preparations that are extremely helpful in suppressing pain and prevent any further damage to the joint. Belo are few ayurvedic herbs that are very effective in curbing arthritis.

· Ashwagandha (withinia somnifera) - it is one of the best herb that has the potential to suppress pain and inflammation. It has certain properties that are very helpful in reducing the vata dosha in the body that is solely responsible for causing all pains and inflammation in the body. Ashwagandha is a medium sized plant that is easily found in areas having warmer climatic conditions. The roots of Ashwagandha are the plant parts that are being used to make medicines. Generally Ashwagandha is taken in as powder form but it is now available in capsules and syrup forms also.

· Guggul (commiphora mukul) - Guggul is one of the most prestigious herbs that has been very popular among ayurvedic physicians. Guggul is vata suppressant and hence is widely used to treat vata related disorders. Guggul not only reduces pain in the body but is also responsible in suppressing any kind of inflammation and edema that occurs in the body. Various preparations like mahayogaraja Guggul, laxadi Guggul, rasnadi Guggul and gokshuradi Guggul that are being widely used to curb any kind of pain in the body.

· Rasna (pluchea lanceolata) - Rasna is an excellent analgesic and has excellent results in suppressing pain in the body. It is a small plant that can be used in preparing various forms of preparations. It is used as powder, decoction and oils. It has the potential to reduce the vata dosha in the body and is very successful in curbing its effect.

· Arthcare oil - arthcare oil is one of the prestigious ayurvedic preparations that have been found extremely helpful in treating various pain disorders like arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders, backache, joint pains, wounds etc. It has been empowered with the wonders of certain ayurvedic herbs like errand (ricinus communis), Rasna (pluchea lanceolata), devdaru (cedrus deodara), shuddha Guggul (commiphora mukul), rasone (garlic), marich (black pepper), nirgundi (vitex negundo), ajwain (trachyspermum) and til tail (seasum). These all herbs are famous for their activities in suppressing and curbing any kind of pain and inflammation that might occur in the body. The oil is gently massaged on the affected part and then hot fomentation is done. This is the simple procedure that is all you have to do to get relief from the pain and arthritis.

Joint Relief For Hands, Knees, and Elbows


You rely on joint function every day of your life. From elbow to knee your joints are one of the most important players in your body's mobility. Any type of pain or stiffness can affect your entire mood and mobility. Joint troubles from diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are considered chronic pains. These chronic diseases can cause stiffness, swelling, and pain in the hands, knees, and elbows. They can upset virtually any bone joint-even wrists, shoulders, feet, and ankles. Finding ultimate relief for these pains is the constant goal of nutritionists. Relief supplements can help reduce pain and swelling and increase range and mobility. They work to slow down the cartilage breakdown process and restore the cartilage and connective tissue that you still have.

Your hand has many different joints in it that work together to give your hand function. If you have RA (rheumatoid arthritis) you will notice the same pains in the same spots of either of your hands. For example, if one knuckle is having trouble on your left hand, you will feel the same on your right.

Your knees feel the entire weight of your body on a daily basis. They have a lot of pressure put on them and therefore go through a lot of wear and tear over the years. Buckling knees, painful knees, hot or swollen knees are all symptoms of unhealthy joints.

Poor elbow joints can keep you from being able to lift objects and carry them. You may feel discomfort when you are resting and at night time. You may not be able to fully extend your arm, it may feel heated or swollen around your joint, and you may not be able to flex your muscles.

Supplements can help improve the condition of your hands, knees, and elbows. One supplement should have the extracts in its formula to improve all of your joints. They can help produce or add the substances you need to support healthy cartilage and protective tissues. Products like chondroitin sulfate are backed by The Arthritis Foundation and can give serious relief to those suffering from an arthritis disease.

You can also find relief from exercising. Exercising can improve your flexibility and muscle mass. Exercise is especially important if it is your knees that are bothering you. Keeping your weight down can relieve a lot of pressure from your knees and cut down on wear and tear.

Curing Rheumatoid Arthritis - Simple Ways That Work


RA is one of the most common types of arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of the joint characterized by joint pains and stiffness which get more severe as one gets older.

