Saturday, May 25, 2013

Knee Joint Pain Treatment, Symptoms and Major Causes


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

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

Symptoms

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

1. Popping sound in the joint accompanied by pain

2. Feeling of crunching and grinding

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

4. Swelling, inflammation and redness on the knee

5. Knee pain accompanied by fever.

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

7. Climbing stairs causing pain in the knee.

Causes

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

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

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

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

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

5. Bursitis that occurs inside the knee.

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

7. Infection in joints.

Treatment and medication

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simple and Easy Sacroiliac Joint Exercises for Quick Relief


Your SI joint, or sacroiliac joint, is found in your pelvis. It connects your upper body and back to your hips and legs. Pain in this part of your body can be often be felt down to your buttocks or at the back of the thigh.

When there is injury or inflammation in this area, it can really affect the movement because this is a joint that can transfer the upper body weight to your lower body. Kind of important, right?

Activities as simple as walking up stairs to reaching things on your high shelves in your closet suddenly become a huge struggle. There are many treatments for sacroiliac dysfunction ranging from simple at-home exercises (what we're talking about here) to invasive surgery.

Now of course you can get a surgery, but that's dangerous and expensive. Plus, did you know that only about half of the people that undergo this kind of operation really get rid of the pain for good?

That's a pretty big gamble to take with your body and your health. Here I want to share some simple home exercises that can help to fix SI joint pain. But first you need to neutralize your spine to prevent injury while doing the exercises.

How to Neutralize Your Back to Prepare for the Exercises

Important: Don't skip this. If you do the below exercise without doing this first, you will risk further injury to your sacroiliac joint by only making any misalignments worse than before. So make sure you do this!

To do this preparation exercise, you start from a standing position. The first thing to do is placing the shoulder blades and the buttocks and against a wall so that you can check the position of the lower back. Make sure there is an arch between the lower back and the wall (which is where it is a normal position). In order to neutralize the spine, it is important to stay in the same position that pushes the center of your back toward the wall.

The Best SI Joint Exercise

Simple exercises such as wall squats can be used for sacroiliac (SI) joint pain. The first and basic position is that to stand in neutral while learning on the wall and placing the feet at a distance with a thigh length.

The knees should be bending at an angle with no less than 90 degrees, and that means that the body weight should be keep evenly on both heels. The kneecaps have to be lined to the 2nd toe on each of the foot.

Keep in mind that the shoulder blades, buttocks, middle back and the shoulder blades need to be kept flat on the wall at all times while there is bending and lifting. Repeat about 8 to 12 times, three times a week.

This will probably hurt quite a bit and make your upper thighs very sore. Back when I was in school, my gym teacher actually used to make us do this exercises to punish us for misbehavior.

Try out this exercise to help relieve your SI joint pain. It might take a few days of doing it to really see the results. Don't expect a magic pill here. Just keep doing it and you can expect to see improvement after several days.

Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions - List


Before we delve into arthritis different types, it's important to note that arthritis means joint inflammation. It is actually a name given to problems that cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. It can affect one or more joints and it could mean anything from slight tightness to severe pain and disability. Put simply, there are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. In fact, here's the compete list of arthritis different types and related conditions.

A-B Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions


  • Achilles tendinitis

  • Achondroplasia

  • Acromegalic arthropathy

  • Adhesive capsulitis

  • Adult onset Still's disease

  • Ankylosing spondylitis

  • Anserine bursitis

  • Avascular necrosis

  • Behcet's syndrome

  • Bicipital tendonitis

  • Blount's disease

  • Brucellar spondylitis

  • Bursitis


C-D Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions


  • Calcaneal bursitis

  • Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD)

  • Crystal deposition disease

  • Caplan's syndrome

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Chondrocalcinosis

  • Chondromalacia patellae

  • Chronic synovitis

  • Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis

  • Churg-Strauss syndrome

  • Cogan's syndrome

  • Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis

  • Costosternal syndrome

  • CREST syndrome

  • Cryoglobulinemia

  • Degenerative joint disease

  • Dermatomyositis

  • Diabetic finger sclerosis

  • Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)

  • Discitis

  • Discoid lupus erythematosus

  • Drug-induced lupus

  • Duchenne's muscular dystrophy

  • Dupuytren's contracture


E-F Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions


  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

  • Enteropathic arthritis

  • Epicondylitis

  • Erosive inflammatory osteoarthritis

  • Exercise-induced compartment syndrome

  • Fabry's disease

  • Familial Mediterranean fever

  • Farber's lipogranulomatosis

  • Felty's syndrome

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Fifth's disease

  • Flat feet

  • Foreign body synovitis

  • Freiberg's disease

  • Fungal arthritis


G-H Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions


  • Gaucher's disease

  • Giant cell arteritis

  • Gonococcal arthritis

  • Goodpasture's syndrome

  • Gout

  • Granulomatous arteritis

  • Hemarthrosis

  • Hemochromatosis

  • Henoch-Schonlein purpura

  • Hepatitis B surface antigen disease

  • Hip dysplasia

  • Hurler syndrome

  • Hypermobility syndrome

  • Hypersensitivity vasculitis

  • Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy


I-K Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions


  • Immune complex disease

  • Impingement syndrome

  • Jaccoud's arthropathy

  • Juvenile ankylosing spondylitis

  • Juvenile dermatomyositis

  • Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

  • Kawasaki disease

  • Kienbock's disease


L-N Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions


  • Legg-Calve-Perthes disease

  • Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

  • Linear scleroderma

  • Lipoid dermatoarthritis

  • Lofgren's syndrome

  • Lyme disease

  • Malignant synovioma

  • Marfan's syndrome

  • Medial plica syndrome

  • Metastatic carcinomatous arthritis

  • Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)

  • Mixed cryoglobulinemia

  • Mucopolysaccharidosis

  • Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis

  • Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia

  • Mycoplasmal arthritis

  • Myofascial pain syndrome

  • Neonatal lupus

  • Neuropathic arthropathy

  • Nodular panniculitis


O-P Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions


  • Ochronosis

  • Olecranon bursitis

  • Osgood-Schlatter's disease

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Osteochondromatosis

  • Osteogenesis imperfecta

  • Osteomalacia

  • Osteomyelitis

  • Osteonecrosis

  • Osteoporosis

  • Overlap syndrome

  • Pachydermoperiostosis Paget's disease of bone

  • Palindromic rheumatism

  • Patellofemoral pain syndrome

  • Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome

  • Pigmented villonodular synovitis

  • Piriformis syndrome

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Polyarteritis nodosa

  • Polymyalgia rheumatica

  • Polymyositis

  • Popliteal cysts

  • Posterior tibial tendonitis

  • Pott's disease

  • Prepatellar bursitis

  • Prosthetic joint infection

  • Pseudoxanthoma elasticum

  • Psoriatic arthritis


R-S Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions


  • Raynaud's phenomenon

  • Reactive arthritis/Reiter's syndrome

  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome

  • Relapsing polychondritis

  • Retrocalcaneal bursitis

  • Rheumatic fever

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Rheumatoid vasculitis

  • Rotator cuff tendonitis

  • Sacroiliitis

  • Salmonella osteomyelitis

  • Sarcoidosis

  • Saturnine gout

  • Scheuermann's osteochondritis

  • Scleroderma

  • Septic arthritis

  • Seronegative arthritis

  • Shigella arthritis

  • Shoulder-hand syndrome

  • Sickle cell arthropathy

  • Sjogren's syndrome

  • Slipped capital femoral epiphysis

  • Spinal stenosis

  • Spondylolysis

  • Staphylococcus arthritis

  • Stickler syndrome

  • Subacute cutaneous lupus

  • Sweet's syndrome

  • Sydenham's chorea

  • Syphilitic arthritis

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)


T-Z Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions


  • Takayasu's arteritis

  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome

  • Tennis elbow

  • Tietse's syndrome

  • Transient osteoporosis

  • Traumatic arthritis

  • Trochanteric bursitis

  • Tuberculosis arthritis

  • Arthritis of Ulcerative colitis

  • Undifferentiated connective tissue syndrome (UCTS)

  • Urticarial vasculitis

  • Viral arthritis

  • Wegener's granulomatosis

  • Whipple's disease

  • Wilson's disease

  • Yersinial arthritis


Arthritis Different Types-- Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. As such, we will discuss these two types in more detail.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease involves the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis include:


  • Mild aching to severe pain and loss of mobility, especially in the evening, due to joint stiffness.

  • Usually affects the weight-bearing joints - the knees, hips, and facet joints (in the spine), as well as the finger joints.

Osteoarthritis is primarily associated with aging and injury. In fact, it was once called "wear-and-tear" arthritis and it affects nearly everyone past age sixty. Although it can develop before age forty, it is said to be rare. In truth, the exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown. However, about 20 million Americans are affected by osteoarthritis.

Supplements that may be helpful for Osteoarthritis

For supplements that may be helpful for Osteoarthritis, please click on the link below.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a type of inflammatory arthritis, is an autoimmune disease, in which the body's immune system improperly identifies the synovial membrane as foreign and, as such, inflammation results, damaging cartilage and tissue around the joints. Often, the bone surfaces are destroyed as well. Joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis include the hands, knees, wrists, and feet.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include:


  • Swelling, stiffness, tenderness, redness, and pain in the affected joint. Usually more severe in the morning.

  • Fatigue.

  • Fever.

  • Chills.

  • Body aches.

  • Joint deformity.

  • Weight loss.

It affects about 2.1 million Americans and roughly 75% of them are females. In addition, it frequently occurs in people under forty five and when the disorder occurs in children under sixteen years old, it is known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown or should we say it is still not well understood.

