TMJ Treatment Options Available to the Patients

A patient needs to be well versed with some basic information concerning TMJ disorder before he settles on any TMJ treatment options available. TMJ disorder is a medical condition that occurs when the temporomandibular joint that connects the lower and upper jaw is misaligned or stressed. The effect of TMJ disorder causes severe pain in the jaw and face and in some instances the disorder also causes pain in shoulder and neck. The cause of TMJ disorder requires extremely careful diagnosis and examination. Once the cause of the disorder has been established there are myriad of TMJ treatment options available to be administered to the patient ranging from natural options, bite therapy, TMJ exercises to the dentists such as the pain relief through mouth guard application.

TMJ treatment as stated before includes many options. Firstly, the patient is relieved of pain through the application of mouth guard which is commonly known as dental splints. The second step in TMJ treatment is the bite therapy principle application and tools to analyze the actual cause of misalignment or stress that is causing the problem to the patient. Routine exercises involving jaw are created in order to eliminate the grinding or clenching that contributes to the lower jaw stress if necessary.

TMJ mouth guards pain relief treatment:
This TMJ treatment option is also known as splints which have also been used to treat teeth clenching, grinding and TMJ disorders for many years. Many TMJ sufferers find this option quite useful though its benefits vary from one patient to another. The mouth guard sometimes loses its effectiveness over the time or when the patient stops wearing it. The function of the mouth guard is to make it difficult for a patient to clench his or her jaws in the instance it is considered as the initial step in TMJ pain relief.

TMJ treatment through jaw exercises:
The TMJ exercises are designed in a way that helps in relaxing the patient's jaws and eliminate clenching. In addition, the jaw exercises help in correcting alignment problems. Once the dentist has done a careful analysis he or she provides the patient with appropriate series of simple exercises that the patient can perform in front of the mirror. The essence of a mirror while doing TMJ exercises is to help the patient see the misalignment which is one of the factors in TMJ disorder. The exercises help in guiding the patient in controlling the jaw muscles thus eliminating clenching.

TMJ bite therapy:
This TMJ treatment option is also called TMJ therapy. This TMJ treatment is used by the dentists in finding the causes of TMJ disorder and providing the patients with long term pain relief. The TMJ bite therapy starts with a careful and in depth analysis of the patient's mouth and jaw in order to find the causes of the disorder. The issues that a dentist looks for includes jaw clenching which is attributed to stress among many patients.

It is important to note that some TMJ disorder cases can be treated successfully, although it is difficult to diagnose some of the disorder problems and get an effective solution at the initial stages of the problem. It is advisable to seek doctor's attention for TMJ treatment if you have problem in opening your mouth or if you have a problem in eating. Also, it is important to note that various conditions such as whiplash injuries and arthritis cause TMJ disorder. Apart from dentists, experts who are trained in facial pain can also help in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorder. Finally, some TMJ patients opt for natural TMJ treatment options to address their plight.

Hip Resurfacing - An Alternative to Total Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement is a very successful operation for hip arthritis. The purpose is to remove the two damaged and worn parts of the hip joint- the "ball and socket" and replace them with smooth artificial implants.

However for younger patients, there is a high chance that a traditional hip replacement will wear out during their lifetime and need to be replaced. A second replacement is more difficult and tends not to last as long. in addition high impact activities are not generally recommended after total hip replacement.

Hip resurfacing is a procedure which replaces the two surfaces of the hip joint. This conserves bone as the femoral head is retained. Instead of removing the femoral head, it is reshaped to accept an anatomically shaped metal sphere. This results in lower risk of dislocation compared to traditional total hip replacement and the potential for higher activity level.

Who is a candidate for resurfacing?

Generally people who require a hip replacement under age 55 yrs are candidates unless they have certain types of arthritis which has deformed the femoral head. Hip resurfacing is rarely considered for people over the age of 65yrs.

Results of Hip Resurfacing

Long term results are not known as this procedure has only been in clinical use for just over 10 years- however the results to date have been very good with success rate better than conventional total hip replacement over the first 5-10years.

4 common conditions that may indicate the need for hip resurfacing:

Osteoarthritis

This is a disease which wears away the cartilage between the femoral head and the acetabulum ( the ball and socket) causing the 2 bones to scrape against each other. This results in pain, stiffness and instability. Some patients even develop bone spurs.

Symptoms include pain in the hip or groin area during weight bearing resulting in limping. As it worsens the pain may be present all the time even at night.

Rheumatoid arthritis

RA is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in pain, stiffness and swelling. It is commonly thought to be an autoimmune disease perhaps triggered by virus or bacteria in those with a genetic predisposition.

Developmental Dysplasia

One in 10,000 people are born with this altered hip anatomy leading to early wear and tear. There is often a family history.

Avascular necrosis

This occurs when poor blood circulation starve the bones that form the hip joint. Over time the starved bone dies and the hip collapses.

Alcoholism and corticosteroids are by far the leading causes of this.

Post op recovery

Most patients walk the day after surgery usually with crutches or walking sticks. You will then commence an intensive physiotherapy programme. This is critical to strengthen the muscles around the hip correctly to protect the new hip and give it the best chance of lasting as long as possible. Also many patients had months of pain and were limping before the operation so the hip muscles were often very weak prior to the operation.

Your surgeon will tell you how much weight you are allowed to take initially. For many patients full weight bearing is allowed within the first week and normal walking is usually achieved by 4-6 weeks.

During the first 6 months post op impact activities should be avoided as the bone initially remodels to "grip" the new implant.

In the weeks after surgery it is important to gradually build up your activity under the guidance of a physiotherapist to strengthen the hip muscles and ensure normal walking gait.

It is normal to feel more tired than normal after surgery so allow yourself enough rest during your recovery period.

Further precautions:

* No heavy lifting

* Do not twist while lying or standing

* Avoid extreme movements of the new hip

* Do not cross your legs

* Do not lift your knee higher than your hip on the operated side

TMJ Pain: Is Your Posture to Blame

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. Disorders of this joint are often referred to simply as TMJ. It is a simple acronym for a complex, hard to treat health problem. If you have a TMJ disorder you know just how agonizing it can be.

The TMJ joint is a ball and socket joint on each side of a person's head. It is estimated that up to 15 percent of the people in the U.S. experience pain with a TMJ disorder at some point in their lives. Most TMJ sufferers are women.

TMJ occurs when the temporomandibular joint is under stress. Well known triggers include factors such as dental work, a blow to the jaw, osteoarthritis and whiplash from car accidents. However, poor body alignment may be an often overlooked factor in muscular stress. In my own experience with TMJ, my jaw pain was caused in part by uneven, and rounded shoulders. My shoulder on the right side of my body was lower than the shoulder on the left side which caused a constant downward pull on my right jaw and ear, resulting in neck, jaw and ear pain, tinnitus and eventually even vertigo. My shoulders were also both rounded inward from tight pectoral muscles, causing a forward pull on both sides of my neck.

Physical therapy and yoga helped to raise my right shoulder even with my left side and pull back my rounded shoulders. With my improved muscle alignment, all of the problems with my ears, neck and jaw slowly but surely improved in unison. Now, whenever I lapse with my yoga and home physical therapy routines and spend too much time on the computer, my symptoms start to reappear. They disappear when I return to my therapy routines.

To see if poor posture and tight, unbalanced muscles could be a factor in your TMJ, take a look in the mirror. Standing up straight and facing a full length mirror, take a look at your shoulders from the front. Are they even? In my case the right shoulder was visually lower than the left. Next, with your hands feel the muscles on each side of your neck. Do they feel the same? When I had TMJ, the muscles on my right side were distinctly weaker and more stretched out than the muscles on my left side, which were knotted and overly taut. How about the muscles in your neck? Is your head even on your shoulders from side to side, or are imbalanced muscles keeping it tilted to one side?

Next, put your hands back at your sides and look at them in the mirror. In a person with balanced muscles, the hands should hang straight at his or her side, thumbs facing forward. If your shoulders are pulled forward and unnaturally rounded, then when you look in the mirror you will often see your palms flat against your thighs and the back of your hands facing forward. This may mean that your shoulders have rounded and are rotated inward. This forward shoulder movement can also cause muscle tension in your jaw, as it often means your chest muscles are tight and pulling your shoulders inward, while your back muscles are weak and stretched out, causing a constant forward pull on your jaw from the tighter muscles on the front of your body. .

Now turn to the side and check your posture. Do your arms hang freely at your sides, with the back of the hand flat against your thigh? Is your head evenly at the top of your spine, neither tilted forward nor backward? Is your shoulder directly below your ear? Many people with TMJ suffer from a chronic forward head position and forward shoulders.

If you suffer from any of the above posture problems, don't despair. The good news is that you now may have a valuable clue that poor posture and muscle imbalances may be a contributing factor to your jaw pain and related problems of the upper body. Poor posture caused by muscle imbalances is an often correctable condition with traditional physical therapy or with alternative health therapies such as yoga, posture training, the Alexander technique, rolfing and massage.

Please note that any information in this article should be considered as general information only and should not be used to diagnose or treat TMJ, jaw pain, neck pain or any other health condition. See your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment of any medical concerns you may have, and before implementing any diet, exercise, supplement or other lifestyle changes.

Teeth Grinding Causes and Treatment

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, occurs when a person unknowingly grinds or clenches their teeth. Mild cases may not present any symptoms, but more severe cases can lead to damaged teeth, facial pain, disorders of the jaw, TMJ and other issues.

Teeth grinding causes may be physical or psychological. Doctors suspect that stress is particularly to blame because it disrupts a person's sleep. People may subconsciously grind their teeth in an effort to vent anger, anxiety and stress. Dislocated jaw joints or misaligned teeth are physical issues that can cause excessive grinding. Vitamin deficiencies can also lead to bruxism. Low levels of calcium in the body can cause involuntary movements and muscle contractions. A deficiency of magnesium can also cause muscle spasms leading to clenching and grinding.

