Back Pain and Degenerative Disc Disease

Back pain can come in many forms and affect individuals in different ways. Most common sources of back pain include "slipped discs", pinched nerves, and degenerative spine disease. These back pain issues can spread to other parts of the body, stemming from the spine and shooting down the lower back to the leg, or from the neck down to the arm.

Back pain can cause significant loss of quality of life as physical activity is limited and patients are no longer free to do the things they love. Specialty Orthopaedics is Westchester's premier orthopedic group with a subspecialty in spine and scoliosis surgery. Specialty Orthopaedics utilizes innovative surgical techniques such as minimally invasive surgery, arthroscopy, and robotic assisted surgery.

Depending on where nerves are pinched, different pains can occur. A cervical herniated disc can cause pain in the arms as well as weakness or numbness. Lumbar herniated discs cause discomfort and sharp pains in the leg, ankle or foot as well as weakness or numbness. With a lumbar herniated disc, leg pain is usually worse when sitting. Degenerative disc disease is commonly referred to as arthritis of the back, and is a very painful disorder. Read more about degenerative disc disease.

Degenerative disc disease goes by a few names: degenerative disc disorder, degenerative spine disease as well as "arthritis of the back." Simply put, degenerative spine disease is a deterioration of the lower back disks and causes great pain to sufferers. As individuals age, the spine deteriorate and cause vertebral bodies to collapse onto one another, causing compressed or pinched nerves.

Symptoms

Symptoms of degenerative spine disorder include low back pain, neck pain and a great reduction in quality of life. Some problems associated with degenerative disc disease include slipped discs (disc protrusion), herniated discs, pinched nerves, torn disc (disc tear), or collapsed disc. Spine Surgery Specialists of Westchester Treatment options for degenerative disc disease include conservative as well as surgical procedures. Specialty Orthopaedics group will only suggest surgical procedures if indicated. The surgical procedures include decompression, decompression & posterolateral fusion, Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF), Posterior Transforaminal Interbody Fusion, and disc replacement. Read more about degenerative disc disease.

Dr. Zelicof and the Spine Surgery Specialists of Specialty Orthopaedics are fellowship-trained in spine orthopaedic surgery, sports medicine and joint replacement. Visit Westchester Specialty Orthopaedics to get more information on treatment options from some of the Best Doctors of New York.

Spondylosis - Arthritis of the Spine

Arthritis is one of the most common ailments that affect people all over the world. Osteoarthritis which happens through the normal wear and tear of the body's joint tissues occurs as people grow older. This kind of degenerative disease is the one that affects people of the older population. One kind of Osteoarthritis is the arthritis of the spine also known as Spondylosis.

There are two kinds of arthritis of the spine depending on which part the pain is most felt. Lumbosacral arthritis affects the lower back causing it stiffness and pain. It is loss of cartilage in the sacroiliac joint that is found between the pelvis and the spine. It is also called Lumbar Spine or lower back osteoarthritis.

The cervical spine or neck osteoarthritis is also called the cervical spondylosis which is felt in the upper spine. Stiffness and pain in the shoulders, neck, arms and head usually accompany the condition. Other signs of arthritis of the spine are pain or difficulty in bending or walking especially in getting out of bed in the morning, a feeling of your bone grinding on bone and any type of deformity of the spine.

Proper diagnosis of the condition by a doctor requires a record of your medical history, when you have started to feel the pain and difficulty of movement in your spine and also the test to recognize the regions which you are having most difficulty to function. Blood tests and x-rays must also be taken in other instances to assure that other spinal diseases are ruled out. These are important for the proper treatment of the ailment.

An effective pain management plan can be done through some known techniques for its treatment. Sometimes, a combination of the different methods added with other contributing factors such as lifestyle, food and exercise are used to restore balance and mobility to the body. Most traditional treatments fail to offer long-lasting pain relief to arthritis of the spine because they just address the symptoms and not the cause.

An example of the traditional treatment includes medications which has a high risk for the drug dependency among those who take it. Certain side effects are also triggered by the long-term use of the drugs that aggravate the condition instead of improving recovery.

The most important thing in the treatment of arthritis of the spine is to be informed as much as possible of the many possible treatment and alternative ways in bringing back the lost vitality through proper diet, exercise, health supplements and a combination of methods that would help ease the pain.

Hip Bone Problems and Treatment

Your hip is one of the major joints of your body where your thigh bone meets your pelvis bone. The hips are also known as ball-and-socket joints and that's because the ball-like top of your thigh bone moves within a cup-like space in your pelvis. In fact, in the hip joint, the head of the thigh bone swivels in a socket made up of pelvic bones, called the acetabulum. While there can be many reasons of hip pain as it can arise from the joint itself. There are several structures as well that surrounds the hip that can also be the source of pain. When they are healthy, they are considered as one of the strong parts of body, but playing sports, running or falling at times lead to serious hip or bone injuries.

Trauma is more often the major cause of pain in hip bones, but at the same time there are also many source of inflammation that may cause pain in the hip area as well. If we talk in terms of hip bone problems then there is several bone disease as well, such as:

Avascular Necrosis - It basically involves the loss of bone caused by insufficient blood supply, injury, and may lead to breakdown of the hip joint.

Bursitis - In this condition, the bursa, which is basically a closed fluid-filled sac and functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body, becomes inflamed. And, this in turn results in the stiffness and pain around the hip joint.

Arthritis - It is the most common cause of the breakdown of hip tissue. One of the major kinds of arthritis that commonly affect the hip is osteoarthritis. It is basically referred to as "wear and tear" arthritis. It is one of the types of arthritis that normally involves the cartilage that cushions the bones of the hip wearing away, which results in rubbing of bones together and ultimately causes the hip pain and stiffness.

There are several ways of treating these hip bone problems. The treatment of bursitis largely depends on whether it involves any infection or not. If it is noninfectious then it can be treated with ice compresses, and antiinflammatory along with pain medications. Adding to this, the hip bursitis can also be treated by stretching exercises. Sometimes physical-therapy programs can also be helpful. Anti-Inflammatory medication is another treatment procedure that can help you in decreasing the hip pain and swelling at areas of inflammation. However, if the oral medications are not sufficient then the injection of cortisone can also be considered.

The hip bone, is also called the coxal bone, and is one of the key bones that are primarily required for easy mobility. Unlike any other part of the body, it too can be liable to a number of problems that may make any simplest activity more agonizing, but with proper treatment and exercise one can easily overcome from it.

Supplements For Osteoarthritis in Pets

Our pets are part of our family. For many of us our special furry friend/friends are like one of our children. And one thing is for sure we all want the best for our pets. Nevertheless, while our pets do communicate with us it is sometimes easy to overlook or misinterpret conditions that gradually make their way into our pet's lives. One of these conditions is osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.  

Arthritis is a general term referring to inflammation of the joint. The most common form of arthritis in pets is osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative joint disease. This common condition is most often found in large animals but can affect animals of all sizes. It is characterized as loss of cartilage (the shock absorbing gel like material between the joints) and joint degeneration leading to pain and lack of mobility.  

Pet degenerative joint disease initially can be difficult to recognize. Joint stillness after a nap, or an extended period of rest, are common signs of its onset. As the disease becomes more advanced, your pet may not have the enthusiasm for certain playful activities they once had. In severe cases they may not be able to make it to the litter box or through the pet door in time to do their business.  

Supplements for osteoarthritis in pets is a topic of great interest for most pet owners with either aging animals, those with birth defects that exasperate the condition (hip dysplasia), and those who have overused their joints.   The goal in slowing, stopping, and ultimately revering osteoarthritis in pets is to find supplements which include ingredients that have been shown to be effective in reversing the condition.  

Let's cover a few of these:  
*Glucosamine: As pets age many lose their ability to manufacture adequate amounts of glucosamine to keep their joints moving freely and absorb the shock of running, jumping, and playing. This ingredient should be one included in any pet osteoarthritis supplement.  
*Chondroitin, Bovine cartilage extract - While some joint health benefits have been derived from the use of chondroitin or bovine cartilage extract they do not seem to be as effective as glucosamine when used alone; due to their low absorption rate. Nevertheless, these are supplemental ingredients that should be considered.   *Vitamin E - Research studies support the idea that vitamin E is beneficial for osteoarthritis in pets. The benefit was thought to be due to vitamin E's membrane stabilizing actions and antioxidant properties.  
*B5 (Pantothenic Acid) - Some research suggests that a deficiency in this obscure B vitamin reduces cartilage growth.  

In summary, we have just touched on a small number of helpful supplements for osteoarthritis in pets. Your next step is to locate a well respected supplemental formula to treat osteoarthritis in pets. Additionally, all pet owners should make a good effort to keep their pets weight under control. Excess weight is one of the primary causes of degenerative joint disease.

Gouty Arthritis Symptoms - Oh My Aching Big Toe!

Gouty Arthritis - Do You Have It?

The joints in your big toe have been hurting really bad, and you've noticed that it has turned warm, red, and seems to be swelling. For a while, you ignore the pain, and thankfully it disappears for a while, only to come back at odd times with a vengeance. If you're no longer too young, but just young at heart, then chances are, you may want to go see your doctor and ask if you might have symptoms of gouty arthritis.

This kind of arthritis is just one of the more than 100 types of diseases in this category. However, gouty arthritis is one of the most painful among these and is caused by needle-like crystals of uric acid that form in your joints (usually, in this disease, the big toe, although other joints can be affected as well, like the heel, elbow, knees, wrists, fingers, etc.). So, if you can imagine those "needle-like crystals" pricking your joints, then you can understand why there is so much pain involved in this disease.

Gouty arthritis has four stages, namely:

1.Asymptomatic - At this stage, the person may have tested to have elevated levels of uric acid, probably in a general medical screening, but is not experiencing any pain in any joints. The doctor usually will not prescribe any treatment at this stage, but may suggest some diet changes to prevent the condition from worsening.

