Natural Pain Remedies - A Brief Primer about Relieving Pain

We all experience pain to some degree on regular basis, but we probably think of this pain as being discomfort and it's something that we can deal with. For example, you might work hard at your job and find that your joints or muscles are a little sore. Others, however, can experience real pain on a regular basis, and these people need to find natural pain remedies. If you are reading this article, then you probably have heard friends, coworkers, or acquaintances talking about natural pain remedies and you might have some questions. For example, you probably have heard a lot of talk recently about the importance of having natural ingredients, but you might wonder if natural ingredients really do make a difference or if they are the result of a marketing ploy. You also might have some questions about how effective natural pain remedies actually are.

First, in order to learn about natural joint pain remedies, it is essential to learn about the ways in which pain remedies normally operate. On the one hand, you normally have treatments that are considered to be pain killers and which are made from chemicals that are developed in labs. For the most part, these are not natural pain remedies and they also tend to have a number of unwanted side effects, such as dreariness, sleepiness, or hyperactivity, as well as potential withdrawal symptoms for those who take stronger treatments. You also have, however, natural pain remedies, which do not necessarily work right away, but they do work without side effects and they also tend to have long term effects.

When we say that many natural pain remedies do not work right away, what do we mean? The truth of the matter is that your regular physician probably can see to it that you can get your treatments which provide instant relief from pain. The bad news, however, is that you can't take these forever. If you want to really control your pain, you need to make sure you take joint pain supplements, which are made to be taken for long periods of time. The truth of the matter, however, is that many natural pain remedies actually don't start taking effect until about a month or two after you first take them.

Just because you are considering natural pain remedies, however, doesn't mean that you don't have to be careful. As a matter of fact, if you already are taking other treatments, it is essential that you ask your specialist before taking natural pain remedies. It also is a good idea to become familiar with your allergies and possible negative reactions before taking natural pain remedies.

TMJ & TMD: Know Complete Details

Most of us are familiar with the more common forms of joint pain, but one that we might not be so familiar with are pain in the jaw. These disorders, referred to as TMJ and TMD, are joint and bone disorders that can cause a whole host of problems for those who suffer from it. From pain to difficulty eating, these disorders can be a real problem and many people do not know enough about them.

For those who are looking for this kind of specialized joint pain product reviews, general articles dealing with other types of joint pain like arthritis or other forms of inflammation may not be enough to solve the problem. There is still a lot that we don't know about TMJ and TMD, but with advances in science and medicine, we are learning more about the causes and risk factors, as well as how to catch it as early as possible and treat it in as minimally invasive manner as possible.

What follows are the basics about TMJ and TMD. For more specialized information or to obtain the appropriate treatment path, be sure to talk to your doctor or dental professional. The longer these problems are left untreated, the worse they are likely to become. It is in these more severe cases that the more drastic and invasive forms of treatment must be employed for the individual suffering to get relief.

Causes

There is still a lot that we do not know about the causes of the jaw and associated muscle disorders we call TMJ and TMD. While there are obvious causes for these conditions, such as a direct injury to the face, from, for example, a car accident, most cases are not that simple. There have been many proverbial culprits named as possible contributors to this condition, but there are still a lot of unknowns as well.

One of the biggest known culprits is stress. Stress can weaken our ability to fight infection, make us gain weight, and many other things. Turns out stress can also cause problems such as TMJ and TMD for multifaceted reasons. Firstly, stress can cause inflammation in the body, which joint pain is a form. Secondly, stress often causes us to do unhealthy activities such as grind our teeth or clench our jaws which can cause these problems.

Risk Factors

Obviously those who have experienced direct facial trauma will need to be aware of the potential risks of developing problems like TMJ and TMD. A family history of these problems is also a good indicator. Any history of other joint and/or bone pain may increase your risk of developing these issues as well. One of the biggest known contributing factors, though, is stress, which is something that we do have some degree of control over.

