Chronic Joint Pain Relief

Pain is a four-letter word for a reason! For those who suffer from chronic joint pain, every day is a special challenge. Different levels of pain can be considered chronic; a person does not have to be suffering from severe, debilitating pain in order to be dealing with chronic pain. From mild to completely incapacitating, pain is considered chronic if it has been present for six months or longer. It's a sad fact that millions of Americans wake up every day to a world filled with chronic physical pain.

Joint pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain. Joint pain is also one of the most common reasons people see their doctor. Those two facts alone mean that vast medical resources are being dedicated to finding relief for chronic joint pain.

We are living in a time where our traditional ideas of medicine are shifting. Western medicine is becoming much more accepting of Eastern medicine and the ideas that go along with it. Patients are beginning to look for natural ways to heal their bodies. Joint pain relief is no exception. Chronic joint pain sufferers are looking to do more than mask the pain; they are looking to treat the underlying cause of the pain.

Studies continue to show that breakthrough research in natural medicine is making a difference. The idea of looking to nature to nurture and repair our bodies is paying off for many joint pain sufferers. Two recently popular supplements, esterified oil and Cetylated Fatty Acids, have been shown to bring relief to the joints quickly. The longer people take the supplement or use the cream, the less pain they deal with every day. After just 30 days, people notice a large difference in the way they feel and the relief that can be attained through continued use. Recently, a newer product was released in a large chain warehouse store. This product, which comes in a topical cream and pill form, is made to lubricate joints, thus creating a cushion of comfort. Research has also found that it helps to repair cell damage. As you can see, results have come a long way!

Chronic pain sufferers have already been dealing with their pain for close to six months. After such an extended amount of time, any type of diminished pain can feel like a big relief. Luckily, there are still new and improved products hitting the market every year. It would be a tremendous turn of events if the number of chronic joint pain sufferers could be drastically reduced. Perhaps through persistent use of joint building and repairing products, chronic joint pain will be a thing of the past!

Health Screening - A Revolutionizing Process to Prevent and Treat Any Disease Effectively

Health Screening - Prevention and Disease control.

The new "holistic health center" consists of different, completely holistic (entire body) oriented components: A) Fast, effective, pain-free and non-invasive diagnosis, B) Analyzing and immediate treatment of meridian blockages, C) Energy therapy for over 200 disease conditions including cancer, nerve- and bone related diseases, D) Health monitoring and effective prevention to avoid future disease manifestation.

A Holistic Health Center in the design of a mini-clinic will serve the urgent need of health screening and prevention. Health Screening is a new method for early non-invasive diagnosis, usually performed within a few minutes. It is based on the over 5.000 year old knowledge of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is the first reliable Meridian Diagnostic in the world. Cost efficient and highly accurate - up 95%.

Meridian diagnostic is the core concept of efficient health analyzes. A computer based high tech measurement of the 12 main meridians and its correlated organs. It provides a complete energetically picture of a person displayed in an easy to read graphical format. The measuring points are (20) on the fingers and (20) on the toes. Overall biological energy levels, meridian balance, yin - yang, left - right, top - bottom organs, etc. is recorded and can be used for future therapy control (health screening).

Energy levels over 50% reflect health, vitality, less aging, high immune system activity. Energy levels under 50% reflect energy deficit, low immune system activity, disease condition, chronic diseases.

Therapy suggestions are displayed with exact treatment points. One of the major advantages of the Meridian Diagnostic is the advantage to discover unknown Meridian Blockages in the system. When one or more meridian blockages exists the patient becomes Therapy Resistant, which means no therapy will have a sufficient effect. With the BioGraph meridian diagnostic system we are able not only to discover blockages furthermore we can treat and "delete" those blockages immediately. The patient turns from therapy resistant into therapy receptive. The therapy effects are re-established.

The second component in the Holistic Health Center is the world leading and cost efficient "Pulsating Energy Resonance Therapy" (PERTH) acc. to Prof. Dr. Werner (Germany).