2.Acute Gout - At this stage, the person begins to feel pain, and swelling and redness of the joints, leading to what is called as a "gouty attack". These attacks can happen intermittently. It is a good idea to visit your doctor once you feel any acute pain in the joint area to prevent the disease from progressing.

3.Interval - This is the "interval" between gouty attacks, when a person is not experiencing any pain at the moment. Many people mistakenly think that the worst is over when they are in an interval stage and refuse to visit the doctor. What they don't know is that this is exactly what it is named, an interval, and there may be an attack waiting just around the corner.

4.Chronic Gout - When there is no or very short interval between attacks, and there is already permanent damage to the joints. Constant pain medication is needed for this type of gout and it is essential that a physician oversee this disease at this stage. If proper treatment is adhered to in the Acute Gout stage, then one may never progress to this stage.

How is Gouty Arthritis diagnosed?

If you think you are already are experiencing the attacks, when you visit the doctor, then chances are, he may ask for any one or all of the following tests:

1.Synovial Fluid Analysis - Synovial (joint) fluid is extracted from your joints through a sterilized needle inserted in the space. The fluid has a straw-like color and is then analyzed in a lab. Normally, joint fluids that look cloudy or is thick may be abnormal.

2.Uric Acid Test - This is done through a simple blood test taken from a vein or capillary. The blood is then tested for levels of uric acid. If it is high then it will confirm gouty arthritis

3.Joint X-ray - An x-ray of the joint may also be needed to properly see how the arthritis has progressed in the area.

How is Gouty Arthritis treated?

Treatment of gouty arthritis is usually geared toward immediate relief and stopping the pain and inflammation that come with the attacks. Medication is also given to prevent future attacks.

One of the drugs prescribed to reduce the pain, inflammation and swelling is Colchicine and often makes the pain settle in 12 to 48 hours. This medication decreases the inflammation and therefore the pain, but it does not alter the uric acid levels in the blood, although daily use of it helps to prevent subsequent attacks.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be effective if it is taken at the onset of the pain.

At times, a diet low in purines is given to lessen the uric acid levels. Some foods that may have to be abstained from are beef, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish, gravy, soda pop, beer, wine, etc.

What Is TMJ? (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)

If you have ever experienced jaw pain then you should be wondering what is TMJ. TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is a condition that affects the joints of the jaw and is similar to arthritis in that is causes pain, swelling and mobility issues with the jaw joints. This can be difficult to deal with for obvious reasons and is often difficult to find a treatment for. Because TMJ has no known causes or treatments, you may have to try a variety of things in order to find something that you feel is working for you. The first thing you need to do is meet with your doctor to determine if there is an underlying cause for your TMJ, like another condition or problem. If so, then treating the underlying condition should relieve your TMJ symptoms.

If you speak with your doctor and can't come to any conclusion, then you may need to see a specialist who knows how to work with TMJ patients and can help you get the symptoms under control, while trying to find ways to avoid future symptoms. This can be a frustrating task, but you should try to do what you can to control the pain and mobility issues as they will most likely be the two that affect you the most. If you can find a way to deal with the symptoms, then you will be able to concentrate on what is causing your symptoms in the first place or understand what TMJ really is and where it comes from.

Because there are no apparent causes or treatments for TMJ, it can be difficult to find a way to deal with the symptoms or put a stop to them in an overall way. If you are suffering from some of these symptoms and wondering what is TMJ, then it may be time to talk with your doctor about what you are experiencing and what you can do to feel better fast and find a way to deal with the pain, swelling and other symptoms associated with TMJ.

Gout - Pain Relief to Stop the Symptoms

Gout is easily known as the worst form of arthritis and often starts in the joints of the big toe and progress from there into other joints as the condition worsens. Gout is extremely painful and caused by inflammation in the joints. This inflammation is a result of high levels of uric acid in the body which then converts to crystals and settles into joints causing immense pain and lessened mobility for the gout sufferer. While, uric acid is a naturally occurring chemical in the body, most high levels come from food and the body's inability to clear it out in heavier individuals.

There are many forms of gout pain relief that can be offered to gout patients and are available in the forms of pain management medication, a healthy diet and lifestyle, an exercise routine that promotes healthy joints and a diet low in uric acid. Cherries have also been known to decrease gout symptoms and offer relief to those who suffer from the condition. All of these can be used together or in conjunction with another form of treatment your doctor many recommend. Before trying any new treatment for relief of your gout symptoms, always talk with your doctor and a nutritionist with gout treatment experience as they will be able to help you find the right gout pain relief for your specific case and symptoms.

A gout diet is one of the most effective ways to help prevent gout attacks and the onset of gout in the first place. There are many foods that are high in uric acid and while many of them are uncommon in traditional American cuisine, some you may be eating every day unknowingly contributing to your own pain level.

There are also many different types of supplements available that can be used to treat and prevent gout. Some of these are as simple as adding turmeric and ginger to your diet or taking regular fish oil and other supplements. These should also be discussed with your doctor, but all have been proven to offer relief and prevention toward gout.

Remember, left untreated, gout can create permanent damage to your joints and the possible onset of kidney disease. Work with your doctor and nutritionist to find the gout pain relief treatment system that will work best for your specific case and find relief in daily activities.

A Quick Lesson in Hip Flexor Anatomy

There are 4 main locations of the smaller muscles that make up the overall hip flexor muscles: the abdomen/hip region, the front of the thigh, the gluteus, and the inside of thigh/groin.

(Illiopsoas)

Psoas Major/Minor

The Psoas Major is a tapered muscle that runs along the front of your pelvic bone down to your hip joint; it is probably the most important of the hip flexor muscles. While it does help lift the leg up, it also greatly aids in external rotation (moving your leg away from your center of gravity). The Psoas Minor also helps in this role, but only about 50% of people have this muscle! This is also one of the highest risk muscles for a hip flexor injury due to its' central position.

Illiacus Muscle

The Illiacus Muscle is located right beside the Psoas, but it is a much smaller, triangular muscle. The Illiacus is actually important for two types of movements, the first: open-chained (like when you are standing), it helps to raise the leg/knee forward. In closed-chained positions (think lying down), it can help lift the upper half of the torso up, like in a sit-up. Because of the heavy loads often placed on the Illiacus it is often a source of hip flexor pain.

Muscles on Front of Thigh

Rectus Femoris

This is what most people would call their quadriceps muscle, but it is actually part of the hip flexor muscles. It obviously is involved in hip flexion, but it also is the primary muscle when extending the leg (knee flexion) in a standing position, like kicking a soccer ball. Note that it is not the primary muscle for this same movement in a seated position when the hip is already in a flexed position, it has limited power, so other muscles are use.

Sartorius

The Sartorius is a long thin muscle that runs from the hip joint all the way down to the knee over top of the thigh. It aids in 4 major movements: Flexion of the knee and hip, rotation of your leg, and adduction (pushing your legs together). Because of its' many facets of movement, it primarily plays a support role to other hip flexor muscles.

Gluteal Component

Tensor Fasciae latae

The Tensor Fasciae latae is primarily an adductor and stabilizing muscle. In many activities, walking, running, snow activities, and many more, it is heavily used to stabilize the leg and support the knee.

Inner Thigh Muscles

These 4 hip flexor muscles all have extremely similar functions for the scope of this article. The Pectineus, Adductor longus and brevis, and the Gracilis all are located in what most people would consider the groin region. They are responsible mainly for moving the leg laterally, although they support in the flexion of the hip as well.

As you can see, there are several hip flexor muscles that all work together to facilitate hip flexion while fulfilling other functions as well.

Elbow Joint Pain - Best Alternative Treatment to NSAID's

Often when a joint pain in the elbow starts, you may put it down to a simple niggle or ache from an old injury or the way you've been leaning or lying, but if you find the pain persisting then it could perhaps be something slightly different.

Obviously mentioning the words like, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis may sound a little extreme as these aren't curable diseases, where as lupus or a bacterial infection are, so one way of detecting what you have is through self-analysising the pain, to see if it is migrating round the body.

If you find the exact same pain suddenly move to a joint in the foot, and then to the wrist or shoulder and so forth, following the nerves around the body then there's a slim chance it might be related any one of the variant forms of arthritis.

If the pain also follows a daytime pattern, so say it comes in around midday, then by the afternoon it's got a little worse, then come evening time it is really starting to unsettle you then should seek a diagnoses straight away, whether it's a bacterial infection or joint disease.

Ways to Treat Elbow Joint Pain

When you visit your local practitioner, after preliminary tests, they will most likely put you on one of the numerous types of NSAID's there are on the market - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

These are most often prescribed to arthritic sufferers and are essentially drugs which reduce the swelling in the joints to relieve the pain.

Sometimes they kick in, other times they won't. If you are on any medication also you won't be allowed to take these due to their inherent health risks.

Celebrax and VIOXX which were once two of the most popular NSAID's in the West have now been removed from shelves after patients began experiencing liver, kidney and heart problems specifically heart palpitations, so bear in mind that these are for short-term use only should you decide to use them

FDA Registered Homeopathic Treatments

Alternatively, if you want to relieve the joint pain in the elbow naturally and not become dependent on these prescription pills, then FDA homeopathic treatments manufactured in pharmaceutical labs in the U.S and Europe are proving to be more popular today than ever before due to the advances they've made over the past few years.

The latest ingredients include Glucosamine Complex, Chondroitin Sulfate and MSM (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane).

MSM which is found in plants, animals and humans, works especially well at treating and relieving chronic pain, osteoarthritis, joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.

Glucosamine Complex on the other hand helps provide strength and elasticity to tissues fibers in the cartilage, increasing fluidity to the elbow joint and more cushioning between the joint.

Chondroitin Sulfate another natural substance produced by the body prevents other bacterial enzymes from degrading the building blocks of joint cartilage, therefore it prohibits the cartilage from becoming dry which will cause the joints to rub together and swell.

These 3 ingredients alone are just some of the advantages FDA registered joint pain supplements have as an advantage over NSAID's, not to mention they are completely safe and can be taken long-term.

