Osteoarthritis and Animals

For most animal owners the idea of their furry companion developing a disease such as osteoarthritis seems unlikely; that is until it happens. This potentially disabling condition is the number one type of joint disease in cats, dogs, and horse. It also occurs in almost all other animals with a backbone, including fish, amphibians, and birds. In this informational article titled osteoarthritis and animals we will be focusing on the defining the condition along with a few simple ideas that could be helpful in reversing its impact.  

Osteoarthritis in past years was simply called degenerative joint disease. It is a chronic condition affecting joint cartilage and surrounding tissue that is recognized by pain, stiffness, and in extreme cases immobility.   While this osteoarthritis is primarily seen in older animals, it is not caused primarily by the wear and tear that occurs with years of use. Instead, microscopic changes in the makeup of the cartilage (structure and composition) appear to be the culprit.   When an animal walks or runs they have an amazing ability to make it look easy. Their amazing mobility is enhanced by joints which have a very low friction level that will protect their joints from wearing out, even after years of use.

Current research suggests that osteoarthritis in animals begins with an abnormality of the cells that synthesize the components of cartilage such as collagen (a durable, fibrous protein) and proteoglycans (substances that provide resilience).  Once the process has begun the next step is likely swelling due to water retention. As the process continues cartilage becomes soft, and then develops cracks on the surface. Tiny cavities form in the bone beneath the cartilage, weakening the bone. Bone growth may then become irregular, producing sharp edges and bumps.

The result is that the once smooth surface that allowed your animal to move so gracefully becomes rough and pitted, so much so that the joint can no longer move smoothly and absorb impact producing pain and immobility.   Osteoarthritis in animals is incurable, but there are a number of steps you can take to improve their quality of life.

The different size and shape of animals makes universal treatment ideas few and far between but nevertheless let's explore a few of these.  

*Provide a warm place for them to sleep and rest: Often times joints will stiffen up during a nap or overnight.   *Weight management: Not only is excess weight one of the major contributing factors in the onset of osteoarthritis in animals it also plays a major role in its progression.  

*Water therapy: This is not for all animals but if you can use water to take the stress off of the impacted joints during joint therapy it could be beneficial.  

*Sensible exercise: Sensible exercise is essential in maintaining muscle mass and preserving the remaining joint flexibility.  

Additionally, there are a number of excellent bone and joint supplements formulated specifically to restore cartilage health in animals. If your furry companion is struggling with joint mobility supplementation is worth considering.

Joint Pain - A Symptom Of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the common infections that have negative effects on the joints of the body, as it causes the joint's cartilage to break down over a period of time. In the case of osteoarthritis, the cartilage is usually torn. The major symptom of this disease is joint pain. Osteoarthritis often affects the back, knees, fingers, hips, neck and toes. The nature of pain associated with osteoarthritis could be mild, moderate or severe. Millions of people are victims of osteoarthritis and its associated joint pains due to age related-wear-and -tear. At the early stage of osteoarthritis, the symptom of may be indistinct and then develop gradually. Yet most people may not even experience the early symptoms at all.

Joint pain cause by osteoarthritis can lead to difficulties in moving as well as disability. Unfortunately, there is no definite cure for osteoarthritis but it is possible to delay or reduce joint injuries and complications of disease with proper exercises, adequate rest and physical therapy. This article does not support the ideal of medication and surgery for the treatment of osteoarthritis, because most of the prescribed medications for joint pain resulting from osteoarthritis are not only very expensive but they end up hiding the pain. Even if the brain does not recognize the pain, it is still there and continues to damage and disfigure the joint. But with nutrition, rest, natural therapy and most importantly simple exercises, you can treat osteoarthritis and at the same time save hundreds of dollars.

Treatment of osteoarthritis.

Body flush: juice fasting and adequate water intake will help to flush out alkaline in your body system, thereby reducing your chances of suffering from osteoarthritis and its associated pains. As water drains the impurities and toxins in your body, the symptoms of osteoarthritis will naturally begin to disappear. Therefore, you are advised to take 10-12 glasses of water daily. Also liquids like soda, tea, coffee and all sorts of ready-made juices with high content of sugar and flavor should be strictly avoided, as they will not only worsen your health problems but they can also lead to severe joint pain.

Nutrition: Nutrition is one of the major factors that can determine whether you will be able to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis or not. Fresh and raw foods with little or no processed foods will be of great help in relieving pains associated with osteoarthritis. Consumption of more water-soluble fiber like fresh foods and raw vegetables are also recommended for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Processed foods, fast foods and foods with high sugar content must be avoided if you really want to be free from joint pain that comes from osteoarthritis.

Exercise: exercise is the most effective way of treating osteoarthritis. It will assist in re-building your muscle mass and body tissue, and as well increase your immune system helping your body get rid of the free radicals in your joint. The following simple exercises are very relevant in the treatment of osteoarthritis and its associated pains; swimming and water exercise, squatting exercise, walking and stationary bike.

Joint pain is one of the symptoms of osteoarthritis. This pain can cause discomfort and disability if not properly taken care of. But with simple exercises like swimming and water exercises, squatting exercises etc, you can effectively treat osteoarthritis and its associated pains.

Treatment of Degenerative Knee Disease - What to Do When Your Knee is Screaming in Pain!

Effective Management and Treatment of Degenerative Knee Disease

Degenerative knee disease or Osteoarthritis of the knee is a progressive, irreversible condition that is typically seen in people over 50 years of age. It is brought on by the loss of cartilage in the knee, which can lead to stiffness, pain and eventual deformity and loss of motion.

Although this condition more commonly affects the inner (medial) aspect of the knee it can also either affect one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) sides of the knee. Symptoms for this condition typically develop slowly over several years.

Primary Causes of Degenerative Knee Disease

Apart from direct causes such as aging, being overweight and direct injury to the knee, the incidence and progression of osteoarthritis is also related to a few other factors. These factors range from high impact stresses at one end to prolonged inactivity at the other.

o Sports : Activities that result in high impact stresses on the knee joint affect the chondrocyte and matrix of the hyaline cartilage. This can lead to initial blistering and, when not properly managed, can lead to joint surface fissuring and erosion, which are precursors to degenerative knee disease.

oRepetitive motion and excessive pressure: When applied to the knee joints can lead to the degeneration of the hyaline cartilage. Although the articular cartilage possesses high tolerance for such overload, severe and prolonged impact can lead to its deterioration.

o On the other end of the spectrum, prolonged inactivity can also lead to degeneration of the articular cartilage. Although it is far less common, management and treatment are important especially in situations that require prolonged immobilization.