Diagnosis

Jaw pain, cracking, or a reduced mobility of the jaw are ultimate what bring people to seek help for these problems. While jaw pain is indicative of TMJ or TMD, only a doctor can accurately determine your issue. They will do a physical exam of the mouth and the face and will likely also order x-rays as well to get a good view of the jaw bone and facial structure. They may also order more detailed scans like an MRI, which allows them to look at associated joints and muscles as well.

Treatment

There are a number of different treatments available, depending on the severity of the case. If the case is a minor or moderate one, many lifestyle changes can eliminate a lot of the associated problems. Stress reduction is a great way to help reduce things like teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Some will wear mouth guards or learn what triggers their jaw clenching and teeth grinding. For more severe cases, shots of anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed. Surgery is the last ditch option that is only used in the most extreme cases or those where all other courses of action have been attempted.

There are many different options for joint pain treatments available to those who suffer from TMJ or TMD. These range from minimally invasive to surgical procedures to help repair bone and joint damage. We still don't know all the causes and risk factors for the development of problems like this, but we do know that those who have had direct facial trauma are more likely to develop problems with jaw-related joint pain. Other things like stress, and the associated bad habits this causes (such as jaw clenching and tooth grinding) can also contribute to the development of this disorder.

Ultimately only a medical professional can definitively diagnose TMJ and TMD and help you ascertain the proper course of action and treatment. Whether you suffer from a mild or severe case of these disorders, there is hope and there are a wealth of different options from which to seek pain relief and increase mobility of jaw functioning.

References
http://www.examiner.com/article/how-cat-poses-help-relieve-joint-pain
http://blogs.naturalnews.com/normal-joint-pain-age-20s/

Remedies for Osteoarthritis

Exercise is one of the best remedies for osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, getting active can seem impossible while you are in pain. If your doctor has recommended exercise as one of your remedies for osteoarthritis, they can provide you with a list of simple exercises that should be a little bit easier for you. There are several other options if you want to make exercise one of your remedies for osteoarthritis as well. Walking, swimming, or other physical activity might be something you want to try. The important thing is to find an exercise plan that you enjoy so you will want to do it.

Walking is one of the most common remedies for osteoarthritis, and for good reason. This simple exercise can benefit your entire body, from your knees, hips, and legs to even your eyes! Not many other remedies for osteoarthritis can help your whole body like that. Unlike many remedies for osteoarthritis, walking is also flexible-you can do it anywhere, anytime! If your neighborhood has a lot of hills that make walking difficult, you can walk in your house. To spice walking up a bit, you can listen to music while you do it or even take your dog with you.

Swimming is very popular among the remedies for osteoarthritis. If you can swim, try spending some leisure time in your pool. If you do not have a pool, you can visit the public pool in your area. The water will make you feel weightless and will give you a good workout without the strain. Instaflex advanced will give you pain relief, but they will not necessarily provide the other benefits that swimming will. You can improve your heart health as well as your muscle tone when you swim. Not many other remedies for osteoarthritis can provide that.

If you do not enjoy walking and cannot swim, never fear. There are other exercise remedies for osteoarthritis that you can use. The key is to just get moving. You can turn things as common as cleaning your house or sitting in a rocking chair into remedies for osteoarthritis. Cleaning your house requires movement, and will still increase your circulation. That is the same benefit that you get from regular exercising. Sitting in a rocking chair can increase the blood flow to your legs if you are actively rocking the chair as you sit. This is very light activity, making it one of the best remedies for osteoarthritis for people with limited mobility.

8 Unhealthy Habits That Worsen Joint Pain

They say that exercise has many health benefits to improve your heart and even boost weight loss. Though, it does come with a high risk of joint injuries. Many physical activities actually put you a lot of stress on your joints and ultimately end up injuring yourself when not fully prepared. However, this should not prevent you from daily exercise and training.

Here are 3 joint pain facts that many aren’t aware of:
1. Joint Pain does not mean you have arthritis
Most often, people tend to associate having joint pain with arthritis. Although there are various kinds of arthritis, this does not necessarily mean that you carry this condition just by the sole fact that you have joint pain. This can be caused from an injury to the joint from tissue damage.