There are a number of things people can do to stop teeth grinding. Techniques to relieve stress can be extremely helpful. These include relaxation methods, massages and meditation. To prevent damage from teeth grinding in sleep, mouth guards are the ideal product. There are also mouth guards available for use during the day, and they can be custom-made by a dentist. A dentist can correct any dental issues that may be causing the grinding. When grinding is caused by a nutrient deficiency, a multivitamin or single vitamin can be used to boost the level of nutrients in the body. For more severe cases where there is damage to the joints or jaw bones, surgery can be used to perform repairs on the joints and bones.

To prevent damage to the teeth, it is important to get some type of treatment as soon as possible. Anyone who has symptoms of teeth grinding can try at-home remedies and techniques. They are very effective at providing relief in mild cases. If symptoms persist, see a dentist for an exam.

Effects Of High Blood Pressure On Tendons And Joints

The American Heart Association estimates that in the United States approximately 73 million people, age 20 years old and older have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. However, only about 71% of people who have blood pressure even know that they have it. This can be dangerous because high blood pressure can lead to other serious conditions such as stroke and coronary heart disease which can led to heart attack. Many people don't understand the effects of this condition, particularly the effects of high blood pressure on tendons and joints as well as the kidneys and other organs. This can be dangerous and cause hypertension patients to suffer needlessly.

High blood pressure is the force that blood is pumped through the arteries when the heart beats. This is known as systolic pressure. Diastolic pressure is the force of the blood being pumped through the arteries when the heart is at rest. Hypertension occurs when and adult has a systolic pressure that is 140 mm Hg or greater or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater. Because blood pressure measures the force of the blood moving through the arteries, high blood pressure means that the heart must work extra hard to move the blood through the body. This can lead to pain in the legs as circulation is compromised.

Circulation in the extremities is also compromised due to effects of high blood pressure on tendons and joints stemming from narrowing of the arteries. Conditions such as atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases can cause the blood vessels to narrow which increases blood pressure. Because of this, cholesterol may accumulate in the tendons and joints which can cause inflammation. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon is a common condition that is linked to hypertension. It can cause inflammation and pain in the tendon that is in the back of the ankle.

High blood pressure has also been closely linked to kidney disease. Kidney disease can lead to the build up of excess uric acid in the body which can lead to gout. Because the kidneys are not functioning properly, the uric acid is not adequately expelled from the body. The uric acid then accumulates in the joints, leading to inflammation. Gout generally affects the hands and wrists as well as the knees, ankles, feet and the large joint of the big toe.

Diet, exercise and weight control can go a long way in alleviating the effects of high blood pressure on tendons and joints. It is also helpful to effectively manage high blood pressure and keep it under control. The effects of hypertension on tendons and joints can be painful and inhibit a your quality of life. It can make you a virtual prisoner in your own body, trapped by pain and immobility. It does not have to be that way, though. If you take the crucial steps to manage your high blood pressure, you can reverse the painful conditions that are associated with it. Hypertension can be managed and you don't have to live with the pain that some of its effects can cause.

Glucosamine For Dog Arthritis - Does It Really Work?

Some say dogs are the best companion anyone could have while others say they are family. That's the kind of feeling people share with dogs and this is one relationship that does not take into considerations any geographical boundaries, race or creed. German dogs like the German Shepherd and Doberman Pinchers are some of the best guard dogs while the Labrador and the Golden Retriever are treated as the best family dogs.

But a dog comes for a price. He/she is as much susceptible to diseases and other physical ailments or problems as we are. One of the most concerning dog health problems is arthritis in dog. Dog arthritis occurs due to inflammation in the joints and can be divided into two categories: degenerative arthritis and inflammatory arthritis.

The degenerative arthritis or joint disease is also known as osteoarthritis and occurs in dogs when the cartilage starts to degenerate at a rapid pace. The inflammatory joint disease occurs when there is an infection in the joints or there is an immune-mediated disease called as like dog rheumatoid arthritis. This type of immune arthritis in dog can affect multiple joints and is accompanied by anorexia and fever.

There are various dog arthritis treatments available, but the best treatment for dog arthritis is glucosamine. Basically, there are two types of Glucosamine supplements. They are Glucosamine HCL and sulfate. The amount of glucosamine that can be given to your dog depends on the physical condition of your dog.

After many researches about dog arthritis medication, recent studies suggest that liquid glucosamine is better than glucosamine tablets. The reasons include: 1) Liquid glucosamine has many higher absorption rates than solid glucosamine; 2) Liquid glucosamine has much better effectiveness to treat arthritis in dog than glucosamine tablets. If your dog is suffering from dog arthritis like dog rheumatoid arthritis, it is highly recommend to get liquid glucosamine for your lovely dogs. Don't delay.

Snapping Hip Syndrome: Causes and Treatments

If you hear a snap in your hip when you walk, stand up or swing your leg, you may have snapping hip syndrome. Though the sound often causes concern, it is generally not a condition that requires treatment. It is most commonly found in dancers and other athletes.

Snapping hip usually occurs when a tendon moves across a bony structure. This can occur on the outside or inside of the hip. On the outside, it occurs when the iliotibial (IT) band snaps across the greater trochanter, the top of the thigh bone that sticks out. When snapping occurs on the inside of the hip near the groin, it is likely caused by the iliopsoas tendon snapping across bones of the pelvis. This tendon stretches from the inner thigh to the pelvis.

Is the snapping a cause for concern? The medical community says no, unless it is associated with pain. Pain can occur when the tendons and surrounding muscles are tight. The IT band is more prone to snap across the greater trochanter if the band is tight. The IT band can become tight when the gluteus medius muscle, an important hip stabilizer, is weak; this can lead the tensor fasciae latae (TFL) muscle to compensate for the gluteus medius and to become tight from overuse. The TFL connects to the IT band; when the muscle is tight, it pulls on the IT band and causes it to tighten as well. Since the IT band runs from the hip to the knee on the outside of the thigh, tightness of this structure can cause pain at the hip and the knee as well as altered body mechanics. See http://www.physioadvisor.com.au/8278950/itb-stretches-iliotibial-band-stretch-physioad.htm for information on stretching the TFL and IT band. The glute muscle should be strengthened as well to correct the imbalance.

The iliopsoas tendon may snap over the bones of the pelvis if the psoas muscle to which it attaches is tight. Psoas muscles are commonly tight in the general population. They are hip flexors, which means they work to bring the lower and upper body together. Since they are held in a shortened position when sitting and sitting is a regular part of many people's day, tight psoas muscles are not uncommon. They may be especially tight in runners and cyclists, who use the muscles frequently. A tight psoas pulls up on the iliopsoas tendon, possibly causing it to snap across bones when the hip moves. See http://www.floota.com/PsoasStretch1.html to learn 2 hip flexor stretches. You may also need to use a foam roller to lengthen tight psoas muscles.

Bursitis occurs when a bursa is inflamed. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that lay between bones and muscles or tendons; the bursa helps these structures glide over one another without experiencing friction. There are bursae between the greater trochanters and the IT bands and between the front of the hip joint and the psoas muscle. When structures are tight and inflamed, they can rub against the bursae and cause them to become inflamed. An inflamed bursa fills with extra fluid and causes pain whenever a structure moves across it. It is generally tender to the touch as well. If you experience pain with snapping hip syndrome, bursitis may be involved.

Diagnosing the cause of snapping hip syndrome may be difficult. A doctor or physical therapist can move your leg in such a way as to recreate the snapping in an attempt to isolate the relevant structures involved. Exercise therapy should be sufficient to treat muscular causes of snapping hip syndrome. Rarely, snapping hip can be caused by torn or broken pieces of cartilage or bone inside the joint. This may require steroid injections or surgery.

While the medical community generally dismisses cases of snapping hip syndrome that aren't accompanied by pain, it is good for you to know that the sound you hear could indicate muscle tension that, eventually, could result in pain. Incorporating some stretches or foam rolling into your exercise routine may be sufficient to relieve the annoying snap you hear when you move your hip.

Hip Pain Problems

Our hips do a lot of work for us. They support our bodies, put up with the repeated motion of back and forth while we walk and run, and help us to dance the night away when needed. They are not indestructible, however, and over time, they may begin to hurt. If you are experiencing hip pain, you might be curious as to what may be causing it. If so, we may just have the answers you need.

The Anatomy of the Hip

Our hips are made up of two ball and socket joints, actually the largest of all the joints in our bodies. They are designed to withstand a lot of wear and tear, with a cushion of cartilage inside the joint to give us that fluid range of motion we need every day. Over time, the cartilage will begin to wear down, or become damaged. The muscles and tendons that are attached to the hip, that join it to our torso and to our legs, can be overused, and stretched or torn.

The bones that form the hip, and its ball and socket joints, are just like any other bone in our bodies. They can become broken if we fall, or be susceptible to any number of bone disorders, especially arthritis. When this happens, or any number of other medical conditions, the hips begin to hurt, and stop working as they should.

Causes of Hip Pain

As we said, there can be a whole host of medical conditions that can cause a patient to suffer pain in the hip. The most common cause is simple aging, which can cause bones to thicken and lose the vital lubrication that the joints need to function properly. Arthritis is the number one reason behind such pain, and while there is no cure, it can be eased with a combination of regular exercise and medication. Bursitis will cause the muscles and tendons around the hip to become inflamed, as will tendonitis. Fractures of the hip bones come in a distant third in the rankings of common causes.