Treatment Components of Degenerative Knee Disease

The effective treatment and management program focuses on the pain and mechanical components of the degenerative knee disease.

Pain control and management is done by providing appropriate intervention to treat both local pain and systemic pain. Over the counter pain medication and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are typically recommended to manage the systemic pain whereas cryotherapy, intra-articular cortisone injections and electrical stimulation can be done to control the local pain. Always speak to your physician regarding the use of any medication.

The mechanical component of the treatment regimen involves a comprehensive weight reducing program. Being overweight puts excessive strain on the knees and even if this was not the direct cause of the condition, it can aggravate the knee and cause it to deteriorate even faster. Contrary to popular misconception, exercising can actually be good if you have degenerative knee disease. Not only does it help keep your weight down, it also helps keep the knee flexible. The recommended activities will typically be low impact such as swimming.

The use of unloader knee braces is particularly essential for effective management and treatment of osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that the device can effectively normalize joint mechanics and relieve pressure on the affected knee allowing for increased mobility and reduced pain in the joint.

If you wish to use a conservative and cost effective treatment style you should consider an unloader knee brace today.

Massage Therapy Provides Pain Relief From Osteoarthritis

One of the many pitfalls of aging is that our bodies become physically less able to keep up with the hectic pace of our daily lives. The result: arthritis. Unfortunately, arthritis has seemingly become an almost unavoidable part of the aging process, with osteoarthritis being the most common form of this condition. This loss of joint cartilage can be quite painful and may even limit the amount of physical activity you're able to do each day.

Just as we can't stop the aging process, once cartilage deterioration begins, there's little we can do to slow its progression. This makes prevention of utmost importance. Many of the treatment methods used for osteoarthritis are also preventive measures. The most obvious method, and perhaps most beneficial, is weight loss. Simply put, the less weight your body has to carry, the less stress placed on your joints.

Unfortunately, Western medicine's primary solution for the pain of osteoarthritis is through the use of pharmaceuticals, a method proving to be less popular among the American public. More people are cutting back on the number of prescription medications they take, for reasons that vary from their undesirable side effects to simple ineffectiveness. Massage therapists who recognize this trend toward alternative therapies are in a prime position to help those suffering from this condition.

Restoring cartilage back to its original, healthy form would be ideal, but is a feat the medical community has yet to accomplish. Massage therapy is the perfect fit for arthritic clients because of its reputation for improving blood circulation in the body, which increases joint mobility and flexibility, two of the most common limitations for someone with osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis in Cats

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis found in cats. It is often referred to degenerative joint disease or simply degenerative arthritis. This condition occurs when the cartilage covering the articulating surface of a joint wears out and the underlying bone becomes jagged or rough; thus leading to joint damage. Osteoarthritis in cats occurs primarily in joints that have been negatively impacted by some form of trauma. Examples of this would be fractures, extreme overuse, and dislocations.

Osteoarthritis frequently occurs after the age of 7 or 8 but can occur at any time. Common signs typically seen in cats with osteoarthritis are lameness and stiffness. Lameness is the most apparent when the cat wakes up but tends to get better as the day wears on. Jumps that your cat regularly made without hesitation will be met with reluctance due to pain and/or stiffness. Cold temperatures and/or dampness only exacerbate the condition. Cats may show swelling around the damaged joint and muscle atrophy on legs with arthritic conditions.

If you think your cat may be struggling with this condition pay close attention changes in behavior. The symptoms will likely be obvious. If you feel additional confirmation is needed an x-ray is the most reliable option. The x-ray will show bone spurs at points where the ligaments and joint capsule attach to the bone. There may be an increase in bone density around the joint with varying degrees of joint space narrowing.

In review, at some point joints simply wear out. While osteoarthritis in cats in not a curable there are a four simple step you can take to help reduce the pain and discomfort.

* First, make sure your cat has a warm place to sleep. We use a heating pad at our house and it seems to work well. If you do decide on a heating pad use low to medium heat and make sure your cat gets plenty of water.

* Second, make sure your cat gets moderate exercise. The key word here is moderate. This will keep the muscles strong and joints flexible. Combining water therapy with exercise would be an excellent option if your cat will tolerate it.

* Third, osteoarthritis in cats can be accelerated by obesity. If your cat is over weight consider a diet plan.

* Fourth, learn more about supplemental formulas for cat osteoarthritis and joint health. Look for products that contain glucosamine and chondroitin. These natural pet joint health formulas have been shown to repair joint cartilage and prevent further damage.

Hip Arthritis Symptoms - How Can I Tell If I Have This Disease

When an individual suffers from hip arthritis, she or he will, under most circumstances, have a condition known as osteoarthritis which a particularly common form of arthritis, and which is often sometimes called wear-and-tear arthritis and even degenerative joint illness. This form of hip arthritis is distinguished by steady damage to the cartilage of an individual's joints and when the cartilage that protects the joints becomes worn out due to such a kind of arthritis, the bones become exposed in the person's joints leading to a great amount of trouble.

Though anybody can have hip arthritis, it is usually related to folks that are 50 years old or older, and the issue is also more ordinarily seen in patients that are large, and also that when the same person starts to lose pounds there's a gentle improvement in the condition and indications of arthritis begin to fade away. Doctors also believe that hip arthritis can be caused due to genetics and so if you belong to a family in which someone has this form of arthritis, then you may be in danger of affected by the same.

There are certain other considerations too that will result in a person to be afflicted by hip arthritis and these include having shock with the hip and even due to fracturing of bones that are located close to joints. There are certain symptoms that you're going to notice if you suffer from hip arthritis and these symptoms have a tendency to get worse as the condition deteriorates further.

However, it's also not true the symptoms will become worse with the passage of time and it can happen a patient has some months that are good so far as their status is concerned while other months may turn out to be bad, and symptoms might also are influenced due to changes in the weather conditions. So , hip arthritis symptoms spotted on a selected day may not appear on other days, and they could also not be a correct illustration of the way in which the condition is progressing.