Remedies For TMJ - Shocking Tips For Immediate TMJ Relief

TMJ (or temporomandibular joint disorder) causes tremendous pain as the cartilage in the lower jaw becomes displaced and causes pressure on the nerves. For some looking for remedies for TMJ, it can change your life. Sometimes, only baby food can be eaten because the pain is so great. For others, who have found remedies for TMJ, the symptoms of the disease are almost non-existent. So how can you find remedies for TMJ? Below are 2 tips to help in your quest.

One important tmj remedy is changing your diet. Would you believe there are over 50 foods that can cause almost immediate TMJ pain relief. Additionally, there are 14 foods you should never eat if you are looking for a remedy for TMJ. One thing you should never eat if you have TMJ is caffeine. Caffeine causes you to subconsciously clench your jaw, leading to more TMJ pain.

So what should you eat if you are looking for remedies for TMJ. Well one of the top 50 foods is calcium. Calcium is said to help relax the muscles making it a great remedy for TMJ. Calcium can be found in most dairy products or as a supplement if your lactose intolerant.

In addition to diet, there is one thing you can do at the time of a TMJ spasm to reduce the pain. When you feel TMJ pain coming on grab a warm washcloth and place it over the point where you are feeling pain. This will immediately soothe your TMJ and is one of many great remedies for TMJ.

Physiotherapy After Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement has matured into a routine operation for the relief of hip pain and disability due to hip arthritis, giving some of the greatest quality of life increases of all medical procedures. Typically performed in older people, many get a good result from their hip replacement surgery but many do not reach their greatest potential due to lack of follow up rehabilitation in the post-operative period.

An osteoarthritic hip joint is likely to cause a degree of pain and disability for a year or more before the person comes to operation. This period of difficulty can cause influential changes in the tissues around the hip which can be relevant in the postoperative period. Pain and weakness can make us use our joints less, avoiding pushing them to the ends of their movement, a process which gradually reduces the joint's range of motion. Adaptive shortening occurs in the hip's ligaments, as the structures shorten in response to the fact that the joint is not being put through its full range any more in the normal daily pattern.

When a hip joint is not used in the normal way or through its full range the muscles which power it will lose some of their strength. The hip joint is designed to bear weight and to move the body around which involves high levels of power, provided by the largest muscles in the body, the gluteal muscles. The ability to run, walk, get up from a chair, climb stairs and go uphill is facilitated by the power of the gluteal muscles to a great extent. If these muscles weaken they can reduce a person's independence to an important degree.

The hip abductors, a smaller muscle group of the gluteal muscles, are important in controlling the side to side stability of the pelvic girdle in gait, with weakness of these muscles interfering with walking. Standing on one leg in walking we hold the opposite side of the pelvis up to avoid it dropping and make bringing through the moving leg more difficult. The hip abductor muscles do this and if weak we feel unstable in walking and tend to lurch towards the weak side, making us lean our trunk towards the other side to restore balance. This is described as a positive Trendelenberg sign.

The abnormal Trendelberg gait imposes unnatural forces on the hip and requires side flexion of the spine to hold balance on each step. The abnormal gait which results fails to strengthen the hip abductors and remedy the problem. With hip problems we tend not to extend our hips fully so the gait cycle is shortened as the hip extensor muscles fail to attain full movement and power. A restriction in hip joint movement and the presence of muscular weakness makes mobility more difficult and can make the outcome of the operation less satisfactory in the absence of rehabilitation.

Patients typically have impaired balance and coordination even before they have their joint replacement operation, with some improvement occurring as the hip's function moves more towards normal after the joint has been replaced and the mechanical function of the hip is restored towards normal. Other impairments usually include the sense of joint position sense, an important ability the lack of which compromises balance and makes falling more likely.

Physiotherapists assess a patient's hip function and ability to get through their normal daily work, looking at the deficiencies in the joint so they can plan the rehabilitation. Noting the gait of the patient will be the first thing in the assessment, moving on to checking movements of the hip, knee and spine to check for any restrictions due to joint stiffness. An abnormal gait can be habitual and the physiotherapist will analyse and correct the gait pattern towards normal.

Excessive range is not encouraged in hip replacements due to the risk of dislocation. Next the muscle power in all the surrounding muscles will be tested and then the person's balance reactions and joint position sense. Once the assessment is complete the physiotherapist will give the patient a programme including joint mobility, strengthening, and balance and gait correction. Many with hip arthroplasty do not reach their best potential due to a lack of rehabilitation care after the operation.

Joint Pain - A Natural Approach

Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness can alter your lifestyle dramatically, preventing you from participate in the activities you most enjoy. With the onset of pain in our fingers, wrists, knees, hips or virtually any joint in the body, we tend to jump to the conclusion that arthritis has set in. While joint pain is a natural response to inflammation in the body, it doesn't necessarily mean you have one of the hundred forms of arthritic conditions. Often, pain in your joints simply alerts you to the need for positive changes in your diet, exercise habits, stress level, body weight and even your emotional well being.

Whether your joint pain is caused by hormonal changes, excessive acidity in your diet, cold and damp weather, arthritis or other factors from the list below, rest assured there are natural ways to increase your mobility while reducing and even eliminating your painful symptoms. With inflammation the common denominator of all joint pain, determining its source and implementing positive lifestyle changes is a great place to start.

Joint Pain - Contributing Factors

o Inflammation

o Hormonal changes, especially in women as menopause approaches.

o Severe or recurrent joint injury from heavy physical activity.

o Skeletal postural defects.

o Age-related changes in collagen matrix repair mechanisms.

o Excessive weight.

o Activities such as long-distance running performed over many years.

o Cold climate and atmospheric pressure changes.

o Food allergies such as dairy and wheat.

o Overly acidic diet including nightshade vegetables; potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

o A diet high in animal products.

o Nutrient deficiency: calcium, magnesium, manganese, protein, essential fatty acids.

o Low-grade infections (dental infections) and autoimmune disease.

o Build up of toxicity in the body.

o Dehydration.

Acidity and Joint Pain

In his best-selling book "The pH Miracle," Dr. Robert Young says: "Pain cannot exist without acidity and acidity cannot be present without pain." The human body requires a balance of acidity and alkalinity to function well. However, Americans have a tendency to become overly acidic due to stress and the consumption of processed foods, carbohydrates, sugars, red meat, and sodas. Very simply, acidity causes inflammation while alkalinity reduces it.

An excess of acid in the body causes increased amounts of calcium, minerals, and acid toxins to deposit in the joints, resulting in inflammation and pain. Over time, this can lead to joint pain and arthritic conditions. Decreasing sources of acid and increasing your intake of alkalizing foods and drinks will help restore healthy pH levels and help relieve the pain and stiffness in your joints. Avoiding acidic foods can be confusing with lemons, which are alkalizing rather than acidic, as a prime example.

The Role of Inflammation

Most of us think of inflammation as a hot, red and swelling reaction to over exertion or an injury, but that's just the beginning. Chronic systemic inflammation is an underlying cause of a long list of seemingly unrelated, age-related diseases including atherosclerosis, cancer, obesity, diabetes, congestive heart failure, digestive system diseases, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis. With regard to joint health and arthritis, cytokines regulate various inflammatory responses.

Cytokines are a group of small proteins secreted by specific cells of the immune system that are released into the circulation or directly into tissue and act as messengers to the cells of the body. They regulate the body's response to disease and infection and play an important role in maintaining normal cellular processes in the body. Cytokines are pro-inflammatory and tend to trigger the overproduction of free radicals creating a health compromising cause-and-effect loop.

A strong immune system triggers the inflammatory response to deal with injury or infection. But, our stressful lifestyles and poor dietary choices can cause sustained low-grade inflammation that prevents cell regeneration and repair which gradually tears down tissues, including those in your joints. As examples, elevated cortisol, the hormone released in response to stress, works as an inflammatory agent, and a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugars can create a constant state of inflammation.

Toxicity and Joint Pain

Inflammation is the body's response to toxicity. Poor food choices, smoke, alcohol, sodas, coffee, pesticides, household cleaning products, allergens, herbicides, and chemicals in your personal care products all contribute to toxic overload. Detoxify, purify, and regenerate with a gentle cleanse to reduce the toxic burden on your body and relieve the pain, stiffness and swelling associated with inflammation.

Hormonal Imbalances and Joint Pain

Changing levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone play a role in inflammation so it's no surprise that women often notice the onset of joint pain during perimenopause and menopause.

Because estrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect in the body, fluctuating estrogen levels during this natural life transition can exacerbate the symptoms of chronic inflammation.

Bio-identical Progesterone

Bio-identical progesterone can ease the inflammation burden by helping to balance your hormones, nurture your endocrine system and ease stress. When it comes to degenerative diseases like osteoporosis, progesterone cream has been shown to have remarkable results. Verified by a three year study of 63 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, those using progesterone cream experienced an average 7-8% bone mineral density increase the first year, 4-5% the second year and 3-4% the third year.

Arthritis

The word arthritis literally means joint inflammation, but it is also refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis the most common. According to annual estimates, approximately 46 million adults in the United States (about 1 in 5) report doctor-diagnosed arthritis.

The Most Common Forms of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, refers to the pain and inflammation that can result from the systematic loss of bone tissue in the joints. This wear-and-tear form of arthritis is most commonly associated with the natural aging process.

Rheumatoid arthritis, also known as rheumatism, is most common among people over 40 with women afflicted two to three times more frequently than men. It is characterized by inflammation and pain in the hands, arms, legs and feet. Organs such as the eyes and lungs may become inflamed as well.

Gout usually occurs in men over 40 and is caused by the elevated blood levels of uric acid which forms crystals in the joints causing them to become inflamed and painful. The immune system reacts to these crystals as if they were foreign invaders. Avoid excessive amounts of red meat, alcohol and sugar to keep gout at bay.