Four (4) complete professional therapy systems on a therapy bed will serve app. 32-50 people treatments per day. The capacity can be extended to 8 therapy systems and will serve more than 64 people treatments per day. The basic research of the PERTH therapy started in the early 1920's with Dr. Royal Rife (The end of all diseases), later research by over 200 Russian researcher for the space program MIR in Russia and since 1994 the research is finalized by a well known German researcher and medical professional Prof. Dr. Werner. In cooperation with leading German universities Werner developed the cancer and bone therapy programs with proven results in 1000's of medical and clinical studies.

The new PRTH P5 professional treatment system is easy to use, non-invasive, pain free and highly effective for prevention and disease treatment. The energy increase can be monitored with the Meridian Diagnosis immediately after a treatment session.

Particular meridians and related organs are effected long time before a disease becomes a pathological issue. (green - normal, yellow - attention and red - signals treatment is necessary). For example most cancer patients have an energy level of only 25%, or energy deficit of 75%. This means the immune system is nearly not functioning anymore. Fertile ground for cancer cell grow is established without major defense. Cancer can spread in the body. The reverse circumstance high energy levels - a powerful immune system, health and vitality and a non toxic environment don't allow cancer cell grow. Disease development of any kind becomes impossible. The Meridian Diagnosis and PERTH treatment combination will make those scenarios visible and immediate treatment plans can be developed. The treatment effect is tested and recorded on a patient by patient basis during the very first measurement - therapy - measurement sequence.

This reflects the most effective way to prevent any kind of disease long time before it would appear. In addition the treatment of existing diseases is not "blind" anymore and the patient - treatment response can be finalized through different therapy applicators. For example mat treatment for energy balancing and meridian harmonization, oxygen increase in the blood (65% after 10 minutes), immune system boost, better sleep and vitalization etc. The treatment with the head applicator for the central nervous system, head, eye, ear, nose diseases and brain related diseases like Parkinson, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's etc. The intensive applicator for all joint related problems and to rebuild the cartilage, which is alone a phenomena and was completely impossible before. Finally a point applicator for any pain related circumstance. The PERTH therapy system is very easy to use, any therapist assistant can perform the treatment after a short introduction. As soon a therapy plan is in place patients for therapy or prevention can go in and out on their scheduled appointment without long waiting periods.

Indication:

- Degenerative bone and joint disease (hip arthritis, Bechterew's disease, Sudeck's disease)
- Arterial circulation disturbance (hardening of arteries in the leg as result of smoking, lower leg sores, stroke, heart attack)

- Asthma, allergies,

- Burnout syndrome

- Cancer, Leukemia

- Heart diseases

- Liver cirrhoses

- Eye diseases (cataract)

- Venous circulation disturbance (thrombosis, thrombophlebitis)

- Sport injuries, healing of wounds and bones, general regeneration of tissue

- Chronic turbal catarrh resistant to treatment, tympanic effusion, inflammation of the middle ear

- Stabilization of circulation

- High and low blood pressure

- Pulmonary emphysema

- Osteoporosis

- Radiant sickness

- Acute and chronic nasal cavity sicknesses

- Virus infections, allergies, migraine and asthma

- Tinnitus aurium (ear noises) and macular edema (retina damage)

- Stress, sleep and digestive problems

- Metabolic disturbances (normalization of fatty acid and pH values)

- Diabetes in the elderly

- Incontinence, bed wetting with children

- Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),

- Climatic problems, potency problems

- Rheumatic disease with chronic pains

Indications are given in strict conformity with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Problems of the 10th review, accepted by the 43rd World Health Assembly.

NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES:

The sequel of nervous system inflammatory diseases (meningitis, encephalitis, myelites, encephalomyelitis), Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, migraine, headache, transitory cerebral ischaemic attacks, sleeplessness, disturbances of sleep-awake cycles, trigeminal neuralgia, facial nerve lesions, neuralgia, neuritis, phantom limb pain syndrome, mononeuropathies, polyneuropathies (including diabetic), infantile cerebral paralysis, hemiplegia, paraplegia, tetraplegia and other paralytic syndromes, vegetative nervous system disorders, vascular (neurocirculatory) dystonia, hydrocephalus, toxic and other encephalopathies, intracranial hypertension (increase of intracranial pressure), fatigue syndrome in recovery period.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM DISEASES, NUTRITIVE AND METABOLIC DISORDERS:

Hypothyrosis, clinical manifestations of hyperthyrosis (thyro-toxicosis), diabetes mellitus, adrenal / ovarial / testicular dysfunction, local fat deposits, adiposis, bilirubin metabolism disturbances, mucoviscidosis.

MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS:

Acute alcoholic intoxication, abstinent delirium (delirium tre-mens) and abstinent status without delirium, symptomatic treatment of chronic alcoholism, depressive disorders, neurotic, stress induced and somatoformic disorders (tic, vegetative nervous system disorders, enuresis, logoneurosis, etc.), sleep-awake regimen disturbances of inorganic etiology, absence or loss of sexual libido, insufficiency of sexual reaction (impotence of inorganic origin), orgasmic dysfunction, mental retardation.

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM DISEASES:

Essential (primary) arterial hypertension, hypertensive disease, arterial hypotony, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, pericarditis, endocarditis, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrest, paroxysmal tachycardia, intracerebra! hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, stroke, cerebral atherosclerosis, hypertensive encephalopathy, cardialgiae (pains in the cardiac region), cerebrovas-cular diseases sequelae, diffuse atherosclerosis, Raynaud's syndrome, narrowing (obliteration) of arterioles, varicosis, lymphadenitis, lymphoid edema, lymphangitis.

RESPIRATORY ORGANS DISEASES:

Acute nasopharyngitis (nasal cold), vasomotoric and allergic rhinitis, acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis (angina), acute laryngitis and tracheitis, chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic diseases of amygdalae and adenoids, chronic laryngotracheitis, diseases of vocal cords and larynx, acute obstructive laryngitis (croup), and epiglottitis, acute respiratory infections, viral and bacterial pneumoniae (inflammations of the lungs), acute bronchitis, acute bronchiolitis, recurrent and chronic bronchitis (obstructive and non-obstructive), bronchial asthma, bronchoectasiae, pneumoconiosis (occupational pulmonary diseases), pleurites, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis.

DIGESTIVE ORGANS DISEASES:

Oral cavity diseases, pyrosis, esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux, esophageal ulcer, esophageal dyskinesia, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis and duodenitis of various origin, pylorospasm, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, acute and chronic gastroenteritis and colitis, irritated intestine syndrome with and without diarrhea, constipation, functional diarrhea, neu-rogenous excitability of the intestine, anal sphincter spasm, anal and rectal fissurae and fistulae, hemorrhoids, alcoholic liver disease, toxic liver lesion, acute and chronic hepatitis, hepatic fibro-sis and cirrhosis, cholelithiasis, acute and chronic cholecystitis, biliary tracts dyskinesia, acute and chronic pancreatitis, vomiting after surgical intervention on gastroenteric tract, postoperative intestinal obstruction (intestinal paresis), dysfunction after colosto-my and enterostomy, secondary disturbances of intestinal absorption, disturbance of alimentary behavior (overeating).

SKIN AND SUBCUTANEOUS FAT DISEASES:

Skin abscess, furunculi and carbunculi, panaris, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, neurodermitis, psoriasis, Quincke's edema, burns (including sunburns), frostbite, focal alopecia (baldness), follicular cysts of the skin and subcutaneous fat, hyperhidrosis (sweating), vitiligo, callosities, atrophic skin lesions (trophic ulcers), hypertrophic skin lesions (keloid cicatrices), erysipelas.