Common indicators of hip arthritis include agony when performing activities, limitation to how much somebody can move about, hips becoming stiff and needing to limp while walking. It's also advised to be treated as fast as the symptoms appear, and the treatments can either are very basic in some instances, while other examples may even warrant surgery to be performed. In any case, you'll need to get expert medical recommendation to grasp what the best treatments for your personal case of arthritis warrants.

Arthritis and Spondylolisthesis

The term arthritis refers to inflammation of a joint anywhere in the body, including the spine. The condition may result from, or be associated with, various disorders including infection, degenerative disease, metabolic disturbance and tumors. Types of arthritis include ankylosing rheumatoid spondylitis, a chronic progressive disease that usually affects the spine and adjacent structures.

Osteoarthritis affects mostly the weight bearing joints, but also others such as the facet joints, and rheumatoid arthritis, which can sometimes produce crippling deformities. Osteoarthritis related degenerative changes in the spinal bones and joints, which are common among people over forty, are known as spondylosis.

The prefix spondyl means vertebra. They can result in an abnormal curvature of the thoracic chest spine in older people, a condition known as kyphosis. For accurate diagnosis, x-rays are required. Treatments include rest immobilization, pain relieving and anti inflammatory medication, followed by graduated exercise and postural training by a physiotherapist.

Surgery is necessary only in extreme cases. What is spondylolisthesis? In this condition, one vertebra slips forward or subluxates on top of another. This movement narrows the spinal canal through which the spinal cord passes. Although it can occur anywhere along the spine, it most frequently involves the slipping of the bottom lumbar vertebra over the sacrum.

Spondylolisthesis may be the result of trauma, a spinal fracture or arthritis. Its symptoms include mild low back pain, muscle spasm and sciatica, or it may produce no symptoms whatsoever. Practicing good postural habits and strengthening the muscles of the trunk are good preventive measure to take.

Normal disc is the inner soft core is held within the tough, fibrous outer shell. Bulging disc with aging small tears may occur in the outer shell or annulus fibrosus, allowing the inner core or nucleus pulposus to bulge. Herniated or prolapsed disc is when tears in the outer shell increase in size or number, the inner core may spill into the surrounding area and impinge on an adjacent nerve, causing both inflammation and pain.

What Are the Effects of Exercise on the Osteoarthritis?

As with many things in life, the short answer is "it depends"! There are many different forms of exercise, that all work different parts of the body, and that all do different things. Many people cite exercise as one of the best ways of dealing with osteoarthritis, so long as it is done the right way. There is no single right or wrong answer, but here is a general guide:

Different types of exercise will have different effects. Anything that puts your joints under a large amount of stress (such as road running) is likely to cause problems - osteoarthritis (often mis-spelt oesteo arthritis or osteoarthritis) is caused by the cartilage around your joints wearing thin, and high-impact exercise could risk wearing the cartilage further. Running on a treadmill or on grass would be a better option, since these surfaces will normally have a little more 'give', however, you should always consult a physician before undertaking any high-impact exercise or training.

At the same time, taking part in some gentle exercise each day will increase the durability of your muscles which will aid in keeping your joints decently aligned, thereby diminishing the chance of osteoarthritis. Doing some gentle weight lifting is often quoted as being a good exercise to do, since it is low impact, but will help strengthen your muscles. Another good option for exercise is power walking. One of the best options is swimming, and other water-resistance exercise. Swimming puts almost no pressure on your joints whatsoever, and so is a great choice for any arthritis sufferer, not just osteoarthritis sufferers who wishes to be more active.

As always, not doing any exercise at all will cause many more problems than it will solve - keeping active will help keep a person's body weight down, which in turn puts less pressure on the joints, and thus will not wear the cartilage so much. Additionally, not working your joints at all would simply cause extra stiffness, making the already existing pain worse.

How to Manage Osteoarthritis Pain

Millions of people suffer with osteoarthritis pain and many spend their later years in chronic pain because of osteoarthritis, believing painkillers to be the only solution. So can sufferers expect an improved quality of life and at least reduce their osteoarthritis pain or will they to just have to knuckle down and make the best of it.

Advice from the medical profession varies so much. One GP can be an angel sent from heaven and another can be a complete waste of time. I have personally spoken to hundreds of people who have been suffering with osteoarthritis pain and some say the doctors are marvelous and others just throw away lines like, it's just wear and tear, it's your age, there's nothing you can do but take pain killers.

Since I am not a doctor nor am I willing to stand in judgment I have to believe that most doctors are diligent hard working, caring people, who are doing their best to cope with a massive workload and they just don't know all the answers. None of us knows all the answers but I believe we are all free to look for alternative ways to improve our own situation, especially where our health is concerned.

I am happy to tell you that my own father is alive and well and looking like emulating his father who reached the grand age of 93. Unfortunately Dad is going to reach that age without all his original parts. When he was in his mid fifties he had a painful calcium spur on his shoulder. His doctor told him he had too much calcium in his blood. They would do keyhole surgery and take the spur off but he must cut down on calcium.

Even then with my limited knowledge of alternative therapies and remedies I knew this was the opposite of the truth. I said Dad, you have too little calcium in your blood, not too much and its leaching what it needs from your bones. But my Dad comes from a generation who believe the doctor is next to God in terms of wisdom and is one of the few people in society that cannot be questioned. Believe it or not his bank manager is another. Well he cut down his already low calcium intake despite my advising him to supplement his diet with Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D for maximum absorption. By 65 he was the recipient of two new knees and since they were done 6 months apart he hardly walked for best part of his retirement year. And do you know Dad is eternally grateful for the wonderful job the doctors have done even though he fully expects to have them done again when 10 years has passed. And he still thinks he's got too much calcium in his blood!

I guess what I am saying is, you are your own doctor first and foremost. Nobody knows how your body feels like you do. If you took a supplement for a month or six weeks and it made no difference you may have wasted a few pounds but you could just stop taking it, it certainly won't hurt you. But what if it did make a difference, then you'd feel the benefit and be glad to pay for it, wouldn't you? Only make sure you buy a decent one, you get what you pay for. I pay 40GBP a month for my supplement regime, I have done for years and it has been worth every penny.

So eat right and take supplements. A lot of older people just don't feel like cooking a meal, especially if they are on their own and so the quality of the building blocks they give the bodies to repair itself is often poor. Their circulation system is not what it used to be so the goodness they do get doesn't get to the parts that need it.

