TMJ Diet and Exercise Treatments

There are a variety of TMJ treatments available to help relieve pain in the temporomandibular joint, but some people prefer to focus on a lifestyle change and natural treatments instead of invasive dental procedures.

The two main lifestyle changes that can be made for TMJ treatment are: diet and TMJ exercises. A diet for TMJ is not a widespread practice, there are not many doctors that focus TMJ treatment around the patients diet. But, there are a few things that can be done with the food that you are eating to help relieve TMJ pain.

The first thing to look at with your diet is the consistency of foods that you are eating on a regular basis. Overworking the jaw can cause additional pain and discomfort, so you should focus on eating softer foods. Avoid chewing gum for long periods of time, and also avoid eating extra chewy or hard items such as hard caramel or other candies that may put stress on the jaw joint.

There are also specific TMJ exercises that can be done to help align the jaw, and also to help relax the muscles around the joint so that they are not tense. These exercises can be done from the comfort of your own home, and it is a good idea to follow a regular (even daily) TMJ exercise plan.

As always, it is a good idea to consult with a doctor about any medical condition you may have. Some cases of TMJ are more serious, and they may require additional medical procedures in order to correct the problem and stop the pain.

Yoga Causes Back Pain

It is a well known fact that Yoga is good for you, that it makes your joints more supple, increases muscle strength and is ideal for back pain sufferers. Or is it?

Many people, myself included, have tried some of the many yoga DVDs and books, hoping for some relief from back pain, only to discover that far from fixing the problem, yoga exacerbates it. Why should this be? Surely something that is purported to be so good for me should not be causing pain? I started to wonder if I was doing something wrong, not following instructions properly, and that somehow it was my fault. but have now discovered that yoga can indeed worsen certain back conditions. This was not the case, however, I was not doing anything wrong, the exercises were unsuitable and should really have come with a health warning.

Many reputable yoga teachers and practitioners of course, do issue a warning that unilateral movements can stress the sacroiliac joint. Poses such as the tree pose and warrior 3 where need you to balance on one leg are not recommended. Deep standing yoga poses also stress the sacroiliac joint. This is the joint that connects the spinal column with the pelvis. It is a joint that has little movement but can be affected by arthritis. Lower back pain is often caused by strain or inflammation of this joint and many yoga poses can either cause or exacerbate these problems.

A very popular yoga method - Ashtanga yoga - is practised by many of us who are too busy for the slower, more contemplative practises. It is vigorous and athletic and has a fast pace of movements and many yoga classes and DVDs now use the Ashtanga yoga method. I would strongly advise you to approach it with great care and stop immediately if you notice any pain or strain whilst doing the asanas. This was the method that hurt my back the most, with pain both in the waist and pelvic area.

The best sort of yoga is the more traditional gentle and slow yoga movements. These do not involve quick changes and you will find it easier to judge if the movements are doing you good or causing you pain before it is too late.

If you like the idea of yoga exercises and feel that they would suit you, then the best approach would be to do a very limited number of the easiest positions for a very short space of time - 5-10 minutes is preferable - then wait 24 hours to see how you feel. It is possible that you may have some minor muscle stiffness if you do not usually practice yoga, but it should not be anything more than this. Any pain or worsening of your back pain or any new pain means you should stop immediately. If yoga does not work for you then it doesn't work - it is as simple as that. Find something else like Pilates or swimming. Do not feel that you are missing out, there is the perfect exercise regime out there somewhere for you.

Do I still practice yoga? The answer is no. I have found my own methods of back health and although friends sometimes urge me to give it another go, I always decline. I go caving and walking and riding too, but would not risk damaging my back again practicing yoga.

Yoga, in my opinion, is for people without any back problems. It can prevent injury, but it will not cure it.

Why Do We Get Joint Pain In Our Fingers?

There are many reasons why you can experience joint pain in your fingers. It could be due to an over extension, trauma or repetitive strain injury. However more and more people are getting joint pain because of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system malfunctioning. It can attack the cartilage lining of bone and socket and the synovium fluid, which lubricates the joints. This causes inflammation and swelling of the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis is not caused by wear and tear or old age as that's more associated with the condition osteoarthritis.

A Faulty Immune System

As the joints become inflamed the immune system reacts by causing more inflammation as to try and heal the damage. If this vicious cycle of inflammation and swelling is not interrupted it can lead to joint damage and even joint deformity.

At this point in time there is no confirmed cause that makes the immune system do this. However, there are a number of possibilities that include genes which are more susceptible to disease, food allergies and lifestyle factors could also trigger an attack. For example, smoking can increase the production of enzymes that inflame the joints.

At the moment there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, however treatment, medication, and therapy has progressed to the point that the condition can be well managed so that sufferers can live a normal a lifestyle as possible.