Two of the most devastating causes of pain in the hip are cancers, and a disease known as avascular necrosis. Cancers can spread to the hips and weaken them, or start there, as in the case of bone cancer or leukemia, which affects the marrow within the bone. Avascular necrosis can be an especially nasty condition to treat. What happens is that the blood flow to the hip bone is reduced to nearly nothing, and the bone tissue dies as a result. Dislocating or fracturing the hip can lead to this necrosis, as will prolonged use of high dosage steroids, like prednisone.

Symptoms

The symptoms included with pain in the hip can vary, depending upon what condition is causing it. Some symptoms will worsen with activity, especially if it is caused by something like arthritis. You may develop a limp, as well as finding that your range of motion has been reduced.

The main symptoms associated with this condition are pain felt in the thigh, the inside of the hip joint, the groin, the outside of the hip joint, or the buttocks. Other pains throughout the body, like those from the lower back, can also radiate towards the hips, and make it feel like the pain is coming from there.

Pain Relief Options

If your pain is caused by muscle strain, osteoarthritis or tendonitis, it can usually be managed by over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers will usually be treated with anti-inflammatory prescription drugs like corticosteroids, or anti-rheumatic drugs like methotrexate or sulfasalzine.

Other options include exercising, usually low-impact activities like swimming, stretching and resistance training, all geared to improving joint mobility and reducing the pain. Another treatment choice that can improve range of motion is physical therapy, and some chiropractic adjustments, all designed to reduce your overall hip pain.

Large Breed Dogs Also Suffer From Arthritis

Large breed dogs, medium breed dogs, and even small breed dogs have tendency to develop arthritis. Arthritis is a disease of the joints and usually occurs during the twilight years for both humans and dogs.

Canine Skeletal System

The skeletal system of dog is an incredible network of several bones, cartilage, as well as ligaments that are responsible for providing his body a strong and robust structure. This structure protects the internal organs, stands supported on four strong legs, and facilitates a variety of motions. However, lack of healthy bones, joints, as well as connective tissues mean that the dog becomes incapable of running, jumping, trotting, climbing, and playing. When a dog suffers from joint pain, these abilities are affected.

There are three types of joints or skeletal hinges in a dogs body. These include ball, socket joint like the hip, and should joints; the hinged joints like the elbow and knee joints; and the plane or gliding joints like the ankle and wrist joint. Arthritis strikes a large sized dog when the joints, lubricated by synovial fluid, are damaged by either injury or disease and he shows signs such of arthritis such as limping, yelping when touched, disinclination to walk, jump, or play etc.

Arthritis Disease

There are many types of arthritis. A degenerative joint disease, arthritis is a result of inflammation in joints and can be broadly categorized as inflammatory and degenerative, based on the source of irritation. Making a trip with your pet to a veterinarian is a prudent move rather than giving the dog a couple of aspirins to quell the pain (never give Tylenol to a dog or aspirin to a cat).

Osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative arthritis disease that affects the pet as a result of cartilage destruction. Now, cartilage is the covering that protects the bones that form the joint. The breakdown of the cartilage is a result of normal tension on an abnormal joint or abnormal tension on a normal joint. While hip dysplasia (a common cause of arthritis in dogs) and malformation of the hip sockets are examples of abnormal joints with normal stress; frequent jumping over obstacles, or tearing or excessive stretching of ligaments resulting from strenuous exercises or injuries from accidents or falls are examples of normal joints with abnormal stress.

Treatments for Arthritis

Typically, arthritis doesn't manifest until your pet has experienced years of abnormal stress. As the lubricating fluid decreases, it also loses its ability to protect the bones from degeneration. Sometimes, surgery can halt or prevent arthritis. However, relief can also be found with alternative medicines such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

A Look at Lunesta Side Effects and Why You Should Be Careful Taking This Drug

In a previous article I wrote about Ambien, now lets take a turn looking at Lunesta side effects. This drug is definitely on a marketing blitz lately with its green, glowing butterfly. However, is it as gentle and effective as the ads make it sound? Be warned...it may be poison in disguise.

The side effects of Lunesta share some of the basic ones of other sleep medications like Ambien. It can cause nausea, headache, vision problems, etc. Many people on Lunesta also reported a foul taste in their mouths that lasted into the day after taking the drug. For some it was almost unbearable. It affected how their food tasted and they noticed they were hypersensitive to the taste and experienced it in full each time they took a breath. And these are just the simple side effects. However, the more serious problems are somewhat different.

When asked about more serious side effects in a recent poll of users on the web, a number of people mentioned that one of the side effects of Lunesta was an increase in depressed or even suicidal thoughts. Several users of the drug talked about never having had depression or suicidal thoughts before, but when taking Lunesta they became withdrawn, anti-social and in some cases actually attempted to kill themselves.

Users who felt this way also noticed that withdrawals from the drug produced continued depression or anxiety after they had stopped taking it. A few are still waiting to feel normal again after being off it for weeks.

Lunesta side effects also include aggressive tendencies. Several people reported significant mood swings/behavior changes while on the medication. Many found themselves to be verbally or physically violent toward others. One woman reported taking a baseball bat to her stepson's bike as a result of a uncontrollable flash of anger while on Lunesta. She worries what might have happened if the anger had been directed toward the child.

Lunesta side effects also include rashes spreading across the body, joint pain and significant swelling in various parts of the body. Many people have found that they also have extreme nightmares even while awake and have trouble going back to sleep after such episodes.

It is also worth noting that with all the Lunesta side effects listed that many people reported that this drug was relatively ineffective in helping them get a good night's sleep compared with other drugs/methods of getting to sleep. Many reported little to no sleep at all when taking Lunesta. Others reported a full night of rest but without the feeling of being rested the next day. It left them tired and groggy as they attempted to perform at work or school.

It is important to understand Lunesta side effects and complications if you are considering using this drug to get some sleep. Much of what users report on the drug is not pretty and calls into question the continued use of it by doctors. There are better ways to get sleep like exercise and diet changes, stress reduction techniques and natural supplements that work with the body and have less side effects. Consider all your options and do your homework when trying to find a way to get over your sleeplessness.

Why Do My Teeth Hurt When I Move My Head Or Ride The Bus?

Quite a few things can make your teeth hurt: pressure - if you have an infection, a loose filling or a cracked tooth; temperature - if you have decay, receded gums or a broken tooth; and movement - often if there is nothing wrong with your teeth or gums.

Usually when head movements or, in severe cases, vibrations cause you dental pain, it's because you have sinus problems. These problems are classified as 'Sinusitis'.

The sinuses are hollows in the cheek bones that give your voice its resonant quality. There's one each side below your eye. The sinuses produce small amounts of fluid to keep them flushed out. This fluid drains into your nose and joins the normal mucus production so that you're not even aware of it - until something happens that stops it draining. Then the fluid builds up in your sinuses and you get pain.

There are many reasons why your sinuses might not be able to drain. The most common is following a head cold. The cold virus causes the lining of your nose to swell and produce more mucus (runny nose) This swelling can squeeze the holes through which the sinuses drain closed so the fluid can't escape.

Other causes of sinus problems include polyps - otherwise harmless growths that block the drainage holes; infection from part of a tooth root that was accidentally pushed into the sinus during an extraction; or sometimes a sinus develops with the drainage hole not at the bottom, so some fluid always remains behind.

Your teeth hurt because the nerves to some of the upper ones run in the floor of the sinus and if trapped fluid is sloshing around against then, it stimulates the nerves and causes pain.

A sure way to check if this is what's causing your problem is to walk heavily down some steps. Does that hurt? Nod your head forward. Does that cause the pain? If so, you have sinus congestion.

Try nasal decongestants. There's a wide range of these available from any pharmacy. Some are in tablet or capsule form and some have to be inhaled. A combination of both usually works best. Ask the pharmacist for advice.

If that doesn't improve things, you should ask your dentist to refer you to a specialist to investigate clearing the blockage.

For more information about keeping your mouth healthy, beautiful and trouble-free, see

Watch Your Mouth

How to Stop TMJ?

TMJ is a disorder of Temporo mandibular joint or the place around the joint of the jaws. This region is very sensitive and gets destabilized by the slightest pressure or tension. This problem can cause severe pain or discomfort and hamper natural activities and can even make talking naturally a difficult task. This can lead to embarrassment and make one's social life dysfunctional. Not to mention the severe pain often associated with it.

Though there are no proven ways to completely and permanently stop TMJ, you can choose from among many procedures to considerably lessen the pain and discomforts. Some of these procedures involve crowns and caps fitted on your teeth while others involve natural procedures like exercises. Which procedure you choose to stop TMJ will depend on what the cause of your problem is.

The most important cause of this condition is usually stress. If that is the case then you should use some kind of stress relieving treatment. You can also try aversive conditioning, have someone wake you up every time you grind teeth. Massed negative practices can also be effective, try alternate clenching and relaxing of teeth, for 5 minutes each.

Your doctor can opt for treatments like putting guards on your teeth. Also useful are some medicines like botulinal toxin injections or you may be referred to a psychiatrist or a counselor.

Avoid or lessen the intake of alcohol, tea and coffee and any food containing chocolate. If you really want to go for natural solutions you might want to try TMJ exercises. These exercises can be very effective in producing a long lasting cure.

Vaxamine Provides Proven All Natural Pain Relief For Dogs

There are a number of products out there that provide your dog with relief from the pain that is caused by inflammation, but Vaxamine pain reliever for dogs is different than most because it is made from all natural ingredients. Many other products, while effective in reducing inflammation, are known to put your dog at risk of some very serious side effects. Among the most popular types of anti inflammation medications available are Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs, also known as NSAIDs. Unfortunately, NSAIDs have been shown to cause potential damage to the internal organs. The anti inflammatory benefits of any NSAID needs to be weighed against the potential of this very dangerous and possibly deadly side effect.