The lymphatic system is the wonderful mechanism that keeps our bodies clean right from a cellular level but as we get older and especially if movement becomes painful the whole system slows down. This can leave toxins in the body and as they build up a downward spiral begins. More pain, less desire to exercise, less lymphatic drainage, more toxins. Where toxins are left in the joints they can crystalize and exacerbate the problem.

It is important for osteoarthritis patients to get exercise although they don't always feel like it and often they really can't manage it. The goal is to keep the joints mobile and functioning properly. Regular exercise also wards off muscle loss and may be key to managing osteoarthritis pain. Patients should consult with a physical therapist or qualified personal trainer which they would find at a good fitness centre. They will always tell them to check first with the doctor before starting a fitness program and that is good advice.

One therapy I like to use myself and to recommend to our customers is a powerful electric massage that was invented 62 years ago and has been used all over the world in hospitals and clinics and in hundreds of thousands of private homes too. Because it aids the circulation and increases the throughput of blood in the muscle being massaged it acts as a kind of passive exercise. We have been in the health business for 14 years and mainly providing condition specific herbs and vitamin supplements but when we discovered this massage it revolutionized our business because of how quickly our customers felt the benefits. We regularly have measurable results on the first treatment with further improvements on subsequent treatments if these are done within a few days of each other.

I have personally applied it to hundreds of people some of whom could hardly walk without extreme pain. In a 20 minute massage many have experienced amazing relief. Some have even cried as they told me it is years since they felt that good. Cycloidal Vibration Therapy (CVT) definitely works for at least 80% of osteoarthritis sufferers. It improves the circulation, relaxes the muscles around the joints and enhances lymphatic drainage.

There are a couple of drawbacks though. First it can be a little difficult for a person alone to treat themselves with the hand unit that I use to demonstrate the therapy. Even when there is a couple they tend to do it every day at first but eventually the partner starts to find it tiresome. Of course it loses its benefit if it is not done regularly and the benefits are cumulative if it is. At least 20 minutes three times a day is recommended.

That's why I use Cycloidal Massage built into a specially constructed chair. Many of my clients find it hard to get out of an ordinary chair so there are extra benefits to using a rise and recline chair. The chair has multiple massage motors built into the electrically adjustable footstool, the seat and the back so the whole body can be treated while the client watches TV. The second drawback is the cost of course, they certainly don't suit every budget. Unfortunately cheaper alternatives do not contain the deeply penetrating therapy that Cycloidal Massage provides. It's probably best to take advantage of trial massage at home and then measure the benefits against the cost. Some customers who could not afford the cash price have found it is worth the 25 pounds a week or so that it costs to buy on a finance deal.

Cycloidal Massage Therapy is available in most countries and I am sure there will be someone willing to demonstrate the benefits without obligation wherever the need arises. Certainly I have traveled the length and breadth of Northern England and Southern Scotland doing just that. Our reputation is very important to us, so we do a massage in the customers home and only if they feel a marked difference in the affected parts to we recommend a purchase.

A marked difference means greatly reduced pain or even no pain at all, together with increased functionality and movement in the affected joints.

There are lots of things a sufferer can do to help themselves at least to manage the pain of osteoarthritis. To remain dependent on the medical profession is a matter of choice but our philosophy is to encourage people to help themselves as far as they can, they should seek expert medical advice as soon as symptoms are noticed in order to maintain good health and if the problem does reach crisis level we would hope they don't just go straight for the surgery. They should carefully think through what alternatives are available, look at what others have tried successfully and try it for themselves.

Arthritis of the Knee - Types and Treatment

Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves symptoms like pain, inflammation, and swelling in is the area where two bones meet.

The knee joint, for example, is where the ends of lower leg bones (the tibia and the fibula) and the thighbone (the femur) meet. Likewise, the hip joint is formed between the thighbone (femoral head) and a concave portion of the pelvis (the acetabulum).

Medically known as the tibiofemoral joint, knee joint is the largest joint in the body and is most frequently affected by arthritis.

This joint disease affects more than 46 million American adults and this number is expected to increase to 67 million by the year 2030. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), about 580,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed every year in the U.S. and the number is growing.

Types
There are three major types of arthritis that may affect the knee joint- Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Post-Traumatic Arthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA): Also referred to as the "wear and tear" arthritis, Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting 33 million people in the United States.

It is a condition that is caused by the combination of several factors, including overuse of joints, obesity, or aging. Also called 'degenerative arthritis', osteoarthritis is usually a slowly progressive degenerative disease in which the cartilage covering the bone ends gradually wears away.

It usually causes pain and limited motion, and often occurs in joints that bear weight, such as the knees, hips, feet, and spine. It is most prevalent among middle-aged and older people with active lifestyles.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): It is an inflammatory type of arthritis that can destroy the joint cartilage. It is a systemic, autoimmune condition that causes the body's immune system to produce substances that attack the body's soft-tissues and joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age and generally affects both large and small joints in the body as well as the spine. Swelling, pain, and stiffness are often quite pronounced in rheumatoid arthritis, even when the joint is not used. The condition affects approximately 1.3 million Americans, and about 75% of them are women, according to the American College of Rheumatology.

Post-traumatic Arthritis: This form of joint arthritis can develop after any kind of physical injury to the knee in which the bone and cartilage were deteriorated. After the injury, the cartilage separates from the joint and bone and shatter into several fragments which float around freely and cause severe pain and joint stiffness.

A military injury, injury from sports, an accident, a fall, or any other source of physical trauma can damage the joint surface cartilage (osteoarthritis), destructing the mechanism of the joint and making it wear out. This disease may not surface until several years after a fracture, ligament injury, or meniscus tear.

The post-traumatic arthritis symptoms include severe joint pain, swelling, fluid accumulation in the joint, tenderness, and decreased tolerance for walking, sports, climbing stairs and other physical activities which stress the joint. It affects about 5.6 million people in the United States. The risk may be minimized by preventing injuries.

Treatment Options
The treatment for arthritis of the knee starts with nonsurgical measures, including lifestyle modifications; exercise; supportive devices; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines; heat or ice treatments and elastic bandages.

But when arthritis reaches to a point where nonsurgical treatments have failed to relieve pain and other symptoms, surgical treatment will be considered.

There are a number of surgical treatments that can offer lasting relief. Cleaning out or repairing torn cartilage and reconstructing or replacing the worn out joint surfaces are the common surgical treatments for arthritis in the joint.

Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Joint Disorders, and Some of the Methods of Treatment

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, erosive arthritis and others are suffered by many who can't find absolute relief. Today's modern medicine does have some level of effectiveness, such as some physical therapies and prescription drugs, but that largely depends upon the person and the level of advancement of each individual case.

The most effective treatments tend to be the most drastic, such as the use of surgery and chemotherapy. However, even after these have been undertaken, arthritis isn't totally eliminated from having a foothold in our bodies... the end result? It returns again in time, in full force, and you have to decide if you're going to go through surgery or chemotherapy - again.

As the various levels of today's modern medicine's effectiveness continues to frustrate those who suffer the pains of arthritis, the more effective medicinal system to use seems to be naturopathy. Studies have been made into natural remedies for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., which have been proven to eliminate conditions which cause joint deterioration within the span of about a month, safely and naturally, and without the adverse side effects of lab created chemical drugs.

Many in the medical field (doctors, therapists, pharmacists, etc.) have written extensively on these breakthrough methods, even recommending them. However, until this information becomes part of today's mainstream medical knowledge, the medical industry will continue to have a heavy reliance on the administering of lab created drugs of varying effectiveness to the public at large.

Until then, a few sufferers in the know have been able to eliminate osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and various other related conditions including gout and subchondral sclerosis, without the condition recurring in the body. Using nature to maintain health is also much more accessible, inexpensive, and easily accepted into our bodily systems, safely. Clearly, nature once again proves to be the best and most benevolent source of curative medicine.

Arthritis Treatment: Assistive Devices for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and is characterized by progressive deterioration of joint cartilage. Cartilage is the gristle that caps the ends of long bones and provides shock absorption and gliding properties. OA is also characterized by decreased regeneration of cartilage.

While it typically occurs after the age of 40, it is becoming clear that OA can actually begin much sooner, sometimes as early as the teen-age years.

OA incidence does increase with advancing age. While joint damage from osteoarthritis progresses relatively slowly, the inexorable progression leads to joint stiffness and pain, gradual deformity, joint instability and eventual loss of function.

The standard approach to OA involving the knee is fairly straightforward. Analgesic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), thermal modalities (ice), physical therapy, exercises, and injections of glucocorticoids and viscosupplements (lubricants), are pro forma. These measures are, at best, palliative.
Eventually, most patients go on to have joint replacement surgery.

[Recently, the use of mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of OA of the knee has been found to be effective in many cases, extending the time or even reducing the need for replacement.]

Studies looking at gait have shown that patients with OA of the knee shift their weight to the medial (inside) compartment of their knee while walking.

In addition, the pain, deformity, and instability of knee OA leads to gradual quadriceps weakness and atrophy. All of these play a role in the altered gait characterized by patients with OA of the knee.

In addition to quadriceps strengthening exercises, measures that unload the medial compartment of the knee may be effective in improving exercise tolerance, reducing pain, and improving function.
There are two types of devices that can accomplish this.

The first is an unloading type of brace. These braces, made of lightweight polymer materials, are designed to "open up" the closed medial compartment. When this is accomplished, there is a marked improvement in gait, as well as reduction in pain.

Another very effective device that's overlooked and sometimes even resisted by patients is a cane.

"The use of a cane with the purpose of reducing the biomechanical load on the joints of the lower limb is part of the treatment for patients with knee osteoarthritis. This strategy is expected to increase both independence and tolerance to exercise, allowing a more efficient gait, with a reduction in joint stress." (Jones A, Silva PG, Silva AC, et al. Impact of Cane Use on Pain, Function, General Health and Energy Expenditure During Gait in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2012;71(2):172-179)

A cane should always be used in the hand opposite to the affected knee. Studies have shown this reduces the load on the medial compartment of the knee and also normalizes gait mechanics.

At our center, following stem cell procedures, we almost always temporarily have patients use an unloader type brace after the procedure and advise the use of crutches early on and a cane after that in most cases.

Arthritis - Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal

Two of the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

People suffering with osteoarthritis should avoid or cut down on highly refined and processed foods, sugar, salt and saturated animal fats. A healthier diet would be to include wholegrain cereals, fresh fruit and vegetables. By eating a more healthy diet sufferers can boost their immune system and provide them with extra energy they need to fight the disease.

Through scientific research, it has been shown that fish oils are beneficial to people suffering from arthritis. Oily fish such as salmon, mullet, sardines and trout provide the omega-3 fatty acids that can have an anti-inflammatory effect. Inflammation is the natural body's reaction to arthritis resulting in pain, swelling, redness and heat. For people who cannot eat fish, fish oil capsules or liquid taken in the prescribed dose can help in managing the disease.

Seafood provides omega-3 fats which help to regulate the body producing inflammatory chemicals known as eicosanoids. As well as seafood, canola oil, soy oil, flaxseed and walnut also provide omega-3 fats which help to suppress the inflammatory chemicals.

Some studies have found that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have benefited from a vegetarian diet. Celery and ginger contain an anti-inflammatory agent and celery and bananas are a good source of potassium. Green vegetables should be included in the diet as they are a good source of beta carotene, calcium, iron, folate and vitamins.

Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that is effective in breaking down protein. Researchers have been looking into the medicinal properties of bromelain since the mid 1950's. It has been used in treating the inflammatory symptoms of both Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis and it thought to aid in tissue repair.

Healthy eating habits essential for our total wellbeing, but when diseases such as arthritis are evident, what you eat can be extremely important for your immune system, blood circulation, weight control and of course nutrition. The following dietary guidelines may help with choosing foods that assist the body to repair itself.

o Maintain an ideal weight by eating a variety of foods. Include foods from the 4 basic food groups (fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy, breads and cereals) to ensure the intake of the more than forty essential nutrients to maintain good health.

o Include adequate amounts of starch and fiber. Starches such as potatoes, rice, bread, beans and pasta provide the body with energy. Fiber, the undigested portion of the plants we eat, adds bulk and helps with the elimination process.

In some cases of rheumatoid arthritis, it is thought that food intolerance and allergies may contribute to the disease. It can be extremely difficult discovering what, if any, food could be the culprit and an exclusion diet may be the best way to identify the allergy source. For anyone considering following this type of diet, they should first consult their medical professional or qualified dietician.