The Potential Dangers Of Conventional Treatment

The conventional way to treat finger joint pain resulting from rheumatoid arthritis is to take a combination of medications. The aim of these drugs is to control and reduce the swelling and pain.

These anti-inflammatory drugs fall into two categories - non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDS) and cortisone based drugs. These can be taken orally or injected directly into the joints.

Although these types of drugs provide relief they should not be considered as a long term treatment. This will also be stated on the labelling of these drugs. The reason is because of the side effects these drugs can produce, which can range from gastric ulcers to even kidney failure.

As well as anti-inflammatory drugs many people with rheumatoid arthritis use non prescriptive pain killers, however their long term use can also damage the lining of the stomach as well as build up the levels of toxicity in the body.

Natural Alternatives Without The Nasty Side Effects

Fortunately, there are natural highly effective alternatives that do not cause the serious and life threatening side effects these chemical based drugs can cause.

Over the last 20 years there have been several studies about how the diet you eat can cause and affect joint pain in your fingers. Many of the processed foods eaten today are very low in nutrients and vitamins that are vital for supporting your immune system.

Furthermore, the modernisation and large production of food requires the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers that contaminate the food. For example, nitrate a common food preservative can cause flare-ups in certain people with rheumatoid arthritis.

There are also foods that can help relieve the pain, swelling and also control the immune systems production of enzymes that cause inflammation in the joints.

Pain Relief For Cancer Patients?

Karen had an advanced case of breast cancer when her friend asked her to see me. Doctors had given up hope on her and wouldn't operate and told her it was too late to treat her. She was looking for some sort of alternative health solution for the pain she was in, not the cancer, since she knew her time was limited.

At the time, I knew of nothing that could be used for the pain. In alternative health practice, the answer to reducing pain is to eliminate the cause of the pain, and in Karen's case, this solution looked pretty grim. Certainly one could try supportive measures such as increase CoQ10 and germanium levels that would oxygenate the tissues and possibly activate some healing, or try using acupuncture to open all the right energy channels for healing energy to flow through. But as far as an actual pain relief formula for cancer goes, that drew a big blank.

I find that by posing questions during the day in my mind, answers always seem to pop up and sometimes they do within a few days. Sometimes the answer comes in a matter of minutes.

How can cancer patients get pain relief? Certainly there must be an answer out there. Enough people have gone through the ravages of cancer and someone must have tried something that worked for at least 10 to 25% of those suffering from cancer.

The answer came through an indirect way. A friend had told me about her journey through life the last year, watching four of her good friends die of cancer. It was heart-wrenching to see her friends suffer. She began searching for pain relief solutions for cancer patients. After a few months, she found one.

I learned that pain from cancer ruins the quality of life they have, and does it rapidly. One-third to almost a half of all cancer patients experience moderate to severe pain during their bout of cancer. In those with advanced cases of cancer, that percentage jumps to between 70 and 90%. The sad news is that cancer survivors can continue to suffer from the pain years later. What an unfair situation that is, to have recovered from cancer and then be left with the pain and no solution for pain relief anywhere!

My friend found an herbal combination that was specifically designed by Chinese herbalists to control the cancer pain. It was actually designed as a pain relief solution for cancer victims. She had recommended it to some people who used the herbal pain relief formula and it had worked quite well, she said.

Some of the herbs included in the formula are Notoginseng, Red Sage, Red Peony, Cnidium and other analgesic herbs. As a master herbalist, I knew there were herbs that could interact with the nervous system and some that had the capability to decrease substance P, the substance responsible for pain sensations, but had never been taught what herbs to mix together to accomplish the degree of pain relief that cancer patients needed. It makes total sense physiologically and herbally that an all natural herbal formula could make a difference in pain management.

The good news was that the Chinese had already created the pain relief formula for cancer pain. As a herbalist, if you come across a formula that works, the rule is leave it alone! Use it.

I was sad that Karen, the woman with advanced breast cancer, moved away and was unreachable for me to share the good news. But the thought of helping others find a solution for pain relief for cancer was important enough to write this article.

Pain - Fibromyalgia Pain Treatment for Severe Pain

Is this you? Experiencing severe pain all over your body. You feel exhausted all of the time. You have gone through numerous tests and your doctor cannot find anything wrong with you. If you can relate to these statements, you may have a condition called Fibromyalgia. And, if this is so, you are probably on the look out for Fibromyalgia pain treatment for severe pain.

You are not alone. Over ten million people in the United States alone have reported symptoms of Fibromyalgia. So, if you are one of the many sufferers of this painful condition, it is important to know that Fibromyalgia pain treatment for severe pain does exist. And, if you suffer from Fibromyalgia pain, your doctor or better yet a pain specialist can prescribe treatment for any level of pain including severe pain.

