Best Natural Ingredients for Muscle and Joint Pain Relief

Pain relief is a topic that I think we can all relate to as we all have dealt with it at one time or another in our lives. If you are lucky enough to not have experienced muscle or joint pain, believe me as you age you will. As I am a very active person and an avid athlete, pain management is something that I deal with often. Also I often tend to 'overdue' things and push my body to the limit often when training or playing sports. So getting minor injuries from bruises to sore muscles to sprains is not only common for athletes but also the average person who is not so active because of age, a hard days work or a pulled muscle which can happen doing just about anything anywhere at anytime.

It wasn't until I was in my early twenties when I started training much harder in martial arts and pushing my strength training to a higher level, did I look into what was available on the market for pain relief that was safe and natural. When I was a kid and a teenager, I never bothered taking anything as I didn't think much of pain because I just played through it and healed much quicker back then it seemed (oh to be young again).

Once I started to have to deal with pain more often because of my increased training and because I was getting older, I wanted only to use all natural ingredients that could help me that had no side effects. So naturally I looked into all kinds of natural ingredients and herbs that could help me to hasten recovery from bumps, bruises and strains in training and of course lessen the pain.

One of the first natural ingredients that I researched and looked into was Arnica, a natural herb used in homeopathic medicines for pain relief since the 1500's. This herb grows in the mountains of Europe & Siberia and is used topically in a variety of forms to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation & heal wounds. I remember using it when I started doing judo as the first few weeks I got some good sized bruises from training, it definitely helped reduce my pain and speed recovery.

Another all natural ingredient I heard about and began to use was Wintergreen Oil (also known as Methyl salicylate). Wintergreen oil is used in many topical pain relieving products, as its chemical makeup is essentially that of liquid aspirin. It is very potent on its own and must be diluted if used as a topical stand-alone product. Blended with other essential oils, it can help relieve arthritis and reduce inflammation in joints and muscles dramatically. At the time, I bought some popular topical products that had Methyl salicylate as the main ingredient in them (which is a safer bet than diluting or blending the oil yourself). I did buy Wintergreen oil eventually as a stand-alone product when I started looking deeper into pain relieving herbs and into this amazing oil.

I found that Menthol is used a lot in conjunction with Wintergreen oil in many pain relieving products and is another amazing natural ingredient I use and recommend. Menthol is a compound primarily derived from peppermint or other mint oils. It is similar to Wintergreen (methyl salicylate), as it is an anti-inflammatory and causes a cooling sensation when applied topically. An effective pain reliever, menthol has been shown in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology and the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity to be among the world's most effective pain-relievers for osteoarthritis.

I'm sure you have heard of using Cayenne Pepper as an addition to flavor dishes to make them spicier and hotter. It also has a rich history of being used for medicinal purposes. Native Americans have used it for over 9,000 years for healing and ceremonial use. Cayenne acts to eliminate or "burn up," substance P - a compound that carries pain messages to your brain. Capsaicin is the principal active ingredient of cayenne pepper. Capsaicin has been shown to be effective for easing pain caused by arthritis and nerve conditions when applied topically as a liniment or taken internally as a supplement. When I learned about this, I started looking for topical ointments and creams that contained cayenne and even tried taking it internally as a capsule.

Another natural ingredient I started looking into and ultimately using was Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). MSM is a natural, safe and odorless sulfur compound found in the human body. It has essential sulfur and methyl groups that are used in healing and repair processes such as supporting connective tissue repair and regeneration. MSM is known to speed relief from inflammation and promote lasting healing. It is also naturally cleanses and detoxifies and ultimately promotes healthy circulation by neutralizing free radical molecules. It is normally taken internally but can be used topically with DMSO which transports any other ingredients it is mixed with directly to the source of pain.

The last ingredient which I will talk about which I mentioned above is Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). DMSO is known to multiply chemical reactions in combination with other ingredients as it is a near perfect solvent and transporter. It is also used alone and is an organic, sulfur-rich substance found in the woody part of trees. I found out from a friend who recommended it to me and eventually gave me some pure DMSO that it is commonly used in veterinary medicine as a liniment for horses. Well if they used it treat race horses for pain relief I figured it could help relieve my muscle and joint pain too!