Degenerative Bone Disease - Osteoporosis

Degenerative bone disease or degenerative arthritis is caused by inflammation and the breakdown and loss of the cartilage in the joints. It affects the hands, feet, spine, hips and knees or virtually any joint in the body. The cartilage helps the bones glide over one another and acts as a shock absorber. Over the years, the bones begin to rub against each other beneath the cartilage. This leads to pain, swelling and loss of joint movement.

Osteoporosis can be present without any symptoms for decades. Therefore, people may not be aware

of their osteoporosis until they suffer a painful fracture. In America, more than one million fractures occur annually in women 45 years or older, only 70% of whom are diagnosed with osteoporosis. Hip fractures are the second leading cause of death in people 47-74 years of age. Aching in hips, lower back, or wrists often signal worsening osteoporosis, kidney weakness or immune system dysfunction.

Joint Pain Therapy for Symptom Relief

The downfall of conventional joint pain remedies such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which have dangerous side effects, have people turning to natural products to address joint pain and prevent inflammation and degenerative conditions. In fact, The Council for Responsible Nutrition found that bone and joint issues are among the primary conditions for which American health professionals recommend their patients use natural, dietary supplements and initiate healthy lifestyle changes.

Aspirin and ibuprofen might temporarily suppress pain and inflammation, but they do not build tissue or cartilage and carry side-effects. For example, the side-effects associated with ibuprofen include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and occasionally ulcers of the upper intestinal tract. Other possible and less frequent side effects involve the central nervous system, liver and allergic reactions like skin rashes. Heavy use of non-aspirin pain relievers also put you at risk for developing high blood pressure.

Natural approaches to Pain Relief

Balance your hormones: Bio-identical progesterone cream is calming to the nervous system and nurtures the adrenals to lessen the impact of inflammation causing cortisol.

Make wise choices: Substances like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and marijuana place a heavy burden on your system, so eliminate them or at least moderate your intake. One of the fastest ways to reduce inflammation is to stop smoking and using stimulants.

Supplements to consider: Use a high quality, absorbable multiple vitamin and mineral complex to fill any nutritional gaps. Pregnenolone improves joint pain and mobility. Get plenty of Omega 3 (fish oil). Hyaluronic Acid is a major component of the synovial fluid and increases the viscosity of the fluid to literally lubricate the joints. Glucosamine sulfate aids in the formation and repair of cartilage. Emu oil is a highly effective pain relieving anti-inflammatory. Shark cartilage, rich in chondroitin sulfate, has been found to reduce pain of joint inflammation. MSM is an organic source of sulfur known to restore connective tissue, ease joint pain and much more. Vitamin D daily often brings noticeable results. Blue Green Algae is very alkalizing and helps reduce inflammation.

Positive dietary changes: Lower your intake of carbohydrates and sugar to reduce the pain caused by inflammation. Avoiding acidic foods and drinks will make a remarkable difference. Drink plenty of pure water every day to avoid dehydration. Reduce your intake of animal protein, especially if it is not organic, processed foods and any additives or preservatives. In the words of Dr. Bernard Jensen, "Every day, eat the colors of the rainbow."

Utilize natural anti-inflammatory herbs and foods: Alfalfa, blackstrap molasses, boswellia, celery, cherries, dandelion, devil's claw, feverfew, fish oils, garlic, ginger, goldenrod, nettle, tumeric and yucca are all helpful in reducing inflammation and easing pain and stiffness in your joints. Use them generously in your foods or supplement with capsules or tinctures.

Exercise: A program of regular physical activity can strengthen the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the affected joints and preserve mobility in joints that are developing bone spurs. Remaining active, maintaining an ideal body weight, and exercising the muscles and joints regularly nourish the cartilage and promote mobility and flexibility.

Manage stress: Lower stress levels and inflammation causing coritsol with meditation, Tai Chi, yoga, deep breathing exercises, prayer, stretching, gentle exercise, etc.

Get plenty of rest: Sleep restores and heals the body and is a perfect inflammation antidote. Get between 7 - 9 hours of restful sleep daily.

Severe Joint Pain Relief

Severe joint pain, like osteoarthritis, affects millions of people. Popularly known to many as degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is probably the most ordinary type and it is brought about by the cartilage breakdown in the joints. Osteoarthritis is associated to a lot of symptoms and signs but the chief ones are pain and stiffness in the joints. The most painful moments include those upon waking up in the morning after the joints are quite rested. Stretching or moving around during the morning can be excellent ways to be rid of the stiffness. Because of the heightening demands, medication for sever joint pain relief are now increasing in popularity and number.

Though osteoarthritis is the most common disease that can affect the joints, rheumatoid arthritis also influences a lot of people. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated to a dysfunction in the immune system that affects the joints' lining and in turn brings progressive health conditions. Women are usually the ones who need some form of severe joint pain relief because of this condition. The kinds of arthritis can differ in the symptoms and relief treatments. The discomfort that it may cause may be acute or chronic and in the long run, this may cause an alteration in one's lifestyle and routine.

Treatment for severe joint pain

There are numerous treatment modalities for joint pain such as stress relief, exercise, medications, supplements, proper diet, and rest. Supports and braces are also being utilized in cases where there is chronic pain in the knees, neck or back. Rheumatoid arthritis often responds well to proper diet and rest because it is immunity-related. When an individual suffers from stiffness or pain then this is the indication that he or she needs to rest. Physical therapy is also recommended for severe arthritis pain relief because it increases the joints' range of motion.

Eating balanced meals is essential if one wants to maintain a pain-free protocol. Sufferers should also maintain their weight within an acceptable range so that the joints cannot be given too much pressure. Certain goods like sardines and liver can worsen conditions that are linked to gout and arthritis. A balanced diet can extremely lower the discomfort while maintain the health of joint and helping in their repair. Medications are also utilized for severe joint pain relief. Several types of analgesics and steroids are prescribed for their properties that are anti-inflammatory and ability to manage pain.

Going for natural supplements over severe joint pain relief drugs

Many of the drugs used for joint pain have negative effects on the body that is why it is vital to make some informed decisions before choosing any treatment regimen. Supplements are formulated to give relief to inflammation and pain that may be brought about by injury and arthritis.

Don't Let Chronic Joint Pain Rob You Of The Joys Of Life

For those of us who have chronic joint pain life has changed. We don't do a lot of the things we did before the pain started. And if the pain is caused by a degenerative cause then the pain won't do anything but get worse. And it really doesn't matter which joints happen to be affected. The joints that are constantly hurting could be the knees, ankles, shoulders, hips, elbows or hands. Our quality of life can be taken away by chronic joint pain. Orthopedics specialists can help you manage your pain.

Pain in the hands, elbows and shoulders is definitely annoying and definitely complicates things. Doing simple things that we take for granted like opening a pop bottle, tearing open a bag of chips or even something as simple as zipping our pants can be almost impossible. Pain in our hands is usually caused by rhuematoid arthritis, although it can be tough to eliminate, it can be eased with medication. Elbow and shoulder pain can be caused by that as well and treated the same way, but if the damage is from injury then joint replacement surgery is possible.

Also, pain in the hips, knees and ankles may be from arthritis as well, but more often than not, the pain in those joints is from damage. This damage can make walking anywhere a real chore and if the pain is severe enough, it can even cause a fall. Sometimes the joints are damaged in such a way as they don't operate the way they should which can also cause a fall. Joint replacement surgery is definitely an option and one that can restore a quality of life far beyond pre-surgical states.

Joint replacement surgery isn't the easiest of surgeries to recover from, however if you're coping with moderate to intense pain, it is definitely worth it. After the surgery, the pain doesn't miraculously go away, but after physical therapy and the healing process is complete, all of the pain can go away completely. You won't have to suffer any more and you can go back to your active lifestyle.

Many joint pains don't have to be tolerated and managed with medicines and therapy while some do. You could cure completely the pain in elbows, hips, knees, ankles and shoulders that used to be debilitating and required canes, splints, braces and sometimes even wheelchairs with surgical joint replacement. If you suffer from joint pain, check into all the different treatments for chronic pain, hip or knee replacement and start living a pain-free life. You can live life without pain and actually start enjoying it again.

The Link Between Fibromyalgia and Celiac Disease

Do you have Fibromyalgia? Are you constantly sick and tired all the time? Have you been told to live with it and that there is no cure? Could you actually have Celiac Disease and it has been undiagnosed? Is there a possibility you could find a solution to all your health problems that is a simple as a change in diet?

Fibromyalgia is a complex pain syndrome, with a multitude of different symptoms and without a single known cause. There are many symptoms. Here are some of them:

• Increased sensitivity
• Stiffness on Awakening.
• Arthritis like pain, with or without joint involvement
• Fatigue
• Un-refreshed sleep (tired on awakening)
• Sleep Disturbances
• Muscular pain
• Tendon pain
• Hormonal effects
• Headaches and Migraines
• Brain Fog
• Depression
• Exercise Intolerance
• Low immunity/ frequent infections
• Stomach/ Bowel disturbances /Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• TMJ/ jaw pain.

Many people tend to have Fibromyalgia as a co-existing condition along with another disease. The most common of these is Rheumatoid Arthritis, but it can also exist with Lupus, or Psoriasis. However is also possible for it to exist as a stand alone disease. There is however another possibility that has been overlooked and that is the incidence of Celiac Disease that is being misdiagnosed as Fibromyalgia.

Celiac Disease is an auto-immune disease that is, the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues seeing them as a foreign substance. When a person with Celiac Disease eats any food containing gluten (the protein found in Wheat, Rye, Oats and Barley), the body reacts to those proteins found in the gluten and attacks the small finger like projections in the small intestine called villi, thus preventing absorption of food. This leads to major digestive disorders, stomach ailments, fatigue, anemia, headaches, exhaustion, and pain and fatigue.