DISEASES OF BONES, MUSCLES AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE:

Infection, postinfection and reactive arthropathiae, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, gout, polyarthrosis, osteoarthritis deformans, articular cartilage lesions, ligaments lesions, joints luxations and subluxations, hemarthrosis, exudate in the joint, pain in the joint, rigidity of the joints, osteophytes ("spurs"), lupus erythematosus, dermatopolymyositis, systemic sclerosis (including sclerodermia), systemic vasculites, scoliosis, osteo-chondrosis, torticollis, ankylosing spondylitis, spondylopathiae, spondylosis, inter-vertebral disks lesions, radiculopathiae, radiculitis, ischias, lumbago, backaches, myosites (muscles inflammation), synovites, tenosynovitis and bursites, ligaments and joints injuries, pain in the limbs, other unspecified diseases of joints and soft tissues, bones fractures, poor fractures consolidation (including age-related fracture of the neck of the femur), osteomyelitis, periostitis, periodontitis, parodontosis, parodon-titis.

DISEASES OF THE EYE AND ITS ADNEXA:

Hordeolum and chalazion, blepharitis, dacryocystitis, chronic inflammation of lacrimal ducts, acute and chronic conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal scars and opacities, cataract, retinal breaks and detachment, diabetic retinopathy, open-angle glaucoma, optic neuritis, optic atrophy, squint, myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (including age-related), blindness and lowered vision, eye pain.

DISEASES OF THE EAR AND MASTOID PROCESS:

Acute and chronic external otitis, non-purulent of middle ear, perforation of the drum membrane, tympanosclerosis, neurosen-sory hypoacusis, ototoxic hypoacusis, pain in the ear.

UROGENITAL SYSTEM DISEASES:

Glomerulonephritis, acute and chronic nephritic syndrome, acute and chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis, acute and chronic pyelonephritis, reflux-uropathy, toxic nephropathy, hydronephrosis (without obstruction), urolithiasis, renal ischemia or infarction, acquired renal cyst, acute and chronic cystitis, neuromuscular dysfunction of the urinary bladder, urethritis, urinary tract infection without definite localization, enuresis; hyperplasia of the prostate, adenoma of the prostate, acute and chronic prostatitis, prostatocystitis, prostatic calculus, orchi-tis and epididimitis, balanopostitis, vascular disorders of male genital organs, certain forms of male sterility; mastopathia fibrocystica, mastitis, lactostasis, nipple cracks and fistulae; salpingitis and oophoritis, vulvovaginitis, incomplete vaginal prolapse, ovarial cysts, incorrectwomb positions, cervical erosion, myoma and fibromyoma, absence of menstruations, poor and rare menstruations, frequent, irregular menstruations, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual pains, early menopause, climacteric status, recurrent abortion, secondary female sterility.

PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH AND POSTNATAL PERIOD:

Arterial hypertension as complication of pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period, edema and proteinuria caused by pregnancy, nephropathy of pregnancy, excessive vomiting of the pregnant, hemorrhoids, diabetes mellitus, herpes of the pregnant, arterial hypotony syndrome in mother, preparation for childbirth, anesthesia during childbirth, hypothermia of unclear origin appearing after childbirth, changes of mammary gland and lactation.

CERTAIN CONDITIONS APPEARING IN PERINATAL PERIOD:

Lesions of fetus and newborn caused by mother's diseases and complications of pregnancy and childbirth, birth injuries, intrau-terine hypoxia, respiratory disorders of fetus and newborn, non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhage in fetus and newborn, neonatal jaundice, transitory neonatal endocrine disorders, digestive disorders in perinatal period, thermoregulation disorders and skin changes in fetus and newborn, regurgitation, vomiting, poor sucking and overfeeding, muscular tonus lesion in newborn.