There are several ways in which to treat arthritis ranging from natural healing techniques to use of biological drugs. Both have shown relative success in treating the symptoms of arthritis.

Nonetheless, it is important for one to understand the habits that influence inflammatory processes that result in arthritis.

It is one of the autoimmune diseases that can occur at any age and is very challenging for the human body system to naturally handle.

The symptoms can sometimes be very debilitating and it important to talk to a qualified medical professional before starting a new treatment plan.

Natural Cures for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs primarily as a result of antibodies within the body attacking the body itself. It is not a simple disease and even when you choose to work with the natural methods it is still important to consult with a specialist on what you need to do.

Combination of hot and cold presses to reduce pain in muscle joint is one of the natural methods that can be used to cure rheumatoid arthritis. Most people with arthritis suffer swallow and pain in muscle joints.

To reduce the pain one can use a combination of cold and hot compresses for about 15 minutes each. Use ice cold water for 15 minutes then hot water for another 15 minutes and the pain will be reduced.

Acupuncture, Exercise and Diet plan

Acupuncture is a great natural choice in curing rheumatoid arthritis. This traditional Chinese method helps in boosting the immune system; with an excellent immune system the body gets the power to fight off the disease.

Doing proper exercises and having a good diet can also help reduce pain associated with RA. It is recommended that you consult your physician on what kind exercises and diet plan can help in improving the condition.

Drugs Used to Cure Rheumatoid Arthritis

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also known as NSAIDs are used in arthritis treatment strictly for pain relief and to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids are also used to manage short term flare ups in reducing pain and inflammation.

They also help prevent joint damage. It is a rapid relief drug which is usually given to NSAID patients when NSAID is ineffective.

It is also one of the most effective treatments that were originally designed for illnesses such as cancer, though used in much less amounts to cure arthritis.

Biologics are the emerging new rheumatoid treatment. They are used when all medication cannot deliver relief. It is developed from human gene protein and works by inhibiting immune response to inflammation.

Focus on Body Immunity

In curing rheumatoid arthritis, there is one most important thing to focus on; building body immunity.

If the body immunity is weak then it becomes almost impossible to cure rheumatoid arthritis. It is advisable to build body immunity even as you try other treatments.

About Some Basic TMJ Treatments


TMJ is the abbreviation of temporomandibular joint. It is the area which is in front of the ear where the upper jaw and lower jaw meets. In these temporomandibular joints, there are tissues which allow the upper jaw to rest on the lower jaw and all the movement of jaws is administered by a sliding disc of joints. These joints are one of the most frequently moving joints like they are used for eating, chewing, talking and yawning. These TMJ are quite complex in nature as they are made up of tendons, bones and muscles. When these muscles relax, we can talk easily and these jaws can move comfortably for chewing and yawning without ache.

When you place your fingers on the triangular structure in front of the ear, you open up the jaws and firmly press the fingers in the inner side. This movement is caused by temporomandibular joints.

Temporomandibular joint disorder means that your muscles and joints of the jaws start working together. This condition is called costen's syndrome or myofascial pain dysfunction. It can lead to ear pain, headache, stiffness, bite problems, locked jaws and clicking sounds. One of the reactions of this TMJ joint disorder is teeth grinding. One cannot feel this situation sometimes that he/she is clenching teeth during sleep. Your partner or your doctor can tell you about it by observing the signs of wear and tear on the teeth.

Some of the other temporomandibular joints disorder effects include nail biting, gum chewing, dental problems, chewing from one side of the mouth and jaw, misalignment of the teeth, fractures in the jaw, trauma, stress can make you clench your teeth and holding the phone in inappropriate way like between head and shoulder can also lead to temporomandibular joints disorder. Some of the symptoms of TMJ disorder are headache, excess use of jaw muscles, ear pain, grinding, popping and crunching sounds, dizziness, laziness, muffled clog, ear pain, fullness and ringing in the ear.

When you get to know that you are having this TMJ disorder, you need to start the treatment immediately. Some of the TMJ treatment include eating soft diet and anti inflammatory medications. Some of the serious treatments for temporomandibular joints disorder are discussed here. First of all, you need to know the times when you grind your teeth like if you are under stress. At such times, you should give rest to your jaws.