Fortunately, there are natural alternatives to non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, and Vaxamine is a clinically proven supplement that can provide safe and effective relief from the pain caused by inflammation. Vaxamine is made up of a special blend of ingredients, among which are Hops Strobile extract, Boswellia Serrate extract, Green Lipped Mussel extract, Yucca extract, Oleic acid, Black Pepper extract and Vitamin E. The various pain relieving and anti inflammatory properties of these ingredients work together to provide natural relief from symptoms.

Inflammation has been identified as a contributing factor to a number of canine health conditions. Perhaps the most common of these conditions is inflammation of the joints. Often, joints become inflamed with age, so the slower movement associated with it is often attributed to the natural effects of aging. Fortunately, through the use of all natural anti inflammatory supplements like Vaxamine, much of this age related slowdown can be treated. In fact, the effects of treatment can be quite extreme because the increased, pain-free movement means a more active lifestyle and a better quality of life.

In addition to treating joint inflammation, Vaxamine is also effective as a treatment for other inflammation-related condition such as arthritis, bursitis, synovitis, tendonitis, and myositis (muscle soreness.) While many if not all of these conditions can be associated with aging, they can also affect younger dogs; especially working dogs, extremely active dogs, and dogs of breeds that are prone to inflammation. Vaxamine is safe and effective for dogs of all ages. It is easy to administer, and is made with an all natural beef flavor that dogs love. If you've been noticing pain or slowdown resulting from inflammation, and you are concerned about the potential side effects of NSAIDs or other drugs, then Vaxamine may be just what you're looking for.

Pain Relief - How to Tell If You Have Fibromyalgia? Nurse's Guide

Years ago, after much suffering, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Even though I was a nurse, I suffered along with everyone else I knew who'd been diagnosed with it and sought various natural methods of pain relief. But through a sheer stroke of luck I cured myself! I no longer suffer from fibromyalgia and many years have passed now.

Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyositis and fibrositis, is a condition which causes long-term pain throughout the body and in the tender points (not trigger points) in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Sufferers also can have fatigue, morning stiffness, sleep problems, headaches, numbness in the hands and feet, depression, and anxiety, which may or may not be due to all the symptoms they have.

Fibromyalgia can also coexist with other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Although the cause of this disorder is unknown there are all sorts of expert guesses as to the cause including physical or emotional trauma that may play a part in the development and abnormal pain transmission responses.

It's been theorized that sleep disturbances, which are common in fibromyalgia patients, may actually cause the condition or that maybe the cause is waking patients up. In my case I would wake up for two hours between 2 A.M. and 4 A.M. every night and be wide awake.

This disturbance wreaked havoc with my daily activities because I don't think my endorphins were getting released properly. The endorphin release to repair the body and initiate healing happens around 2 A.M.

Another one of the theories is that the disorder may occur with changes in skeletal muscle metabolism, which may be caused by a diminished blood flow causing chronic fatigue and weakness similar to chronic fatigue syndrome.

Others experts have guessed that it might be a virus that has initiated fibromyalgia or even that it's inherited. But I don't believe any of that.

Although women and men have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia it's more common among women especially in the 20 through 50 years old age group.

Fibromyalgia pain can sometimes be confused with arthritic pain. But it doesn't have the deformity of joints as seen in arthritis.

The pain can be described best as deep-aching pain, like mine was, or radiating, burning or shooting pain and can be severe at times. The pain can be present during the night when one wakes up or throughout the day to various degrees. This pain can drive people to find all sorts of methods, treatments and therapies to try to get pain relief usually with no pain relief.

Pain can get better or worse throughout the day. As well as mild generalized pain through the body I noticed severe pain in specific areas such as my quadriceps muscle that I used while driving making long distance driving impossible. My upper arm would ache so bad that I thought I would keel over.

People complain of back pain, lower back pain, chest pain, muscle pain, joint pain etc. And usually try pain medications and various other pain pills which don't work.

Your doctor can diagnose fibromyalgia by pressing on your tender points.

The doctor will want to know how long you've been enduring the widespread pain and/or pain and tenderness in 11or more of the 18 tender points. If it's been more than three months it would be considered chronic and would help make the diagnosis. The tender points are located in fibrous tissue or muscles of the neck, shoulder, rib cage, chest, thighs, knees, lower back, arms and buttocks.

When the doctor presses on these points they may or may not hurt. So it's fairly easy to diagnose except the doctor has to determine if there are any other disease present that is causing your pain. So he/she may do some other tests to rule out infections, thyroid problems, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep disorders, cancer and other conditions.

Besides sleeping problems, muscle aches or joint aches or general body aching and fatigue, there can be facial muscle pain or aching. And a reduction in exercise is common. I found it difficult to walk more than 20 minutes at a time without severe aching and fatigue.

Fibromyalgia has been a common problem for many years. In some pain sufferers the symptoms may get better then return out of the blue.

I suffered with fibromyalgia along with arthritis and many other ailments and sought pain relief until I changed my diet due to breast cancer, which I cured naturally. Changing my diet was the key to getting rid of fibromyalgia and many years later I still no longer suffer from it.

Effective Joint Pain Relief

With a lot of people being tormented by joint pains, various pharmaceutical methods have emerged as an effective joint pain relief method. These pharmaceutical options seem to be an effective solution for pain in the joints. Interestingly, these medications are effective in the relief of inflammation, swelling, and also pain. These are symptoms normally linked with joint disorders and arthritis, which affect millions all over the globe. The large demand for effective joint pain relief treatment has led to the formulation of many methods. However, it is necessary to note that caution must be exercised in choosing a treatment for joint pain.

Health risks of pharmaceutical treatment

A lot of people who are seeking for effective joint pain relief treatment want nothing more but the alleviation of their situation. Because of a doctor's prescription, sufferers often opt for pharmaceutical joint pain methods in order to treat their painful joints. However, many of these medications have been linked to many health consequences. COX-2 inhibitors which have been known for their efficiency in alleviating inflammation and pain can actually heighten the risk for heart diseases and also stroke. Many of these prescription drugs have even been pulled out due to the health risks.

Other than these COX-2 inhibitors, several non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be acquired over the counter. Just like the COX-2 inhibitors, NSAIDs can cause harsh results on the body. They can bring about ulcers and gastric bleeding along with increasing the risk for kidney and liver damage. Aside from that, other pharmaceutical methods can be habit forming and so using them for extended periods is not advisable. With all the negative consequences of many medications, sufferers are looking for effective joint pain relief options to relieve their situation.

Effective joint pain relief methods

With all the negative effects associated with synthetic treatments to pain in the joints, sufferers from arthritis pain must always think twice prior to choosing an effective arthritis pain relief treatment. If one is seeking for an effective and safe relief to pain in the joints, an all-natural method is the way to go. Effective remedies are arthritis pain supplements that are noted for their capacity to relieve pain and inflammation, in addition to promoting restoration of damaged joints. Essentially, these supplements should be made out of organic ingredients like glucosamine, natural COX-2 inhibitors, and chondroitin sulfate. This potent formulation can provide lasting remedy from pain that may be brought about by pain in the joints.

Supplements have the advantages of healing promotion and rebuilding of any damaged joints. Unlike many treatments for pain in the joints, supplements do not halt at its pain relieving action alone; it has the ability to offer a more lasting remedy by restoring the joints back to their normal and healthy states. Truly, the advanced formulation of Synotrex is one of the most excellent effective joint pain relief treatments. Many health practitioners recommend this because it is a superior way to relieve pain.

Glucosamine Uses

Glucosamine, an amino sugar is synthesized by the human body and is a major component of bones, cartilage, tendons and connecting tissues. It is useful in repairing damaged cartilage, reduces arthritic pain and builds synovial fluids. Glucosamine plays an important role in the formation of skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, nails and parts of the heart. Being a small molecule, glucosamine is easily absorbed by the blood stream.

Glucosamine is used extensively to treat many types of arthritis especially osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis the cartilage degenerates and causes swelling and pain in the joints. Glucosamine stimulates the production of cartilage and it delays further degradation. Glucosamine has also been effective in the treatment of arthritis in the jaw which is called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Glucosamine is essential for healthy skin. It is necessary for the production of hyaluronic acid that is necessary for healing injuries. Glucosamine is generally given to patients undergoing surgery in order to heal their incisions faster. Glucosamine is also used in lots of skin and face creams to remove blemishes, dark spots and uneven discoloring. It eliminates unwanted pigments, scars and wrinkles in the skin. It is also used to soothe chapped lips and reduced the puffiness and sagging of the eyes. Glucosamine is essential for the formation of mucous that lines the urinary, digestive and respiratory tracts.

Recent studies have shown that n- acetyl glucosamine, a form of glucosamine can act as inhibitors of human glioma cell division. From the results obtained it was observed that glucosamine can be used in the treatment of glioblastoma. This form of glucosamine has also been effective in some cases of stomach disorders such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Glucosamine finds its way into several products used in our day to day lives. Ongoing research will ensure the advent of several more useful products that incorporate glucosamine.

Osteopathy and Jaw Pain

Jaw pain is a collective term for any kind of pain or discomfort felt in the different parts of your jaw. These parts include the lower jaw or jaw bone, temporomandibular joint, also referred to as TMJ or jaw joint, and all the surrounding tissues in the area. The most used joint in the body, the temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your temporal bone in the skull and is basically responsible for holding your lower and upper jaw together.

Jaw pain can be characterized by a striking, a dull, or a very painful ache that you may not be capable of opening your mouth. This pain may be accompanied by jaw clicking, headaches, dizziness, sinusitis, and sensitive teeth. These pains in your jaw can be triggered by normal activities that can worsen the pain, like eating or even just with touching your jaw. If this kind of pain is accompanied by other conditions such as chest pain, pain in your extremities, shortness of breath, and sweating, this pain may even be indicating you are having a heart attack. If this happens make sure to immediately seek urgent medical attention.