SYMPTOMS, SIGNS AND DEVIATIONS FROM NORM FOUND OUT DURING CLINICAL AND LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS:

Increased blood pressure without diagnosed hypertension, cough, stridor, wheezing respiration, hiccup, sneezing, pain in throat and chest, pain in stomach and pelvic region, nausea and vomiting, pyrosis, meteorism, lesions of skin sensitivity, pain associated with urination, retention of urine, loss of consciousness and coma, nervousness, anxiety and excitation in association with failures and disasters, emotional shock and stress, speech and voice disorders (dysarthria, dyslexia, dysphonia), fever of unclear origin, headache, indisposition and fatigue, syncope and collapse, senility (without psychosis).

Shoulder Pain? Check the Biceps!

Shoulder pain is prevalent in the United States, 9% of American adults reported having shoulder pain in 2006 according to the CDC. Shoulder pain can be the result of many different things from osteoarthritis to a heart attack. One of the causes of shoulder and arm pain that commonly gets overlooked is bicep tendonitis.

The biceps muscle crosses the shoulder and elbow joints and its main action is to flex the arm and supinate the forearm. Both of these movements are used when opening a bottle with a corkscrew; supination to unscrew the cork and second flexion to pull the cork out.

Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon, the part of the muscle that attaches to bone. Symptoms of tendonitis can vary from aches or pains and local joint stiffness, to a burning that surrounds the whole joint around the inflamed tendon. With tendonitis, the pain is usually worse during and after activity, and the tendon and joint area can become stiffer the following day as muscles tighten from the movement of the tendon.

Biceps tendonitis can be confirmed by an easy and quick test. Start with the painful arm out in front of you with the thumb pointing up, have someone push down on the arm with even pressure, keep in mind that this is not an arm wrestling match. If weakness is shown, the arm pushes down easily, and pain in the shoulder is felt with this movement than Biceps tendonitis is a possible cause of the shoulder pain.

To confirm find the bicep tendon which is about an inch above the armpit and just inside the ball of the humerus, or the main arm bone. If tendonitis is present the tendon will be relatively easy to find, will feel ropy and exquisitely tender. Once the tendon is found massage in a straight horizontal fashion with the pads of the fingers, not in a vertical motion or in a circle but horizontal only. After 30 seconds or so repeat the thumb up test to see if there is any improvement, if the massage is done correctly the arm should be stronger.

This type of massage used is called cross friction massage and is great for tendonitis. Do this cross friction massage 4 times per day for 30 seconds to a minute each time, followed by ice to the area. Since it is an inflammation of the tendon doing some anti-inflammatory herbs would also help improve the tendonitis. Look for natural anti-inflammatories such as Devil's Claw and Boswelia, I personally like Boswelia Complex by MediHerb.

If diligent with the cross friction massage, ice and anti-inflammatory herbs the tendonitis should clear up in 2-4 wks. If doing a physical activity with the arm such as lifting, pulling or pushing do the cross friction massage before and after the activity. Also a good shoulder adjustment from your Chiropractor can put the humerus back in the correct place and decrease the chance of further injury.

Arthritis Joint Pain - How to Get Relief From It

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the most common among the various kinds of arthritis. The first sign of morning stiffness and cracking joints followed by more discomfort, pain and disability exemplifies the degenerative aging process associated with joint and cartilage deterioration.

Osteoarthritis is believed to be a degenerative disease that develops as a result of wear and tear of the cartilage in the joint. It is thought to be due to increased mucopolysaccharide in articular cartilage and diminished hyaluronic acid in the synovial fluid, which develops with increasing age. It normally affects persons above 50 years of age. The main symptom is pain, which usually begins early in the morning when the patient gets up from bed. Continuous use of the lower limb eases the stiffness and pain due to increased synovial secretion. Obesity increases the risk of osteoarthritis by putting undue stress on the joints especially the knees and hips. Radiological investigations show reduction of joint spaces at pressure areas and presence of osteophytes.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease in which the immune system turns on itself and starts affecting the joints. It usually affects people between the ages of 30-55 years. Women are three times more likely to be affected than men. The disease is gradual in onset and affects the joints of the fingers and feet. Pain is the main symptom followed by stiffness, swelling and deformity. Occasionally this condition is associated with fever and weight loss. Movements are mainly restricted because of pain and spasm. This condition lasts for many years with alternating attacks and remissions.