The next treatment is heat and ice therapy. This therapy reduces muscles tensions. Physical therapy is used for treating the joints disorder. In this therapy, jaw massage decreases pain and improve motion of the joints. The usage of medications is also healthy, like steroids help to control inflammation. The important therapy is stress management. This can be dealt by support, counseling, and medications to the patient.

Another method for reducing teeth grinding includes occlusal therapy, which is an appliance attached to the teeth of the patient and it can help to reduce the clenching of teeth. Corrective dental therapy is a beneficial therapy which reduces abnormal bites. In this therapy, crowns and bridges are adjusted promptly so that patient can bite properly. And last but not the least, TMJ treatment is surgery. It is practiced when the patient does not react to any of the medical therapy and medication. In this surgery, joint restricting, ligament tightening and replacement of joint is carried out and it is followed when the patient is having very severe joint injury. Moreover, you can learn jaw relaxation exercises and avoid resting your chin on your hand as it disturbs the position of the jaws.

Arthritis Pain Management


What is the impact of the pain in your life? How paralyzing is the pain and how does it keep you from living a better life? First it is important to know what type of condition or arthritis you have. Then you can make a plan to control it and more importantly to understand it. The pain is your body's alarm system telling you that something is wrong.

Pain is a call to action. For example if you cut yourself, the nerves in that area will release a signal telling your brain that something is wrong. There are many types of pain just as there are many types of Arthritis and it may vary from day to day.

You will probably try many different types of Pain Relief (Joint ease plus) before you find the one that works properly and makes you feel better. These treatments can be various Natural Products or types of therapy that will help you to feel better and moderate or eliminate your pain.

Consistent pain like that which accompanies arthritis and fibromyalgia is sometimes more difficult to manage, because of the continuous nagging feelings and the thoughts that go with those feelings. This can keep you locked into a condition for a very long time that may not be necessary. Your thoughts and emotions can affect your energy level, your attitude and the way people around you react to your condition.

Your pain travels through a system of nerves in your brain and spinal cord. At various times your body tries to stop these signals by creating "chemicals" that help block pain signals. These chemicals, called endorphins, are morphine-like painkilling substances that decrease the pain sensation. The times this happens can greatly depend on your thoughts. When your concern is greater over something outside of yourself (such as a family emergency,) your awareness of your own pain can diminish. Learning to Focus (brain tonic for focus) and take control of our thoughts is a difficult task. Scientists have proven that we can

There are many forms of Arthritis, such as gout, rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Anyone who lives with, or knows someone who has this debilitating disease knows how painful and life-affecting it can be. They also know how costly it can be to "manage" arthritis with expensive medications, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), some of which result in terrible side-effects, have known dangerous health risks, such as increased risk for heart attack and stroke, and which decrease in effectiveness over time, if they were even effective to begin with.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Benefits of Exercise During and After Breast Cancer Surgery and Treatment


In 1996, the first Surgeon General's report on physical activity and health was published, including the currently accepted public health recommendations for physical activity for general health, 20 minutes of moderate intensity activity - such as brisk walking - on most days of the week. This recommendation has been adopted by the American Cancer Society and is included in the current recommendations from the American Cancer Society in preventing cancer. Exercise has many proven health benefits for both preventing disease and promoting health and well being. There is substantial evidence that suggests that increasing physical activity, including structured exercise programs, is associated with lower rates of certain cancers. In particular, there is evidence that high levels of physical activity can work to prevent colon cancer. Cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, and uterus have also been linked to exercise-related prevention. In a large scale study of 17, 148 Harvard alumni, men who burned as few as 500 calories a week in exercise - the equivalent of an hour's worth of brisk walking or less than ten minutes of waking a day - had death rates 15-20 percent lower than men who were almost completely sedentary. Men who burned 2,000 calories a week (about four hours of brisk walking per week) had about 35 percent lower cancer mortality. The researchers concluded that the more exercise you get, the lower your risk of premature death from cancer or heart disease. The Harvard study also found that the risk of colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S., was dramatically reduced by exercise. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men today. In the Harvard study, alumni who expended greater than 4,000 calories per week (equivalent to about eight hours of brisk walking) were at a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer compared to their inactive counterparts. For women, a history of moderate, recreational exercise is associated with reduced risk of breast, uterine, cervical, and ovarian cancers, although not all studies have shown this effect. Findings from a 1993 study suggest that women engaged in moderate to high levels of physical activity may have a reduced risk of endometrial cancer. Currently, scientists are studying the biological impact that exercise has on the risk of cancer.