Jaw pain can either be chronic or acute depending on its underlying cause. It can be caused by the stress or damage to the temporomandibular joint that can lead to the tempormandibular joint disorder, which can be caused by any wears, tears, diseases, and injuries in the tissues surrounding the joint. Moreover, it can also be a symptom of an underlying condition such as teeth grinding and infection. Furthermore, this kind of pain can be caused by diseases such as neuralgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart attack. Lastly, jaw pain can also be caused by alterations in your posture that causes your jaw to tighten, stress that can cause spasms, and daily unhealthy habits such as regularly chewing gums, and eating hard types of food.

However, if symptoms of heart attack are not present, you may want to consider seeking help from a practicing osteopath. After you undergo different examinations that are ultimately non-invasive, you will be offered with various treatments that may help alleviate the jaw pain you are experiencing. You may be treated with a soft tissue and other techniques that can help your jaw and neck to be even and aligned.

You may also be prescribed with various exercises and stretches that may improve your posture, eating, and other lifestyle habits. An experienced osteopath may be of great help in alleviating and potentially removing your jaw pain completely.

What Is Lumbar Spondylosis?

Defination of Lumbar Sponylosis

This is the degenerative condition when the lower spine of a person is affected in way that it is troubled by a narrowing of the space between the spine bones.

Overview of Lumbar Spondylosis

Lumbar spondylosis is a degenerative joint disease which is common in aging individuals. This occurs due to wear and tear of the bones of the lower vertebrae. The degenerative nature of spondylosis makes it function with repetition, which causes another. This disorder commences with the discs when they become dry and less flexible. This makes them shrink in dimension and move about in an unusual way, which influences the joints and ligaments surrounding them. Lumbar spondylosis occurs as a consequence of new bone development in areas where the anular ligament is stressed. The lumbar spine is the region that carries most of the body's weight so the degenerative forces affect the most of this region of the spine. Spondylosis is normally described by slippage of one spine over the other. Symptoms associated with spondylosis of the lumbar vertebrae differ depending on the lifestyles of the individuals.

What are the symptoms of Lumbar Spondylosis?

In lumbar spondylosis, the spine is affected by a contraction of the spaces between the vertebrae causing many health concerns ranging from back pain to neurological issues. This starts becoming evident when the person gets older and the vertebrae undergo several changes. In lumbar spondylosis, the general effects are; stiffness in the spine and pain at the lower back. But sometimes symptoms of lumbar spondylosis occur slowly and in some cases the symptoms not at all develop. The individuals' lifestyle and activities such as weight Lifting, leaning, standing or sitting for long time can strengthen the lower back pain. However the Lower back arthritis may go downwards in the buttock area, thighs and legs. The patient can also face bowel and bladder malfunctioning. There may also be muscle spasms and a severe back pain. The symptoms usually commence after the age of forty and continue to increase in potency as the individual grows old.

How can Lumbar Spondylosis be caused?

Spondylosis is the condition of degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints between the center of the spinal vertebrae. The foremost basis of this degeneration is the aging progression in an individual. The lumbar spine comprise of most of the body weight, so when an individual reaches an older age, the spines experience aging as well which causes tightening of disc spaces. Thickening of ligaments, that surround the disc, takes place and it becomes calcified.

Other causes are the sitting or standing for long hours and injuries in the lower spine of an individual. Inheritance of this disease and obesity are also the factors identified for occurrence of this disease, if an individual has excessive body weight, it exerts more pressure to the spine which can subject it to the degenerative process. When the person is aging the capability of the body decreases and the spine is prone to the development of arthritis. Individual activity levels also predict the occurrence of this disorder.

How can Lumbar Spondylosis be treated?

The treatment of lumbar spondylosis is physiotherapy and other medicine practices. Patient awareness programs on his/her lifestyle are necessary. The changing of an individual's lifestyle predominantly work-related changes helps in controlling pain to some extent. A modification in in the diet and lifestyle, together with adequate exercise can also help to restrain the symptoms. The use of corset or brace, provides a support to the lower back region and help relieve the pressure and pain. However surgery is performed after a deep and careful diagnose and there is no surety for a permanent cure through surgical methods.

Use Proper Methods To Get Joint Pain Relief

The pains are of two types, acute and chronic. Arthritis comes in the latter category and is known as an old man's syndrome. This is because the muscles and the connective tissue become less supple with age and cause rigidity in the joints.

It is a known fact that as one ages, the bones become rigid. There is no alternative. The fluids dry up and movement becomes an afterthought best discarded. This need not mean that you are restricted. Joint pains need no longer be the ends of the world. And if you have proper medication and care you could be as frisky as the house cat itself!

Such problems develop when there is a malfunction in the mechanism of the joint. Either the lubrication dries up, or the lever isn't hinged properly. There are people who shut the doors and crawl home once they get these aches. Yet the next day, they go through the same agony and you will hear the same complaints.

Joint pain relief is obtainable through a series of steps each designed to provide relief and give sustenance to the person suffering from the agony. The most obvious is to use mediation. You could use Phyto nutrients to fight the bone degeneration. When the ligament is rubbing against the bone and damaging it, the person will experience an aching sensation. The solution to this problem is to inject fluid into the joint to improve the mobility of the joint.

The next type of problem is experienced when the elasticity of that particular body part is compromised. The ends of the bones rub against each other and this consequently produces stiffness and aches. So, thinking inside the box one comes to the conclusion that the suppleness of that area and the ligaments must be restored. But is this possible? One can only attempt to correct the situation, it will never become like the original again.

This brings us to the hip and knee replacement surgery. Does this not bring the patients back to their original shape? Yes, and if the patient is careful it will keep him going for a long time. Corticosteroids are the latest frontiers in the medical field which are helping doctors to deal with such problems effectively.

When your spine is being affected then the doctor may prescribe muscle relaxers to help overcome the problem. Rheumatologists will also prescribe the use of certain drugs on a nightly basis, drugs which aid stage 4 sleep in order to keep the patients refreshed after good night's sleep.

Muscle relaxants act on the central nervous system rather than on the skeletal system and thus do not have a direct affect on the muscles. While it may help people who may have spasms or over wrought muscles, their action and the comfort they provide is yet to be established.

Feline Arthritis - How to Provide Feline Arthritis Pain Management For Your Cat

Watching your old kitty limp up the stairs drives home the fact that she's not getting younger. She is probably showing signs of feline arthritis and not moving like she used to. Just as with humans, feline aging comes with its share of issues. One of the most common diseases is feline arthritis. This is why additional steps are necessary for feline arthritis pain management.

The bottom line is that feline arthritis is a disease that is centered on the joints. The different types of arthritis cats diseases are bacterial arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It can cause a significant amount of pain, stiffness and swelling. The causes can be due to trauma or infection in the joints, degenerative changes in her skeletal structure and possibly even metabolic disturbances.

Generally, arthritis pain in cats sets in when they reach nine years. However, if you have a three to four year old fatty cat, she may develop osteoarthritis at a younger age. It will vary on the cat, but it doesn't normally start as soon as a 60-pound dog, because larger animals put more stress on their bodies. However, obesity, stress or trauma can bring about this disease sooner than desired.

At first, the arthritis cats symptoms may show up just every now and then. An animal may only limp mildly after it's gone through a lengthy exercise. The stairs may not be as easy as before and jumping efforts fail or are clumsy.

If you have a fat cat, the kindest thing you can do is to control her calorie intake and help her drop some ounces or pounds. Your cat relies on you for proper food habits, so its time to curb the treat and snacks that are fattening up kitty.

Ask you vet about a cat food higher in protein, but lean on fat. This helps keep the excess body fat and weight in check, and there are certain products that fulfill this requirement.

Find a nutritional supplement for your cat that works to decrease joint inflammation brought on by feline arthritis. They stimulate the growth and repair of already damaged cartilage and increase joint fluid development.

At this point, a homeopathic food supplement may prove to be most effective as it is easy to add to your cat's food or water. It is all possible that these supplements will slow down the progression of feline arthritis

If your cat has reached the mid-level stage of arthritis, then it's consistently dealing with feline arthritis pain. It becomes even harder to rise from lying down, and there's noticeable difficulty in jumping and trying stairs.

The development of muscle atrophy could occur in the gluteal and thigh muscles. Treatment should be the same as when you first notice arthritis, but there may be addition of a non-steroid anti-inflammatory medication. These reduce inflammation which reduces joint pain. However, make sure to only use them with the approval of your veterinarian. If your cat progresses to an advanced stage she may require a powerful feline arthritis pain management prescription medication like a steroid drug.

Arthritis Pain Relief - 3 Best Exercise Tips For Joints and Joint Pain - Nurse's Guide

If you have arthritis or osteoarthritis you know how your joints can hurt. Aches and pains galore. You may often wonder whether you should be moving them or not. However research has shown that moving the joints is best. Staying active is the key. You want to move those joints as much as possible. Move around throughout the day and don't sit for endless hours.

By moving your body you increase the blood flow which helps to lubricate the joints which helps in reducing or relieving pain. Yes many people with arthritis are trying to figure out ways to lubricate the joints. And the easiest way is to get the blood moving. It will also help your brain and may help prevent dementia.

When you get up in the morning you may be stiff. But as soon as you move around you get the blood flowing and lubricating the joints. Of course moving will also help with weight loss and help if you have weight problems also. And the blood moving to your brain will help you think better and then think even more about moving!

1. You want to think about low impact first of all. You don't want to jar the joints yet you want to get them moving. For the best cardio you want to keep one foot on the ground at all times. The best exercise would be walking.