Supplements that may be helpful for Rheumatoid Arthritis

For supplements that may be helpful for Rheumatoid Arthritis, please click on the link below.

Stop Buzzing Ears - Best Remedy For Tinnitus


Tinnitus is an abnormal medical condition where patients hear strange and buzzing noises in their ears. Every year, an average 36 million Americans suffer from this buzzing ears condition and more than half of this number suffers from intermittent tinnitus.

There are many factors that can cause this ear disorder. Most cases of tinnitus problem, however, are cause by internal ear damage, especially in the cochlea section of the ear. The following instances can also cause tinnitus to trigger.
- Patients who are suffering 'Meniere's Disease' are definitely prone to this condition. The noise is described as a low pitched sound that resembles a hissing sound.
- Aging can also tinnitus. As people age, their ears slowly become fragile and weak making them more prone to internal ear damages ultimately leading to the tinnitus condition.
- Loud noise is the number one cause of internal ear damage ranking it also as the number one cause of tinnitus. Patients who suffer from tinnitus caused by exposure to loud noise report a whistling sound.
- People who once suffered from the following injuries are also susceptible to the tinnitus condition where they could experience Buzzing Ears:
• Neck Injury
• Head Injury
• TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint)
• Jaw Injury

On the brighter side, know that serious tinnitus problem rarely happens. Its treatment doesn't require any medical surgery. And you can easily treat it using home remedies. Some important things to avoid first:

- Avoid loud noises.
- Avoid taking too much sodium or salt.
- Start reducing your nicotine (cigarettes) and caffeine (coffee) intake.
- Exercise regularly, get sufficient sleep, and avoid getting fatigue or stress.
- Stop all ototoxic medications (ear medications) if you are currently taking any.

Best Remedy for Tinnitus
Diet
• If there is one powerful way of treating your ear condition that would be on the food you eat. The number one rule here is to limit your salt consumption, specifically your sodium intake.

NOTE: Limiting salt intake is intended for patients who might have Meinierre's Disease.

• If you are a coffee or tea lover, you might want to cut-off that one too. Avoid drinking stimulating drinks (tea), caffeinated beverages (coffee) including chocolates. These food and beverages can affect and stimulate tinnitus indirectly so be sure to remember this out.

• Taking a recommended dose of Vitamin B12 can also fight tinnitus. In a recent study, it was discovered that people who suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency also suffered from tinnitus. Aside from taking vitamin B12, you can also eat food like mollusk and clams which are excellent source of this vitamin.
If you are not exactly a fan for this seafood dishes, you can also eat braised beef, trout, salmon, and liver.

Alternative Medicines
• Did you know that an Acupuncture session can also help reduce tinnitus? This alternative treatment is sometimes advocated as cure for intractable tinnitus. Although there is only little evidence that this alternative treatment work, some patients do seem to respond well completely removing that disturbing ringing in ears. Plus their not really that harmful to consider or even try.

Hip Pain - Illiopsoas Tendonitis and Illiopsoas Syndrome


Iliopsoas Tendonitis and Iliopsoas Syndrome are conditions that affect the iliopsoas muscle located in the anterior region (or front) of the hip, causing hip pain.

What are Iliopsoas Tendonitis and Iliopsoas Syndrome?

Technically, they are two separate conditions, but it's not uncommon to hear the term iliopsoas tendonitis or iliopsoas syndrome being used to describe the same thing.

Iliopsoas tendonitis refers to inflammation of the iliopsoas muscle and can also affect the bursa located underneath the tendon of the iliopsoas muscle. Whereas iliopsoas syndrome refers to a stretch, tear or complete rupture of the iliopsoas muscle and / or tendon.

Anatomy of the Hip Joint

The iliopsoas muscle is actually made up of two separate muscles located in the anterior (or front) of the hip area.

The Iliacus and the Psoas are responsible for lifting the upper leg to the torso, or flexing the torso towards the thigh (as in a sit-up).

Although the two muscles start at different points (the psoas originates from the spine, while the iliacus originates from the hip bone) they both end up at the same point; the upper portion of the thigh bone. It is at this point; the insertion, that most injury and hip pain occurs.

What Causes Iliopsoas Tendonitis and Iliopsoas Syndrome?

Iliopsoas tendonitis is predominately caused by repetitive hip flexion or overuse of the hip area, resulting in inflammation. Iliopsoas syndrome, on the other hand, is caused by a sudden contraction of the iliopsoas muscle, which results in a rupture or tear of the muscle, usually at the point where the muscle and tendon connect.

Athletes at risk for hip pain include runners, jumpers and participants of sports that require a lot of kicking. Also at risk are those who participate in strength training and weight lifting exercises that require a lot of bending and squatting.

Symptoms

Pain and tenderness are common symptoms of both conditions; however the onset of hip pain associated with iliopsoas tendonitis is gradual and tends to build up over an extended period of time, whereas the pain associated with iliopsoas syndrome is sudden and very sharp.

Treatment

Iliopsoas tendonitis and iliopsoas syndrome is a soft tissue injury of the iliopsoas muscle and therefore should be treated like any other soft tissue injury. Immediately following an injury, or at the onset of pain, the R.I.C.E.R. regime should be employed. This involves Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, and Referral to an appropriate professional for an accurate diagnosis.

It is critical that the R.I.C.E.R. regime be implemented for at least the first 48 to 72 hours. Doing this will give you the best possible chance of a complete and full recovery.

The next phase of treatment (after the first 48 to 72 hours) involves a number of physiotherapy techniques. The application of heat and massage is one of the most effective treatments for removing scar tissue and speeding up the healing process of the muscles and tendons.

Once most of the pain has been reduced, it is time to move onto the rehabilitation phase of your treatment. The main aim of this phase is to regain the strength, power, endurance and flexibility of the muscles and tendons that have been injured. Click here for a complete and comprehensive article on the treatment of soft tissue injuries

Prevention

There are a number of preventative techniques that will help to prevent both iliopsoas tendonitis and iliopsoas syndrome, including modifying equipment or sitting positions, taking extended rests and even learning new routines for repetitive activities. However, there are four preventative measures that I feel are far more important and effective.

First: a thorough and correct warm up will help to prepare the muscles and tendons for any activity to come. Without a proper warm up the muscles and tendons will be tight and stiff. There will be limited blood flow to the hip area, which will result in a lack of oxygen and nutrients for the muscles. This is a sure-fire recipe for a muscle or tendon injury.

Before any activity be sure to thoroughly warm up all the muscles and tendons that will be used during your sport or activity. Click here for a detailed explanation of how, why and when to perform your warm up

Second: rest and recovery are extremely important; especially for athletes or individuals whose lifestyle involves strenuous physical activity. Be sure to let your muscles rest and recover after heavy physical activity.

Third: strengthening and conditioning the muscles of the hips, buttocks and lower back will also help to prevent iliopsoas tendonitis and iliopsoas syndrome.

And fourth: (and most importantly) flexible muscles and tendons are extremely important in the prevention of most strain or sprain injuries. When muscles and tendons are flexible and supple, they are able to move and perform without being over stretched. If however, your muscles and tendons are tight and stiff, it is quite easy for those muscles and tendons to be pushed beyond their natural range of movement. When this happens, strains, sprains, and pulled muscles occur.

Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports related hip pain, and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don't make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won't be effective.

Do Your Hands and Wrists Ache From Work? To Relieve Pain and Revive, Do This Immediately After Work


Our jobs can put stress on our hard-working hands, wrists and forearms. Cooking, specialty construction like tile-setting and carpentry, detailed artisan and craftsmanship, and playing music are all types of work that leave our hands weary and sore.

Pain is a sign that our muscles and joints are overworked. When pain continues or recurs, you may be getting an injury. Our hands and wrists are especially vulnerable to repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.

You may be feeling extreme fatigue. Perhaps your hobbies and other non-work activities also involve hand and wrist movement. If fatigue is ongoing, it can lead to worse problems.

One sign of degeneration (wear and tear) is osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a state of inflammation. The body is reacting to over activity at the joints. Although there are many natural treatments for pain relief, the condition is mostly irreversible, so it should be avoided whenever possible.

We often try to ignore pain. We think our bodies will heal themselves (and they do, sometimes). We can't be bothered with the distraction of pain. And we don't want to think that something worse might be happening, like a chronic injury.

Taking care of our bodies at the first sign of pain is important for immediate relief and long-term health. With our upper extremities (hands, wrists, forearms, upper arms), it is especially important to think of the long-term repercussions of that pain.

There is a simple answer: it's a natural remedy that brings instant and long-term relief!

There is an all-natural method that can be practiced anytime, but it is especially helpful when practiced immediately after work. You can practice it before work and on breaks during your work-day, too.

As soon as you finish work, dunk your hands in a deep bowl of ice-water! This one basic first aid step will relieve your pain and inflammation instantly, and it will help prevent long-lasting injuries, too.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Osteoarthritis and Loss of Joint Mobility Due to Breakdown of Cartilage


Nearly everyone, over the course of their lives, will experience some sort of joint pain. Chronic pain in the form of osteoarthritis is the mot common disorder affecting the joints and is nearly universal in people over the age of 80. For this reason, it is important that people know the symptoms of this degenerative disease, as well as some of the methods that doctors use to reduce pain and keep the joints healthy.

While osteoarthritis is common in people over age 80, it begins to manifest itself in people who are in their 40s and 50s. Below the age of 40, it is mostly men who have the degenerative joint disease and it is usually related to some sort of traumatic experience. From ages 40 to 70, though, it is mostly women who have osteoarthritis. By the time people hit their 80s, however, the distribution is even between men and women.