Some of the methods that are being studied include:

• Maintenance of a healthy body weight and overall amounts of body fat.
• Maintenance of low levels of fat in and around the abdomen.
• Maintenance of the biological system that regulates blood sugar levels.
• Control of some tumor growth factors.
• Suppression of 'prostaglandins' (hormone-like substances that are released in greater quantities by tumor cells).
• Improved immune function, including increased levels of Natural Killer cells.
• Reduced symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety and depression (which may improve immune function and overall physiologic functioning).
• Increased levels of free radical scavengers to assist the body in preventing DNA damage

It is not clear exactly how high amounts of physical activity work to prevent cancer. We know that exercise can help prevent obesity, which is related to some types of cancers. It can also change the body's hormone levels, which might also have a favorable effect. Exercise, by speeding up metabolism, is generally believed to speed up the passage of ingested foods through the colon - thus reducing the amount of time the colon mucosal lining is in contact with possible carcinogens. Additionally, those who engage in a high level of physical activity are much less likely to smoke cigarettes, the single largest contributor to cancer.

Benefits of exercise during treatment

Starting or maintaining an exercise program after cancer diagnosis results in patients who are stronger both mentally and physically, concludes a statistical analysis of 24 studies. Kerry Courneya of the University of Alberta, Canada led the research, which is published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Courneya says "Cancer diagnosis and its' treatments are often associated with negative side effects that diminish the quality of life. Overall, studies have consistently demonstrated that physical exercise following cancer diagnosis has a positive effect on the quality of life." The various studies mention increased stamina, increased functional capacity, strength, self-esteem, improved treatment tolerance, and satisfaction with life, and decreased pain. Psychological changes, including a decrease in total mood disturbances, decrease in depression, and fewer problems sleeping were noted between the exercise and non-exercise groups. It has also been noted that increased physical activity has been associated with less fatigue during and after chemotherapy and radiation. The specific exercise "dose" (frequency, intensity, and duration of sessions) needed to improve physical and psychological functioning in cancer patients probably differs according to specific treatment, cancer type, and individual response to treatment. Some forms of cancer treatment, particularly those that are used to treat childhood cancers, have been found to have long-term negative effects on the heart and lungs. This makes it even more important to exercise regularly, but it may important to do so under medical supervision. Fatigue is the number one side effect of cancer treatment affecting 76% of patients undergoing treatment. Cancer fatigue is not like everyday fatigue that one experiences due to lack of sleep, stress, overextending oneself etc.... This type of fatigue is not usually relieved by rest and can have a negative effect on one's quality of life. There are many things that may lead to fatigue, but one thing is certain; exercise reduces fatigue. Research has demonstrated that beginning or maintaining an exercise program during cancer treatment can have a positive effect on combating fatigue.