At least 1 in 100 people have Celiac Disease but it is often missed. It is not commonly something that is checked for when someone has all the fibromyalgia symptoms, but it is worth ruling out and investigating. It is diagnosed by a blood test and by a biopsy of the small intestine during a gastroscopy. The simple treatment of it is a completely Gluten free diet.

Most often people with Fibromyalgia have digestive disorder complaints, most commonly they are told that it is caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The symptoms of this are alternating diarrhea and constipation, nausea, bloating and wind and constant fatigue. Well unsurprisingly this is also the exact symptoms of Celiac Disease! How many doctors have checked their Fibromyalgia patients for Celiac. I know I wasn't.

Since following a Gluten free diet all my symptoms of Fibromyalgia and IBS have disappeared! I am however not advocating that all Fibromyalgia is caused by Celiac Disease, but don't you think it's worth your health to rule it out.

Pain Relief Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic illness that leaves patients suffering from never ending painful conditions and symptoms. According to medical studies and researchers, there is no specific medication that can cure this health condition. Don't lose heart! There are several diet options you can depend upon in order to get relief from pain. Here are some diet suggestion coming straight from medical expert to plan a pain-free diet in order to reduce inflammation and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

a) Tea

Tea has been introduced to the list of healing foods by the experts. Green tea consists of polyphenols, widely known as epigallocatechin - 3 gallate or EGCG. This works towards inhibiting the expression of the interleukin - 8 gene. This gene works for arthritis inflammatory response. Researchers have also proved that black tea can reduce the pain. Sip in tea and you will be relieved from pain. There are certain special compounds found in tea such as phytoestrogens, flavonoids and fluoride. These are a group of antioxidants that work together for healing pain in the body.

b) Grapes

Grapes are rich in resveratrol. It is a phyto-estrogen, nonsteronoidal compound. The studies in the past few years have indicated that resveratrol tends to block inflammation of cells. The inflammation of cells is directly associated with arthritis or several other diseases related to joints. Resveratrol is the first major natural compound that has been identified to undertake two major tasks. The first task is to block the Cox-2 gene from being activated. The second function is to inactivate the enzyme created by that gene. Experts believe that trans-resveratrol can work towards improving aspirin properties to fight diseases related to COX-2 like arthritis. So, snacking on grapes let you get a lot of healing nutrients to the body.

c) Vegetables

Diet consisting of a major portion of vegetables is said to reduce inflammation in most people. This diet helps in producing prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These functions help in reducing inflammatory conditions.

d) Broccoli

Broccoli is rich in glutathione. Glutathione is a potent antioxidant and detoxifying agent. Most of the antioxidants such as Vitamin C & E are unable to function without the help of glutathione. Experts also believe that people with less glutathione in their body can have greater risk of arthritis as compared to those with higher amounts of this antioxidant. You can also snack on some other glutathione rich foods such as avocados, grape fruit, peaches, watermelon and oranges.

e) Fish

According to several studies conducted on health, it has been proved that Omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish can help in reducing inflammation. You should also include fish oils to your diet in order to stay away from the rheumatoid arthritis. Fish high in Omega-3 include anchovies, bluefish, capeline, dogfish, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, shad, sturgeon, Tuna and white fish.

f) Pineapple

Pineapple has been widely used to heal sports injuries. The fruit contains bromelain helps in reducing inflammation. The ingredient helps in reducing pain occurring due to arthritis.

g) Olive oil

Eating Olive oil in large quantities can cut down the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. It is high in unsaturated fatty acids. It also contains Oleic acid that helps in decreasing inflammation.

Joint Kote - Natural Remedy For Joint Pain

As much as 45 million people are reported to experience joint pain, with the most common form being arthritis. People who suffer from arthritis can experience extreme discomfort and pain in the joints. As people age, that number will definitely increase.

The joints can swell as a result of the arthritis and this is made worse by the weight of the individual. A lot of people with arthritis have had to take medicine for it, just to be able to move around and alleviate the pain, but as you are well aware most medicines come with side effects. Some people have even tried to wear a brace just to alleviate the pain or using hot water to soothe the painful joints.

If you are looking for a natural herbal remedy for joint pain, one of your first stops should be Joint Kote. Joint Kote is a joint formula that shields your joints and it is designed for both men and women. It helps supports your joints and it maintains healthy mobility. It works for your hands, knees, elbows, hips, shoulders, back and neck, basically it works for any part of your body that is struggling with joint pain.

Joint Kote is formulated with a specific blend of Glucosamine Complex, Chondroitin Sulfate, MSM, Vitamin C, Ginger, and White Willow Bark. The ingredients that are used in Joint Kote have been proven to be effective in the treatment of joint and osteoarthritis inflammation and pain. As for side effects, there have not been any reported so far, but that does not mean there are not there. When it comes to your health and what you put inside your body, let your doctor sign it off first.

When you have joint pain, it is also extremely important to know the foods that you should include in your diet to manage your joint pain better. Your nutrition is extremely important, and that is why you get the Joint Protection Diet Guide with your Joint Kote order, which will educate you on the foods you need to eat and the liquids that you put inside your body and how your body reacts to it once it is inside.

Arthritis Affects Everyone Not Just Older People

Arthritis is a very common chronic disease which is characterised by the inflammation of the lining of joints in your body which can lead to disability and loss of function. It is the leading cause of disability. It progresses in 3 stages:

Stage 1: Swelling of the synovial lining, causing pain, warmth, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint.

Stage 2: Rapid division and growth of cells which causes the synovium to thicken.

Stage 3: Enzymes are released by the inflamed cells that may digest bone and cartilage which causes the involved joint to lose its shape and alignment, more pain, and loss of movement.

Types of Arthritis:

Osteoarthritis: This is the most prevalent form of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates. This causes pain and loss of movement as bone begins to rub against bone.

Rheumatoid arthritis: Here the joints get inflamed leading to swelling, pain, stiffness, and the possible loss of function.

Gout: This often attacks small joints, especially the big toe and this can completely controlled with medication and changes in diet. It is more common in men.

Ankylosing spondylitis: The spine gets affected. As a result of inflammation, the bones of the spine grow together.
Juvenile arthritis: Seen in children.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus): This can damage joints and other connective tissues throughout the body. It is a serious disorder.

Scleroderma: Here the skin gets thickened and hardened.
Fibromyalgia: Pain affects the muscles and attachment to the bone.

Symptoms:

o Joint Pain. It starts with smaller joints like your fingers and hands. The pain will be mostly symmetrical,meaning that if a joint hurts on the left hand, the same joint will hurt on the right hand.

o Fatigue

o Weakness

o You experience stiffness particularly in the morning and when sitting for long periods of time.

o Fever

o Pain associated with prolonged sitting

o Muscle pain

o Loss of appetite

o Depression

o Weight loss

o Anaemia

o If you observe lumps of tissue under the skin typically found on the elbows

o Involvement of the glands around the eyes and mouth, causing decreased production of tears and saliva

Treatments:

Arthritis comes in different fronts and ways and so the treatments vary accordingly. Current treatment methods focus on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, stopping or slowing joint damage and improving your functioning and sense of well-being. This is a critical disease so do not avoid it. It is important that you get an early treatment so that you can live with it.

As you grow old, your chances of getting arthritis increase. Joints naturally degenerate over time. This being a chronic disease it will be with you for long and maybe even life long. But the good thing is arthritis can be managed by taking the right medication, exercise, rest, weight-management, nutrition, and, in some cases, surgery. Your doctor should be able to decide on the best treatment for your case. You should be positive thinking and with the help of family and friends you can continue with your daily activities without any fear.

Bowen Therapy - Conditions That Benefit From Bowen Treatments

Most acute conditions (90%) respond to Bowen treatments within 2-3 sessions (you begin to feel results) and resolve in 3-5 sessions (relief of your symptoms). Most results are long-lasting or permanent. Periodic follow-up treatments are recommended for general health maintenance.

Chronic, long standing conditions respond to Bowen treatments within 2-3 sessions, but may take longer to resolve for long-lasting relief of symptoms!

Below is a list of conditions I've treated successfully using the Bowen technique.

Abdominal Pain

Adrenal Exhaustion

Allergy

Angina Pain

Arthritis

Asthma

Backache

Back Pain

Bacterial Infections

Bed Wetting

Bell's Palsy

Bladder

Blood Impurities

Blood Pressure (Low or High)

Breast Lumps

Breast Pain

Bronchitis

Bunions

Carpal Tunnel

Chest Pain

Chronic Fatigue

Chronic Pain

Circulation

Coccyx Pain

Colds & Flu

Colic

Constipation

Depression

Diaphragm Pain

Diarrhaea

Digestive Problems

Diverticulitis

Dizziness

Eczema

Edema

Emphysema

Epstein Barr (Mono)

Fears and Phobias

Fever

Fibromyalgia

Flatulence

Fluid Retention

Frozen Shoulder

Fungal Infections

Gall Bladder Pain

Gall Stones

Gastro-Intestinal Discomfort

Glandular Fever

Groin Strain

Hammer Toes

Hay Fever

Headache

Heart Conditions

Hemorrhoids

Hernia (Inguinal)

Herpes Simplex

High Shoulder

Immune system

Incontinence (adult)

Indigestion

Infection

Infertility

Influenza

Injury

Insomnia

Irregular Milk Supply when breast feeding

Jaw pain

Kidney Problems

Knee Surgery

Lactation

Leg Cramps

Liver Problems

Lumbago

Lungs

Lymphatic Drainage

Mastitis

Meniere's Disease

Menopause

Menstruation

Migraine

Musculo-Skeletal

Nausea

Neck Pain

Nervous Exhaustion

Nervous Tension

Obesity

Osteoporosis

Pancreatitis

Period Cramps

Plantar Fascitis

Pregnancy (discomfort)

Pre-Menstrual Tension

Prostate

Psoriasis

Rash

Respiratory Problems

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Sacral Pain

Sciatica

Scoliosis

Shin Splints

Shock

Shoulder Pain

S.I. Joint Pain

Sinus

Skin Disorders

Sternal Pain

Stomach Ulcer

Stress

Teeth and Gums

Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ)

Tennis Elbow

Tendinitis

Ulcers

Urinary Tract

Varicose Veins

Viral infections

Warts

Holistic MindBody Therapy, including pure essential oils, are gentle, noninvasive complementary forms of health care for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind and spirit and a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being. Holistic health care often produces satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.