It has an amazing range of uses (can be taken by mouth, used topically, or given intravenously even) but I will only mention here as it is related to topical treatment for pain relief. I found that DMSO is used topically to decrease pain and speed the healing of wounds, burns, and muscle and skeletal injuries. DMSO is also used topically to treat painful conditions such as headache, inflammation, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis... truly an incredible natural compound.

Orthopedic Treadmill Belts - Friend Or Foe?

Almost all treadmills offer orthopedic belts on at least a 1/3 of the models, if not more. Many people are not aware that this is an option, and not a must when purchasing a treadmill. Treadmills now offer orthopedic belts and/or decks and all is not what it seems when choosing these options.

Pros:

The Orthopedic belts one the market are said to cushion and protect joints of connective tissues of you hip joints, ankles, and knees. Treadmills like NordicTrack offers DuraSoft Cushioning belts which are said by NordicTrack to reduce joint impact on joints by as much as 19 to 33% as compared to road running. NordicTrack also offers a belt that has a 5 position adjustable cushioning. Many people prefer the ability to decide which is best for them at any given time throughout their workout life.

The Smooth 9.17 and BodyGuard treadmills also have treadmills that offer orthopedic belts due to the popularity among many with shin splints and heel spurs. Most often people that only use treadmills as there main source of exercise will occasionally have these aliments occur. The HealthRider that is widely available at stores like Wal-Mart and the large bulk stores offer the Ortho Belts for the same reason and popularity that have many thinking that these are much better for them.

Proform offers a Quiet tread belt on several models that is just a regular tread belt, but the do offer a ProShox Impact Reducing Deck that states it will reduce joint impact by 28% compared to road running.

Cons:

Many service technicians hate to see people purchase treadmills with Orthopedic belts due to the fact that they will wear out the motor very quickly compared to regular tread belts. The fact that Orthopedic belts are much thicker than regular tread belts means that they cause excessive heat on the belt and wear on the bearings within the rollers.

The fact that the heat is caused due to the thickness of the belt directly correlates with the fact that the motor and all other parts are working harder, therefore causing the motor to wear out much quicker than normal. Many critics of the belt would tell consumers to either purchase a good pair of running shoes with extra support or that the positive effect you are feeling is all in you head.

Conclusion:

Orthopedic belts are really not worth the additional money unless you have a major physical condition that any extra cushioning will be a benefit. If you do choose to purchase a treadmill with an ortho belt, please take into consideration that you should be ready for extra maintenance and the fact that the motor will wear before a regular belt. Also, remember that with an orthopedic belt to choose a treadmill with rollers that are at least 2.4 inches in diameter to insure that the belt and motor will have as much room as possible.

If you are just a normal consumer looking for a good treadmill and you have no prior problems, just stick with a regular treadmill and tread belt.

Hip Replacement Exercises

Rehabilitation after a hip replacement is usually straightforward but it is important to be aware of the priorities at each stage of the operation and recovery for the best outcome. Because an osteoarthritic hip is painful this has a series of knock-on effects. A painful joint means the musculature which controls that joint cannot work properly so tends to lose some of its strength and support for the joint. The joint may also become tight as the natural movements are not performed and the person may adopt an abnormal gait which becomes an ingrained habit.

Pre-operative education and rehabilitation is important so the person knows what they are trying to achieve with their exercises and gait practice. Range of motion and strengthening exercises can be given along with gait correction. If the gait cannot be easily corrected by instruction, consideration should be given to using a walking aid. Either a stick or a crutch can be used depending on the degree of support needed, held in the opposite hand to the arthritic joint. If the patient walks with a good pattern this is sufficient, but if they still walk poorly they may need two sticks or crutches to achieve a reasonable gait pattern.