Benefits of exercise during recovery from surgery

After cancer surgery exercise plays an invaluable role in helping one return to the strength and fitness level that was maintained prior to surgery. In many cases, due to lack of physical activity prior to surgery, patients are able to reach new heights in strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular conditioning. There are certain postural implications that often arise after mastectomy and lymph node dissection that are often compounded by reconstruction and radiation. After years of working with cancer survivors, we declare with certainty, that most of these issues can be dramatically improved upon if not entirely corrected, through the proper combination of stretching and strengthening. Anytime there is an amputation, it will ultimately result in some type of muscle imbalance. These issues will not correct themselves. Unfortunately, even patients who undergo physical therapy are released long before they are fully recovered, leaving the patient to go it alone in determining how to resume normal activities. In addition, when patients receive radiation to a particular area, there is bound to be some tightness, perhaps even scar tissue, where they received treatment. This can cause tightening in that area, and depending on where it is, can also contribute to many postural deviations. These postural imbalances are notable in most people due to everyday circumstances i.e.; working at a computer all day, holding a phone between your ear and your shoulder, sitting at a desk all day, holding a baby on one hip etc... Not only are they compounded by the surgery and radiation, but they can create a chain reaction, leading to neck, back, hip, knee, and even ankle pain. A thorough postural assessment can determine what areas need to be stretched to relieve tightness and spasm and which need to be strengthened to create a counter balance. Let's not forget about the many benefits of cardiovascular conditioning. Many of you may still be suffering from fatigue long after your treatment has ended. Cardiovascular training, biking, walking, running, etc., will produce endorphins that will give them much needed energy. Unfortunately chemotherapy and radiation can have a detrimental effect on the heart and lungs. The good news is that both can be strengthened through a regular cardiovascular exercise program. Swimming can provide an excellent source of relief for tight muscles without putting excessive strain on them. The buoyancy of the water allows for a wonderful workout that allows you to focus on range of motion for your arms and shoulders. This is highly recommended for breast cancer patients, particularly those who have undergone an axillary node dissection. Swimming should not be limited only to breast cancer patients, however, for it has benefits for everyone. Those clients suffering from arthritis will want to make sure the water is at least eighty-four degrees

Strength Training

Strength training is a very important component of an exercise program, however, without a proper assessment, it can create more problems than it can prevent. Proper attention must be paid to not only your goals, but your bodies' needs. This can be accomplished by conducting a postural evaluation to look for muscle imbalances that may lead to degeneration of the joints over time. It is critical to determine which muscles are shortened, or overly tight, so that proper attention can be paid to stretching those muscles first. This will help you to regain normal range of motion and functioning. If you begin strength training before addressing the muscular imbalance, it can lead to a greater imbalance and degeneration. Done properly however, strength training can lead to an increase in lean muscle mass which will not only give a desirable physical appearance, it can help to prevent obesity and osteoporosis. Obesity is the fastest growing health problem in the United States. Obesity is not only associated with other diseases, it has a huge emotional impact as well. There is distinct connection between obesity and Type II diabetes. This is of particular concern when dealing with cancer patients. Following chemotherapy and certain hormonal therapies, many cancer patients find themselves gaining weight. Many were over their ideal weight to begin with are now struggling with a serious weight problem in addition to their cancer diagnosis. Obesity is not only connected to Type II diabetes, it is also thought to be associated with certain types of cancer, yet another compelling reason to start exercising, eating right, and losing weight.

For those of you who have undergone a lymph node dissection, or radiation to the lymph nodes and vessels, you are now at risk for lymphedema. Lymphedema is the swelling of an area do to damage to, radiation, or removal of lymph nodes and vessels. It is usually a permanent and irreversible condition that is both painful and disfiguring. Having an excess amount of body fat can actually increase your risk for lymphedema because the fatty tissue retains fluid. Both men and women who are undergoing hormonal therapy are at risk for osteoporosis. This risk is magnified if you have also undergone chemotherapy. In addition to osteoporosis, men may also experience a loss in lean muscle tissue over time. The good news is that strength training can help to reduce body fat by increasing lean muscle mass, increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis, and prevent and/or manage Type II diabetes.

In summary, the benefits of strength training:
• Increase lean muscle mass; better physical appearance, higher metabolism, less body fat
• Reduces the risk of Type II diabetes and lymphedema by reducing the amount of body fat
• Reduces the risk of osteoporosis by increasing bone mass