If your arthritis pain is severe you can try swimming or water aerobics. Water helps eliminate impact and helps soothe joints. Try to find salt water pools instead of chemical-laden chlorine pools. Many clubs are going to salt water pools these days. Riding a bike is another good low impact exercise activity. You can actually burn 500 calories an hour while cycling. If you aren't physically capable of riding a bike then try a recumbent bike. Especially if you have back pain or back problems or injuries. Recumbent bikes are fun and some can be close to the floor if that's a requirement.

2. Keeping steady. You want to avoid activity that has a lot of pivots, turns stops and starts. Tennis can be jarring but is an excellent lifetime activity if you just take it slow and easy. Many arthritics play tennis and just play a slower game. If you've never learned it's never too late. There are even tennis tournaments for people in their nineties.

If you're so inclined, cross country skiing or snowshoeing burn as many calories as jogging and without the stress. For inside activities that will help the joints use an elliptical machine. It provides very little impact and is safe for your joints. Joints absorb shock so avoid any jarring in whatever sport or activity you participate in.

3. Strengthen you joints. You want to build up and tone the muscles that surround your affected joints. These could be muscles in the back, knees or hips for example. You can get significant arthritis pain relief and pain reduction by improving your posture and your overall joint mobility.

If you follow some of the tips in this article and get your body moving as much as possible, you'll start to notice less stiffness and joint pain and enjoy significant arthritis pain relief. There are many other exercises you can do to help lubricate the joints. Keep moving is the most important advice for anyone with joint pain or arthritis. Remember that moving the body is the best joint lubricant.

Joint Pain Relief Using Affordable Exercise Equipment

For joint pain relief, your best bet is to get out of the house and get a good walk. There's nothing better for your joints, and state of mind, than getting out of doors for a walk, even if it is just to go around the block.

However when you seek joint pain relief during the winter months when it's too cold to go outside, you are going to need to go shopping instead. Bargain shopping that is, for good easy to find exercise equipment to use indoors. Because sometimes the only choice other than just vegetating in front of the TV or computer is to get moving with the help of some sort of stationary exercise equipment, something you can easily find for not a lot of money. I once bought a contraption I could mount my 10 speed bike to in order to pedal indoors for 20.00 dollars, I found it uncomfortable perched on top of my bike seat and didn't care for it much, so I switched to a recumbent bicycle which was a bit better and only 10.00 dollars more. I also have an old treadmill I bought used at one of those Use It Again Sports Stores for only 150.00 dollars. As a matter of fact all of my equipment has been bought used.

The best bargains for used exercise equipment can be had for obvious reasons, people who have the best intentions to use said equipment, simply never get around to actually using it. Regarding getting motivated to use your exercise equipment; now that is a subject for another article. Suffice it to say; if you are reading this you have decided that you are ready to take action. Great! Take advantage of those whose motivation waned years ago; look in your local online Classifieds, just type "(yourcity).craigslist.org" and there you are... couldn't be simpler. Most posts have photos so you can see exactly what you are getting, and most sellers will gladly show you what they have for sale. Don't forget to negotiate the price, by the time people are ready to get rid of their equipment, they are going to be happy to just clear their space, and you will usually end up with top of the line, hardly used equipment for a fraction of new.

Something to keep in mind when buying equipment with electric motors like a treadmill is to make sure you have the owner plug it in, so you can see that it runs smoothly. You should actually walk on it too, look for looseness of the belt and get a feel for it. Look it over to insure there are no missing parts, check for loose screws or bolts. Choose a treadmill that has side bars to hold on to, ask for the model number on the phone so you can look up information and reviews about it before you buy: A good website to try is http://www.consumersearch.com/treadmills. Once you get it home, you may consider my wife's favorite location for the equipment, in front of the TV, this will motivate you to use it, and give you something to do instead of just laying there watching the tube.

So what is stopping you? Go and open a new page on your computer right now and look up some used equipment while you are thinking of it. Don't put it off another day, even if you are not ready to actually go out and buy something immediately. Just go and take a look at what is available, it doesn't take much effort to hit a couple of keys and check it out. You are taking the first step, the one you know you have to take, to start doing what will bring you real joint pain relief, and as a result a longer healthier life. Movement of your limbs through exercise is the key.

Natural Arthritis Pain Relief - 5 Ingredients Documented to Help Reduce Arthritis Pain

In addition to a healthy diet, adding these 5 ingredients to your diet can help inflammation and swelling caused by injuries, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gouty arthritis(gout), and back pain. Use these ingredients for any symptoms that you would take non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (N.S.A.I.D. i.e: Ibuprofen, Motrin, Celebrex) for to reduce the pain.

The following five ingredients have been clinically found to reduce or replace the need for N.S.A.I.D.:

Glucosamine Hydrochloride: The introduction of this form of Glucosamine is documented to be the most effective if you are interested in having the most efficient absorption possible. Glucosamine is manufactured by our bodies - but as we grow older, as with other compounds, we need some help.

The compound helps with your body's natural mechanism of joint lubrication. Glucosamine Hydrochloride vs. Sulfate is recommended because studies show that the Glucosamine sulfate is stabilized with sodium chloride (salt).  Many People have dietary restrictions limiting salt intake.

Manganese: Manganese is a co-factor,(a helper) required for Glucosamine to be converted to its active form and ultimately, adequately absorbed. It is important to make sure the Glucosamine supplement contains manganese.

Gotu Cola(Pennywort): Gotu Kola, also known as Pennywort, is a well known natural remedy to assist pain relief and proper circulation of blood.

Ginger: Ginger has been used for centuries for pain relief in musculoskeletal conditions. It is an excellent antioxidant and is known for its analgesic activity.

Celery: Celery increases elimination of urates from the kidneys, assisting your body to fight Gout - an arthritic disease caused by an accumulation of urate crystals at the joints. Celery  also reduces inflammation around the joint.

We have found that you can readily find these products at supplement stores but only one offers all of them in one dosage taken twice a day. "Ruflex" is the only one that has all the above ingredients in one pill. "Ruflex", an Australian product from Sunsnatural L.L.C. is available on line, (see below). Australian supplements are desirable, because Australia requires that all supplements be approved by their Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and proven to work as promised, clinically proven with double blind studies.

As always; before taking any supplements your Doctor should be consulted. If you are on blood thinners or scheduled for surgery you should consult your physician before taking any of these supplements. Certain elements included in these vastly improve circulation.

TMJD - Massage As A Pain Relief Strategy

Massage therapy is commonly used to treat Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, commonly called TMJ Disorder (TMJD). By treating the muscles in the face, head and neck as well as muscles in the surrounding area that may be attributing to the dysfunction a massage practitioner can help a client see immediate improvement of the condition.

Benefits of massage treatment for TMJ disorder are:

• Pain reduction


• Ability to chew without pain


• Relaxation of face, head and neck muscles


• Relief from headaches


• Improved blood circulation


• Increased lymphatic flow which can also reduce the look of swelling or puffiness


• Improved range of motion

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is a painful condition that is associated with problems?of the?jaw. The temporal bone is located on each side of the face in front of the ear and attaches to the lower jaw or mandible. The joint where it attaches is called the temporomandibular joint.

If there are conditions such as forward head posture which can be caused by tight muscles in the neck,?upper chest / clavicle area, tight facial muscles around the joint and jaw, or previous injuries a person can experience severe pain, tightness, and discomfort.
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Symptoms of TMJ Disorder may include clicking or popping of the joint, difficulty in opening the mouth wide, difficulty chewing, or pain originating from the face head or neck. Somtimes TMJD will involve teeth grinding or clinching of the jaw and a dentist may be the first person to diagnose a person with the disorder.

A treatment may start with an assessment of not only the temporomandibular joint but also the muscles of the chest including attachments at the sternum and around the clavicle, the shoulders, neck and uppermost back. Swedish massage would be used to relax the muscles and then neuromuscular therapy to treat any tight muscles, trigger points, or dysfunction. Care is taken to avoid endangerment sites such as innervations or the styloid process which is a small sharp bone just below the ear, as well as other areas.
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For treatment of the muscles and trigger points inside the mouth it is common to use sterile non-latex gloves. Communication between the client and massage practitioner is important. The treatment may be uncomfortable at times but should not be overly painful. Clients generally report immediate relief from this painful condition.

Collagen And Joint-Pain Relief

As the body ages, various areas seem to age faster than others. Major areas that are affected by age are the body's joints. As the joints of the body age, they remind us their are aging by pain and discomfort due to age, arthritis or injuries. To combat this condition, an all natural medication or supplement is needed that can directly reduce the pain and discomfort in the joints. A necessary ingredient for rebuilding joint cartilage is collagen.

There are approximately 25 types of collagen occurring in the body to support skin, tendons, muscles, bones and cartilage. It makes up about 25% of the total amount of protein in the body and is known as the glue that holds the body together. Without it the body would surly fall apart. Collagen works with elastin in supporting the body's tissues and together they provide firmness, strength and flexibility for the entire body.

It is the most abundant protein in the body and is essential for the healthy growth and development of muscles, tendons and bones. The body produces and stores collagen during its youth. But as it ages, the collagen level starts to decline and the body can not produce or rebuild collagen on its own. By age 45 collagen levels in the body will have been reduced by up to 30%. When the body's collagen level is reduced, the cartilage strength in he body's systems that depend on it are affected. This reduction results in aches and pains in joints and muscles and requires longer times for injuries to heal.

A reason for joint pain, other than injury, is due to the lack of collagen in the body. Deterioration of the cartilage between the bones is what causes osteoarthritis and the resulting pain is due to bone against bone. Collagen makes up 95% of joint cartilage, and bones lacking in collagen are dry and brittle, and are easily broken. The more collagen in the bone cartilage, the less chance of developing osteoarthritis.

Better Joints AF Capsules can help replace the collagen your body is no longer producing. Due to today's lifestyle, collagen supplements are vital for good health of both the body and bones. These capsules are an ideal nutritional dietary supplement and preventive for staying fit and healthy. They can play a vital role for those with the risk of developing joint disease and can benefit those already suffering form degenerative joint disease and arthritic conditions. Better Joints AF helps to reduce inflammation, decrease pain and improve joint function, flexibility and mobility.