On the first post-operative day the physiotherapist assesses and treats the patient both in the bed and up mobilizing. Quadriceps and buttock muscle contractions performed hourly allow the leg to regain muscle control to enable movement. Repeated gentle hip flexions by sliding the heel up and down in the bed can help the patient regain control of the leg and restore this functional activity which they need to master bed mobility. Circulatory improvement is also encouraged by pumping movements of the ankles routinely but the size of this effect may not be very great.

Hourly contractions and gentle movements of the hip will get the joint moving and restore some confidence in the patient that they can independently move their leg around, which initially feels very heavy. The physiotherapist and an assistant will mobilize the patient as their condition allows, using crutches or a frame. Early sitting out in a chair is encouraged with a seat high enough to prevent too much hip flexion. As the side of the thigh has been operated this can limit the amount of knee bend so patients are encouraged to regularly slide their feet back towards themselves in sitting.

Giving the patient confidence to independently perform a safe and relatively normal gait pattern is the initial goal of mobilization. This progresses into teaching a walking technique which approximates as closely as possible to normal walking. Once this has been well learned the patient should walk with a pattern very close to a natural gait, with an observer only understanding they have a restriction by the presence of crutches. The natural sequence of muscle activation is promoted by an involuntary and repetitive function such as walking and this reduces the energy cost of walking and facilitates return of muscle power.

The physiotherapist may prescribe an exercise regime for the patient if he or she identifies a particular weakness in the hip musculature. The upright position with the patient holding onto a solid object is the safest starting position and promotes stability and confidence. Three movements can be used to start with: bringing the thigh up towards horizontal in front of the body; making a sideways movement of the leg outwards whilst keeping it straight; pushing the leg behind the body whilst keeping the body upright and the leg straight. The main hip and pelvic muscles which control hip stability are worked by these movements.

Hydrotherapy or more strongly resisted exercises may be necessary in some cases. Joint replacement treatment is very effectively managed in a pool due to both the resistance and the support of the water. Floats attached to the feet increase the forces needed to perform muscle activity in water and the entire walking pattern can be practiced by walking against the water resistance up and down the pool. Hip surgeons are not very keen on significant exercises for total hip replacements, except gait, due to possible implant loosening and reduction in the survival of the implant.

A Cure For Osteoarthritis Conditions

Osteoarthritis, which is also called degenerative joint disease, is a common form of arthritis. This condition takes places when the cartilage in the joints wears away. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are many treatment options available and they include medications, therapy, and surgery and home remedies.

It can affect any joint in the body, but the most commonly affected areas are the ones in the hands, hips, knees, neck and lower back. The condition worsens over time. The different treatments will relieve the pain, but will not provide a cure.

The symptoms will often develop quite slowly. You will feel pain in the joint while you are moving or after you have moved. There will be tenderness in the joint if you apply pressure to it. If you have been inactive for a while or when you awake in the morning, there may be stiffness in the joint. The range of motion in the joint may become limited. There may be a grating sound from the joint when you use it. There could be extra bits of bone which form around the joint. This will be felt as hard lumps.

The causes of osteoarthritis include aging; injury or stress to the joint; muscle weakness or obesity. The tests that will be performed by your doctor will include x-rays which will be taken of the affected joint. MRI scans will be requested. Blood tests will be done to rule out other possible causes of joint pains. And joint fluid analyses will be done.

Treatment with acetaminophen will relieve the pain, but it will not reduce the inflammation. It is effective for those who have mild to moderate pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories will relieve the pain and it will reduce the inflammation. Tramadol is a prescription analgesic that will relieve pain, but will not relieve the inflammation. Stronger painkillers can be prescribed if you suffer from severe osteoarthritis pain. Cortisone injections will relieve excessive pain.

You could go for physical therapy which will strengthen the muscles that are around the joints. This will increase the range of motion and reduce the pain in the joint. There are also shoe inserts or braces that will assist with pain relief.