Regular exercise like walking, cycling or swimming play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of all forms of arthritis and can help to reduce the joint pain. Yoga can also be done for movement and posture. Fish oil has been beneficial for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Fish like salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines and cod etc have omega 3 fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect on the joints. Person suffering can eat fresh oily fish three times a week or substitute it by taking fish oils available in the form of capsules. Vegetarians can eat plenty of Soya beans and tofu in their diet. Evening primrose oil has anti-inflammatory properties, hence beneficial.

Anti-inflammatory drugs can alleviate the pain to some extent. Various medications like Synotrex, Etoricoxib, Rofecoxib can be taken to relieve joint pain. Nowadays ayurvedic therapy is followed where oil massage is done to the joints, which relieves pain. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy of suitable type helps in reducing pain and preserves the mobility of the joints. Some painful joint disorders need localized injections of steroids also. Person suffering from arthritis should have fresh fruits and vegetables for vitamin C and beta-carotene, nuts, avocados for vitamin E and whole grains, cereals and eggs for selenium. For more information about preventing arthritic joint pain, please visit http://www.synotrex.com

Understanding Pilates Knee Pain Relief Principles for Knee Injuries

Pilates knee pain relief principles can be used for a number of knee injuries such as Anterior Cruciate Ligament issues (ACL), meniscus tear, weak knee, and arthritis. There are six core Pilates principles. For maximum healing and benefit, each of these principles must be present while doing these knee exercises.

1. Centering
- Aligning your body and bringing focus to the centre, between your lower ribs and pubic bone. Active engagement of this centering brings immediate form and improved posture. It is like the foundation of a building. If the foundation is strong, the structure of the building will stand well.

2. Conscious Breathing
- Proper breathing technique helps to stabilize the trunk and releases neck tension. The continuous easy flow of breath makes it easier for the muscles to activate accordingly. When you inhale to prepare, you would exhale to extend or exert depending on the routines. In exhaling, the knee joint stays relaxed, as the muscles around it contract and activate to secure the knee joint. Pilates exercises like Eve's Lunge will be a good example. There is no pressure on the injured knee joint and yet it aids in improvement of strength.

3. Core Alignment
- It is important to understand alignment in relation to the knee. The centre of the knee cap should be kept in line with the fore foot. If you run an imaginary line from the centre of your knee cap, it should end at the spot where the second and third toe is. Exercise like foot positions on the pilates reformer would be highly recommended. Rotation of the knee joint both outward and inward should be discouraged when doing knee tracking work.

4. Control
- Learn how to limit movements by engaging the right muscles to control the movement. Knee extension work with loaded springs should be performed with active thigh muscles involved. It is very easy to straighten the knees and snap / lock. Muscle activation is usually absent when speed is involved. Tissue breakdown, injury, and pain can occur when movements are not limited and alignments are compromised.

5 Concentration
- Intense focus and awareness are critical to proper application. Usually a knee injury can be treated if the wrong movement is corrected. This allows the brain to be re-educated. The body also starts to learn the proper way to perform an exercise correctly. Chronic pain can disappear when your body understand this awareness technique.

6. Coordination
- Your body needs to know how to work in sync to perform each exercise. As your knee muscles and joints moves through a range of motion, with all of the above elements together, then you have achieved true coordination. Coordination is a learned art and cannot be forced.
By performing specific knee exercises that deal with your knee injury, and using Pilates specialized equipment like the Reformer or Wunda chair, pain and swelling can be managed. In time, you will have better control over your body.

When your muscles are weak, they are short and tight. Selected pilates knee exercises should start with stretching and lengthening to improve muscle tone and elasticity. As the muscles gain some length and flexibility is improved, knee strengthening exercises can be gradually introduced. This result is flexible strength.

