Posts Tagged ‘Arthritis’
If you have not experienced back pain as yet, count yourself lucky. The fact is that 80% of us will experience back pain at some stage of our lives. The level of pain experienced from person to person often varies from small twinges that last for only a few days, to severe paralyzing chronic pain that will go on for months.
Separating Myths From Facts
The first common mistake that most people make is to treat all back-related pains as resulting from the same source and having the same pain level. This could not be further from the truth.
There are really only two kinds of back pain.
Acute – The most common of back pains. Usually does not last for very long (a few days or a few weeks at the most). The pain level is mild but could get worse if not treated properly.
Chronic – Will last for a few months or longer. It is very persistent and hard to determine the real cause. Will flare up occasionally with very high pain level.
Some Of Causes
Back pain can result from a lot of things. Some are self-inflicted and some result from a medical condition. Over stretching when the muscles are still cold or lifting an object in an incorrect manner can quite easily “throw out” you back. Medical conditions like kidney infections or arthritis can also contribute to back pain.
The Bigger The Pain The Bigger the Damage
People often associate the damage that has been caused to the back to the level of pain experienced. This is again another one of those myths. If you are experiencing severe pain in your lower back, often it will be simply due to a back strain or just muscle spasms. These two causes are enough to inflict pain so bad that you would find it very hard to walk or even stand straight. To put matters in real perspective, a very dangerous injury such as a degenerated disc can often go un-noticed.
Your Doctor Will Definitely Find The Cause.
While it is definitely a good move to see your doctor if you are experiencing any kind of back pain, the source of the problem often remains hidden. The reality is that 90% of back sufferers may never find the real cause for their back pain. This does not mean that the pain is something that is only in your head but rather that the back is so complex and that there are so many things affecting it, that a real reason is often too hard to find.
Stay In Bed And The Pain Will Go Away.
If I had a dollar every time I heard this, I would be a rich man. While staying in bed will not make the back worse, prolonging your stay for more than two days will most probably slow your recovery. It is much better if you get your back working fairly quickly after experiencing back problems. This is by no means a green light to start weight lifting or going to the gym, but rather a very slow build up to normal activities. This way you will be getting your back into shape much quicker.
I Cannot Exercise If I have Injured My Back
Research shows that doing simple exercises will not only make you pain-free sooner but exercising has also the ability to strengthen your back muscles making a re-occurring injury much less probable. But again, take it slow and better still see a physiotherapist who will be able to recommend specific back strengthening exercises for you.
Rest And Your Back Pain Will Go Away
Although there is a ounce of truth is the above statement, if you have a nagging back pain that has been there for days, you should contact your doctor to find out whether more specialized treatment is needed.
Dangerous symptoms that you should take notice of.
Your legs getting weaker and weaker
Bladder or bowel dysfunction
Really bad low back pain or abdominal pain
Chills together with fever and pain to the back
Sudden weight loss if you have a history of cancer
Trauma
If you are ever struck down with back pain, at least now you know the basic facts but please always consult a professional to be on the safe side.
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Pain causes the type of uncomfortableness that does not allow you to indulge in any activity comfortably or to focus on your daily activities. Those who hurt from pain whether it is from a head ache, backache or arthritis will do anything to get relief fast so they can once again get on with their normal lives. Many times, it is not until you have a pain of some kind that you realize how fortunate you are everyday just to be pain free and able to do simple activities, as some pains can totally restrict you from moving.
Does a Pain Reliever Cream really Work?
The response to this is yes and no, but will depend on the type of pain that you are suffering from, but for the most part they are going to provide quick and effective pain relief. There are all kinds of pain relief creams that will work on the unique pain that you are suffering from, and the most popular pains are the: back and joint pain, headache, muscle ache and of course arthritis pain.
Creams for pain relief work nearly of the time when the pain is not chronic and is in the basic stages.