Surgical procedures include joint replacement. The surgeon will replace the damaged joint with plastic or metal prostheses. The hip joint and the knee joints are the most commonly replaced ones. Realignment of bones is an option where surgery is done to realign the bones in order to relieve pain. It is normally offered in place of joint replacement, particularly to younger people who suffer from the condition. Bone fusion is another option to increase stability as well as to reduce pain. The joint will then be able to painlessly bear weight, but will have no flexibility.

Some of the home remedies that are available are regular exercise and the use of hot or cold packs to manage the pain. Weight loss will assist in removing the stress that is placed on weight-bearing joints like the knees and the hips. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are ways to relieve the pain and the inflammation that is caused by it.

Chiropractic Is A Natural Solution For Hip Pain

Hip pain can result many different causes. Referred pain from the low back is a common cause for much of the pain people experience in their hip. If a person has had previous trauma or injury to the hip, this can predispose the hip to arthritis. Osteoarthritis of the hip more commonly occurs if someone has a family history of it or if they are overweight. The extra weight puts a lot more stress on the hip joints than normal.

The symptoms and presentation of hip pain will vary from individual to individual. The pain may start off as a mild pain in the groin region or buttocks. The hip may feel stiff in the morning and then subside as the day progresses. It is common to have accompanied pain into the front of the upper leg or into the knee. The hip may even be overlooked because of the pain in the knee. Hip pain is often increased with weight bearing activities because they put more stress on the hip.

The muscles around the hip or leg may also weaken with hip problems and there may be reduced motion in the joint. This is often noticed when a person is walking or running. It may also be difficult for the person to squat down such as when tying their shoe. Rest usually helps the pain subside, but not always. If there is a lot of inflammation or arthritis in the joint, the person may experience pain at rest as well. Using a can or walking stick can help take pressure off the hip joint and make walking easier.

There is very little evidence that supports reversal of joint degeneration of the hip. However, many people with hip pain have found relief through chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractic can help to slow the progression degenerative changes in the joint. Chiropractic is effective in restoring normal motion of the joint and may help to avoid surgery of the hip.

Chiropractors are trained to perform a detailed evaluation of the hip. This evaluation will include neurological, orthopedic and muscle testing to diagnose the cause of the problem. An exam of the spine and lower extremity will also be performed to rule out other causes of hip pain. X-rays are helpful to provide a clear picture of the hip joint and detect degenerative changes in the joint.

Chiropractic care helps to reduce inflammation of the joint, restore normal range of motion, reduce muscle spasms, correct misaligned bones and strengthens weak muscles. The treatment involves stretching and massage to help healing in the muscles. The chiropractor may also perform a chiropractic adjustment to correct misaligned bones of the hip or spine.

What Are Four Pet Products That Can Help Your Aging Pet?

As dogs age, they suffer from many of the same illnesses and conditions as humans do. Therefore it makes sense to invest in pet accessories that will make your dog's aging process as comfortable as possible.

It is difficult to predict how or when a dog will show signs of aging as there are many factors to take into consideration. A few important factors include the breed of the dog followed by size and genetic makeup. As soon as you see a difference in their behavior or see them having difficulty with activities such walking or climbing stairs, you should consider pet accessories to make them more comfortable.

Arthritis and Joint Pain:

As dogs get older they are susceptible to conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia and other joint pain. There are two types of dog beds manufactured specifically for joint pain: a memory foam bed and an orthopedic foam bed. Ortho Bliss, a memory foam bed is one option for dogs whose mobility is impaired due to joint problems. A memory foam dog bed is ideal as it molds to the animal's body heat and weight relieving pressure points and improving circulation. A memory foam bed is not the same as an egg crate bed.

Another type of bed for older dogs is an orthopedic foam bed. Often manufactured with a cushion-like material they, too, can provide relief to a dog's painful joints. The memory foam and orthopedic foam beds should be pre-treated to repel odors, bacteria and insects. Ideally, the pet bed that you choose will feature a pillow zipper out for ease with washing, are eco-friendly and machine washable.

If you have a senior dog that is not experiencing arthritis or joint pain, or have a smaller dog, there is a wide selection of bumper dog beds, bolster beds, or donut dog beds designed with comfort in mind.

