Archive for April, 2009
Maximize Your Mobility By Reducing Your Joint Pain And Inflammation
You reach your 50s and it should be the best time of your life, the children are grown up, you have less ties, you’re not old yet but you’re not that young either. It creeps up on you aging, suddenly you start to feel stiff, cant jump out of the chair anymore, and realise that for the next 30 years you might not be so mobile after all.
You might have arthritis, which affects people of all races, social levels, geographic areas and gender. Arthritis symptoms are pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints, Osteoarthritis is the most common type which affects the knees.
You will probably have heard about arthritis and associated it with older people with lots of aches and pains. There are many things about arthritis, however, that make it a unique, and yes, painful disease. Arthritis is not only confined to the old, it can affect people of all ages including children.
It’s down to wear and tear and as the protective cartilage is worn away bare bone is then exposed within the joint, causing pain and swelling. It is refered to as wear-and-tear arthritis or degenerative joint disease.
Rheumatologists and physicians who diagnose and treat arthritis and related conditions, use a variety of diagnostic techniques, so it is very imprtant to consult one. The doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history to learn about any family history of arthritis.
You should take regular exercise as this helps to strengthen muscles and maintain joint mobility, not easy if you find it hard to get around. To take the strain off the muscles and joints, whilst strengthening at the same time, the best form of exercise is swimming.
Chiropractic and physical therapy programs are another option, these should be tailored to your age level and the degree of mobility that you have. Take a hot shower before exercise and apply ice packs to muscles and joints to minimize any discomfort related to exercise.
You should get at least eight hours sleep at night, to help your arthritis, and your rheumatologist might advise you to use a splint, sling or cane, and or special footwear to rest the affected joints during the day.
Try a natural formula designed to shield your joints from the trials and results of working hard and playing hard and painful arthritic joints.
Back Pain Relief With Chiropractic
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is a common health complication that at some point affects more than 80% of people, making it second in commonality only to the common cold. Although many of us are aware that the common cold is due to a viral infection, back pain is often a mystery to its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving the problem.
Anatomy
Knowledge of the anatomy of the spine is very useful in understanding back pain. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back are comprised of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the motion of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, composed of strong cartilage, link the bodies of the vertebrae. This tough cartilage surrounds the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The principal function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also link the vertebrae. The wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine is the sacrum and is joined to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is positioned between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves go out from the spine between the vertebrae.
Causes of Back Pain
Most back pain victims have not experienced any trauma, accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The origin of most back pain is the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, bad work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of healthy exercise and other negative lifestyle-related factors. All of these factors produce stresses and imbalances on the spine and eventually produce pain. This is why people can often injure their back just by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The instability of the spine makes it vulnerable to even the most simple movements, such as bending. When this happens, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.
Disc Problems & Sciatica
Prolonged sitting, particularly in a slouched position causes increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles surrounding the spine. Over time the lower spine loses its ability to function normally during everyday stresses. Ultimately, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, allowing the soft nucleus to distend the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it causes the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, one can develop sciatica, which is defined as pain, tingling, numbness, and occasionally weakness in the lower extremities. Sometimes if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition is not managed correctly, surgery is required to clear away the herniated disc material. Nonetheless, with the correct chiropractic adjustments and management, as well as postural exercises, most of these cases can healthfully recover. If you are experiencing any of the conditions defined above, it is crucial for you to seek chiropractic treatment.
Spondylosis
Increased erosion and weight-bearing stress on the spine occurs when there is repetitive damage to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments. This stress can negatively affect the cartilage around the joints and induce calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. These spurs can constrict adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This constriction causes a form of arthritis, called Spondylosis, that can also occur as part of the aging process of the spine. Nevertheless, factors such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic care and overall chiropractic management is very effective in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as aiding Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor has treated many Spondylosis sufferers.
Sacroiliac Problems
The sacroiliac joints are a common area of dysfunction or injury in the low back. These weight-bearing joints attach the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are innately very strong and stable. However with trauma such as falls, sports injuries, or lifting heavy objects, the joints can become unstable and relocate to an abnormal position. This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Pregnancy can also cause this condition. Sacroiliac subluxation causes imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. People with this condition will feel pain particularly with prolonged standing and walking, or during or after physical activity. Many complain of lack of energy and being easily fatigued. Many times this imbalance can affect structures further up the spine and people can develop neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches. Chiropractic adjustments establish the proper alignment of the joints and are extremely affective in ameliorating sacroiliac problems. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can experience effective pain relief.