What Causes Joint Pain?

The discomfort that comes when tired knees are bent or the nagging ache felt when extending the elbow are all signs of joint pain, which has the potential to affect one or more joints at a time. While the inflammation of the joints (primarily caused by arthritis) is usually the culprit behind painful joints, there are many different kinds of injuries and conditions that may cause sore joints that throb with pain. No matter what causes painful joints, the overall feeling can become quite unbearable.

Paying a visit to a physician is needed to reach an accurate diagnosis regarding your joint pain. It is very important to locate the source of your joint problem in order to select the best approach towards treatment. After completing an assortment of tests, a proper diagnosis is made. Below you will find a few conditions the doctor may consider when pinpointing the source of your joint pain:

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis:
This autoimmune disorder causes stiffness and pain in the joints. Unfortunately, it is also a progressive illness, which has the potential to destroy joints and cause varying levels of disability.

2. Osteoarthritis:
This condition involves the deterioration of cartilage and the growth of bone spurs that affects the joints. In adults over the age of 45, this is a rather common occurrence, which can cause irritating joint pain.

3. Bursitis:
Joint pain often surfaces when the inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning for bony parts of the body) takes place.

4. Lupus:
The characteristics of this autoimmune condition are known to affect the joints by making them swollen, inflamed, and quite painful.

5. Prescription Drug Interactions:
It is not unheard of when patients suffer from joint pain when one medication reacts with another drug or preexisting medical concern.

6. Physical Stress:
Since the physical health of a joint is important in determining the level of pain one may endure, anything that causes damage or stress greatly affects joint pain. This is why athletes are especially prone to pain since they are constantly putting their joints under a great amount of stress.

7. Sprains and Strains:
When overuse of a joint leads to a strain or sprain, pain comes from extraordinary physical exertion.

8. Injury:
Injuries can cause great joint pain, especially when a bone fracture occurs.

9. Gout:
Joint pain may also come as a sudden attack, such as in the case of gout, where a build-up in uric acid causes extreme discomfort.

10. Tendonitis:
The inflammation, irritation, and swelling of a tendon may cause joint pain.

11. Infectious Diseases:
Joint pain is a common symptom associated with a host of infectious diseases, including influenza, measles, hepatitis, mumps, German measles (rubella), chickenpox, paravirus, and lyme disease.

Sports Injury Pain Relief With Natural Eggshell Membrane

If connective tissue damage is keeping you from participating in the sports you love, Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM) may be the key to getting you back out on the field. Connective tissue damage is common in sports injuries, strains and sprains. This kind of damage manifests as muscle stiffness, aches and the loss of flexibility. These symptoms are commonly overlooked as a part of the natural aging process or simply as normal effects of being active. But joint pain, muscle aches and loss of flexibility can signal connective tissue damage, which if left untreated can result in keeping you out of the game permanently.

Treatment and repair of damaged tissue is a complicated process that hinges on controlling inflammation to allow your body to begin repairing tissue. Inflammation can be treated using over the counter medications, vitamin C and Zinc, and other non-prescription treatment options. If inflammation isn't controlled, then the processes necessary to help repair tissue damage cannot take place. Connective tissue repair is actually a two part process that consists of first addressing inflammation and second, providing the necessary nutrients and tools to your body to begin the repair process.

It is the repair process that can be most helped by NEM. Natural eggshell membrane can help repair connective tissue damage and relieve joint and muscle pain. NEM is the thin membrane between the eggshell and egg white. NEM contains the proteins that are necessary to help repair connective tissue damage.

If you want to get back in the game, a daily supplement containing NEM may be able to help. Supplements that contain natural eggshell membrane are effective, because they contain a high level of NEM. Natural eggshell membrane not only helps repair tissue damage, but it also works to maintain the synovial fluid necessary to keep your joints and tissue healthy. Synovial fluid is located in your joints and helps keep them lubricated so your movements are smooth and painless.

What is Sacro-Iliac Joint Dysfunction?

The S-I joint is one of the most misunderstood areas of the human body. It has been the source of much controversy in the medical community for many years. Much of the debate relies on the fact that there are few reliable evaluation methods for the S-I joint.

Contrary to disc injuries, which can be evaluated using many types of diagnostic tools, examining the S-I joints has proved to be quite unreliable. Clinicians need to rely mostly on their experience rather than simple methods used to examine the low back. Most medical professionals do not acknowledge it as a source of pain and dysfunction. So patients leave a medical office with an incomplete evaluation and often times, an inaccurate diagnosis.

The S-I (Sacro-Iliac) joint is comprised of two bones; the sacrum and the ilium. You have two S-I joints (left and right). They are located basically where the spine meets the pelvis. Look for the two dimples in your low back. These two joints allow for very little movement overall as compared to other more prominent joints such as your hip or shoulder. The pelvic girdle is generally described as the two S-I joints, the pubic symphysis (pubic bone in front), the two hip joints, and the bottom two vertebrae (L4, L5).

What do you feel?

Pain located at or near the S-I joint on one side or both sides. Pain located in the low back, buttock, and/or groin area. Another common symptom of a S-I joint dysfunction is "sciatica". Sciatica is best described as a sharp, often shooting pain that begins in the buttocks and goes down the back of one leg. S-I joint dysfunction may also cause nerve irritation of the nerves that supply the groin or front of your thigh.

Other symptoms include:

o Weakness in one leg or both legs; difficulty standing on one leg and raising the other leg (like marching)

o Numbness and tingling in one leg (pins & needles)

o A burning pain located near the "dimples"

o Difficulty raising from a chair

o Muscle discomfort in the buttock, hip, or low back (over 30 muscles attach to the pelvis; from the hip, buttock, thigh, low back.

How does this happen?

S-I joint dysfunction is usually caused by an imbalance in the muscles of the hips and glutes and it can also be caused by a fall or other traumatic event, such as a car accident.

A condition known as "hypermobility" may also predispose an individual to S-I joint dysfunction. "Hypermobility" is best described as a condition in which the joints have too much mobility. This condition generally affects women more than men. Different hormone levels present in women, specifically "relaxin", can influence hypermobility. This hormone is released to prepare the body for pregnancy, and its level in the blood changes throughout pregnancy process. It basically causes the ligaments to "relax" and allow for more movement to occur in the pelvic girdle region.

The best treatment options

First of all, the evaluation is critical to the success of treating a S-I joint dysfunction. Most dysfunctions can be treated with manual techniques that generally involve "mobilizations", "manipulations", or "muscle energy techniques". These techniques must be applied by a skilled medical professional, such as a physical therapist. These techniques can prove to be quite helpful when utilized appropriately following a thorough evaluation.

Once appropriate manual techniques have been administered, a comprehensive exercise program must be implemented to address the following areas, specifically muscle imbalances:

o Lumbar stabilization program: strengthening abdominals and buttock muscles

o Improve flexibility in lower extremity musculature

Some cases may only need a detailed exercise program that addresses the muscle imbalances. You can learn more about how to identify and address your muscle imbalances by visiting http://www.losethebackpain.com

Some S-I joint dysfunctions may linger on for months and even years. Remember, if you are engaged in a current treatment plan with little to no improvement, seek other options. If you think you may have a S-I joint dysfunction, the first step is to find a healthcare professional who is skilled and experienced in addressing muscle imbalances.

TMJ Dentist Helps With These 3 Kinds of Pain

Many types of pain are misdiagnosed and remain untreated or mistreated for years. A good and experienced TMJ dentist can diagnose the problem and offer you the proper treatment for your problem. What is TMJ though and what are the three types of misdiagnosed pain to see a TMJ dentist for?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. It is a condition affecting the hard and soft tissues of the joint and is usually referred to as a TMJ disorder. Dental professionals usually recognize emotional and psychological factors as playing key roles in the maintenance, etiology and treatment of TMJ. The primary symptoms of the disorder are headaches, neck pain and facial pain. Other symptoms are as follows:

- Pain in the mastication muscles, in the area in front of the ears

- Popping, clicking and grating sounds in the joints

- Inability to open the mouth wide or chew

- A perception that the occlusion (bite) does not work properly

- Jaw locking in open and closed positions

Most patients with a TMJ disorder report a wide array of additional symptoms, which are not directly associated with this condition, such as dizziness, tinnitus, shoulder and neck pain, tooth pain, earaches, mobile teeth or fractured teeth. In addition to dental professionals, other doctors and physicians can also evaluate and treat the symptoms. Due to the complicated nature of the condition and symptoms, many patients have reported visiting several different doctors, such as neurologists, rheumatologists and otolaryngologists seeking treatment and therapy.

It is because of this complicated nature of the condition that physicians need to maintain a close working relationship with a TMJ dentist because the symptoms can mimic a large variety of conditions and disorders. Proper and fast assessment and early intervention for the disorder can reduce the individual and societal cost associated with the care of such patients.

TMJ is usually a chronic and painful disorder with psychological correlations similar to all other chronic pain conditions. People who suffer from TMJ might have severe mood and somatoform disorders, or anxiety disorders.

The etiology of TMJ includes many other causes as well, such as work related traumas. Repeated behaviors, such as raising of the shoulder to hold the telephone receiver to the ear can put pressure to the TMJ and increase the tension in shoulders and the neck. Although few people would consider the risks involved, this repeated behavior can produce pain and exacerbate a preexisting issue.

Proper physical examination is necessary that consists of measuring the of range of motion of the mandible, auscultation of the joints for any sounds, observation of opening and closing function and palpation of the masticatory muscles. The physician should also assess the history of complaints and symptoms, and their impact on daily living and emotional functioning.