Pilates for knee pain relief must be performed with healing and wellness as the focus. It is different from a weight loss or a fitness program. Pilates instructors who are well trained in the aspect of rehabilitation, will know how to plan your routines. As the knee improves and knee pain is no longer a factor, other Pilates exercises can be introduced. This helps to achieve a total body conditioning program that fits into a healthy lifestyle. This not only prevents any relapse, it also allows the knee to be strong and healthy.

Keep the principles in mind to prevent unintentional abuse on your body. You will be less likely to do things that are not meant to be, like pushing yourself to the point of pain or exhaustion. To be in tune with your body means listening and being aware of what it is telling you. This is a critical factor in staying healthy and being injury free. Pilates is a natural, non-invasive treatment for knee pain injury and is an effective healing method for the simple reason that it works!

What You Need to Know About Canine Hip Dysplasia

First, what is canine hip dysplasia? Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a developmental disease of the bones in which the head of the thigh bone poorly fits the hip socket, causing damage to the cartilage, gradual destruction of the joint, pain and swelling. This disease should not be confused with hip arthritis. Rather, it is the most common cause of arthritis in the hips. Canine hip dysplasia is one of the most frustrating diseases in veterinary medicine today simply because it is so difficult to prevent and treat.

Second, how is canine hip dysplasia transmitted? CHD cannot be transmitted as it is an inheritable disorder. It is passed on by the parents to the offspring. Therefore, the only effective measure to eliminate the disease is to prevent dogs with hip dysplasia from breeding. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done, because not all dogs with hip dysplasia show signs of the disease. Seemingly normal dogs still carry the gene for CHD and are bred, which keeps the disease in the gene pool.

Third, how do you know if a dog has hip dysplasia? A dog with hip dysplasia generally exhibits less energy and activity. These dogs will also have difficulty rising from a sitting position, lameness in the back legs, may hop like a rabbit when running, and are reluctant to go up stairs. However, these symptoms are typically not apparent until a dog reaches middle age. In severe cases, though, some dogs display noticeable hip problems as early as 5-6 months of age.

Fourth, how does a veterinarian confirm if a dog has hip dysplasia?
Regrettably, there is no blood test or genetic test yet that will determine whether a dog is a carrier of CHD or not. Diagnosis of the disease is normally done through physical examinations and x-rays. X-rays help in assessing the extent of the condition and, through comparison with future x-rays, they can also provide a gauge of how well the chosen treatment is working. Here are two techniques for taking x-rays of CHD-afflicted dogs:

1. Hip-extended ventrodorsal view x-ray - Provides a frontal view of the pelvis and hip-joints and best assesses the level of severity of arthritis present.
2. PennHIP radiography technique - Used to identify hip looseness in dogs as young as four months of age.

Fifth, what are the treatment options for canine hip dysplasia? Currently, there is no real cure for CHD, but there are conservative, or non-surgical, ways to alleviate its symptoms. These include the use of drugs to relieve pain and inflammation. Rimadyl, Ectogesic and Deramaxx are effective and have given many suffering dogs the relief necessary to live a normal life. Depending on a dog's physical characteristics, weight loss programs, controlled exercise and physical therapy can also be quite effective.

When conservative treatment is not sufficient, the only other choice is surgery. Surgery can be very effective since it corrects the underlying cause of hip pain (a malformed joint).

When confronted with hip dysplasia, surgery is approached in two different ways. Prophylactic surgery is done to prevent the progression of arthritis while therapeutic surgery aims to treat already arthritic hips.

Triple pelvic osteotomy is the main preventive procedure available. It requires cutting the pelvis in three places and rotating the hip sockets to provide improved coverage. This procedure is effective as long as it is done before arthritis sets in or before the joint is damaged.

Another kind of preventive surgery is pubic symphysiodesis. Still being studied for its effectiveness, pubic symphysiodesis involves manipulating the way the pelvis grows to ensure a tighter hip. This procedure is typically performed on very young dogs.