Aerobic (cardiorespiratory) training

Aerobic training is exercise that places a stress on the cardiorespiratory system. Any form of activity can be used; walking, biking, basketball, strength training, etc. All forms of exercise must utilize the cardiorespiratory system to either sustain and recuperate from the activity. Many people who have undergone chemotherapy and radiation may have damage and scarring of the heart and/or lungs. Aerobic exercise can help to strengthen the heart and lungs, minimizing the amount of damage they will sustain. As with strength training, aerobic exercise helps one to maintain their ideal body weight thereby reducing the risk for diabetes, future cancers associated with obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and lymphedema. It is critical to perform a warm-up to prepare the body for physical activity. There are two types of warm-ups; general and specific. A general warm-up consists of movements that are not specific to the activity to be performed. A specific warm-up more closely imitates movements form the actual activity. NASM suggests that the cardiorespiratory portion of a warm-up should be five to ten minutes long at a low-to-moderate intensity. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being bed rest and 10 being all out exertion, aim for a five! If you don't have an exercise machine, climb stairs, march in place, walk around the block, shoot some hoops, etc. If you would like to continue to do your aerobic exercise beyond five to ten minutes, go ahead and increase the intensity. Try pushing yourself to a 6 OR 7 on that scale of 1-10. Remember that this is general advice. If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, have had a stroke, or any other special consideration, please consult your doctor for specific recommendations. Additionally, if you have had lymph nodes removed or had radiation to lymph nodes or lymphatic vessels, you must not allow yourself to overheat. Overheating will increase your circulation and can lead to the onset of lymphedema. If you already have lymphedema, the same rule applies because it can worsen your condition. If you have not been exercising regularly, begin with 10-20 minutes of aerobic activity three times a week. Gradually increase the time (duration) and number of workouts (frequency) to meet your goals.
Once you have completed your warm-up, it will be time to stretch. Specific stretches will be outlined for each type of cancer and particular surgeries.

In summary, the benefits of aerobic training:

• Increase lean muscle mass; better physical appearance, higher metabolism, less body fat
• Reduces the risk of Type II diabetes and lymphedema by reducing the amount of body fat
• Reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol

Flexibility Training

Flexibility is overlooked by most of us. Lack of flexibility may lead to long-term joint degeneration, overuse injuries, and muscle imbalances. By definition, flexibility is the extensibility (ability to lengthen) of all soft tissues that allow a joint to move within it's full range of motion. Your muscular, skeletal, and nervous system make up your kinetic chain. Your kinetic chain must be aligned properly to prevent patterns of joint dysfunction. When things are not properly aligned, it is known as postural distortion. Postural distortion leads to decreased neuromuscular efficiency and tissue overload. In laymans' terms, injury! Your primary goal needs to be to maintain homeostasis of your kinetic chain. Imagine a chain link fence. Your dog skurries his way underneath the fence for years. You think nothing of it. Gradually the fence becomes distorted; some of the links are squashed together, the metal is buckling, there is a big gap in the bottom, it's structural integrity is weakened. Now imagine the same thing happening to your spine. It may not be noticeable now, but over the course of time it, too, will deteriorate and weaken. Muscle imbalances may be caused by cause a variety of external and internal influences; poor posture, emotional stress, repetitive movements (tennis, golf, bowling, etc.), cumulative trauma, poor training technique and form, lack of core (abdominals and low back) strength, and lack of neuromuscular control. Following surgery and radiation, there is usually a foreseeable amount of scar tissue and, in some cases, adhesions that can bind the joint and inhibit movement. This would fall under the trauma category. Under each type of cancer and their respective surgeries, I will address particular postural and kinetic chain concerns and how to correct them. If these issues are not corrected, you will find yourself stuck in a cumulative injury cycle. When there is a dysfunction in the connective tissues of the kinetic chain, the body views it as an injury. As a result, the body will initiate the repair process.

Remember that although beneficial in many ways, strength training creates trauma to the tissue which will then lead to inflammation. The bodies' protective mechanism will increase muscle tension and cause a muscle spasm. As a result of the spasm, adhesions (knots) begin to form in the soft tissue. The adhesions make the normally elastic soft tissue unable to stretch. The end result is muscle imbalance and altered joint motion. If this is not corrected, the adhesions can begin to form permanent structural changes in the soft tissue.