Treatment provided by a TMJ dentist involves more than one element and includes home care, medication, behavioral intervention and dental techniques. The most common dental treatment for a TMJ disorder is a hard interocclusal appliance, also known as mouth guard, which covers the maxillary of mandibular teeth. This device prevents grinding which usually causes more severe damage if left untreated.

Back Pain Due to Facet Joint Compression

The facet joints of the spine lock the vertebrae together, holding the spine erect but allowing a complex range of movements:

• Flexion (bending forward)
• Extension (bending backwards)
• Bending from side to side
• Rotation, clockwise or counter-clockwise

If the joints become compressed, the vertebrae no longer move freely and you become stiff and there is decreased flexibility of the spine.

If the cartilage which covers the surface of the facet joints becomes worn, you can no longer move your head or lower body smoothly and without pain. The stiffness gradually worsens and can lead to spinal osteoarthritis. Occasionally, to make up for the weakening joint, the body may begin to produce bone spurs, called osteophytes. These bone spurs worsen the problem, as they may project out from the facet joint, protruding into the spinal canal, pinching nerves.

If a bone spur projects from the facet joint and presses upon a disc, which is the tough cartilage cushion between each vertebrae, there can be trouble. The spur may cause the disc to bulge out into the spinal canal, pinching nerves, and often causing low back pain or sciatica symptoms. Sufficient pressure from the bone spur may even cause the disc to herniate.

Another cause of back pain can develop when the nerves of the spinal cord leave the vertebral column. First, it is necessary to understand the formation of the vertebrae. Each has a large opening in the center, called the foramen, through which the spinal cord runs. The vertebrae are stacked one on top of another to make up the spinal column. When two vertebrae are locked together by the facet joints, there is a small opening formed on the side of the spinal column. It is not present in a single vertebra and two are required to make a single opening. This is known as an intervertebral foramen and the nerves branching off the spinal cord exit the vertebral column through these holes. If the facet joints become compressed, the intervertebral foramen becomes smaller, reducing the space through which the nerves must exit. This leads to nerve root compression, known as impingement.

The effects of facet joint compression can be wide reaching, leading to:

Referred pain

Organ dysfunction

Tingling and numbness in affected extremities.

Once a diagnosis has been made, there are a variety of treatments to alleviate pain:

• NSAIDS, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprophen or naproxyn are helpful.
• Physical therapy may improve mobility, range of motion, and strength.
• Corticosteroid and local anesthetic may be injected into the joint to relieve inflammation.
• Blocking the dorsal medial nerve branch that innervates the inflamed joint may be effective.
• Fusion of the joint has been discussed but there are no published reports of this type3 of treatment.
• New procedures for the surgical removal of bone spurs have been effective.

Patients need education about every aspect of this problem and should be informed of all treatment options. It is very important that they use good body mechanics to prevent worsening of their symptoms.

Clenching Teeth in Sleep - Cure Clenching Teeth Before It Does Permanent Damage

Teeth clenching and grinding commonly occurs during deep sleep and is a usual sleeping action for individuals. For the record, nearly all people experience bruxism, the medical term for clenching of the teeth, even in daytime, especially if subjected to strong and suppressed emotions. However common it is, its symptoms must not be overlooked. Intense and regular teeth clenching can cause pressure to the teeth, which can eventually wear and chip the teeth down.

An evident cause of clenching teeth in sleep is yet to be established. Some scientists associate clenching teeth in sleep with central nervous system disorders or diseases. Some psychologists relate psychosomatic reasons as the main cause, citing stress as an influential factor. At any rate, bruxism is a condition that must not be overlooked to prevent the occurrence of more serious dental damage.

The following are symptoms and effects:

Teeth wearing. Bruxism causes pressure on the upper and lower teeth. If teeth clenching occurs regularly it is certain that the teeth will be damaged and are worn down. People with long-term and regular symptoms may have teeth that looked like it was filed down.

Chipping of the teeth. As bruxism gets more frequent over a long period of time, the teeth can break off. Chipping of the teeth might go unnoticed by the person because the cracks are too small to be seen through X-ray. Disregarding the symptoms can make the problem worse, which can lead to the damage deepening until it reaches the root canal. When this happens, a root canal therapy or operations should be done in order to replace the worn tooth.

Teeth sensitivity to cold, hot, and sweet food or beverage. If you have extremely sensitive teeth, it might be a symptom.

Premature loosening of tooth. Bruxism can loosen the tooth due to the grinding action, which makes the upper and lower teeth to rock back and forth and from side to side. This rocking motion affects the bone supporting the teeth eventually leading to teeth loosening.

Painful chewing and sore jaw. Waking up in the morning with a sore jaw can indicate this problem. The jaw around the check and temple are affected by bruxism as it overused jaw muscles during teeth grinding and clenching. It may also be a sign of TMJ problems. Difficult and painful chewing is also a sign that you are clenching teeth in sleep. This is related to jaw joints being overused and damaged by frequent teeth clenching and grinding.

Clenching teeth in sleep can be prevented by using mouth guards during sleep to prevent the teeth from unconscious clenching and grinding. If you have the mentioned syndromes, consult with a dentist to have a mouth guard fitted over your lower teeth. Do not ignore the symptoms to prevent further damage to your teeth and jaws.

3 Common Causes to Sacrum Pain

Do you have Sacrum pain? Your sacrum is located at the bottom of your spine and it is what many people refer to as your tail bone. A lot of muscle attach into your sacrum including your Gluteus Maximus (your buttocks) and many smaller and deeper internal rotator muscles such as your Piriformis. Plus, your pelvis also attaches to abdominal muscles and leg muscles as well. There is a lot going on in that area of the body, but here I'm going to discuss some of the most common causes of Sacrum pain.

The first thing that could be going on is Piriformis syndrome. As mentioned before, your Piriformis muscle is a very deep rotator muscle. The Sciatic nerve happens to run directly under the Piriformis muscle and when that muscle becomes tense or spasms it can begin to crush the Sciatic nerve resulting in a condition called Sciatica.

This presents itself as a very sharp pain in your buttocks. The Piriformis can cause this pain either from overuse, such as if you are an athlete and you overtrain your legs, or from underuse, such as if you sit at a desk for 8 hours a day with little physical activity.

Another problem that could cause Sacrum pain is inflammation. Your body uses inflammation when it has been injured or exposed to some form of toxin as a way to prevent further damage to it. Unfortunately, the tissue swelling associated with inflammation can also put pressure on the nerves in the pelvis and sacrum area.

If you've been gotten some sort of injury lately, that would be an obvious source of inflammation. But there are also many kinds of food, which are common in western diets, that can cause inflammation. Many of the ingredients in fast foods and junk foods are actually a mild toxin in the body and can result in inflammation, so make the effort to eat a healthy diet.

A third possible cause of Sacrum pain is Sacroiliac joint problems. Your Sacroiliac joint (sometimes called the SI joint) is a joint that connects your sacrum to your hips. This joint does not have a very wide range of motion, and because of this many medical professionals believed for a long time that SI joint pain was actually indicative of other problems. However, times are changing and now many recognize that SI joint pain is in fact, very real.

Since this joint exists to help dissipate the stresses involved on balancing the body and the torsion of movement, pain in this area could be the result of overuse of the joint. Other potential causes are arthritis or inflammation. Without more information, it is difficult to determine the exact cause of SI joint pain.

Sacrum pain can have many different causes. The pelvis is a very complicated area of the body with many nerves and muscle groups linking together from the upper and lower body. To really understand what the cause of your sacrum pain is and the best treatment option, consult your doctor.

Hearing Problems That Can Destroy Your Ears

There are certain things in our environment or surroundings that can be very harmful to us especially if we pay little attention to the danger that they bring. Most of the time we tend to be very abusive particularly to our body that we often end up suffering unnecessary medical conditions that we could have prevented in the past. One of the common mistakes that we make which may probably result to permanent damages to our body is our neglect to properly care for ears by subjecting it to different kinds of harms. There are several kinds of hearing problems that billions of people around the world acquire regardless of age, gender, race or culture.

It is with utmost importance to have the knowledge of the factors that can lead to the destruction of our ears. What we know will not only help us find a solution for a particular ear disease but most importantly prevent hearing problems. Although it may not make us invincible to ear diseases but taking the right precautions is our sole defense against these ailments.

You should be aware that losing the sense of hearing is not the only problem that we may encounter pertaining to our ears. There are many other kinds of disease that are as ultimately devastating as hearing loss. One particular condition is referred to as Tinnitus or ringing in the ears. It is characterized by a constant sound in the ear. What makes this condition very intriguing is that the sound does not really have any viable external reason for it to occur. Aside from that, it is not considered a disease but rather an indication that something is wrong with your body. Nobody has found the exact cure for Tinnitus and though there are remedies that can relieve the ordeal, it does not completely cure Tinnitus. Finding and curing the root of the maddening sound may eradicate it given that particular culprit has a definitive cure.

Aside from ringing ears, another kind of ear condition that can create a sense of imbalance in your normal life is Meniere's Disease. The reason why this disease hampers you from accomplishing the things that you need to accomplish is because it brings about other kinds of problems including vertigo, dizziness, nausea, hearing loss and Tinnitus. People with condition often suddenly lose bodily balance and may find it very difficult to cope with their daily routines whether at home or in the office. The other kinds of ear diseases and conditions include ear infection, acoustic Neuroma, Otosclerosis, TMJ disorder, earwax blockage and many others.

Keep in mind that noises play a very big role when it comes to hearing problems. As much as possible, try to avoid getting exposed and make sure to protect yourself from loud levels of sounds. Furthermore, the kinds of food that you eat may also affect your ears. Make sure to eat foods that are rich in Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamin B. Finally, avoid harmful habits like smoking, drinking alcohol and taking dangerous kinds of drugs.

Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease) In Horses

Have you noticed your horse not moving as well as they have in the past? Or maybe, they have that look of pain in their eyes that doesn't seem to be linked to any noticeable physical condition. These are subtle signs of osteoarthritis in horses.
 