2. Dry Weather Helps Relieve Joint Pain
According to recent joint pain facts, warm weather conditions actually help to reduce uncomfortable effects of joint pain and increase relief. During humid weather, patients with arthritis are actually said to feel uncertain levels of stress and pressure on their joints which cause more pain. However, dry and warm weather minimizes pressure on the joints – easing the pain.

3. Popping Knuckles Increases Chance of Arthritis
Cracking or popping your knuckles is said to be part of having arthritis. But the truth is, popping your knuckles does not actually cause any sort of arthritis and therefore not a major cause of having joint pain.

Here are 8 Unhealthy Habits That Worsen Joint Pain
Not Strength-Training
Strength training is the ultimate protection as it helps strengthen and build support in the muscles around the joints. You can leave weights or use your own body weight for resistance. Try yoga and Pilates for a great body weight exercise. Make sure to start a strength training routine at least 3 times a week.

Intense Exercises –Overdoing It
Before starting a new workout plan, make sure to always start slowly and pay attention to how your joints and body responds to these exercises. If you start to feel sharp pains and increased soreness for more than a few hours after, this means it’s a sign that you are overdoing it and need to slow down.

Poor Diet
Since arthritis is one of the major causes of joint pain, it is important to have a healthy diet habit in order to reduce the chance of developing arthritis and boost your overall well-being.

Extra Weight Gain
The more you weight, the more pressure you joints have to endure. Excessive weight uses up your cartilage which is used as a shock absorber to your joints. To ease on the load of your joints, consider a proper diet and workout plan to help you reach a maintainable healthy body weight.

Not Moving Enough
Everyone needs to move around more. We don’t mean a good hour of exercise but also not to sit for long periods of time. Staying in the same position for hours at a time may put a strain on your joints and cartilage as well as tire your muscles. This is because of the low blood flow in these areas when you don’t move enough. If you’re at a job where you are forced to sit down at a computer, make sure to stretch and move around every 10-15 minutes or so to keep your blood flowing.

Carrying too-heavy loads
Carrying a backpack or purse that is way too heavy can alter your body’s posture and effect the way you walk. This will also cause a strain in your muscles and joints and even compress delicate nerves. Make sure never to carry a bag with more than 5% of your body weight. For example: If you weigh 140 pounds, make 6-7 pounds your maximum limit.

Skipping Vitamin D and Calcium
Calcium and vitamin D are great for building strong bones. Go for good sources of Vitamin that can be found in salmon, drinks and cereals that are fortified with vitamin D. For calcium, try low-fat and non-fat dairy products like soy or almond milk. If you still feel like you are not getting enough vitamins and calcium, check with your doctor and try some of the top rated joint pain supplements and vitamins.

Smoking 
If you are an avid smoker or use tobacco products, try to quit. Nicotine has the power to constrict tiny blood vessels that work to supply blood to your joints, and especially to the disks in your spine. Those who smoke or even chew tobacco are at an extremely high risk of developing spine and joint problems, even as early as their late 20s.

Joint pain can be caused by various factors that include underlying health issues as well as joint injuries. These unhealthy habits that many of us have, come from various other habits and activities which we may think help prevent injuries but increase the conditions of already existing injuries. It is important to properly prepare yourself before you join vigorous activities and immediately stop yourself from unhealthy lifestyle habits.

References

http://community.gbtribune.com/blogs/detail/11821/ http://www.medicalmingle.com/daisygrace/blog/2016/02/09/what_is_your_new_year_resolution_for_joint_pain

What’s Your New Year Resolution for Joint Pain?