Osteoarthritis is referred to as a degenerative joint disease due to the loss of cartilage protecting the bones in the joints and the changes this loss of cartilage leads to. Pain in the joints, stiffness when using the affected joints, and occasional swelling are some of the symptoms indicating a potential loss of cartilage. It can begin with trauma, inflammation, or defects in the way the body makes and breaks down cartilage.

The end result of any of the causes of osteoarthritis, though, is that the protective cartilage breaks down and the bones become exposed and are able to rub up against each other when a joint is moved through a range of motion. Osteophytes, also known as bone spurs, can develop on the affected bones in an effort to maintain the stability of the joint. Ligaments and tendons can also become irritated and inflamed, and the muscles can get weaker, leading to further instability.

For older people, osteoarthritis of the spinal column can be a major problem. While the risk of herniating a disc lessens as people age, the risk of arthritis causing serious back pain increases. Osteoarthritis of the vertebrae can increase the chances of damaging the ligaments. Ligament damage in the back can be debilitating and can take months or years to heal fully.

A back doctor should evaluate anyone who has potential osteoarthritis of the spine, and x-rays can confirm the degeneration of the cartilage in any of the joints most affected. If the disease is suspected or confirmed by x-rays, it then becomes important to maintain joint function, range of motion, and the health of the cartilage protecting against bone rubbing on bone. Stretching and flexibility exercises can be used to mitigate the loss of mobility.

Various treatments can be used for reducing pain from osteoarthritis, including massage, acupuncture, and topical ointments to reduce pain and swelling. In extreme cases, surgery and total joint replacement may be used if all else has failed. Supplements such as MSM and glucosamine and chondroitin, if given enough time to work, may help reduce the rate of cartilage breakdown in some individuals.

First Step in Treating A Hip Flexor Strain


This article will guide you through the process of treating a hip flexor injury. When you sustain a hip flexor pull, the body's natural defenses kick in and you will usually see some sort of swelling. To transition from this phase to the next phase in recovery, you should follow the P.R.I.C.E. procedure as soon as possible following the injury.

Injury Treatment Procedure (P.R.I.C.E.)

Protection - Stop all physical activity and try to immobilize the injured leg, this will prevent any further damage. Note that this step is primarily for grade 3 and bad grade 2 strains, there is no significant difference if you follow this step for grade 1 strains, however if you have the necessary equipment, you should use it to be on the safe side.

Rest - Rest may be the most frustrating step of the hip flexor treatment process, but also the most important one. An injury cannot heal unless it has time to rebuild, if you continue to train on an injured muscle you will develop a buildup of scar tissue which will most likely lead to chronic injuries. In this context, rest is about reducing the movement of the injured leg as much as possible and try to take as much stress of the injured hip flexor as you can.

Ice - Immediately after the injury, alternate icing and not icing the injured hip flexor every 20 minutes in order to reduce inflammation and pain. Continue this for 2-3 hours, after this continue icing at a less frequent rate, judge how often by how much swelling is still present; the more swelling, the more frequent you should ice. As a precaution, never apply an extremely cold object directly to your skin, wrap it in some sort of towel to prevent skin damage.

Compression - Compression goes hand in hand with icing, which has a purpose of reducing swelling from inflammation. The compression will temporarily restrict blood flow which prevents swelling from occurring. This area is hard to wrap, and takes a lot of material, so for the most part tape is not the best option. You should try to find a compress bandage that you can wrap around your torso several times and re-use for a long time.

Elevation - Try to elevate the injury as much as possible. The hip flexor is hard to elevate above everything else, but try to stay away from a sitting position where your hips are the lowest point on your body.

This protocol should be followed until all swelling is eliminated and the majority of Hip Flexor pain subsides, typically 48-72 hours with most grade 1/grade 2 pulls.

Arthritis: Natural Pain Relief With MSM


Could MSM be one of the nutrients with the widest number of benefits?

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is found in almost every plant and every animal. Heating or cooking causes loss of MSM, so fresh fruits and vegetables may retain a higher concentration of MSM. The MSM content in food may be destroyed through any one of the many food processing methods. MSM is often used to enhance the effect of most vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, all B-vitamins, selenium and magnesium and may help to improve their cellular uptake. For this reason, it is estimated that a regularly taken MSM supplement may work very effectively.

What can MSM do for skin, hair and nails?

MSM is also used to help form collagen and keratin, the main components of hair and nails. MSM may help to increase the skin's elasticity and is often used successfully for the treatment of acne, burns, fungal diseases and age-related skin changes. MSM may strengthen chipped, weak or broken nails.

MSM is very important in the synthesis of collagen, the main component of connective tissue. Alongside elastin, collagen helps the skin to maintain its elasticity. Collagen is often referred to as the 'beauty mineral' as it is used in many skin, nail and hair products.

MSM is used to give cartilage structure and flexibility in conjunction with sulphur-containing glucosamine and chondroitin. Cellular elasticity allows the easy passage of oxygen and nutrients into the cells and waste products to move easily out of cells.

Help with pain of Osteoarthritis

Natural springs are rich in sulphur, which is why they have been used for centuries to bring relief to arthritic pain and the discomforts of rheumatism. It is estimated that as much as 70% of women, as well as a large number of men, suffer from age-related arthritis of the joints. This form of arthritis begins with the degradation and degeneration of cartilage, resulting in painful inflammation of the affected joints and sometimes even cyst formation. Conventional medicine uses analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, which often have unpleasant side effects. A comparative study of patients showed that MSM and anti-inflammatory drugs are extremely beneficial.

Rheumatism

40% of all people over 65 suffer from some form of rheumatism. MSM may help to reverse the swelling and inflammation associated with rheumatism, thereby alleviating pain and prevent joint stiffness.

Muscle pain

MSM is often used for the alleviation of aching muscles, leg and back cramps, muscle tension and general wound healing. MSM is therefore often used by athletes and in sports medicine. It helps in over-trained muscles and overexertion. The convalescence time could be shorter and injuries could possibly heal faster.

Parasites

MSM is also used to treat parasitic skin infections be used with great success. It is also used to help remove intestinal worms.

Scar tissue

MSM applied externally (as a cream or gel) can improve the sometimes unattractive scars following surgery, burns or injuries visually. MSM helps to soften tissue and helps to prevent cell degradation. Smaller scars often disappear completely. MSM must be applied as a cream several times a day. One should try to ensure the purity of the MSM in the cream, avoiding products which have added chemical substances.

Joint Pain Solution


Life lessons learned from my grandmother's arthritis

I grew up in small Siberian town of Russia. I live now in Orlando, fl since 2001. I'm married with 3 beautiful children. My grandmother from my father's side was always having big arthritis problems, she was suffering a lot from this terrible disease. Every summer I was spending in my grandparent's house during my childhood. And my biggest dream back then was to find the way to help my grandma to get her joint pain free life back and feel healthy and happy. I never saw a smile on her face, because of her constant pain... That's why after my high school graduation I became a nurse of neurological department in one of the hospitals in my hometown, where we had about 40% of our patients with arthritis. I spend 15 years of my life in this department. I was helping our patients as a nurse and my granny as her granddaughter by sending her medications she needed back then. She just couldn't afford to buy as much as she needed, nothing was helping her, nor my patients at my work. I started to think: "there should be some better way to help all these people..." I am a banquet server now and I've had this job for the last 8 years: I suffered for last 3 years with joint neck and shoulder pain, as a result of my server job. I had a very difficult time with caring trays at work, sleepless nights... Doctor's prescriptions almost never help, or just a little for a short period of time. So finally, I decided to go the alternative holistic health care rout.

For me personally, I had already been taking "joint solutions with ha" for a while and had had huge success: after only 5 days of taking this supplement my pain started to decrease, and in the end of the first month I was 100% joint pain free! I was absolutely positive that this solution can give new life to many people and it can be done super fast! But I was kind of skeptical since I know how much people believe in doctors, prescription drags and what doctors tell them to do no matter what kind result they are getting in the end. Unfortunately we all raised this way... So, now i'm very passionate in helping others get off prescription drugs and showing people how to help them achieve 100% joint pain free life in 7 to 30 days without spending a lot of time in doctor's offices and getting no results from prescribed medications...

The manufacturer I found is a progressive company that has been around since 2001. This company helps to improve the quality of your life and the life of your family. The founder has tremendous interest in and passion for nutrition, health and well-being, which comes from his successful battle with life-threatening cancer and his resulting understanding of the value and vulnerability of our health. This company shares founder's vision and strive to support your efforts to obtain and maintain optimal health so that you can enjoy a lifetime of unrestricted activity and wellness.

Now, you might be asking, "what is joint solutions, and what makes it so special?" That's a great question. Scientific research has proven that our bodies need hyaluronic acid (or ha) which maintains moisture and function in moving tissues, resulting in pain-free joint movement and healthy, moisturized skin. This protein found in the body, binds water and lubricates the connective tissue and movable body parts such as joints and muscles. Ha assists in binding collagen to cells to protect moving tissues and maintain joint function. Collagen is another natural protein and is essential for youthful tissues, muscles, tendons, and joints. As we age, our supply of collagen and ha diminishes and we increase our chances of joint damage and pain. Research shows that we produce dramatically reduced amounts of collagen and ha after age 30, which leads to rapid aging and deterioration, along with joint pain, inflammation, and loss of elasticity and moisture. So, joint solutions has both of these components.