Medication as Fibromyalgia Pain Treatment for Severe Pain

Generally you will need to undergo a physical examination to determine if you qualify as a Fibromyalgia patient with positive findings of 11 of 18 tender points based on a digital examination. However as a second opinion, Dr. R. Paul St. Amand, M.D. Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Harbor, at UCLA states that this useful concept is artificial. He further states: "We easily find more widely distributed areas of swelling, spasm, and tenderness scattered all over the body."

Most doctors will prescribe some type and level of pain medication for Fibromyalgia pain treatment. Some of these medications include:

· Muscle Relaxants. Medication, such as Flexeril, taken at bedtime has been proven to be a successful Fibromyalgia pain treatment for severe pain. This kind of medication treats muscle pain and spasms.

· Antidepressants. Doctors may prescribe antidepressant medications, like Prozac or Paxil, as Fibromyalgia pain treatment for severe pain, as well. These medications for example have been effective at helping sufferers sleep through the night and rest is a key ingredient if you are diagnosed as Fibromyalgia pain.

· Anti-epileptics. Typically, anti-epileptics are prescribed to treat epilepsy, however, these drugs have proven effective as Fibromyalgia pain treatment for severe pain conditions.

Treatment for relief of pain can extend to (Tylenol, Advil, Darvocet-N); antidepressants; injection of local anesthetic with or without steroids into the tender points and trigger points; exercise stretch and intermittent cold therapy. Dr. St. Amand also recommends the use of Guaifenesin, which is available in a 600 mg. tablets, and reducing intake of aspirin and reduce the use of all salicylic acid products to zero.

One of the best non-drug products on the market is Tramaden, taken orally, this is a clinically proven pain medication that can be used to provide speedy relief to aching, painful joints and muscles associated with severe Fibromyalgia pain. Tramaden contains FDA complaint non-prescriptive ingredients including the highly powerful Celadrin and Bromelain for faster pain relief when reducing inflammation of muscle and tissue.

Topical Treatments for Fibromyalgia pain relief

A number of topical, non-oral, non-narcotic pain relief creams have proven very effective for the relief of Fibromyalgia. Menastil is one product originally produced for the topical treatment of Endometriosis and severe Menstrual cramps that has proven effective for Fibromyalgia pain due to Calendula Oil, which penetrates the epidermal and delivers it's pain relief ingredients to the source of pain. The other is CorProfen, which once again has a penetrating agent to deliver its pain relief agent to your source of Fibromyalgia pain.

For more information about Fibromyalgia pain treatment for severe pain, check out The Fibromyalgia Network's website. This site can help answer many of your questions concerning Fibromyalgia pain treatment for severe pain.

The Hidden Cause of Neck and Back Pain

Neck Pain and Lower Back Pain complexities
Neck Pain and Lower Back Pain are the 2 most common forms of pain in the human anatomy, yet the cause of either can be complex at times due to so many different causes. One of those is often very difficult to diagnose, frequently overlooked, and is therefore labeled as a secret or hidden cause. That hidden cause or secret source of Neck Pain or Lower Back Pain is known as Facet Joint Pain or Facet Syndrome. Facet Joint Pain or Facet Syndrome, is a chronic pain syndrome or condition directly related to pain in the facet joints.

What is a Facet Joint and what is Articulation?
A Facet Joint is a posterior spinal joint that interfaces two adjacent upper and lower vertebrae together. Also known as a Zygapophyseal Joint, the Facet Joint provides for motion known as "Articulation" within defined ranges of motion. The articulation of a Facet Joint includes bending forward: flexion, bending backward: extension, and twisting: Cervical or Thoracolumbar rotation. The joint is stretched and unloaded during flexion and compressed or loaded upon extension. Facet Joints are also joint range limiters to prevent damage to spinal discs from excessive range of motion movements.

What is a Synovial Joint?
Zygapophyseal joints are Synovial Joints- the most common joint in the human body. A Synovial Joint is characterized by having a joint capsule, joint capsule fluid-synovial fluid to lubricate the inside of the joint, and cartilage on the outside of the joint between the upper and lower adjacent surfaces of each vertebra to allow a smooth gliding movement.

What is Facet Arthritis?
Facet Arthritis or Facet Arthropathy is a degenerative arthritis-facet joint inflammation that can be one of the syndromes of Zygapophyseal Joint Pain. Both chronic pain conditions can be caused by wear and tear, degeneration of the cartilage surfaces, joint capsule or associated vertebral discs, injury or trauma, incorrect posture-excessive forward head posture, or abnormal spinal curvature such as Hyperlordosis-excessive arch in the lower back.