Joints pains can greatly affects one’s quality of life. Ushering in the New Year everyone has a resolution to better their lives; a resolution for joint pains is a great idea. Joints connect the bones and they can bend, rotate or glide to allow for any movement. Whether they are already affected or not you should find ways to avoid joint pains and improve them. Your joints are what enable you to perform tasks. Resorting to care for them will help ease pain and the condition getting critical. Here are some of the various ways to care, improve and protect you joints which you should include in your new year’s resolution:

1. Exercise

Exercising keeps you active. Talk with a trainer to guide you on the exercises to improve and avoid joint pains. Working out improves the joints by strengthening and increasing their flexibility. Exercises also help build up the bone strengthening, enhance energy to keep you going and give you a great balance. The exercises should be moderate. Most of joint pain patients tend to have disturbed sleep. Exercising will enable you have a great and undisturbed sleep. Unhealthy weight aggravates the risk and the symptoms of joint pains. Taking exercises as her resolution will help in weight loss improving the joints and the general quality of life. Exercise does well to improve stiff joints and relief pain. Among the various exercises include swimming, walks, stretching, aerobics, yoga and water biking.

2. Consulting the mother nature for help with the joints

Some naturally occurring plants and herbs contain very important properties for joint pain relief and its protection. Boswellia, a famous Indian herb, is good for dealing with inflammation in the joint and managing the pain. It also improves blood flow to the joints to enable for flexibility and strength development. Spice up your food with the turmeric which acts as a painkiller for relieving the pains.

3. Favor your joint with a healthy diet

Some food work to improve and relieve your joints. Other scenarios of joint pains are associated with insufficient vitamin sulfur take foods rich in sulfur. You can take sulfur-rich foods like the eggs and the beef. Doing it physically by soaking your joints in Epsom salt will also enrich them with sulfur. A healthy diet help nourishes the joints. Take fruits and vegetables with vitamin C and the antioxidants for the health of your joints. Include whole grains, proteins like the legumes and all types of nuts. Healthy omega-3 fatty acids are also good for the joints you can get them from sea food including the mackerel and salmon among many. Other sources include yogurt, eggs and milk.

4. Joint pain supplements

There are a number of best supplements for joint pain. They include hyaluronic acid; the acid cushions the joint preventing wear and tear. As we age, this acid becomes reduced thus supplementing should be done. Other common supplements are the chondroitin and glucosamine but most them have been tempered with thus won’t work as required. Seeing a doctor about them will help as they are part of the joints and work to relieve pains, inflammation and improving the joints. There are other supplements for minerals and vitamins which work to improve joint pains, such as vitamin C and D supplements, silicon, copper and calcium mineral supplements.

5. Favor your joints by taking care of your body

Most joint pains result from injuries and in the joints, muscles and cartilages. The injuries are mostly due to perform activities which can cause damage without wearing the protective gears. These injuries can cause severe joint pain you could avoid by putting on the protective gears. When doing activities that can lead to injuries, always ensure that you wear your helmet, elbow, wrist, and knee pads. This will protect your joint from unnecessary injuries.

When doing tasks, maintaining a good posture will help to protect your joints and muscles. Also, when carrying and lifting things, do it the right way and avoid straining one side of the joints. This can cause injuries. Also, when standing up or sitting down, always be upright. This is a good posture for your joints protects them and help them function properly.

Avoid activities that strain you body. This is poisoning your joints. You should always keep your limits; your joints can only handle a certain level of pressure. Avoid forcing your joints to handle more than they can these cause injuries, wearing, tearing, inflammation and pains. Exercises should be moderate to avoid straining the joints.

Conclusion

Joint pains can be avoided and also managed by doing what keeps them healthy and nourished. Living a healthy lifestyle will favor your joints. Do not forget to see your doctor for medical help when the joint pains worsen.

References

https://medium.com/@daisygrace/3-powerful-drinks-to-treat-arthritis-and-joint-pain-cb5271a14c9b#.bsq67xm0w

http://www.examiner.com/article/twenty-proven-vitamins-and-minerals-that-are-effective-for-joint-pain

Is Joint Lavage Effective for Osteoarthritis of the Knee?