I truly have love and passion for helping others and I simply grateful for the opportunity to share with all of you, the same benefits I've gained from this breakthrough. I want each of you to have the chance to experience this product, and I can even show you how to get paid to do so at the same time. Here are the next 3 steps you need to take to achieve 100% joint pain free life in 7 to 30 days:

1)Look back to your life style: what you eat, how much time your exercising, how active you are. There are source locations of your joint pain! All you need just change your life style + help your joints with good dietary supplements.

2)No more medications! Yes to healthy life style and natural dietary supplements! Until recently, most doctors and medical associations have told you that you don't need to take health supplements if you eat a well-balanced diet with a wide variety of foods. Over the past two years, through, even the food and drug administration and American medical association have admitted that diets may need to be supplemented with vitamins, minerals and other alternative health supplements.

3) 3 steps to creating 100% pain free life:

step #1: "List all your questions that you have".

Step #2: "Make a commitment to reach out and start interacting with the different products out there."

Step #3: When you find the right product act, because it will change your life completely. You will never be the same ever a Life is full of choices. Great 100% joint pain free life or bad joint pain life are optional. Choose wisely.

Understanding Knee Joint Pain - The Causes and the Cures


Have you ever wondered what the most common complaint is that brings patients into a doctor's office? The answer is knee joint pain. The knee is an amazingly complex joint in the body. Just as the nursery school song tells us, we are all made of hinges! The knee just so happens to be the one prompting us to spend some time with our doctor.

Why would the knee be such a trouble maker? The basic anatomy of the knee is fairly complex. This is no simple ball-and-socket structure! The knee involves several bones, ligaments, tendons and cartilage. Knees are made to do more than just bend and straighten; they also rotate and twist, creating more ways for them to become injured. There are four bones, four main ligaments, two main tendons, cartilage, and bursae (fluid-filled sacs) all involved in the knee joint.

Activities that are popular among the busy people of our society, like running, jogging, basketball, tennis and even golf, are hard on the knee joint. For the most part, knee pain begins with an injury, which leads to joint inflammation. All that repetitive activity puts stress on the knee joint and increases the chances of knee joint injury and inflammation.

There are many ways to treat an inflamed knee before calling for a doctor's appointment. One of the most basic and common principals to follow is the PRICE system: P represents Protecting the knee from any further injury; R is for Rest; IC is for Ice; and finally E for Elevate. Items such as ibuprofen and naproxen have anti- inflammatory aspects and help relieve joint pain as well. Acetaminophen is also helpful for pain; however, it does not assist with inflammation.

Supplements are also becoming a more and more viable option for fighting knee joint pain. With all the parts involved in a knee and all the activity it is asked to perform, it should come as no surprise that many people find themselves searching for relief from knee joint pain. Researchers have been working overtime to find new ways to help people experiencing joint pains. The fact that our population, in general, is aging and still very active is helping to spur the need for new options.

For years, glucosamine supplements have been used with varying levels of success. Lately, newer joint pain supplements, like Celadrin and Celecaine, use Cetylated Fatty Acid (CFA). There have been several studies showing the benefits of this emerging option for knee joint pain relief. The science behind this supplement has been around for years. The Journal of Rheumatology featured an article on CFA's and their effect on osteoarthritis in 2002. The study found that the range of motion and the functionality of the knee were improved with the use of CFA's.

Of course, most people would like to avoid that trip to the doctor. By choosing to take a supplement made for joint health, and using the PRICE method, you may be able to find relief from knee joint pain at home. It is always a good idea, however, to ensure that any supplement will not interfere with any current medications or other supplements you are taking.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Joint Pain and Inflammation


When Your Joints Say No!

You may ignore the stiffness in your joints until one morning your hands resemble a claw and your knees or elbows ache when you try to straighten them. You may continue to ignore what your body is telling you until you bend over to tie your shoes or wash your feet in the shower and your back remains in that bent over position.

When your joints say no to you, your life, once active, becomes a passive retreat. This is not a sign of entering the golden years. It's simply a message from your body to simply take a closer look at your lifestyle and nutritional habits. This message can save you from more potentially harmful diseases.

Toxic food elements in what you presently eat, along with excess stress, can cause joint inflammation, pain and a jarring halt to every day simple motion. When your joints say no, you may have Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic condition of inflammation of the joints that disturbs every part of your body, including your emotional state. The word itself means inflammation (itis) of the joints (arth).

SYMPTOMS:

Symptoms may include joint stiffness, pain ranging from dull to severe, weakness, fatigue and low-grade fever.

CAUSES:

Scientific studies and an array of evidence have led to the conclusion that Rheumatoid Arthritis is a reaction in which certain antibodies within the body attack our own joints. Investigations of the culprit have led to speculation ranging from lifestyle to nutrition. The possibilities of interfering factors include food allergies, and bacterial and viral invasions caused by an imbalance in the bodies normal intestinal flora.

In most Rheumatoid Arthritis cases, digestive disorders including constipation contribute to the body's imbalance. If constipated, you may be absorbing toxic antigens through the intestinal wall that eventually become lodged in the joint tissue.

Constipation develops as the result of consuming empty foods such as refined white flour, refined white sugar, and foods with artificial additives and preservatives. These refined substances cause a sticky plaque on the lining of the intestinal wall as well as on the lining of blood vessels.

The consumption of refined products along with such products as coffee and alcohol create plaque and leach calcium from your bones. This calcium finds its way into weakened joints in the forum of calcium deposits, causing arthritic effects.

The refining processes of food strips beneficial nutrients that balance the foods' nourishing qualities and digestive abilities. Use of cows' dairy products cause an excess of mucous congestion and yeast products can aggravate and imbalance the normal intestinal flora, causing digestive disturbances.

Prescriptive Medicine

Many physicians prescribe drugs that block digestive secretions as a way to decrease pain in the stomach due to ulcers and an uncoordinated release of digestive juices. However, this method of symptom relief causes additional digestive disturbances that can lead to constipation and malnutrition due to poor and improper digestion.

Supplementation

A simple digestive enzyme supplement may be all you need to resume proper digestion and a good acidophilus product will restore your intestinal flora. Prolonged use of chemical antacids that decrease digestive secretions may damage normal secretory processes. Most nutritional experts agree that enzyme supplementation makes more sense when dealing with this type of disorder.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Osteoarthritis of the Knee - The Joint That Suffers the Most Injury


Our knees and hips are our largest joints, supporting the body's weight and providing the mobility that most people take for granted. The three basic types of arthritis that may affect the knee joint are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Post-traumatic Arthritis, with Osteoarthritis being the most common form of knee arthritis and knee pain. Although osteoarthritis is rare in young adults, results show that one in three people over the age of 62 has some amount of osteoarthritis on one or both knees.

Knees Suffer More Injury than Any Other Joint

It is possible to develop osteoarthritis in any joint but the knee is especially vulnerable as it is a weight-bearing joint, which is susceptible to daily wear and tear and sudden injury. In addition to genetic predisposition, poor bone alignment and minor or major injuries, high stress activities over time often lead to osteoarthritis. In some cases, normal age-related changes, such as reduced muscle mass and bone density, may make you more prone to knee injury as you age.

Knee Pain and Excess Weight

Studies consistently show a link between excess weight and knee pain, with many knee problems being avoidable by maintaining a healthy weight. Carrying only 10 pounds excess weight increases the pressure on the knees by 30-60 pounds, and it was found that about 56% of severely obese people suffered from significant knee pain in comparison to 15% of people who were not overweight. In addition, it was indicated that obese women stand nearly 4 times the chance of developing knee osteoarthritis in comparison to non-obese women, and obese men standing nearly 5 times the chance.

Symptoms of Knee Arthritis

Although some people suffer from tenderness and swelling in the morning, many people find that knee pain increases during the day, sometimes arising in the afternoon and getting steadily worse. Some of the common signs of osteoarthritis of the knee are:
• Pain with activities
• Intermittent or steady pain
• Limited range of motion
• Swelling or tenderness
• Stiffness when getting up from sitting or lying down
• Grinding or crunching sounds
• Pain with passive motion

Medical Treatment for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

There is no medical cure for osteoarthritis and although it is possible to regrow cartilage in a laboratory, getting implanted cartilage to grow in an osteoarthritic knee has not yet been successful, as the implanted cartilage eventually dies. In most cases over-the-counter pain relievers are used but many of them have a variety of side effects such as stomach pain, digestive problems, headaches and dizziness. In addition, NSAIDs actually sabotage the body's own efforts to heal itself by preventing the formation of new cartilage and accelerating the degeneration of the joints. Some surgical procedures are used for knee osteoarthritis, including arthroscopic surgery and knee replacement surgery.

Alternative Treatments for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

• Exercising is a crucial part of treatment, helping to improve balance and sometimes relieving pain. Specific exercises can be designed to help spread the forces of everyday activity to other joints thus helping to protect the knee. Regular exercise also strengthens the muscles and other structures around the knee, with range-of-motion exercises helping to maintain joint function and relieve stiffness.
• Using a cane in the hand on the side opposite to the affected knee will help to decrease demand on the arthritic joint.
• Wearing soft-soled shoes or special shock-absorbing shoes, and replacing them frequently, will help to reduce the impact on your knees.
• Weight loss is one of the most important treatments, alleviating pressure placed on the joint.
• Following an anti-osteoarthritis diet can help to control the destruction of joints and reduce inflammation

Herbal Remedies for Arthritis, Joint Pain, and Stiffness That Work


Herbs having anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties are very effective in relieving arthritis and joint pain. The advantages of using these herbal remedies are that they do not contain any harmful side effects.