A number of foods that are believed to exacerbate arthritis or are associated with arthritis "flare ups" are -

o Caffeine

o Red Meat

o Dairy products

o Processed foods

o Sugar

o Salt

o Vegetables of the nightshade group (tomatoes, peppers, etc.)

o Preservatives and additives

o Chocolate

As with many allergy triggers the effects are not always consistent with everyone, what triggers a flare up or allergy on one person may have no affect on another.

o Avoid too much sugar. Sugar provides calories but little nutrition and too much will contribute to excess weight gain.

o Avoid too much sodium. Excess salt can contribute to water retention and also lead to high blood pressure.

o Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can deplete the body of vitamins and minerals besides being high in calories. It also potentially can interact with medications for arthritis and in some cases can be extremely harmful when mixed with prescribed and non prescribed medications.

The overall aim is to reduce the causes of arthritis pain and discomfort by ensuring the foods you eat are right for your condition and are not harming your body further.

Exercises For Osteoarthritis Sufferers

Many who suffer with osteoarthritis are well aware of the fact that lack of movement is the worst possible thing they can do for their condition. However, as many of us know; the last thing you want to do when you're in pain, is to start any sort of exercising -- for fear of triggering hours of unbearable pain. Their are many exercises for osteoarthritis sufferers that will help, rather than worsen your situation.

Be aware of your symptoms

The most important thing to be aware of when planning out your exercises for osteoarthritis, is that you don't want to worsen the pain in the joints that cause you the most trouble. If you've been inactive for awhile, then it might be necessary to deal with some discomfort in the beginning, while your body starts to heal. Without exercise the joints in your body will lock up and be much more painful in the future, due to the nature of osteoarthritis (cartilage degradation).

What's best

Swimming, walking and mobile or stationary biking are the best exercises for osteoarthritis, as they eliminate the strain on your joints.

Swimming is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to eliminate the effects that gravity have on your joints. You can get your heart pumping and allow all of your muscles to get involved with the activity, while most of what you do in the pool would be consider almost zero impact to your joints.

Walking, particularly on an impact-reducing treadmill with shock absorbers built in to the framework of the machine to lessen the impact on joints. Walking in the outdoors is OK to, just make sure to wear some quality shoes that are made to reduce the impact on your joints.

Cycling is another of the best exercises for osteoarthritis sufferers. Being in the seated position takes the strain off your lower body and upper body. If you have extreme joint pain; start out on a stationary bike until your body adapts, as their is very little chance of falling off in a controlled environment.

EFT - Osteoarthritis Knee Pain Uncovers Unresolved Grief

Stella (not her real name) came to see me in September 2008 because she had osteoarthritis in her right knee, swelling due to a Baker's cyst (a benign swelling found behind the knee joint); and she had quite a bit of pain. Her family doctor told her all that the only thing that could be done was to take analgesics for the pain, and ice on the knee. She could also have a steroid shot in the knee.

Stella was taking the analgesics, and her stomach was feeling terrible. She wanted to know if she could get relief with EFT. I told her we could work on the emotional components of her pain and arthritis and that it might or might not be a one minute miracle. We've been having sessions once a week since mid September 2008 (we're in mid-November), her pain was at a 9 and her leg was quite swollen from the knee down to her ankle when we started. Some of the phrases we have tapped on include:

Even if I have this burning pain in my right knee

Even if I was dismayed to hear I had develop osteoarthritis

Even if I have osteoarthritis

Even if the doctor smiled as she gave me the diagnosis

Even if the doctor told me this will never be cured

Even if the doctor doesn't want to be bothered by my symptoms

Even if my knee is sore when I wake up in the morning

Even if I can't sit crossed legged anymore

We were not getting much relief, when she mentioned that when she called her mother, to share what the doctor had said, her mother was ecstatic!

Even if my mother was happy that I developed osteoarthritis

Even if I can hear the glee in her voice

Even if I'm scared I'm going to end up as crippled by arthritis as she is

Even if I swore I wouldn't be like her, and now I have her disease

We also tapped on her "worst" mother memory. At the end of the session, Stella's pain had gone down to a 6, and her leg was still swollen.

By now, I was intrigued on why we were making so little progress. The next session, I invited Stella to close her eyes and imagine she was going inside her knee. She drank an "invisible shrinking potion" (she's a Harry Potter fan) and went into the knee accompanied by Professor Dumbledore as backup support. She described the inside of her knee as a cavern that was very red, with a pipe that was tied up in a knot and leaking some liquid goo that was just lying there.

Even if the cavern looks very red.

Even if the pipe is tied up in a knot

Even if the pipe is dripping liquid goo

Even if this liquid goo is just lying there

Then I asked what emotion she felt as she looked around. She said she felt she was choking, and there was sadness.

We tapped for the choking and the sadness, and what came up was a memory of her dad saying goodbye to her and telling her that he and her mom were getting a divorce, and she had never cried and kept it all in. Stella had been 7 at the time, she didn't have anyone to talk to and felt she had to be brave.

We tapped on:

Even if Daddy is saying goodbye, I was such a good girl.

Even if I was so sad, and confused and lonely

Even if I didn't want Daddy to leave

Even if Daddy looks so sad

He's holding his hat in his hands

Even if I was brave, I now choose to express my sadness.

Even if I was choked up, I can now express how I feel

Stella was connecting for the first time to all the feelings she had buried about the experience, and expressing them as we did round after round.

Even if I am so incredibly sad

Even if I feel so hurt

Even if I feel so lonely

Even if I feel that I did something to cause this

After this session, the pain went down to 0, and the swelling was reduced by 80%. Also, she said that the inside of her knee now looked pink and shiny. There was a lot less goo on the floor, and the pipe looked straight and normal.

We have continued working on that event, and included her relationship with her mother during her parents divorce. Stella can now go up and down the stairs without pain, and she can sit cross legged for short periods. She still has some swelling on her knee; the Baker's cyst has not completely disappeared, there has been a huge improvement and we're still tapping!

As of January, 2009, her swelling and pain have completely disappeared. She can kneel once more and sit cross-legged! She has been tapping every day and doing sessions once a week!

Osteoarthritis And Leg Strength

Osteoarthritis plays a major role in everyone's life at some point. Millions of dollars are spent every year fighting the ravages of osteoarthritis through prescribed medication, physical therapy,and surgery. Though there is no known cure now for it, you as an individual can be pro-active in helping curtail the effects of OA through proper diet, exercise, and weight loss.