Lavage is a medical term that basically means the washing, rinsing or cleansing of any area.  Arthroscopic lavage is one of the several medical procedures that are available, to aid in the reversal of permanent damage in patients that have early signs of arthritis.  This type of treatment is controversial, especially in older patients that have established arthritis.

Almost 50 years ago, it was very common for arthritic patients to undergo a procedure using joint lavage.  This type of treatment is no longer recommended for osteoarthritis of the knee.
When cartilage breaks down, tiny pieces of tissue and cartilage can be left in the joint, and crystallization can occur within the joint.  Joint lavage is the procedure that will “wash out” and remove the debris that may have collected in the joint space.  This procedure involves inserting one or more tiny tubes into the joint.

There are several types of joint lavage:

1. Tidal Irrigation:
This process uses only one tube to inject and remove fluid from the joint.

2. Non-arthroscopic:
This process uses two points of entry, one to inject fluid and the other to remove fluid from the joint.  There is no visual inspection of the joint with this procedure.

3. Arthroscopic:
This is a process that requires a visual viewing and inspection of the joint.
During a joint lavage procedure, saline (salt and water solution) is injected into the joint, to loosen and wash out debris.  Then the joint is drained of fluid.  This is a process that can be repeated several times.  The theory behind this treatment, is that by removing the debris in the joint, the inflammation and chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis will be reduced.    There is some conflict as to the effectiveness of this type of treatment.

A study on arthritis and rheumatism was conducted on about 100 patients with tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis. They were each randomly assigned four (4) different treatments (placebo, intraarticular corticosteroids, joint lavage with corticosteroids, and joint lavage with placebo)  Results from this study showed that when corticosteroids was used, pain was significantly reduced.  Test subjects that received the joint lavage with corticosteroids treatment, enjoyed up to six (6) months of reduced arthritis and joint pain.

A study published in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) offered more than 20 recommendations for knee osteoarthritis, and joint lavage did not make the list.  The AAOS is not convinced, that there is enough evidence, to warrant the recommendation of this type of treatment.
There doesn’t seem to be any high-quality medical studies conducted around joint lavage, and what has been studied, shows that this treatment is just as effective, like steroid injections.  In two separate trials, lavage did not prove to be a better treatment than 10 ml injections of saline.  Some studied results show, that patients that were injected with hyaluronic acid experienced significantly lower pain, than patients that were treated with lavage.

The “Annals of Rheumatic Diseases” published another study that showed, that not only are there not enough benefits to support treatment with a joint lavage, but that complication with this type of procedure are possible.

Infection is always a risk, when any procedure using needles are involved.  Another complication that may develop is pseudo-gout, and this is similar to gout.  Basically, pseudo-gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden swelling in your joints, and it is incredibly painful.  These episodes can last from a few days to a few weeks, and it is most commonly known to affect the knee joint.

More than twenty (20) million people living in the United States are afflicted with osteoarthritis (OA), and more than 11% have this type of pain in their knees.  Osteoarthritis is diagnosed using medical history information, conducting a physical exam and performing tests, such as radio logic imaging.

The American College of Rheumatology has derived an algorithm, to properly diagnosis osteoarthritis of the knee.  It should be the presence of chronic pain, and should match several of the following points:

1. Patient must be older than 50.
2. Stiffness, upon walking lasts no longer than 30 minutes.
3. Tenderness.
4. Swelling.
5. The presence of non-inflammatory synovial fluid.
6. The grating sound when the joint is moved.
7. The bone is abnormally enlarged.

The main purpose of treating osteoarthritis is to reduce pain and improve mobility.  But many treatments are not considered to be curative.  Some effective, non-surgical, treatments include, (but are not limited to): exercising, losing weight, using an aid (such as a cane) to get around, taking over-the-counter pain meds, such as ibuprofen, and supplements, such as chondroitin and glucosamine are also said to be effective treatments for reducing joint pain.

Invasive treatment may be a consideration, especially if the above non-surgical treatments are not effective.  Some operative treatments may include, osteotomy, cartilage debridement, arthroscopic lavage and total arthroplasty of the joint.