Herbal Remedies for Arthritis and Joint Pain

1. Boswellia is a very good anti-inflammatory agent, and can be used to treat arthritis.

2. Cayenne or capsaicin, the burning agent in chili or vegetables like capsicum, acts as a good pain reliever in case of osteoarthritis.

3. Grated ginger or ginger tea may be taken daily for good results.

4. Two grams of devils claw may be taken thrice daily. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of devils claw may tackle well the symptoms of arthritis.

5. One teaspoon turmeric powder mixed in one glass water may be taken every morning on empty stomach. Turmeric reduces inflammation.

6. A paste made out of white willow and aspen bark may be consumed for beneficial results.

7. Horsetail is rich in silicon, and plays a tissue strengthening role.

8. Licorice root extracts and celery seed extracts act as anti-inflammatory agents on arthritic joints.

9. Cherries, blue berries, hawthorn berries bear compounds like anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins. These compounds are excellent for maintaining and increasing collagen matrix integrity.

10. Hot castor oil is good for massaging arthritic joints. It reduces stiffness.

11. Angelica root oil may be added to warm water, and used for bathing swollen joints.

12. Applying hot, moist fenugreek pack on inflamed joints can help a lot.

13. An infusion made out of wild yam, celery seeds, willow leaves or hay flower extracts may be added to warm bath water. This is an effective remedy for acute joint inflammation.

14. Willow bark tea may be taken twice daily. It is effective for treating aches and joint swelling.

15. Ginger extracts are helpful for treating arthritic conditions. Ginger is a powerful antioxidant allowing the body to get rid of damaging oxidizing agents.

16. Willow bark tea acts as an aspirin, relieving pain.

17. A cup of papaya seed tea may be taken frequently for pain relief.

18. A mixture of half teaspoon turmeric powder and warm water, if taken daily, heals ailing joints.

19. Garlic cloves fried in butter can reduce joint inflammation and pain.

20. A glass of warm water mixed with apple cider vinegar and honey brings relief from pain.

21. Cod liver oil keeps us away from inflamed joints. The fatty acids in cod liver oil check the eroding of cartilages.

22. Intake of glucosamine sulphate tablets helps to maintain the glucosamine levels in our body. Glucosamine is an important chemical in our body that imparts the joint tissues and synovial fluids their lubricating quality. With age, glucosamine levels drop down. The tablets can make for the decreased level of glucosamine.

15 Effective Home Remedies for Toothache That You Can Try


Toothache is a result of poor dental condition, and consists in mild or chronic or sharp, excruciating pain around teeth and jaws. Toothache can be quite tormenting, making our daily life go topsy-turvy. Improper brushing techniques, usage of poor quality tooth paste, feasting on junk food items, mental stress and worries result in a poor dental health, and may often lead to toothache. Tooth problems like cracked tooth, dental cavity, dental abscess, and recession or exposed tooth root or nerve endings within the pulp can cause toothache. Toothache may also be the result of periodontal gum disease such as inflammation of soft tissues and abnormal bone loss around teeth or disorders of jaw joint like temporomandibular joint. Dental x-rays can help one find the cause of toothache. An aching tooth becomes very sensitive to cold or heat and aches all the more while chewing.

Toothache sometimes may be a symptom of sinus, external and inner infection, angina and heart attack. Scaling or removal of plaque deposits, tooth splinting, tooth extraction, dental filling, and root canalling procedures are various treatments to combat toothache. Analgesics like acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be taken to counter toothache. Toothache is often accompanied by swelling of gums, discharge or bleeding from gums, redness along the gum line and bad breath. Often the ache may radiate from tooth to cheek, jaws and ears.

Home Remedies for Toothache

1. Biting on a cotton ball soaked in clove oil gives relief from toothache.

2. Soaking a cotton ball in a mixture of lemon juice and a pinch of asafetida, and placing it at the base of the aching tooth, lessens pain.

3. A paste made out of 3 tablespoon of grounded black pepper, water and a pinch of salt may be applied on the aching tooth to get relief. This is an effective toothache home remedy.

4. Chewing a small onion daily keeps away toothache. Juice of onion destroys toothache causing bacteria.

5. Eating raw lime is an effective home remedy for tooth ache. Vitamin C rich lime juice improves dental health.

6. Juice of wheat grass can serve as an effective anti-bacterial mouth wash, giving fast relief from toothache.

7. Chewing guava leaves can lessen toothache.

8. Chewing spinach leaves can also check tooth decay and ache.

9. One may pour 3-4 drops of vanilla extracts on aching tooth to get immediate relief.

10. Application of the paste of bayberry bark along with vinegar on the cavity of an aching tooth gives much relief from pain.

11. One may boil 5 grams of peppermint in a cup of water, and drink the water frequently to get relief from toothache.

12. A paste of turmeric and mustard oil, if applied on the aching tooth, gives much pain relief.

13. A decoction prepared by boiling 2 inch Margosa bark, 5-6 cloves in a cup of water, straining and then using it as a mouth wash can control toothache.

14. Chewing of garlic also helps to fight against toothache.

15. Massaging gums, jaws and teeth gently with 3-4 drops of mustard oil added with a pinch of salt can lessen tooth ache and help to maintain healthy teeth, gums and jaws.

Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms and Treatment


Psoriatic arthritis is a strange form of arthritis and people who develop it have often suffered from psoriasis of the skin during their life.

It is also a somewhat hereditary disease where 1 in 20 people who suffer from psoriasis have a stronger chance of catching this disease, but in only a few cases will it flare up to the extent that it poses a serious health risk.

So there is no definitive cause but genes are argued to play a role.

Early Signs

Ascertaining whether you have psoriatic arthritis is difficult in the early stages as the symptoms can represent a number of ailments, but the most common are inflammation of one or two joints, feeling slightly fragile and psoriasis of the skin, but more like in patches rather than a rash along with the pitting of the nails.

Advanced Symptoms

About a year after your diagnosis, depending on which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - or NSAID's - you've been prescribed, these may help reduce the pain or not, as each individual will undergo various cocktail measures so as to find the right balance to combat the pain.

The problem with NSAID's is that while they can reduce the pain and the swelling, they effectively cover up the true extent of the disease and play no part in the remission process.

The joints, toes and the end of the fingers are most commonly effected with psoriatic arthritis, but occasionally the spine is affected and the symptoms here include a burning sensation, stiffness and sometimes jolts of pain in the sacrum and lower back.

Treatment for Swelling and Joint Pain

As mentioned, in the West NSAID's are most commonly prescribed to null the pain and reduce the swelling, and when these don't work, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARD's may be prescribed.

Again, both NSAID's and DMARD's can effect your liver, kidneys, heart and cause additional rashes so for the short term they will provide some relief.

For the long term though you should focus on getting the disease into remission.

Do you want to suffer from psoriatic arthritis all your life?

Treatment for Remission

Acupuncture is still frowned upon by most medical practitioners in the West, but don't be scared to explore this alternative, it may not help so much with remission but is argued by many to be the most natural, safest, and fastest way to reduce swelling and pain around the joint.

Diet and exercise also play a huge role in combating certain types of arthritis and this is one such type where you should focus on both these forms of treatment.

Exercise

Depending on the seriousness of it, exercise may include just walking in lukewarm water for up to an hour if it's the feet that are the problem, or daily stretching for the spine and swimming which is wonderful for you all-round, plus yoga and other low impact sports.

Diet

Diet should be a high alkaline diet, not high acid as this diet will depend on the calcium in the bones (if calcium levels are low in the body) to buffer the high acid content through digestion, therefore depleting them of much needed calcium and minerals.

However magnesium is more effective for rebuilding bone structure so try and eat as much food that contains this element along with additional supplements.

Also, and it can't go overlooked but omega 3, 6 and 9 proteins should be consumed regularly along with supplements rich in anti-inflammatory compounds such as spores extracted from reishi, the mushroom used for centuries in the East to help with swelling, joint pain and remission.

Additional natural substances which should be part of your everyday diet are Vitamin D - at least 800mg a day, Vitamin C, Ginger, White Willow Bark, Chondroitin Sulfate and MSM.

How to Relieve TMJ Disorder, Fast! You Don't Have to Suffer TMJ Jaw Pain Any More!


Do you need to know how to relieve TMJ disorder fast? The problem is that most recommended treatments by physicians focus mainly on muscle relaxant drugs. These can have serious side effects. I know. I suffered for years with TMJ, my doctor prescribed Cyclobenzaprine. Almost immediately I suffered serious fatigue and drowsiness. It got so bad I decided it was less painful to have the TMJ jaw pain, than feel like I was ready to drop any second.

I got really annoyed. I needed help and all I was given was something that made me feel even worse. I don't know if you experienced anything similar. If you did then you have my sympathy, I know how bad it can be. This experience did result in me finding something that actually can help folk like us in dealing with TMJ, without the dangerous side effects.

TMJ Easing Exercises

I discovered by regularly following simple TMJ exercises I was able to reduce the symptoms of my TMJ. Now it doesn't affect me at all. I earnestly wish you the same benefits by following these tips:

1. Jaw exercising and stretching: Gentle stretching and exercise and help to reduce the TMJ pain in the jaw. The whole routine takes less than 5 minutes a day.

a. Open-Close. Use a hand on your chin to gently resist as you slowly open and close your mouth 20 times.
b. Back and Forth. Resist again slightly as you move your jaw back and forth 20 times slowly.
c. Left and Right. Use a hand again to gently resist as you push your jaw to the left and back to centre, then to the right and back to centre. Repeat 20 times on each side.