Spinal Subluxation
Subluxated or misaligned facets joints are a prevalent disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine. Subluxations can exist on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. Subluxations are not only painful, but they can restrict the nerves as they exit the foramen (or spaces) between the vertebrae, producing paraesthesia. Paraesthesia is a change of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities usuallyoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is commonly associated with nerve dysfunctionin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also becorrelated with, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best corrected by chiropractic adjustments.
Trauma
Trauma such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can cause harm to the spine and lower back. Frequently these traumas cause over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine. When this happens a person can encounter considerable pain and immobility. In order to avoid long term disability or the development of any of the conditions listed above, chiropractic adjustments and treatment at the onset of symptoms is very important. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.
When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and expert treatment for any of the above-mentioned dysfunctions of the spine and lower back.
Can Chiropractic Care Help Arthritis?
Introduction
Arthritis is more often than not confusing to most people.Often the word, “arthritis,” produces fear of a future that includes crippled and twisted joints. However “arthritis” is an all-inclusive word that includes many different conditions from the benign to the severe. For our purposes we will restrict this analysis to the most common forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care
Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the labels for the most common form of arthritis, which is also called, spondylosis, if it occurs in the spine. This form of arthritis is not limited to humans, but occurs in all mammals, and is due to the degradation of the cartilage that covers the joint surfaces. When joint cartilage is harmed, the sensitive bone tissue that is normally preserved by the cartilage becomes stressed causing degenerative changes in the joint. Occasionally, osteophytes, or bone spurs, can occur when the bone around the joint increases quickly. Bone spurs cause painful inflammation to other tissues around the joint aggravating the already grievous condition.
The most common areas of the body that develop degenerative joints are in the spine, particularly in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, the hips and the fingers. Everyone may experience DJD at one point in their lives, though previous trauma, ones occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity influence the degree of the condition and its onset.
Pain and/or stiffness in the affected joints are primary indicators of DJD. As the condition advances there can be loss of mobility, notably when weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees are involved. In some cases, if the joint is sufficiently worn and the person can no longer walk without severe pain, the joints are surgically replaced with synthetic devices. Of course, one should try to manage the condition early on in ones life to avoid the need for surgery.
Prevention is invariably the best option, beginning at an early age.
- One should always make sure that, especially when young, all injuries to joints are suitably managed to insure proper healing to avoid future disability.
- People involved in occupations that demand standing or walking should wear proper shoes that give good support and shock absorption.
- Weight loss through proper diet will help to decrease stress on weight-bearing body joints.
- Care should be taken to protect knees from pain aad strain when kneeling on hard surfaces.
- The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants included in fruits and vegetables are crucial for healthy joints and a healthy body.
Recently there have been some studies that offer proof that the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can help with DJD and can possibly help rebuild joint cartilage. However, it must be used over an extended period and does not work in all conditions.
Chiropractic adjustments are not only a smart idea, but an effectual treatment for arthritis, and can aid in the restoration of proper mobility and function to the spinal joints, thereby giving patients great relief. Your Chicago chiropractor has many of years of experience in helping people with arthritis pain. In addition, chiropractic modalities such as joint mobilization, ultrasound, cold laser therapy, massage and electro-therapy may be used to aid in the treatment of painful and stiff joints. Occasionally, a brace is required to secure the joint and relieve pain. Movement is vital to the maintenance of arthritic joints. A chiropractor often suggests gentle, mobilizing activities such as stretching, yoga, and tai chi can be beneficial.
Gout
An increased level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints create gouty arthritis. Generally, gouty arthritis is characterized by acute pain and swelling of the joints in the big toes, knees, ankles and wrists. Many people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are more often than not brought on by binge eating of inflammatory foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Particular foods such as red meat (especially organ meat), certain seafood, legumes, and mushrooms contain the natural substance, Purines, that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. Since individuals with gout cannot efficiently metabolize uric acid, the increase in the bloodstream creates joint problems. In addition to the foods described and additional foods containing Purines, other dietary restrictions must be followed including the avoidance of alcohol.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is systemic in nature and thought to be caused by immune system dysfunction. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, though other areas of the body can be affected as well. The condition is usually associated with morning stiffness that is aggravated by motion. Frequently people complain of general malaise and fatigue, and the disease in its more advanced forms can affect many of the other body systems. There are specific blood tests to help identify Rheumatoid arthritis that can be easily run. Management includes medication and vitamin and diet therapy, as well as chiropractic adjustments. In addition, joint mobilization and modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy and massage can help with the pain and stiffness associated the condition. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to supporting individuals in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.