References

http://familylobby.com/bestdeepwrinkletreatment/journals.asp

https://medium.com/@daisygrace/3-powerful-drinks-to-treat-arthritis-and-joint-pain-cb5271a14c9b#.bsq67xm0w

Signs Of Joint Pain: Trigger To Treat Before It Worsens Your Joint Health

Knowing the signs of joint pain is the best way to start dealing with joint pains at an early stage. It is better to know the signs early enough to enhance the treatment and early prevention. Joint pains can be as a result of arthritis, accidents and other infections affecting the joints and bones. For you to have strong joint you need to exercise and feed as advised by a nutritionist.

The following are signs of joint pain;
1. Joint swelling
The moment you want to know the signs and symptoms of joint pains you need to research and or seek medical advice. In this case, joint swelling is one of the symptoms whereby you will notice the swell through the skin where the joint lies. Seek treatment as first as possible to avoid it from spreading all over and becoming chronic. Make sure that your doctor performs tests on you before giving any kind of medication.

2. Joint tenderness
Women are prone to joint problems making it obvious that every woman must complain of the joint and back pains. When you notice this kind of sign ensure that you have undergone proper medication to ensure that it does not spread or become any serious. In case, you ignore it will be a great challenge with a matured problem. It will be more expensive as compared to dealing with the symptom when fully matured. Handling tender joint is not an easy task since you cannot have easy movements or even handle tough jobs which require muscle presence.

3. Joint warmth
This is where you feel hotness around the joint especially around the knee and the hip joint. Make a step of visiting a doctor who will perform tests on you and identify the cause of the problem. This symptom helps in treatment for osteoarthritis since it will not be allowed to spread to any other joint when discovered. Take a balanced diet, lots of water and exercise to reduce any pain caused in the process.

4. Locking of the joint
It occurs mostly in the aged who have already experienced menopause. This is accompanied by the grinding of the joints which is so painful. In case, you notice that symptom early enough run to the nearest hospital and be examined. Make use of your doctors and medical facilities to avoid experiencing these symptoms when in their chronic state.

5. Weakness
This is a symptom which can easily be ignored. Do not assume the disease rather ensure that you are tested. Avoid self-medication which can cause more harm to your joints and entire body. Take red meat, balance diet, fruits, vegetables and more of water which will boost your immunity greatly. Ensure that the meat you take is properly cooked and avoid any roasted meat which does not cook completely. Roasted meat has the ability to make the whole situation so severe especially the pain increases drastically.

6. Joint stiffness
The moment you notice that your joints are getting stiff you need medical attention so that the doctor can begin medication. Avoid immobility as a process of maintaining your joints mobility. This is caused by reduction of cartilage which helps to make the bones movable without pain. Joint stiffness can be reduced through exercise and proper medication                                                                                                                                                                                
7. Limping
This can occur due to the knee joint pain, hip joint pain or the ankle joint pain. Do not ignore rather seek medical attention to avoid the situation getting worse.

8. Joint redness
It is a form of arthritis that does not get any better unless you see a medical doctor. You will receive prescriptions and is upon you to take them as advised in order to reduce the situation. Do not take it as minor rather ensure that any awkward situation in your body has been administered by a doctor.


9. Loss of range of motion of the joint
This is another situation whereby if ignored, you as a patient will suffer chronically. It is wise to treat it early in advance.

Conclusion
In case you notice any of the above symptoms, ensure that you seek medication to avoid further spreading. Let your health be your priority by taking precautions so fast. Do not ignore any abnormal feeling in your body hence you need always to be alert in relation to your health. Avoid junk and make exercise be one of your hobbies in order to avoid the risk of a worse situation. Let your food be a balanced diet full of vegetable fruits and plenty of water, with this you will be sure that your health is on the safe side. A balanced diet and exercise will enhance high immunity, giving your body ability to resist so many diseases.

References

https://www.jointhealthmagazine.com/why-joint-pain-increase-when-it-rains.html https://www.glozine.com/lifestyle/health