Different Types Of Pain Relief Creams
Some of the most sought after pain relief creams are the natural types, which are strong enough to provide you relief and does not have any side effects. If you are suffering from any type of serious health issues, make sure you check with your doctor, but you can purchase most pain relief creams over the counter because they don’t contain any antibiotics.
There are no side effects from pain relief creams but you may get skin rashes, particularly if you have sensitive type skin; the rashes should disappear normally without any further medication needed but if they remain, contact your physician immediately. If you think that if you apply more pain relief cream is going to help more, you are incorrect and can actually hurt more than help, it can also cause a superficial burn on the skin if you apply to much.
Some Other Helpful Thoughts
A lot of pain relieving creams have a very potent smell and can leave marks on the garments or bed sheets, to avert both look for odorless, non-oily creams to relieve your pains and aches without the mess.
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Perhaps the hardest part of having arthritis or a related condition is the pain that usually accompanies it. Managing and understanding that pain, and the impact it has on one’s life, is a big issue with most arthritis sufferers. The first step in managing arthritis pain is knowing which type of arthritis or condition you have, because that will help determine your treatment. Before learning different management techniques, however, it’s important to understand some concepts about pain.
No. 1: Not All Pain is Alike
Just as there are different types of arthritis, there are also different types of pain. Even your own pain may vary from day to day.
No. 2: The Purpose of Pain
Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong, or that you need to act. If you touch a hot stove, pain signals from your brain tell you to pull your hand away. This type of pain helps protect you. Chronic, long-lasting pain, like the kind that accompanies arthritis, is different. While it tells you that something is wrong, it often isn’t as easy to relieve.
No. 3: Causes of Pain
Arthritis pain is caused by several factors, such as (1) Inflammation, the process that causes the redness and swelling in your joints; (2) Damage to joint tissues, which results from the disease process or from stress, injury or pressure on the joints; (3) Fatigue resulting from the disease process, which can make pain worse and more difficult to bear; and (4) Depression or stress, which results from limited movement or no longer doing activities you enjoy.
No. 4: Pain Factors
Things such as stress, anxiety, depression or simply “overdoing it” can make pain worse. This often leads to a decrease in physical activity, causing further anxiety and depression, resulting in a downward spiral of ever-increasing pain.
No. 5: Different Reactions to Pain
People react differently to pain. Mentally, you can get caught in a cycle of pain, stress and depression, often resulting from the inability to perform certain functions, which makes managing pain and arthritis seem more difficult. Physically, pain increases the sensitivity of your nervous system and the severity of your arthritis. Emotional and social factors include your fears and anxieties about pain, previous experiences with pain, energy level, attitude about your condition and the way people around you react to pain.
No. 6: Managing Your Pain
Arthritis may limit some of the things you can do, but it doesn’t have to control your life. One way to reduce your pain is to build your life around wellness, not pain or sickness. This means taking positive action. Your mind plays an important role in how you feel pain and respond to illness.
Many people with arthritis have found that by learning and practicing pain management skills, they can reduce their pain. Thinking of pain as a signal to take positive action rather than an ordeal you have to endure can help you learn to manage your pain. You can counteract the downward spiral of pain by practicing relaxation techniques, regular massage, hot and cold packs, moderate exercise, and keeping a positive mental outlook. And humor always has a cathartic effect.
No. 7: Don’t focus on pain.
The amount of time you spend thinking about pain has a lot to do with how much discomfort you feel. People who dwell on their pain usually say their pain is worse than those who don’t dwell on it. One way to take your mind off pain is to distract yourself from pain. Focus on something outside your body, perhaps a hobby or something of personal interest, to take your mind off your discomfort.
No. 8: Think positively. What we say to ourselves often determines what we do and how we look at life. A positive outlook will get you feeling better about yourself, and help to take your mind off your pain. Conversely, a negative outlook sends messages to yourself that often lead to increased pain, or at least the feeling that the pain is worse. So, “in with the good, and out with the bad.”
Reinforce your positive attitude by rewarding yourself each time you think about or do something positive. Take more time for yourself. Talk to your doctor about additional ways to manage pain.