2. 20 minutes of relaxation: Relaxation is a vital part of good health. Stress alone can cause serious health issues. Take 20 minutes a day to do something that helps you achieve deep relaxation

3. Hot and cold treatment: Apply a heating pad or hot water bottle to the side of the jaw. After 1 minute apply an ice-pack to the area. After 1 minute apply heat again. Alternating between the hot and cold treatments can help to improve circulation and reduce inflammation in the joints.

Heat applied directly to the neck and shoulders can also bring much relief.

Caution: These advices are given freely as a record of my experiences and personal understanding. You are under no obligation to follow these advices. Random attempts at self-healing without any structure can be ineffective at best, possibly dangerous.

Joint Pain After Total Knee Replacement, a Study Into Why You Experience Pain


Pain relief in your knee is the main reason why you opt for total knee replacement, arthroplasty (TKA). But, most studies that talk about the success of TKA haven't actually taken a look at the factors that predict the freedom of pain in the years that follow the surgery.

In a study published in the summer of 2008 this subject was addressed noting that 13% to 30% of people who had a TKA have a slow, painful or incomplete recovery from surgery, the researchers also found two new key factors that will help predict who among those people with osteoarthritis (OA) would be likely to still feel pain after two years from their surgery. The two factors were other medical problems and people's particular way of experiencing pain.

The study followed 55 consecutive OA patients scheduled to have a TKA in a hospital in Nova Scotia, Canada. The patients, 35 women and 20 men averaging 69 years old, completed pain questionnaires before surgery, and then again 3 months, 12 months, and 2 years later. Researchers used standard surveys to assess the pain of the men and women in the study and used their medical records to find out about their other health problems. The problems included, OA in joints other than the knee, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, under active thyroid, heart disease, depression, and being overweight. Researchers also looked at a psychological feature of how the men and women experienced pain called "catastrophizing." A widely used survey called the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) that ask these men and women to rate how often 13 statements about pain would apply to them. These statements gauge how much they reflected on their pain; how much they magnify its potential impact; and how helpless they feel about managing their pain.

Scientist found that the men and women catastrophizing was a stable trait, unchanging over the two years of the study, and on average, their pain dropped dramatically after knee replacement surgery, but there was a wide variation among the men and women in the study. The goal of the study was to identify which presurgery factors are responsible for the variance and can they be used to predict whose pain will persist.

Age, gender, length of hospital stay, and the type of anesthesia the men and women received didn't predict pain after two years and not surprisingly, the patients who reported the most presurgery pain were more likely to be in the group still in pain at two years. Researchers suggest that this calls into question the practice of delaying TKA until pain is unbearable.

The men and women whose catastrophizing score, especially the reflecting about pain, was a significant predictor of who would have pain after two years. The other predictor of pain two years on was the number of other medical problems the men and women who participated had at the time of surgery. The scientists tried to explain how catastrophizing could lead to the continuing experience of pain, they said that reflecting and focusing attention on pain may make cells more sensitive, actually amplifying pain. Medical problems just might, likewise focus constant attention on pain, therefore, altering the pain experience compared to individuals whose only medical problem was the OA in one knee. The drawbacks to the study are its small size and that the study didn't examine whether pain immediately after the TKA surgery predicts long-term pain.

The hope of the researchers is that the results of their study will help to identify those at risk for persistent pain following knee replacement. It could make it possible to take special measures, such as aggressive pain management or psychological intervention, to prevent long-term distress and disability in total knee replacement patients.

I have had total knee replacement, in 2007, but before I had the surgery I had asked my orthopedic doctor if the pain I was experiencing would go away after the surgery. His answer was "No." There wasn't any explanation, just a "No." I couldn't help but ask myself, "Why am I having this surgery then?" It's been almost three years since the surgery and I still have pain but not the intensity I had before.

Arthritis Hip and Knee Remedies


In 2008, the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI), published its first evidence-based recommendations for arthritis treatments of the hip and knee. The goal was to determine which arthritis remedies would be most useful for individual patients.

They determined that the first arthritis remedies to relieve patients' hip and knee pain should be those that they can do for themselves. It was also found that receiving monthly phone calls from lay people promoting self-care improved patients' joint pain and physical function for as much as a year.

Compensating for a painful knee can, over time, result in pain in your hip or ankle. Shoes with high heels or uneven wear can throw your posture off and put unnecessary stress on your knee joints. Switching to comfortable shoes may not be enough, however. You might need an orthotic device placed in your shoe. Shoe inserts come ready made or a physical therapist can design one especially for you.

Physical therapists can observe how you sit, stand and walk and teach you how to move with less pain. They will tailor exercises to your particular condition and help you relieve hip and knee pain, maintain motion and prevent joint stiffening.

Physical therapists can also provide assistive devices to make daily tasks easier. Canes and crutches can reduce pain in the hip and knee joints. Wheeled walkers may be preferable if both hips and/or knees are affected. With arthritis affecting the knee, special footwear and insoles can improve walking and reduce pain while a knee brace can also improve your stability and reduce the risk of falling.

Consider getting a trainer. Aerobic, muscle-strengthening exercises can promote muscle strength, improve range of motion, increase mobility and ease pain. In a recent study by Japanese researchers, exercise, whether on land or in water, decreases pain levels, increases the body's production of inflammation-fighting hormones and decreases stress and anxiety, which can make joint pain worse.

If you are overweight, losing just 10 pounds will take 30 to 60 pounds of pressure off your knee.

Exercise in water. If you don't have access to a warm-water pool, you can do warm-water exercises on a smaller scale in your own tub, Jacuzzi or whirlpool bath. Warm water is a good place to stretch and strengthen your muscles, even for those who have difficulty exercising on dry land. Acting as resistance to help build muscle strength, the buoyancy of water makes exercise seem easier and more comfortable.

Relieve pain with heat and cold.

Heat may be dry or moist. Moist heat sources include warm baths. Soaking in a warm tub can be a good way to apply heat to all parts of the body at once, especially if you have arthritis in several joints. A hot bath or dip in a Jacuzzi can also bring immediate pain relief. Consult your doctor if you are older than 70 or have respiratory or cardiac problems. Heat inducing creams are a temporary but effective way to relieve pain but, to prevent burning, do not use them with a heating pad.

Dry heat sources include heat lamps, heating pads, microwaveable pads or wearable heat wraps that apply continuous heat to the body and can even be slept in. In a recent study researchers found that continuous heat administered by a wearable heat pack eased pain and stiffness all day and better than either of two commonly used drugs, ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Or apply cold. When joint pain is severe, applying something cold can numb the affected nerves and distract your mind from your pain. The coldness restricts the blood vessels and prevents fluids from leaking into the surrounding tissues. But using it for too long can cause stiffness.

Cold may be applied with a commercially available cold pack, or you can make your own cold pack by wrapping a towel around a bag of frozen vegetables or filling a sealable plastic bag with ice. For best results, and to avoid causing damage to your skin, always put a towel between your skin and the cold pack. Apply cold packs for no more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Alternating hot and cold methods may also provide relief.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, TENS, has been shown to help with short-term pain control in some patients with knee or hip arthritis. TENS is a technique using a weak electric current applied to the skin through electrodes. It is believed to stop pain messages from reaching the brain.

You might want to try acupuncture. In a recent trial, acupuncture significantly reduced pain and improved function for patients with arthritis of the knee who had moderate to severe pain even though they took medications for it. While patients had a 40 percent reduction in pain, they did not begin to benefit until week 14 of the 26-week study.

Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles at particular points on the body. The needles may be connected to a low-level electrical current for a more powerful effect. If you decide to try acupuncture, make sure your acupuncturist uses sterile, disposable needles and that they are licensed by your state and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Nurture your emotional health with guided imagery. To take your focus off your stress and pain, select a place in your home where you won't be disturbed. Play serene background music. Search your memory for the most beautiful, the most peaceful pain-free place you have ever been. Or imagine it in as much detail as possible, the sights, the sounds, the feelings. Take as much time as you need; Reach a state of calm and peace before you open your eyes. For extremely effective guided imagery, use self hypnosis techniques.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Medial Branch Blocks For Chronic Neck Pain - Do They Work?


Chronic neck pain is very common in the US, with over 30% of the country experiencing neck pain annually. Unfortunately, a large percentage of people who experience neck pain end up with residual neck pain years later (over half).

There have been numerous studies looking at neck surgery for chronic neck pain. Unless there is a radicular component with a pinched nerve or instability of the anatomy, surgery leads to less than satisfactory outcomes.

There are a number of anatomical regions in the neck which can lead to chronic pain. Arthritis in facet joints, upper cervical joints, or injury to cervical ligaments, fascia, or muscles may be pain or headache generators.

Strong evidence has been shown for the accuracy of cervical facet diagnostic injections for diagnosing these joints as a source of neck pain. Usually it's a combination of history, physical examination, and imaging studies including plain x-rays and and MRI. Typically once a diagnosis has been established from the pain doctor of cervical facet syndrome, the initial treatment is actually a diagnostic treatment along with a therapeutic one.

With the diagnostic injection into the cervical facet joints, the magic number for percent pain relief is 80% reduction. This includes the patient being able to perform multiple maneuvers which were painful prior to diagnostic facet joint blocks. At that point, assuming the 80% pain relief is achieved, then insurance companies typically approve additional treatments such as medial branch blocks or intra-articular cervical facet injections.