In summary, benefits of flexibility training:

• Increase range of motion in joint movements
• Injury prevention
• May help to prevent arthritis and other degenerative joint disorders
• Eliminates neck, shoulder, back, hip, knee, ankle, and other associated pains

Functional Fitness Training

Functional fitness is the ability to perform one's activities of daily living free of pain and with a relative degree of ease. Most of us take this one for granted, at least until it's gone! Every day we awake from bed, use the bathroom, take a shower (wash your hair and body), brush your teeth, blow dry your hair, put on your underwear, put on your clothes, put on and tie your shoes, etc. Did it ever occur to you that if you had an injury, or a muscle imbalance, it could become relatively impossible to perform one of these otherwise mundane tasks? Well, it's true! In a perfect world we would sit up straight in our chairs, walk with our shoulders back, not carry a heavy briefcase or bag on one shoulder, bend our knees when we bend to pick something up, and so on and so on. Unfortunately, because we live in a less-than-perfect world, most of us have not practiced these methods of self preservation and are now experiencing the aftermath of our poor decisions; pain. You may have been suffering with chronic neck and back pain for years, or you may be new to this game and just beginning to get aches and pains. In either case, flexibility training is the answer for you. Believe it or not, most of these nagging aches and pains are reversible with proper corrective training. Corrective training is a balance of strength training and flexibility training that is customized to meet your particular needs. Following your personal assessment, you will be able to identify the areas that need stretching as well as those that need strengthening. There are several different types of stretching; self-myofacial release, static stretching, and dynamic stretches. Each of these methods is described below.

Self-myofacial release: Using a foam roller, you apply gentle pressure to an adhesion or "knot" for 20-30 seconds. The force that is applied stimulates a relaxation response. This technique is recommended prior to static stretching, as well as during the cool down.

Static stretching: This is the most popular form of stretching. In this method, you passively take a muscle to the point of tension and hold it there for 15-30 seconds. This will stimulate a relaxation response. This method should be used following self-myofacial release and as part of a cool down.

Dynamic stretching: Dynamic stretching uses the force produced by a muscle, along with the body's momentum, to take a joint to the full available range of motion. Rather than hold a stretch for 15-30 seconds, one can perform a set of ten repetitions of dynamic stretches. This is a more advanced method of stretching that can also be used as a warm-up prior to activity. It is recommended that you have good levels of flexibility, core stability, and balance capabilities prior to engaging in a dynamic stretching program

Tart Cherry Juice: A Natural Alternative Joint Pain Reliever


If you've ever suffered from joint pain, you know it can drive you up the wall and to top it off, over the counter pain relievers only provide temporary relief at best. Eventually you'll find yourself at the doctor's office which can be costly and as a double penalty, stronger medications can come with a bevy of unwanted side effects. Thankfully, there are numerous herbal and natural remedies that offer the same relief without the side effects. One of these is the tart cherry juice which is packed with antioxidants known as anthocyanins which are responsible for the red coloring and act as a pain reliever.

Recent studies have shown that tart cherries reduce a person's sensitivity to pain, the highest dosage can have the same effect as two over the counter pills. In 2009, scientists conducted a study on the impact of tart cherry juice on the pain experienced by several athletes. They provided the participants with 10.5 ounces of the and made them drink it twice a day for about a week, increasing the frequency to every eight hours on the day of the tournament. After the race, the participants felt less pain and the recovery of their muscles was faster than if they hadn't taken the juice. NSAIDs when taken relieve soreness, but have many side effects been being associated with that type of drug. On the other hand, the juice from the these cherries doesn't cause any negative side effects.

Gout can cause an incredible amount of pain. Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid in the joints. In a research study, a group of women were asked to eat cherries within five hours of exercising. Women reported having less muscle pain, weakness, or fatigue compaired to normal. After drinking concentrated juice, their pain was greatly reduced. Recent studies show that tart cherries have a high percentage of antrocyanins and a low index of glycemic acid, making tart cherries the best type of cherry for this treatment. Tart cherries also contain a lot of melatonin, which helps improve the sleep cyle.

Concentrated versions of the juice have healing properties that are effective in treating arthritis and gout. Around 8-16 ounces of cherry juice will help reduce symptoms significantly if taken daily. Likewise, the juice of tart cherry juice can help treat insomnia by increasing melatonin and regulating your sleep pattern. Many cherry juice drinkers state that after drinking cherry juice for even a few days they were able to sleep soundly through the night.