The lower extremities are more prone to osteoarthritis due to the long-term toll that weight-bearing or walking has on areas such as the knees and hips. The forces put through your hips and knees for instance is magnified according to our bodyweight.

When it comes to walking, the hip-joint takes on the following mechanical force of 1.3 to 5.8 times your bodyweight. Walking upstairs is three times your bodyweight, and running comes in roughly 4.5 times your bodyweight. And with the knee the forces can be as high if not higher.

One way you as an individual can lower the forces once osteoarthritis sets in and, help cushion the joints in the lower extremities is through an exercise program that is designed to keep the surrounding muscles strong and pliable.

For instance when it comes to your hips, making sure you keep up the strength in muscles such as the gluteus minimus and medius along with your gluteal or buttocks are vital in helping offset these forces that are magnified once a joint becomes arthritic.

In your knee, the muscles such as your quadriceps or thighs, the hamstrings and calf muscles play a major role in supporting the knee-joint. Osteoarthritis takes it toll slowly on these joint causing muscle weakness and atrophy. In turn, your muscles lose the ability to protect and absorb the forces you place through them with walking for instance, creating more pain and swelling and depending on how far advanced the arthritis is, making it almost impossible to carry out daily functions.

Once you lose the ability to walk or stay physically active, you not only begin to speed up the arthritic effects on the joint but, you also become deconditioned and your overall physical conditioning deteriorates.

There are several ways all of us who suffer with arthritis can stay active but it generally helps to find activities that are non weight-bearing such as biking and swimming. These activities are pain-free yet very effective.

If you are still active and able to visit a local fitness center or gym, you will be guided on exercises such as the leg extension, the leg press and hamstring curls. Also it pays to talk to your orthopedic doctor or better yet, a physical therapist to make sure you are using these exercises correctly.

Of course the amount of exercise and style will greatly depend on how far advanced the arthritis is, your age and, general physical condition. Make sure you discuss with your doctor any exercise program you wish to start if you are not accustomed to exercise.

Stronger joints through exercise will slow down the effects of arthritis and help greatly in alleviating pain associated with walking and other daily activities which allows you to ultimately postpone total joint replacement.

Arthritis Cure - How to Beat Osteoarthritis Pain Through Your Diet (Part 1)

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint syndrome (DJD), is the most common form of arthritis and by far the most prevalent form of joint inflammation. More than half of adults over age thirty suffer some form of it. In fact, it affects about 16million Americans.

Osteoarthritis results from the breakdown of the cartilage between the bony surfaces that form affected joints. This degeneration leads to bony growths ('spurs') next to affected joint. Cartilage in joints deteriorates from stress, overweight, or injury and typical trouble spots include the fingers, feet, knees and hips.

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness. These symptoms can be greatly minimized by the eating habits or diets of its sufferers. There are different types of food you can incorporate into your diet to help you fight the scourge. They are categorized as follows:

1. Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Antioxidants help in fighting free radicals in the body. The free radicals roam about the body, attacking and destroying healthy tissue, including the tissue found in the joints.

Vitamins A, C and E, as well as the mineral Selenium, are powerful antioxidants and they are readily available.

Vitamin A, beta carotene and the carotenoids are found mostly in apricots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, mangoes, papaya and dark-green leafy vegetables. It is also found in liver, turkey, and milk.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant in many fruits, such as grapefruit, papaya, kiwi, pineapples, tomatoes and red peppers. Fruits and vegetables should be as fresh as possible. Only cook or microwave them for a short time if you have to, because vitamin C is heat-sensitive and easily destroyed by cooking or processing. Cutting these foods after cooking those (rather than before) helps to maintain the vitamin C content

The primary sources of vitamin E are vegetable oils such as sunflower and safflower; sunflower seeds, nuts, avocadoes, wheat germ, whole grain breads and cereals, peaches, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, dried prunes and peanut butter.

Selenium has been proved to help keep the immune system functioning properly, apart from its antioxidant activity. Good sources of selenium include salmon, tuna, swordfish, sunflower seeds, oysters, shrimp, and cracked wheat bread.

The mineral Boron also possesses some antioxidant properties although it is not considered a true antioxidant. It is important in maintaining overall health and helps to keep some cells from releasing free radicals. Studies have shown that people whose boron intakes are low have more risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Good sources of Boron are apples and cauliflower with their skins.

If you choose to take these antioxidants as food supplements, the recommended daily doses are as follows:

Vitamin A- 5000IU

Vitamin C- 500- 4000mg

Vitamin E- 100-400 IU

Selenium- 55-200mcg

Boron- 3mg for adults

Complex Pain Management in the Elderly - Part 1: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

At our training events, our clinical team are repeatedly questioned regarding rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in the elderly, and the need to validate these as complex pain assessment and management conditions. There is always the need to validate when applying for funding, and we provide here a summary of a paper recently published in the Government's AIHW bulletin.

The facts in the document clearly stand to validate that this issue is a complex pain and lifestyle issue with many elderly. As a nurse your clinical assessments on pain and the management strategy you employ should be vigorously defended using this brief if needed.

SUMMARY

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease, one where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, and thus differs from osteoarthritis which is characterised by wear-and-tear of joints.

Joints bear the brunt of auto-immunity in rheumatoid arthritis, the hallmark of the condition being painful swelling and stiffness in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, is a systemic condition, meaning that the whole body is affected. Organs and systems such as the heart, respiratory systems and digestive systems are also involved.

According to the 2007-08 National Health Survey (NHS), an estimated 428,000 Australians reported having rheumatoid arthritis. With approximately 2% of the population affected, rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common type of arthritis, after osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can develop at any age, but the condition is more common in those aged 55 and older. The condition is 1.6 times as common in women (2.4%) as in men (1.5%).

The way RA is managed has changed over the past 10 years:

1. 
   In 2003, a new class of medicine, referred to as biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARD), became available for treatment in Australia, broadening the treatment options.


2. 
   Hospital separations for the principal diagnosis of RA increased from 30 per 100,000 population in 2001-02 to 53 per 100,000 in 2010-11 with same-day admissions becoming more common than overnight admissions from 2005-06 onwards.


3. 
   The number of times pharmacotherapy, such as corticosteroids and bDMARDs, was administered during admitted hospital care more than doubled from 2,608 in 2004-05 to 6,932 in 2010-11.