Factors affecting Joint Movement
The Zygapophyseal Joint must be able to move smoothly without restriction. Zygapophyseal Joint Pain is often experienced when the joint becomes "stuck" or "fixated" in the open or closed position or in the partially open or partially closed position. The Zygapophyseal Joint Pain dysfunction can cause the muscles surrounding the problem to become hypertonic-extremely tight in order to "splint" or support the problem. Conversely, the musculature that surrounds the joint could have a problem that is causing the joint to become stuck open or closed, resulting in Facet Joint Pain.

What are some Facet Joint Pain causes?
Some causes of Zygapophyseal joint pain are: Wear and tear, Degeneration of Cartilage surfaces, Joint Capsule or associated Vertebral Discs, Injury or Trauma, Incorrect posture, Excessive forward head posture, Forward Pelvic Rotation, Abnormal spinal curvature, Hyperlordosis-excessive arch in the lower back, Scoliosis-Lateral Lumbar spinal curvature.

What are the Lower Back Facet Syndrome Symptoms?
Lower back facet joint pain symptoms include lower back pain or tenderness, increased pain upon side bending or twisting or arching the lower back or torso, deep dull aching pain that moves to the buttocks or the back of the thighs, and/or stiffness or difficulty with certain movements, such as standing up straight or getting up out of a chair. The initial onset of pain might be related to a rotational spinal injury or a spinal injury involving hyperextension of the spine.

What are the Neck-Cervical Facet Syndrome Symptoms?
Zygapophyseal Joint pain neck symptoms include Neck Pain, Headaches, Shoulder Pain, and/or difficulty side bending or rotating the head. Ensure that the Facet Joint Pain Assessment clearly indicates the pain scale for the associated problems. Find out if there is a history of whiplash or any other kind of neck injury.

Is the Facet Joint moving freely, or is movement restricted and if so, how?
That is one of the most important questions that needs to be answered. There is a special test known as the spring test which can test for basic joint movement.

What Exercises will help to relieve my Facet Joint Pain?
If excessive lower back curvature - Lumbar Lordosis, and hypertonic hip flexors and hypertonic lower back musculature is causing compression of the lumbar facet joints, stretching and strengthening exercises to reduce joint compression and help prevent joint fixation will be required to reverse the postural distortion that has occurred. If the cervical (neck) spine is affected by excessive forward head posture and hypertonic neck musculature, there are strengthening and stretching

Treating Joint Pain With The Help Of A Chiropractor

Any pain can be quite irritable and many a times, patients are forced to live with the problem. Joint pain, may become quite chronic, if not treated at the right time. It is advised that you do not ignore it.

Joint pain causes stiffness, discomfort and inflammation. The pain may become sore. An x-ray of the bones is generally advised by the orthopaedic surgeon, if the pain is unbearable. Many a times, the pain in the joints is caused due to an infection or reduction in the immunity levels of the body. Irrespective of the age, joint pain may be experienced by both youngsters as well as the older generation. In certain cases, joint pain is the result of medication. The bodily movements may become difficult and irritable, if our joints are not healthy.

When an individual suffers a major injury, the pain of joint may become unbearable. Some of the severe injuries may be swimmer's shoulder, tennis elbow, ligament tear, cartilage tear or a sprained inkle. Some of the visible effects of joint pain are swelling of the joints. Swelling or bruising follows fractures, strain of the muscle, joint dislocation and ligament or joint injuries.

In the event of a tennis elbow, the patient may experience pain of joint. It is also referred to as epicondylitis where the soft tissues get swollen. This form of joint pain arises during activities like swimming, lifting, playing tennis etc. Generally, the condition worsens at the time of flexing the muscles or wrist. The patient will experience elbow pain and pain in the forearm.

Pain of joint may become unbearable if there are health conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, mild dislocation of the joints or even bursitis. When the patient is suffering from arthritis or cancer of the bones, the condition worsens. Generally, milder instances of joint pain can be treated with rest and some medication. However, it is advised that one must not ignore these symptoms and consult the doctor.

Other symptoms of pain of joint are fevers, swelling, inflammation and edemas. Even a pinched nerve can cause unbearable pain in the elbow and joints. Irrespective of the type of chronic pain, it is not possible to cure them and get relief, thanks to effective medicines and treatment therapies. There are specialised chiropractors who will help you get relief from such pain. The methods adopted in chiropractic treatment are gentle. Though, it may take some time, they will definitely be effective, especially in cases of joint pains.

Simple massage treatments will provide good relief in cases of pain of joints and inflammation. Adopting heat therapy like hot tubs, hot baths, saunas and heating pads may reduce inflammation and helps in accelerating the healing. Alternatively, your chiropractor or orthopaedic surgeon may advise the use of cold packs and ice therapy which helps in reducing the swelling. It will also give you relief from joint pains.