Horses put a great deal of stress on their joints due to their size and desire to run. When the animal starts to age their joints simply wear out, making it more difficult and even painful to walk and run. The most common cause of this normal progression is osteoarthritis, which is more commonly known as degenerative joint disease.
 
Degenerative joint disease is a progressive deterioration of the joint cartilage and represents the final stage of many bone and joint conditions such as traumatic arthritis, joint fractures, and infective arthritis.
 
The condition itself may range from mild to severe and can produce lameness, especially if treatment is ineffective. There may be varying degrees of excess fluid in the joint, an irregular thickening and scarring of the membranes, and restricted motion of the involved joints. In more severe cases the cartilage may have deteriorated all together causing a bone on bone grinding sound.
 
Degenerative joint disease in horses is normally confirmed with the help of X-rays, which will determine the severity of the condition. If osteoarthritis is present the X-ray will show decreased joint space, bony outgrowths, inflammation of the muscles or tendons, and a hardening and thickening of the tissue below the cartilage. In mild cases, your veterinarian may be able to use an endoscope to determine the amount of damage the joint has sustained.
 
Conventional veterinary medicine treats osteoarthritis in horses primarily by reducing joint pain and stiffness. Drugs used to reduce inflammation such as firocoxib and phenylbutazone or corticosteroids may provide a degree of temporary relief. If these medications fail to achieve their intended purpose surgical fusion may be the last option to restore the animal to its past glory.
 
In summary, when joints start to wear out there are very few good options designed to reverse the condition. For this reason many horse owner have been turning to alternative natural treatments and supplements. Alternative natural treatments for osteoarthritis in horses have shown to an effective way to improve joint and cartilage health without the risk of harmful side effects. They are also considered to be very affordable, especially when considering the results achieved could be long lasting. If you are looking for a safe and effective way to help improve the quality of life for your horse, natural supplementation for degenerative joint disease is an option worth considering.

Therapy Pain Relief for Arthritic Feet With Microwavable Slippers

Arthritis is a chronic condition which causes inflammation and pain in the joints, including the many joints found in the feet. The two types of arthritis are osteoarthritis arthritis which is usually associated with age and wear and tear on the joints, and rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disease that attacks the cartilage and tissue surrounding the joints. Many doctors recommend both heat and cold treatments to help reduce inflammation and ease the pain and stiffness that comes with arthritis. A wheat bag or heat pad is a convenient method of applying heat therapy and can be easily heated in a microwave. They may also be frozen and used as cold compress.

Heat therapy with wheat filled microwavable slippers can reduce the pain of arthritis in the feet by increasing circulation and relaxing muscles.

Heat Therapy for Osteoarthritis

Nearly 70 per cent of people over 70 years of age suffer from osteoarthritis, although it is fairly rare in people under the age of 50. Arthritis of the feet can seriously impact an individual's mobility, but self treatment with heated slippers can ease pain and improve mobility for many arthritis suffers. There is no cure for osteoarthritis and medical treatment is limited to medications that relieve pain and inflammation. Those who have severe inflammation may get greater relief from a combination of over the counter analgesics and heat therapy such as using a pair of microwave slippers.

Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can strike people of any age although it most often presents in people in their thirties. In the U.K. the prevalence of the disease is estimated at between 0.5 and 1.5% of the population. This is a degenerative disease which in addition to attacking the joints, can effect organs and cause serious medical problems. People with rheumatoid arthritis should be under a doctor's care, but can treat the symptoms with heat therapy which can greatly reduce pain and improve mobility.

Using Microwavable Slippers for Heat Therapy

Most doctors recommend elevating the feet and legs to reduce the swelling of arthritis. With this in mind, it can be difficult to use most heat pads or hot water bottles to fully cover the feet during these instances. Microwavable slippers are designed to be comfortable and can stay in place for prolonged treatment. It only takes a couple of minutes to microwave these heat therapy slippers, but remember to turn them around half way through the process if your microwave doesn't turn correctly.

The application of heat is used to reduce pain, lessen muscle spasms and diminish joint stiffness. Heat therapy works by adding energy to the painful area which increases the metabolism of all types of cells. Applying heat causes the blood vessels to dilate which increases blood flow. Heat decreases muscle spasm through reducing tension in muscle trigger points and the muscle tendon unit is more able to relax and stretch since the heat decreases the thickness of the collagen in these muscles. If the heat is applied over enough time, the muscle and tendons relax and stretch more readily. This can reduce pain and stiffness in joints. The sensation of heat acts to reduce the transmission of pain signals and can trick the brain into ignoring soreness.
Self Treatment with Heat Therapy

Although there is no time limit on heat therapy, the maximum results are usually obtained in about 8 to 10 minutes. Since there are no drug interactions or side effects from heat therapy, over the counter analgesics or prescription anti-inflammatory medication can be used to reduce any swelling associated with the disease. However, heat therapy is less expensive than prescription pain medications and in many cases provides better relief. Arthritic feet suffers should test different combinations of treatment to see what works best for them.

Arthritis foot pain can be disabling, but microwavable slippers can help relieve pain and keep patients mobile. Heat therapy is recognized by medical professionals as one of the most effective treatments for relief of arthritis pain and doctors recommend that patients use it in conjunction with other medical treatments. Slippers also come in a range of styles and sizes so that everyone will find a slipper that fits them well.

Oral Health Affects and Reflects the Health of the Whole Body

Many are choosing to maintain their oral health routines not only for the sake of a picture perfect smile, but also because the mouth exhibits warning signs for more serious health issues. Good oral health is beneficial to the whole body, not just the mouth.

Poor oral health may lead to a variety of ailments that affect the mouth, including gum disease and tooth decay. If left untreated, the bacterium that causes plaque and tooth decay builds up in the mouth and is swallowed and absorbed into the bloodstream where it can clog arteries and damage the heart, according to Medical News Today.

Those with diabetes are advised to take extra care of their mouth and teeth. Diabetes inhibits the body from making insulin, which turns sugar into energy. The inability to control sugar levels in the saliva exposes those with diabetes to more frequent and severe gum and bone infections, say health experts at the Mayo Clinic. This could potentially cause those with diabetes to lose more teeth than someone without diabetes. According to the American Dental Association, diabetes also causes a weaker immune system, which can lengthen healing time after any major dental procedure.

Maintaining oral health is especially important in children. The World Health Organization warns that poor oral health in children can cause chronic infections and poor nutrition due to the inability to eat without pain or discomfort. Pain from infections can lead to sleeplessness and affect growth and weight gain, as can poor nutrition. A healthy diet is important for providing children with the proper vitamins and nutrients that are needed for proper growth of teeth, gums and a strong immune system, says the ADA.

The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body and can exhibit warning symptoms that something bigger might be wrong. Dry mouth can be common when you are thirsty or on certain medications, but can also be a sign of Parkinson's disease, anxiety disorders, depression and diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is important that you get your mouth checked regularly for any symptoms that might be a sign of something bigger, especially for patients with braces.

You should be able to differentiate symptoms that appear in the mouth regularly and when to be alarmed. It is common for women to have swollen gums and cold sores before their expected time of menstruation, but those normally go away once menstruation begins. Swollen and inflamed gums are also a side effect of some oral contraceptives. Gingivitis is also common during pregnancy and expecting mothers should be sure to stick to their dental hygiene routine to ward off any extra plaque that may build up.

It is important for people with crooked teeth to seek help from an orthodontist. Crooked teeth can add to the severity of oral diseases and potentially affect the way a person eats, breathes and talks. When left untreated, these issues can lead to more serious issues like bite problems, sleep apnea and speech impediments, just to name a few. New braces can irritate the mouth, but it is important to be able to differentiate bigger warning symptoms from normal braces irritation.

Keeping up with oral health not only benefits your smile, but your entire body. It is especially important for teeth to be clean if a patient has braces, even if the braces- invisible braces such as Invisalign- are removable. Good oral health reduces the risk of tooth decay, which may slow down treatment time for orthodontics patients.

Maintaining good oral health is as simple as flossing and brushing teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

Arthritis Remedies For Dogs With Osteo-Arthritis

One of the very common questions vets get is what are the arthritis remedies for dogs that are both safe and work well in dealing with arthritis in aging dogs. Pet owners who believe the onset of this disease should seek their vet's suggestions right away.

It's extremely common for older canines to develop joint arthritis as they become older. This is also true in the very large breed canines who support more weight and thus have additional stress on their joints. The arthritis remedies for dogs involve either prescribed meds or natural supplement products to help deal with this disease.

Although the prescribed drugs are very effective in immediately handling stiffness and joint pain and canines they also can have very significant and extremely dangerous ill effects. A vet should describe the issues when using drugs to treat osteo-arthritis. Pet owners should be very aware and on the lookout for these negative effects as many of these can lead to life-threatening circumstances when not handled correctly.

Other arthritis remedies for dogs involve using 100% natural supplements such as glucosamine. Not only are the supplement products extremely safe and with no dangerous side effects to the pet they are also quite low cost compared to the other drugs available. Additionally, glucosamine in the liquid form is very easy to give to canines. The only thing that's required is pouring the natural supplement over their dog's food during meal time.

Although there is no way to get rid of osteoarthritis it can be managed to some extent and offer the dog relief from this joint disease. The prescribe medications can oftentimes get rid of the pain immediately while a natural supplement acts to create stronger and healthier joints for the long-term. The positive effects of using glucosamine are often not seen for several weeks and up to two or three months. The benefit however is that the pain is not just masked over and that true healing is allowed to take place within the joint which results in pain relief.

Of all the arthritis pain remedies available to treat canine arthritis the natural products should be tried first since they are less expensive and far safer. Only after several months without positive effects should the more expensive and possibly dangerous alternatives be tried with your pet.

A few of the remedies used to treat your dog's joint osteo-arthritis will cause your canine's older years much more happy and far more healthy when suffering from the joint disease.