While medications such as sleep aids and pain killers are readily available through a pharmacy, they are expensive and carry many side effects. Cherry juice on the other hand is natural and safe. There are no side effects because it isn't a chemical and tart cherry juice also carries many other amazing health benefits.

Three Techniques to Get Rid of Bruxism And TMJ


People who don't suffer from a condition called bruxism have no inkling as to the possible damage that it can bring, particularly to the teeth. Bruxism, if not treated, could result to cracked teeth because of the constant grinding and gnashing of the teeth during sleep.

If you have this condition, you must find a bruxism cure ASAP. You don't want it to worsen and lead to TMJ, which is a painful disorder affecting the mouth and jaws. There are several was to address the problem, and some of the most widely used methods are discussed below.

Technique #1

Often, dentists and other medical practitioners would recommend the use of mouth guards as bruxism remedy. You simply put this in your mouth before you sleep in order to prevent the teeth from coming in contact with each other at night. This may be a good bruxism remedy but the thing is that a mouth guard is not a cure. One other reason that many people would seek for other options is that mouth guards can be very expensive too and not everyone can afford it, especially if bought from a dental clinic.

Technique #2

A more effective way to get rid of bruxism and TMJ is the use of a breathing technique. You are probably well aware that human beings breathe through the nose, right? Well, for TMJ cure, you should try breathing through the mouth. This can be a little difficult at the onset but you'll get used to it. And besides, you can always make use of nose plugs at night just to be sure you are doing it right. This breathing technique has worked for hundreds of people and they consider this a very effective TMJ cure.

Technique #3

Lastly, you can also try another method, which has something to do with the taste buds. The concept of this technique is that if we taste something strong, bitter, or hot, we often react negatively to it. This same concept will work to prevent the habit of grinding and clenching the teeth. You can put garlic powder, Tabasco sauce, or even salt on your dentures just before you sleep. In time, you will notice that not only have you discovered a good TMJ remedy because it stops the pain you feel in your jaws, but you have also found a very good TMJ cure.

You can make use of any of the 3 options mentioned above to treat bruxism and TMJ. But if you want to be able to completely get rid of this painful condition, I would recommend the use of techniques 2 and 3.

Premature Aging Red Flags


For centuries, human beings have searched for the fountain of youth; that wellspring that provides a way to remain young forever. Well, we are still searching. While the science of remaining young has been debated, researched, bottled up and sold in anti aging products, there are many environmental, genetic and biological factors that still make it hard to accurately gauge how fast (or slow) individuals will age.

Your body is incredible when it comes to our health and well-being. If you treat your body right and pay attention to it, your body will not hesitate to tell you when it feels good or bad. There are actually seven signs that an observant person cannot miss that will aid in the anti aging process. There is research to suggest that the length of a person's fingers might determine future joint deterioration. Osteoarthritis is a painful degenerative disease that gets worse as we age. Estrogen and progesterone can biologically influence a person's risk for this disease. In conjunction with osteoarthritis, and some times the cause of, is pain behind the knee. Identifying the source of this pain is somewhat complex, given the anatomy of the knee. Nevertheless, marked pain in this area is a sign for concern.

Belly fat puts both men and women at risk for developing medical conditions such as Type 2 diabetes that can speed up the aging process. Also, the risk of having dementia is 3.6 times higher for people with an expanded waistline. So, regular exercise and eating a balanced diet are perfect anti aging actions that individuals can take. You will look good and feel great. Exercising may also improve your balance. Vision, inner ear balance, muscles, bones and joints all play a huge part in preventing falls.

Tooth loss and dentures are easily associated with aging. However, not many people think about dry mouth as another indicator. The lack of saliva production is a prime symptom for many diseases such as thyroid, Parkinson's, and Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that can affect the salivary glands. Another unexpected sign is an ear lobe crease that is a possible indication of heart disease.

The human body has its own way of giving signs early on that may help to determine future issues. The key is to be in tune with your body well enough, and to know what you can do to slow the aging process.