Do You Suffer Joint Pain and Stiffness in Your Wrist Or Knee? Gout Vs Pseudogout

Joint pain is a common side effect of old age. Ligaments and tendons begin to be less forgiving and cartilage begins to erode. Our knees, elbows, ankles and wrists can all be tender and sore as we go through our daily lives. However, if you continue to suffer from stiffness and joint pain, there may be more to it than just normal wear and tear.

Gout is a form of arthritis and can strike in the middle of the night with joint pain and soreness. Without notice, you can awake with twinges of pain in your big toe, finger or other areas like ankles and knees. Although the pain may last for several days and go away, the condition can re-surface at any time in the future.Over 2 million people in the U.S. alone deal with gout and most often it afflicts men more than women. Gout usually develops in men over 30 and post menopausal women. Males are more likely to suffer if overweight and diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Pseudogout is similar in nature and is also a form of arthritis but usually targets the knees or wrists even though other areas can be affected. Pseudogout can be caused by irregular development of calcium deposits within the cartilage area between the knee or wrist joints. Once the calcium deposits enter the fluid resulting pain can occur.

Pseudogout targets an older age group, usually people age 60 or older are affected, where gout can occur much earlier in life. During an episode of Pseudogout, your wrist or knee joint may be swollen, red or purple in color and warm to the touch.

In summary, joint pain and stiffness can be attributed to just overdoing a particular activity, but chronic pain can become more serious as you age. A healthy lifestyle and diet could be a major factor in reducing the risk of chronic joint pain. Exercise is also a factor in strengthening your joints and muscles and reducing high blood pressure to combat age related diseases. Low impact exercise can be used in the beginning and as your joints become more flexible, stronger as more physical activities can be pursued.

Leg Joint Pain

There are a number of factors that make up leg joint pain. The number one manifestation of the pain is arthritis. This is a condition that causes a lot of pain to the suffer. The pain might also be as a result of physical injury sustained. A sprain is often very common and although not very serious, it causes a lot of pain.

When there is swelling in cells that are usually filled with fluid called bursa, you will experience leg joint pain. If you are not familiar with bursae, it is a cushioning of very soft tissues between the bones. They are responsible for the movement of bones and muscles. They are therefore very vital cells.

Among many others, gout and influenza will cause leg joint pain. All these diseases will have the joint pain of the leg as a common symptom. If your trauma is as a result of physical injury, you will recover easily by relaxation and physical therapy. However, if you have a deep sited problem, you must seek treatments that will address it first.

You can also consider massage and warm baths. This is because they are known to relax the muscles as it translates to the whole body. There are several rugs that can be prescribed by a doctor and they include sprain, anti inflammatory drugs and non steroidal drugs. There are people who should not take the above drugs because their condition will be made worse.

This are people who have from kidney or liver problems. Also people with problems of the digestive systems should not take the drugs. The problem can go away without any medication for those will injuries that are not too severe. A specialist will give you all the technical details so that you can know more about the condition.

A common cause of leg joint pain will have to be pregnancy. During delivery the soft tissue are in order to allow the baby to be born. With a little exercise and plenty of rest, this problem is easily and naturally corrected. People who are involved in very vigorous physical activity will suffer from pain in their leg joints.

Such physical traumas will be treated by specialized doctors. You can go for a medical massage which will involve the use of anti inflammatory drugs and ointments. This will surely speed up your recovery. Therefore, if you feel that your pain is too much to handle, do not stay at home and wish it away. There are many options in the market.

Prescription Drugs, Baby Aspirin or Natural Alternatives for Dog Pain Relief?

You may ask yourself when is the best time to use aspirin for your dogs arthritis, or joint pain? My dog Mary will be 17 this summer, even though she has slowed down she is in remarkably good shape for a dog of her age; especially considering that she is a large breed Lab/Ches mix. Mary seemed to start experiencing some arthritic pain in her early teens it was at that time I started doing some research and made some choices as to how I would treat her pain.

Step one, journal. When does your dog seem to be in pain? Consider time of day, current weather, exercise routine etc. Next, look at your dogs diet. Have you researched what is really in your dogs food? Look for dog food brands that are high in protein, omega fatty oils, fruits, vegetables, good grains, and chelated minerals. I can not emphasize how important it is to read your dog food ingredient labels. Avoid ingredients such as meat byproducts, artificial colors or flavorings, any food that relies on poor quality grain, such as corn gluten meal. Cheap grains will artificially boost the protein rating of your dogs food, without adding any benefit.

Get a complete physical for your dog and discuss the details of how your dog seems to experience pain. Your Veterinarian may prescribe pain relievers such as Rimadyl. Should your vet prescribe pain relievers such as Rimadyl or Carprofen, please research these drugs extensively. Prescription pain relievers for dogs, perform miracles for some, and cause death to others. Use prescription drugs with extreme caution. Keep the fact in mind that drug companies make incredibly huge profits from pushing these drugs however, like I said before these drugs can perform wonders with many dogs.

In Mary's case, we have not gotten to the point of using prescription drugs. For the first few years, I made some additions to Mary's food, using natural plants, herbs and oils that are proven effective in reducing inflammation, thus reducing pain. Some plants, herbs and oils effective against pain are Alfalfa, Yucca, Turmeric and fish oil. Another relatively safe, over the counter, dog pain relief home remedy is baby aspirin for dogs. Baby aspirin does come with possible side effects. Mary takes aspirin only on days that she seems to be experiencing higher levels of pain.

Mary did get some relief from the addition of plants and herbs to her food however, as her age progressed we moved to a natural chewable supplement that has been even more effective. I do still add fish oil to Mary's food and believe that fish oil can benefit dogs and even cats of all ages.

Hopefully, I can write another article in a year and tell you how Mary has progressed. I am just thankful that she has been with me for so long. Should her time come, I will fondly remember all of the great years we had together and would only hope that I will have more companions as beautiful, gentle and loving as her in the future.

Knee Problems Associated With Locking, Grinding, and Popping

Lock, Pop, grind and no it's not a dance move

Knee problems associated with locking, grinding, and popping

Since u are not a firecracker or a soda can you can be forgiven to think that popping sounds in the knee is an indication that something is wrong. The truth though is that popping sounds occurs naturally when movement occurs in the joints. A slight misalignment in the knee cap (Patella) or the movement of different ligaments across the joint can give a popping sound. If it is a case however where this sounds is accompanied by pain then one has reason for concern. Grinding and locking are better indicators of a physiological disorder in the knee, but the pain factor is also very important in these cases.

Popping

As stated earlier unless accompanied by pain then a popping sound is perfectly normal, however if there is pain then it is often an indication that the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has been torn. ACL maybe torn in two pieces or there might just be a partial rip, the extent of damage will determine treatment implemented. If ACL is ripped apart then surgery followed by rehab will be necessary, however for partial tears one just need to stay away from physical activities for awhile as the injury will self heal. A popping sound in conjunction with pain may also be an indication of another condition known as Discoid Lateral Meniscus or "popping-knee syndrome". This occurs when there is an abnormal shaped meniscus in the knee joint. This can usually be treated by conservative methods such as stretching, however if pain persist arthroscopic surgery though optional might be required.

Grinding

When cartilage degeneration occur the bones of the knee joint tends to grind together causing immense pain and producing a grinding sound. This is usually caused by rheumatoid arthritis which rarely occurs in individuals under 50. The degeneration caused by rheumatoid arthritis is irreversible. Patella tendonitis (runner's knee) can also cause degeneration of cartilage and thus the pain and grinding sound. Runner's knee is the most likely cause of the grinding sound in the knees of young individuals particularly athletes. Fortunately in this case the degeneration is reversible, as resting the knee and doing exercises that strengthen the quadriceps muscles will see the knee return to normal over time.

Locking

You may find yourself playing a game of basketball and suddenly being unable to flex a leg or you may be kneeling then find that you are unable to straighten your leg to get up; when this happens you are experiencing a phenomenon known as locking which can be quite painful. There are generally two type of locking, pseudo-locking and true locking. Pseudo locking is a reaction to pain and functions like a kill switch where the knee locks into position when tension in the area becomes excessive. True locking results from physiological problems in the knee, causing the knee become rigid, unable to bend or extend. True locking usually occurs when torn cartilage or bone fragment (resulting from a bone disorder known as Osteochondritis Dissecans) becomes jammed between joints surfaces restricting movement of the knee joint. When a muscle on the inside of the thigh becomes weak and fragile or the outer muscles tighten they can throw off alignment of the knee cap, which also lead to locking.

Locking can easily be corrected by resting as movement will eventually return to joints. In the case of true locking the problem can only be completely nullified by orthopaedic surgery to remove loose bone or cartilage.

Overcoming Finger Joint Pain

When people think about their joints, the most prominently known body parts come to mind: the knee, ankle, arm, shoulder, hip and back joints. However, there are over 200 moving joints in the body, and all of these joints need certain nutrients and minerals to maintain healthy joint function and lubrication.

The hand is made up of a collection of joints-about 20. You use these joints when you type on the keyboard, play an instrument, grab something or even button up a shirt. Finger and hand joint pain can be a huge inconvenience to your everyday life.

One common reason for hand and finger joint pain is due to rheumatoid arthritis. The pain caused by RA is due to the inflammation, swelling, stiffness and breaking down of the joint. This disease directly affects joints as the inflammation inhibits the cells in the articular cartilage from producing the necessary lubrication (synovial fluid) joints need to stay healthy.