There is debate over whether or not cervical facet joint medial branch blocks only need numbing medicine or if steroids should be included in the injection. Studies comparing medial branch blocks with lidocaine plus or minus corticosteroid have shown that both are effective, and each injection typically works for about 5 months, providing over 50% pain relief on average.

It can be repeated when the pain relief dissipates, and excellent relief can be expected with another medial branch block. If longer pain relief is desired, the pain doctor may consider doing a radiofrequency ablation, also termed a radiofrequency neurotomy.

A radiofrequency procedure helps deaden the same tiny nerve endings that are treated with a medial branch block injection. The treatment typically lasts for over a year and if the pain returns the radiofrequency procedure may be repeated.

While it's unfortunate that so many patients in the US suffer from chronic neck pain, it's nice to know that treatments exist to provide pain relief. And even better, these treatments are nonsurgical, outpatient, and cost considerably less than a surgical procedure.

Acupressure for Gout Pain Relief


Gout is an excess of uric acid in the blood that crystallizes, causing inflammation and pain in the joints. Common causes of gout can be high cholesterol, high blood pressure, daily intake of alcohol, or a family history of gout. Foods that are high in uric acid include red meats, white meats, some vegetables, alcohol, especially beer, and the ever popular coffee. Eating less of these foods can help reduce uric acid in the blood stream. Pain medications can be used to relieve the pain, but there are alternative treatments that can be considered such as acupressure for gout pain.

Acupressure is an ancient method of massage that can help relieve pain. Using acupressure for gout pain is a natural treatment for those who do not want to use medications that have chemical substances. Acupressure is considered a viable treatment and is used in many hospitals across the United States. This treatment is a deep massage of certain areas on the body to help relieve pain and get the body functioning correctly.

Depending on how much pain and uric acid are present, pain relief can be achieved rather quickly, although some patients may need more than one session of acupressure for gout pain relief. A qualified practitioner of acupressure should be consulted to avoid injuries and to help you learn what points on the body will relieve the pain of gout. Acupressure can be done at home carefully, once you have learned what relieves your pain. Caution must be used on areas of injury.

While this treatment works for many, it may not for everyone. This natural treatment remedy is worth the time and expense if it relieves your pain. Along with a good treatment plan, reducing the foods high in uric acid will go a long way toward lessening the number of gout attacks you will experience.

Living With Arthritis Pains and Its Complications


What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a chronic disease that comes with pain and loss of movement of the joints. It is a joint disorder caused by disease, infection, anomalies and other factors that affect the everyday activities. Arthritis affects the people of all ages, including children and young adults but generally people over 50years show more signs of arthritis because the joint naturally degrades overtime. Arthritis is not a single disease, but a term that covers over 100diseases and medical conditions that can affect many parts of the body. It is a long term disease that cannot be totally cured but can be managed with proper medical care, adequate therapy and by treating its symptoms.

However, it should be noted that arthritis is associated with diseases of other tissues and organs in the body and as a result it is considered as one of the major causes of disability in people who are over 50years and above. In the United States, arthritis is the leading cause of disability and researchers claimed that nearly 1 in every 5 adults has some form of arthritis.

We have various types of arthritis and for this article l would like to write on the most common types of arthritis and these are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis Arthritis - is a disease that can cause the breakdown of joint tissue which leads to joint pain and stiffness. It is normal inflammatory and at onset is subtle and gradually starting from one or few joints. It is also known as degenerative joint disease, resulting from wear and tear of cartilage usually associated with old age. The pressure of gravity causes damage to the joints and surrounding tissues leading to pain, tenderness and sometimes swelling at different parts of the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis - is a chronic disease potentially disabling type of arthritis that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lining the joint). It usually causes severe joint pain, loss of joint function, stiffness, swelling and sometimes leads to permanent deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose early because the symptoms can be deceptive. As a result no single test can conclusively establish its correct diagnosis. It is responsible for arthritis pain and inflammation joints that affects most joints of the body like fingers, wrists, kneels and toes.

Treatment of Arthritis

Over the years proper treatment have help to relieve arthritis symptoms and correct many serious joint problems. Sometimes physical and occupational therapy is used to control and maintain joint mobility and range of motion. The proper kind and amount of this therapy depends on the underlying cause and individual factors.

Arthritis cure largely depends on the type, the severity of the problem and previous response to treatment by the patients. As a result, medical supervision is a must because arthritis like rheumatoid can be crippling and can affect other organs in the body. Doses of aspirin or aspirin-like drugs are common prescription that effectively reduced arthritis pain and inflammation. In case of severe pains, drugs like DMARDS or SAARDS (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or slow-acting antirheumatic drugs) such as anti-malaria are administered.

Once again l would like to emphasize that all these drugs prescribed require close supervision and that most of them have hazardous effects, for example in some patients aspirin interferes with platelet function and this can cause serious bleeding.

Finally, in treating arthritis the major concern of the doctor is to provide the best treatment that will reduce the pains, or further damage to the joints and prevent any permanent deformity.

Repair Joints and End the Pain For Good


Before you can truly and finally repair joints, and end your discomfort, you really need to find out what's at the root of the problem. I know you just want the pain to go away and it will if you find out the underlying cause and take care of that instead of only treating symptoms.

Everyone's symptoms differ but, for the most part, the symptoms felt by joints, inflammation of them in particular, are simply uncomfortable and can affect range of motion and even life activities. The reasons for the inflammation and discomfort can also differ by person and there can be a combination of reasons for the pain.

Being overweight puts stress on joints and, since many people are overweight, this is very common cause. In my opinion, this is one of the best reasons to have joint pain because you can completely reverse the damage done and live pain free. It requires effort, and if you listen to your body, then you'll know its time to take action. I also think this is why I choose to talk about Joint Advance; a nutritional supplement that targets joint pain and health. They do a lot more then treat their customers. They take it a step further and educate them, while empowering them to make a healthy lifestyle to match. These ideas to repair joints aren't new; they are simply buried beneath the enormous advertising campaigns of large corporations.

If you're not overweight and have joint pain or discomfort then there is still hope and the same applies to you. You can educate yourself and reverse joint damage, while protecting your joints from further damage. No matter your situation, I encourage you to continue learning more and to remain focused on treating the root of your pain, so you end the pain for good.

Home Remedies For TMJ Syndrome


TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is a condition of the jaw joints that involved acute pain, discomfort and mobility issues with those joints that control the movement of your jaw and thus affecting your ability to eat, speak and move some facial muscles. While, there are a number of causes for TMJ, the symptoms are easy to identify and should be reported to your doctor immediately.

The signs and symptoms of TMJ include swelling on the sides of the face, pain in the jaw joints, ear pain, headaches and mobility issues. As mentioned the cause could be many and will need to be investigated by a medical professional to identify. These could include teeth grinding, faulty dental procedures, genetics, and other jaw or bone problems. Some of these can be solved by simple means and others may require reconstructive surgery. There are a number of home remedies for TMJ that can be used with other treatments to alleviate pain and discomfort.

Some of the home remedies for TMJ include jaw exercises and pain relievers. Pain relievers can include anything from over the counter medications to muscle relaxing heat treatments and exercises have been known to help with the overall health of the jaw and lead to greater mobility and a decrease of pain and discomfort on a daily basis.

When deciding which home remedies are the right ones for you, it's important to talk with your doctor to ensure your home treatments will not conflict with other medical treatments, for TMJ or otherwise, you may be experiencing. Jaw exercises are a great way to treat pain, discomfort and mobility issues and should be considered first. Something as simple as placing your fist on the side of your jaw and allowing isometric energy to stretch and strengthen the muscle can make a big difference in the level of pain you experience.

Home remedies for TMJ can be a great alternative to heavy pain medications or costly physical therapy. Talk with your doctor about the home remedy options that can be used to treat TMJ and add it your routine to find a greater level of comfort and get joy back in your daily life.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Arthritis and Joint Pain - Food Can Be Your Best Medicine or Worst Enemy!


Arthritis often brings along many other illness not just joint pain, swelling and discomfort. The body slows down as arthritis takes hold, joints become swollen and painful at the same time, and movements are becoming more difficult. There for less exercise means weight gain, and the decline in health spiral has begun.

Cholesterol and blood pressure can become dangerously high, also cardiovascular fitness can decline. Blood sugar bordering on danger levels, as well through weight gain up goes diabetes. The human body is far too complex - and arthritis is much too stubborn for a simple solution. Healing any degenerative disease requires a multiple discipline, and to have success you've got to attack the disease at every level it exists on. It is also important to realise that there is no such thing as a "magic bullet" cure. Research has confirmed time after time that diet and lifestyle changes are the most important steps to improve any ones health.

Foods to stay away from at all costs!

Don't be lured into choosing farmed fish instead of wild-caught fish. In fact avoid farmed fish of any kind. They could make actually joint pain worse. Farm-raised fish contain a lower amount of inflammation fighting Omega-3. They also have unhealthy levels of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. This is because farmed fish being fed unhealthy amounts of soy pellets, which increase the ratio of omega-6 that promotes chronic inflammation in the human body. On top of that farmed fish being fed large amounts of antibiotics to control diseases caused by crowded conditions in which they raised.

The best fish you can eat, which is toxin free and has a high content of Omega-3 is wild Alaskan Salmon. Overfishing has created a shortage of these healthful wild-caught fish.

Be aware of medication for arthritis!

Some medication and certain arthritis drugs have been found to lower the amount of selenium in your body. These are the often prescribed anti-inflammatory Glucocorticoid medication, as well as Dexamethasone, and Prednisone.