RA can be a significant cause of disability and have considerable impact on quality of life. According to the 2007-08 NHS, people with RA were:

• 
  2.9 times as likely as those without the condition to report severe or very severe pain.


• 
  1.7 times as likely as those without the condition to report high or very high levels of psychological distress


• 
  3.3 times as likely as those without the condition to report poor health status.

The ways in which RA affects society include reduced workforce participation, increased costs of managing the condition, and increased impacts on carers.

• 
  In 2008-09, the estimated total direct health expenditure on RA was $318.7 million, a substantial share of it being accounted for by prescription medicines ($273.6 million or 86% of the total).


• 
  Currently, there are no national statistics on the indirect cost of managing RA, such as productivity loss and costs for carers.

Reference: AIHW 2013. A snapshot of rheumatoid arthritis. AIHW bulletin 116. Cat. no. AUS 171. Canberra: AIHW.

Orthobiologics and Orthopaedic Medicine - Exploring Orthobiologic Treatments for Knee Osteoarthritis

Orthobiologics is a relatively new area of study that has captured the interest of orthopaedic surgeons in their effort to find ways to facilitate the body's healing process. Orthobiologics is a dynamic scientific field with new developments and discoveries attracting ongoing interest. Orthobiologics involves scientific interventions and treatments which use the body's own growth factors and proteins to help muscles, tissues, ligaments, tendons and bones heal more quickly.

There are several different orthobiological treatments currently used by orthopaedic surgeons. Three orthobiological treatments used to treat knee osteoarthritis include:

• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP),


• Autologous Cartilage Implantation, and


• Bone Marrow Simulation

What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is blood plasma that is enriched with additional platelets. Platelets release proteins called growth factors which speed up tissue regeneration, repair and healing. Growth factors are important in part because they facilitate a process called "chemoattraction" which draws stem cells to the location of the injury. PRP production involves several different steps.

1. Blood is drawn from the patient peripherally.


2. The blood is placed in the centrifuge to separate the plasma from the platelets.


3. This is injected into the injury site.

PRP is currently used in a variety of orthopaedic medical treatments including osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis and tendinitis. A recent article published by the American Journal of Sports Medicine stated that PRP decreases NFkB which is a major enzyme in the pathway of the formation of osteoarthritis.

What is Autologous Cartilage Implantation?

When the articular cartilage is damaged in the knee, exposed nerve endings can cause significant pain and eventually lead to osteoarthritis. Autologous cartilage implantation is a type of transplantation that takes either donor articular cartilage cells or the patient's own cartilage. Cultured autologous cartilage cells are used in order to promote growth in cartilage damage and repair the cartilage.

For the treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee, the cartilage is transplanted in the arthritic area of the knee. A recent article in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery noted that long term follow up data of 7 to 10 years suggests good to excellent results.

What is Bone Marrow Stimulation?

Bone marrow stimulation is an orthopaedic surgical technique used to help repair cartilage in the knee. Bone marrow stimulation is a treatment for cartilage injuries and degenerative problems in the knee.

Bone marrow stimulation is a surgical procedure where multiple drill holes are placed into the area of arthritis in the knee. The body's own stem cells invade that region producing fibrocartilage which is a scar tissue like cartilage. This type of transplantation has decreased results over time whereas the autologous transplantation has better longevity.

Orthobiologics Offer Promising Future

Orthobiological treatments offer a promising future to an orthopaedic surgeon who treats degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis of the knee and osteoporosis. Further research and new treatments are currently being explored and new advancements in orthobiologics are continually introduced. One of the latest innovations includes liquid allografts or so called bone glues that mend bone fractures while supporting the healing process.

Diet and Osteoarthritis

Suffering from osteoarthritis? Don't blame your poor diet or expect to be cured by a "magical" food. Experts say the two aren't related.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no special diet for osteoarthritis. This degenerative joint disease is caused by the constant wear and tear of the joints brought about by aging, an injury to the joint lining or hormonal factors. This is common in people with overworked joints like athletes, dancers, and manual workers.

"Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, though it most commonly affects joints in your hands, hips, knees and spine. Osteoarthritis typically affects just one joint, though in some cases, such as with finger arthritis, several joints can be affected," according to the Mayo Clinic.

A balanced diet is required since obesity puts an extra burden on the joints and may increase the risk of osteoarthritis. There is no need to avoid legumes or purine-rich foods unless you are suffering from gout, the inflammation of the joints caused by uric-acid crystals.

"There is no cure for arthritis or any special diet that totally relieves the symptoms. There is hardly a food item that has not been promoted at one time or another as a cure for arthritis. Medical research has found only one form of arthritis (gout) for which symptoms are partially related to the type of food eaten. Diets based on raw foods, foods without chemical additives, and other supposedly 'natural' nutrition items are being hustled by the health-food industry. 'Natural' faddists overlook the fact that prehistoric man, who certainly ate no additives, also suffered from arthritis," explained Dr. Stephen Barrett and Victor Herbert in "Vitamins and 'Health' Foods: The Great American Hustle."

Hydrotherapy, the use of water to treat certain diseases, is also widely employed for arthritis. Although it makes sense to drink at least six glasses of water a day to replace the amount lost by the body in the urine and sweat, you can relieve the pain of arthritis by taking medicated hot baths instead of simply drinking water.

"Both heat and cold can relieve pain in your joint. Heat also relieves stiffness and cold can relieve muscle spasms. Soothe your painful joint with heat using a heating pad, hot water bottle or warm bath. Heat should be warm, not hot. Apply heat for 20 minutes several times a day. Cool the pain in your joint with cold treatments, such as with ice packs. You can use cold treatments several times a day, but don't use cold treatments if you have poor circulation or numbness," explained the Mayo Clinic.

If the pain persists despite the above measures, your doctor may prescribe acetaminophen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Follow instructions carefully since these medications have a lot of side effects.

"NSAIDs have risks of side effects that increase when used at high dosages for long-term treatment. Side effects may include ringing in your ears, gastric ulcers, cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal bleeding, and liver and kidney damage. Consuming alcohol or taking corticosteroids while using NSAIDs also increases your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding," the Mayo Clinic warned.

One product that can help is Phosoplex. This natural supplement lubricates and soothes painful joints, and helps rebuild healthy cartilage so you can regain your active lifestyle. For details, check out http://www.phosoplex.com.