The main culprit and cause of hand and finger joint pain is inflammation. Inflammation not only causes joints to swell and restricts movement, it also hinders the body from properly maintaining its own natural healing process. When the joints are inflamed, they cause the cells in the articular cartilage to stop producing joint lubrication; this in turn allows for more damage to the joint.

When finger and hand joint pain sufferers seek joint pain relief, they often use a product that is meant to temporarily reduce inflammation. This may provide short-term relief, but since these medicines only work to reduce inflammation, they don't supply the newly receptive joint with the nutrients needed to reactivate cellular activity.

True hand and finger joint pain treatment has to not only provide pain management and a reduction of inflammation, but it also has to provide essential nutrients and minerals needed by the cells in the articular cartilage to help heal the damaged joint. Research has shown that chrondroitin and glucosamine supplementation has helped to reduce inflammation and provides the necessary nutrients to activate the cells needed to maintain and produce joint lubrication.

Finding pain relief is often the first goal when dealing with hand and finger joint pain, but it's important to know that there are options for treatment. You aren't limited to over the counter medicines, and more natural supplementation has been shown to be effective in managing finger and hand joint pain.

It's important to remember, however, that joints are what keep you mobile and an active participant in your life. Your joints require care to keep up with your lifestyle as you age. With 200 hundred and something moving joints in your body, that also means you face 200 places for potential aches and pains every day.

Full Body Massage - How's It Beneficial?

It is not easy to decide which type of massage is ideal for your body. Generally, the massage therapist focuses on a full body massage. These areas are usually known as trigger points. When massaged appropriately, the areas release any of the built-up knots in the muscles which trigger pain and discomfort in the other parts of the body. However, the sole purpose of the massage is not to relieve the physical pain. Reflexology targets specific parts of your body for regulating the systems. This kind of massage is not meant for hitting a particular area of the body, but for making it healthy.

Another targeted massage therapy includes focusing on the cranial sacral region of the body which is the neck and head region. It is especially effective in healing temporomandibular joint disorder, and backaches. If you are suffering from pain in any particular area, targeted therapy is the best solution. While imagining massages, most of us visualize a full body massage. In a Swedish massage, the deep tissues of the body are massaged. This releases metabolic buildup and relaxes tight muscles that could ail you. It also helps in realigning the skeletal system and enhances your mobility.

A sports massage also covers the whole body and it is common in athletes. This is a form of therapy which is directed more towards sportspersons or people who are very active. Massages are also given to geriatric and prenatal women in a gentle manner for best results. The purpose of these massages is to gently release the metabolic buildup, tighten the muscles and realign the skeletal system of the person with the aim of improving the person's mobility. A whole body massage can be easily accomplished, although if you want it to succeed, you must ensure that the massage is being done appropriately.

It is also important to make a preparation with the place in which the massage is to take place. The person receiving the massage should also be accordingly prepared. To choose between partial or full bodied massage, you need to understand whether you want to target a particular part of your body or focus on overall wellness. Seeking a professional masseur is usually the best way to go as it will give you the confidence to move ahead with the project. You can ask for references from your friends and family members for best results in full body massaging.

How To Get Rid Of Headaches Caused By TMJ

Do you suffer from mysterious headaches? Did you know that the cause of them may be the temporomandibular joint that is found in the jaw?

You could have the temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), which causes your jaw and neck muscles to spasm, producing painful headaches, ear ache or dizziness. This cause of frequent, extreme headaches is among the simplest to treat and relief is almost instant.

The causes of this issue are normally hereditary, physiological, or lifestyle driven. If you grind the teeth at night or tense the jaw during the day, you create stress on the joint that can cause jaw pain. Injuries from accidents also contribute to the syndrome.

It is not uncommon that TMJ headaches are mistakenly identified as migraines. However, there are some symptoms that assists in identifying TMJ. One common symptom is clicking sounds in your jaw while opening as well as closing the mouth. Dizziness or fatigue may also be a sign of TMJ. Additionally, pain in the jaw area while eating something tough may suggest that you have TMJ.

Typically, the first step in treating TMJ consists of wearing splints. A splint pulls the lower jaw forward aiding to ease tense in the jaw.

It may take a while to get used to splints. However, usually the relief from the pain is worth any uncomfortableness you might feel before getting used to the device. In the case the dentist or doctor advises surgical treatment or some other more invasive treatment, it may be a good idea to ask one more opinion as well.

Medical TMJ treatment options might become rather costly if the insurance doesn't cover them. That is why you might want to try some home treatments. One technique that has aided some sufferers is changing heat and cold packs in the affected area.

Also, try to avoid eating tough foods. As an alternative, favor soft foods to avoid overly tense the jaw. In some cases, prolonged sitting can also be detrimental for TMJ symptoms. So, try to take short breaks now and then and stretch yourself during the break. This can help keeping the joint looser.

Often, TMJ sufferers grind their teeth throughout nights. In these cases a mouth guard may be helpful. This prevents clenching the jaw while sleeping, thus easing the pain caused by this.

One choice to relieve tense in the jaw is taking some muscle relaxants prescribed by the doctor. A drawback with them is that they have addicting properties. That is why they ought to be used with caution. You can also take some strong pain killers. However, the use of them ought to also be just temporal.

Sometimes back and neck massage provides assistance for TMJ patient by releasing muscle spasms. Also, jaw exercises can strengthen the joint offering great relief from the pain. These therapies are great because you do not have to experience any side effects that prescription medicines might create.

Treatment of TMJ Syndrome

In the treatment of TMJ or temporomandibular joint syndrome, the objective is to manage the pain and discomfort that this disorder brings to the jaw, neck and face. People with a TMJ disorder usually find it difficult to open their mouths and chew their food because of a tender and stiff jaw.

Here are the methods in the treatment protocol generally recommended for TMJ disorder sufferers:

Biofeedback.

Biofeedback treatment calls for the training of patients in loosening the tension in their muscles and normalizing their heart and pulse rates. This mode of treatment is reserved for TMJ patients whose symptoms are linked to stress. Basically, it uses a biofeedback device that trains patients to keep their jaw muscles relaxed at all times. Patients are told to wear the biofeedback device at night to help them discard the habit of grinding their teeth while asleep, which is one of the major causes of TMJ disorder. The device comes with non-repositioning stabilization and anterior splints aimed at absorbing the pressure when the patient grinds his teeth. Thus, it is appropriately called splint therapy.

Reversible Treatments.

This mode of treatment is in line with the recommendations of health authorities which discourage TMJ cures that permanently alter the teeth or jaw of patients. In other words, temporary alleviation of the TMJ symptoms is encouraged. This can be done by jaw exercises and intake of over-the-counter pain relievers that bring no permanent damage at all.

Mandibular Repositioning.

TMJ patients are told to wear flat bite plate that covers either their upper or lower teeth to eliminate the clicking sensation when they open their mouth wide. Like the biofeedback device, this is worn at night. But the device designed to reposition the mandibular must be worn only for a brief period since longer use may lead to permanent changes in the jaw and teeth.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Treatment in cognitive behavioral therapy proceeds on the premise that TMJ is caused by psychosocial factors. Thus, therapy aims to identify the patient's negative feelings and behaviors towards correcting them. The idea is that if the therapist looks deeper into the patient's personality and past, it would be easier to pinpoint the therapy sessions that would help the patient increase jaw movement and reduce pain. In essence, cognitive behavioral therapy works on the patient's mind in order to turn negative thoughts and behaviors into positive ones.

Oral Surgery.

Oral surgery is recommended only for extreme cases. But a procedure called arthrocentesis is a minor surgery that does not cause any permanent changes. This procedure tries to manipulate the jaw by cleansing the temporomandibular joint with a solution that eases the inflammation.

Regain Your Balance Now, Here is How

Over the past several months, we have been discussing imbalance, dizziness, vertigo, disequilibrium, etc., how to find out if you are at risk, etc. We know that as part of the natural aging process individuals will become more prone to imbalance associated with changes in the spinal joints from degenerative joint disease, and the disturbances in the ocular reflexes which are pre-programmed to the spinal movements. These disturbances can also lead to anxiety, changes in respiratory dynamics and changes in the digestive system as these systems are all hard wired and linked together, thus changes in one system affect the others systems as well. Changes in breathing dynamics alone are probably responsible for half of the dizziness in society. These changes not only create anxiety and panic disorder, but will eventually lead to a permanent change in your systemic pH, which can lead to all sorts of problems.

The good news is that these disturbances are not only reversible, but are actually quite easy to fix. Inappropriate ocular reflexes are corrected through appropriate eye exercises, which are orchestrated to strengthen the specific ocular weaknesses, which need to be addressed. This alone typically improves imbalance and disequilibrium immediately. Breathing dynamics can easily be corrected by increasing rib excursion and thus increasing lung vital capacity. This will immediately reverse aberrant changes in systemic pH, any panic disorder induced from such, gastric problems, which may be associated, etc.

Inasmuch as these problems are quite reversible and easily fixed, it is certainly with an understanding that treatment is provided under the guidance of a health care provider adequately trained in treating problems associated with imbalance and postural and gait abnormalities.

It is unfortunate that the vast majority of balance problems go unnoticed and untreated when they are easiest to correct, as most individuals don't appreciate that they even have a problem because they do not take the time to get screened. Society has been trained over time to obtain routine blood work, and other "routine" and "preventative" screening procedures, because we know that if we do not have them, we may miss something that would have been easy to fix had it been diagnosed early on but was ignored because no screening was ever done. Balance screening is no exception to this. Simply put, the longer you wait, the longer it will take to fix, and the more likely you will incur a fall and thus have a serious injury to overcome. I have mentioned several times in my column that you cannot tell if your balance is impaired without screening. If you can tell, it is only because it has already gotten so severe that it becomes apparent just standing or while walking about. If this is the case, not doing anything about it is like being diabetic and not taking your medication and not changing your diet. It will just be a matter of time.