Only studies over long time tell the truth. A study taken over 22 years have found a clear association between aspartame (artificial sweetener) consumption and leukaemia. Diet soda and high sugar intake is also a trigger of developing leukaemia. Also this study found that aspartame and saccharin causes great weight gain. This also applies to any arthritis sufferers where there is sugar involved in drinks and daily meals. Stay clear from refined food, including most frozen meals, boxed cereals, snacks, sweet yogurt, banana-chips, also "natural" potato chips, and packaged products. Even pretzels act just as sugar when they hit your blood stream because they're made with refined white flower.

Those are full with sugars and trans-fats. All of them would say: "Hello inflammation and pain, here I come."

The ten worst foods for arthritis!


  1. Sugar carbohydrates, including cookies, candies, sodas, fruit and sport drinks

  2. All fast foods especially deep-fried

  3. Refined wheat products, white bread, cakes, pasta etc.

  4. Refined polyunsaturated vegetable oils, corn, soy, safflower, sunflower and canola

  5. Margarines and mayonnaise

  6. Commercial salad dressings and dips

  7. Granola bars and energy bars

  8. Processed snacks, chips and crackers

  9. Microwave popcorn with butter flavouring

  10. Veggie - burgers and any other fake soy-based foods

Those pain provoking foods contain excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids and lots of sugar. It is all about balance to bring your total Omega's into balance by consuming more Omega-3 foods than Omega-6 fatty foods.

When it comes to arthritis pain and taking supplements you should know what to take and only take a quality product. Not all Glucosamine is good Glucosamine; independent testing laboratories have discovered that up to 90% of all Glucosamine products on the market today are ineffective and practically worthless.

Glucosamine-Chondroitin creams and gels are bunk. Don't waste your money.

Only by eating the right food you will get the full benefit from a good natural supplement to make sure that your body will become and stay healthy, and pain- free.

You will gain pleasure and peace of mind by taking preventive action with no side effects.

For more information about health and how to choose the best supplement ("in a liquid form") to add to your daily diet, just follow the link below, info is free.

The Interaction Between Turmeric and Inflammation - Using Turmeric to Stop Joint Pain Inflammation


It's unbelievable, but that turmeric herb is generating quite a buzz in the research labs these days. What if I told you that studies have shown an interaction between turmeric and inflammation as being a healthy treatment for reducing swelling. Studies have also shown how turmeric is the natural anti inflammatory way to help reduce the effects.

The bright-yellow spice called turmeric (curcuma longa) is a natural anti inflammatory medication. And the curcumin (the yellow pigment) is the main substance responsible for its anti-inflammatory power.

The interaction between turmeric and inflammation begins with macrophages which are immune cells that are found in a person's fat tissue. The macrophages produces molecules called cytokine which are said to be the very reason why inflammation occurs in the pancreas.

Studies show that the enzyme taken from turmeric (the curcuma enzyme) controls these macrophages. This, in turn, minimizes inflammation.

As for the joint pain (or arthritis), when you relieve the inflammation -- at the same time you relieve the pain. Studies found that the effects of the ingredient turmeric (curcumin) when used held back the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.

No wonder it was used thousands of years ago by Chinese and Indian healers. This amazing natural anti inflammatory herb also helps remedy wounds, digestive woes, arthritis, skin conditions, and even menstrual issues.

Nowadays the connection between turmeric and inflammation continues. The list of benefits keep mounting like cancer prevention, lowering of cholesterol, helping battle Alzheimer's disease and, because of its antioxidant activity, used as an anticancer agent.

So what is the best way to get the turmeric and inflammation benefits? The easiest and most popular route is through a multi-vitamin health supplement.

When you look for turmeric supplements to ease pain and inflammation, make sure the ingredients also include piperine (increases absorption into the bloodstream), green tea, and resveratrol which all greatly increase its healing power.

If you're interested in the natural anti inflammatory benefits of the turmeric herb, consider adding a multi-nutritional supplement which includes high quality turmeric extract in its ingredients.

Now that you know the interaction between turmeric and inflammation for joint pain. Why not include this powerful herb into you daily diet routine and live a long and healthier life.

Coral Calcium Alleviates Joint Pain and More


I was introduced to coral calcium in I'd say, 1999. For years I was experiencing joint pain, specifically in the shoulder(s). Over a ten year period, I had tried chiropractic, massage therapy, kinesiology, etc. I was at wits end, anticipating having to have some sort of surgery to alleviate the problem.

A friend of mine, Joe, who is a massage therapist and practitioner of alternative health, medicine, etc. called and asked me if I had heard of Bob Barefoot.

I replied that I had, in fact, I just ordered his book, The Calcium Factor. Joe then told me that he had Bob on the phone, to say, "hello."

I spoke with Bob for quite some time. I explained my condition, and asked a ton of questions about coral calcium and it's effects on degenerative diseases, like cancer. Bob was intriguing to say the least.

I ordered some coral calcium online, tested my pH and found that my saliva was acidic. According to Bob, an indication that you have some sort of illness, or are developing one.

I began taking the coral calcium right away. Within 5 days, I found that the joint pain I was experiencing before was gone! I had full mobility in both of my shoulders again.

In addition, I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure. My BP was high enough that the doctor wanted to put me on medication. When I returned to the doctor, just 10 days after taking the coral calcium, my BP had normalized. No medication needed!

So, in less than ten days, my joint pain was gone, my BP was normal and my saliva started testing above 7.0, neutral on the acidic scale. Within a few more days my pH went up to 7.2!

In addition, many have experienced significant weight loss using coral calcium. Studies show that when your body is calcium deficient, it releases a fat storing hormone, called calcitriol. A simple fix - add calcium. Coral Calcium is a good source of calcium!

I started selling coral calcium, and needless to say, sales went through the roof! Our first website went to #1 on Google, and stayed there for over a year. We were selling in excess of 15,000 bottles of coral calcium a month.

Eventually, the FTC, FDA and the rest of some regulatory agencies filed suit against Bob Barefoot and one of his associates. They were forced to shut down their infomercial, being sited as making erroneous claims for the product.

The FTC can say what they want about scientific evidence not existing to support coral calcium claims, I don't need them, I AM ONE!

In addition, of all the coral calcium we have sold, there have been very few returns. Bottom line, for most people, coral calcium works!

Even if there are no evident benefits, coral calcium would be a good product to take for preventative reasons. Coral Calcium contains calcium and 73 trace minerals. In addition, we've added vitamin d, to aid in the absorption of calcium and the other nutrients.

Natural Back Pain Relief Supplement Ingredients Help Increase Quality of Life


Here is what you need to know about some commonly used supplements that may be effective in the reduction of joint pain and can support health joints.

If you have ever experienced joint pains, you know that it is a challenging condition. Our joints undergo age related changes that start at the onset of puberty and continue through out our lives. These degenerative changes usually accelerate during the third and fourth decades of life and can compromise the quality of your life.

Wear and tear of the joints caused by violent strain, gout, osteoarthritis, infections of the joint, and autoimmune disorder, is often the cause of this very painful condition.

Though there are no standard supplements that are available for the treatment of joint pains, a few are mentioned below that could help alleviate painful joint conditions.

Glucosamine
Our body requires glucosamine for the synthesis of glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans. These are present in the synovial fluid, ligaments, and other joint structures. Glucosamine sulphate is the dietary supplement most frequently used by patients who suffer from osteoarthritis and joint pains. Considerable research has shown that glucosamine sulphate effectively reduces symptoms and slows down the progression of the disease. The recommended daily dosage of this supplement is as follows - one capsule of 1500mg per day or three capsules of 500mg taken thrice a day.

Chondroitin
Chondriotin is a compound that is essential for the formation of our joints' matrix structure. Long-term use of chondriotin supplements could slow the progression of the disease by slowing the narrowing of the spaces between joints. Though some studies show that chondriotin helps alleviate pain, reviews of pooled studies reveal inconsistent results. Chondriotin has not shown any benefit over glucosamine and can probably be just considered as a modest supplement to alleviate pain. The recommended dosage of chondriotin is 200mg to 400mg taken two to three times every day.

Turmeric
Curcuma Longa (turmeric) is a spice that is widely used as a culinary herb. Did you know that turmeric has been used since ancient times to reduce joint inflammation? Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin, which exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting COX-2, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, thereby improving symptoms of joint pains. Though there is no typical dosage and there is insufficient evidence to support its efficacy in alleviating joint pains, turmeric can be safely consumed when added to food as a spice.

Fish oils
For centuries, people have been raving about the benefits of fish oil, which contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 has been proven to help lower triglycerides (fats in the blood) and blood pressure, reduce the risk of blood clots, improve the health of arteries, and reduce disease-causing arterial plaque. But recently, scientific research has shown that fish oil has properties that help reduce symptoms and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis . In fact, a majority of placebo-controlled trials of fish oil in chronic inflammatory diseases have revealed significant benefits, including decreased disease activity and a lowered use of anti-inflammatory drugs Unfortunately, most people's diets today do not include substantial amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. The main dietary sources of EPA are cold water fish such as salmon.

Magnesium
If you want relatively quick relief to muscle and joint pain, magnesium is the first supplement to try. Magnesium is necessary for numerous body functions. It is used to maintain normal muscle and nerve function, regulate heart rhythm, and support the immune system. Magnesium also regulates blood sugar levels and blood pressure. For many people, a normal diet may not be enough for optimum magnesium levels so it's wise to take a supplement. Magnesium is used in analgesics before surgery to help the patient's muscles relax. Take it right before going to bed, and it will help you have a good night's sleep. In the morning you'll awake with relaxed muscles.