Other Accessories for Mobility:

Some dogs have difficulty climbing steps or jumping into a truck or van as their only symptom of aging. Pet ramps or pet steps provide a flat surface angled for ease of ascending to a higher location. A selection of pet ramps or pet steps come in a variety of sizes and lengths that are sturdy enough to hold larger dogs without bending. They can easily be used to help your dog get into a truck or onto furniture without having to maneuver to a higher level. Many pet ramps comes with carrying handles for ease of transporting them from one location to another and most have a safety release available.

Pet strollers:

For those who want the company of their older pet along side of them while jogging, hiking or walking a pet stroller can provide the opportunity to continue with your cardio routine and still have your pet be part of the event. Most pet strollers accommodate one or two pets at the same time, are sturdy, waterproof, safe and fold up for easy storage.

Couch covers

Older pets experience problems with frequent urination, leaky bladders or incontinence. This can especially be a problem if dogs are allowed on the furniture or sneak on the furniture while you are at work. A line of couch covers protect furniture from pet leaks, shedding hair and stains from the oil in their fur.

By visiting Best Pet Kennels, you will find a wide selection of products that will accommodate your older pet. The variety of pet products like their pet beds, strollers, steps, ramps and couch covers will help you in making the changes that he/she is going through more comfortable and headache free.

Hip Replacement: When It's Time to Say Uncle

Let's say you are an active, 40 plus year-old jogger, tenniser, or gymnophile, and you or your best friend has noticed a change in your mobility, posture, or gait; or you are beginning to get some unusual pain in your knees or groin; or you notice you're not as quick to get up and go as you once were. It's more than likely, despite your 'youth' you are suffering from osteoarthritis (a common joint problem), what your grandparents called rheumatism. It develops as a combination of your genetics, aggravated by overuse (e.g. repeated running, martial arts, contact sports, etc) and if this is you-obesity.

Now, if it forces you into a change however gradual, in your lifestyle or activities, or you find you've started taking pain medication on a regular basis, it's time to stop, and see an orthopedic specialist. You may well be a candidate for a hip resurfacing or replacement by an experienced Orthopedic Surgeon.

Alternately, let's say you are 60 plus, and know you have to limit your activities, even walking short distances because they result in hurting, or you have morning stiffness often accompanied by pain. The problem and solution are likely the same.

I am an Orthopedic Surgeon, who has performed and taught young doctors in training to perform total hip replacement surgery. Then having experienced some of the above problems, needed and had two of my own hips replaced. So as the saying goes, I've been on both sides of the table.

Then as a result of the experience, determined to write a practical hand book that explained and narrated the experience from diagnosis to recovery in plain, common English for those who might need a Total Hip Replacement or it's younger version a Hip Resurfacing.

This year 450,000 people will undergo hip replacement surgery and another 100,000 have a hip resurfacing. It is anticipated that these numbers will increase by 175% over the next 2-3 years. Forty-Six million people in the USA sixty or over have arthritis of one or several joints. Their disability ranges from mild (heat, medication and rest do help) to disabling (nothing relieves).

Despite what you may have heard about miracle drugs, special joint treatments and substances, medications do not presently provide the cure for arthritis, BUT...the condition can be treated by replacing or resurfacing the joint. In other words we can't alter diseased or distorted hip, knee and shoulder anatomy, but we can replace it. Hips are among the most common joints affected by arthritis and hip replacement or resurfacing procedures the most successful.

If "Uncle, I quit" has become a reality for you- here are a few recommendations:

• Don't ask a friend for an experienced surgeon; use your GP or internist to recommend.


• On your first visit be sure to bring a written list of your history, medications, allergies and conditions - and note no question you want to ask is unimportant or off the table.


• Avoid Metal-on-Metal implants-ask your surgeon about this critical issue.


• Good information about the procedure will make you part of the solution, not part of the problem - be your own advocate. Read or watch any material your surgeon offers.


• After your surgery YOU will be the first to notice any problem, however minor. Don't ignore it. Report immediately to your doctor for explanation or treatment.

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