Therapeutic procedures include total hip replacement and femoral head ostectomy. Total hip replacement is performed primarily on larger dogs. High density, medical plastic is used to replace the socket and a premium, non-corrosive alloy is used for the ball. This procedure has a high success rate, nearly completely eliminates pain, and enables the dog to fully resume activity.

Another therapeutic procedure for hip dysplasia is femoral head ostectomy. It entails the removal of the top of the femur, thereby eliminating the painful grinding at the hip joint. The femur is then permitted to float freely. This results in the formation of scar tissue which then serves as a false joint. This procedure is not advised for mild cases of arthritis and is usually effective only on smaller, well-muscled dogs.

Lastly, can canine hip dysplasia be prevented? The onset of hip dysplasia can be delayed in many dogs with a genetic predisposition by preventing excessive weight gain during the early months and by making sure that the puppy does not place undue stress on the hips.

The most effective means of prevention is, of course, careful breeding since hip dysplasia is an inheritable condition. OFA and PennHip offer information on breed risk. Before buying a puppy, it is strongly recommended that you check pedigrees for OFA, PennHip, or GDC certifications

Diagnosing Lower Back Pain Causes

In everything we do in life, determining the problem is the first step taken before performing anything else and the same goes for lower back complications since you need to first comprehend the symptoms, then identify the lower back pain causes, and then treat it. After taking a careful history of the patient, the doctor could already determine likely causes of the pain through a physical spinal exam.

An excellent example of a test undertaken to analyze a patient's spine situation during a medical examination is the Straight Leg Raising Test. With the patient lying down in the supine position (on his back), the doctor holds the ankle while attempting to keep the knee stretched out, and lifts the leg to figure out the range of flexion in the hip joint. There is nerve root compression if pain is experienced on the other leg, also referred to as contralateral radiation.

Some other tests that may help ascertain if a patient has a pinched nerve is with the dorsiflexion of the foot and pressing upon the popliteal fossa where the tibial nerve is located while stretching out a flexed knee. Lumbar herniation may also be discovered with the application of these tests. Except if any symptoms are existing, imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans will not be utilized with acute lower back pain. A doctor can conveniently discover the causes with the use of imaging techniques which is advised for patients suffering from chronic pain.

For lower back pain patients, the following diagnostic checks are some of the most regularly employed in the medical community today...

Plain X-ray

For lower back pain conditions that hasn't gotten better or has worsened after 30 days this type of test is most suitable. X-rays are suggested in patients who have experienced substantial trauma, patients 50 years old and above who have endured slight shock, those with osteoporosis, and individuals with a history of long term steroid application. X-rays can also spot bone deformities (such as scoliosis), bone fractures, and bone changes because of aging.

Myelogram

Relatively comparable to an X-ray, a myelogram involves injecting a radio-opaque dye into the spinal canal of the patient. This test is done along with a CT scan if surgical procedure is planned on the patient.

CT scan

Though not a good idea for acute cases, patients with lower back pain symptoms that are indicative of spinal canal or bone infection, fracture, tumor, or cauda equina syndrome must take a CT scan test.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Recommended for the same illnesses as in CT scans. There have been inconclusive results when it pertains to the application of this test to locate disc herniations. Almost 20% of ruptured discs revealed during surgical treatment have not been detected by the MRI conducted in one research. In 40% of cases, MRI tests of patients without low back pain shown to have bulging discs.

Bone density

This test can find weakness in the vertebrae like osteoporosis. Although lower back pain is not a manifestation of osteoporosis, bone cracks resulting from this affliction show itself with pain.

Electromyelogram (EMG)

Electrical activity in the affected muscle areas can be monitored by inserting tiny, fine needles into them. The EMG test will help determine the level of nerve root damage and it will help the doctor differentiate between muscle disease and nerve root disease in chronic lower back pain cases.

Lower back pain causes can be quickly identified, with the application of these imaging strategies, by the physician.