Bruce Bailey, Ph.D.
[Whittier Chiropractor]
As we grow older so is our body systems and parts. Many of these parts already begin to deteriorate their functions and they affect each other. The diseases they give to the body become complications. One of the diseases that is caused by old age is joint pain.
Joint pain is very common to adult people especially those ages 45 and above. Many people at this age experience creaking of knees, hips and ankles. However, this is not necessary a result of aging but it could also be arthritis. One of the most effective treatments of join pain is exercise though medicine also offers a lot of alternative medications.
Joint pain s could be symptoms of serious problems associated with serious diseases like arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, rheumatoid arthritis or even infections. The pain could affect not only your joints but your whole body as in could cause the patient to become immobile. Even the livelihood, job, interaction with friends and family could also be affected when a person suffers from joint pain. Taking over the counter drug pain relievers are usually not enough to cure the pain because it could become recurrent over time.
What is beyond the joint pains?
Arthritis is one of the causes of joint pains but diagnosis of arthritis is not as simple as telling the doctors that a patient is feeling pains in his or her joints or near the joints. Nowadays, there are already 100 different forms of arthritis.
Gout, which is also a kind of arthritis, can cause a lot of joint pains. This is because uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints usually in the arms and legs. Persistent joint pains caused by gout can lead to osteoarthritis. Worst, joint pain can spread in the joints and later on develop to cancer or the other way around, a cancer that has reached and spread out up to the joints.
Health Conditions Related to Joint Pains
Osteoarthritis, often called the degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis that causes joint pains. A person grows older the cartilage that serves as shock absorber between bones can no longer sustain the rubbery and become stiff. It also loses its elasticity and becomes damaged. When these cartilages and ligaments wear out, they cause the pain.
The second common condition that results to joint pain is rheumatoid arthritis. Joint pains are result of inflammation in the joints on both sides of the body. It is believed by researchers that this kind of arthritis is caused by external organism like a virus or bacteria that attacks the joints.
Thirdly, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and temporal arteritis (TA) also affects the joints. The former affects the larger joints of the body like those in the hip or shoulders; while the latter affects the blood vessels to the head. These two diseases often occur together. Symptoms of PMR includes pain in the hip and shoulder joints, fever and weight loss.
Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, is also a chronic disorder that gives joint pains to numerous parts of the body. Lastly, d epression not only related to sadness but depression that already manifesting in the physical body. Sometimes, while suffering from emotional depression, many people also coincidently suffering from back pain, joint pain and abdominal pain.
Experiencing joint pain is not only a physical but also financial and emotional problem. When a patient already has fever which is not associated with flu, sudden weight loss, and long lasting joint pain, it is already recommended that the person should see a physician for proper diagnosis and care.
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At one point or another each of us has experienced pain.
Though few people actually welcome it, few would deny that it has an essential role to play in our survival. After all, without pain, we simply wouldn’t be aware that tissue damage is taking place somewhere in our body and that we need to do something – fast.
In any approach to pain, of course, we need to first check with a qualified doctor or other medical practitioner. It is essential that we get a proper medical evaluation of our situation and the correct treatment for any disease or injury that we may have suffered.
But what if we have already done this? But what if we have already received and understood the message pain brings, done all we – and the doctor – can do and yet still the pain exists?
This is the predicament faced by millions of us on a daily basis. And living with this kind of pain seriously affects the quality of life for anyone forced to experience and endure it.
Generally speaking, pain may be divided into two distinct types: Acute pain and chronic pain.
Acute pain is useful and indeed, essential. It informs us of what needs attention and this is the reason for its existence. It’s a signal relayed from the wounded area to the brain alerting us to take action.
But chronic pain is altogether different. With pain of this kind, we have already received the message and still it persists. It is ongoing and relentless. It’s as if we seem to be just stuck with it.
Indeed, the chronic pain generated by conditions such as rheumatism, back and shoulder pain, arthritis, migraine headaches, post surgical pain, cancer (and sometimes its treatment), fybromyalgia etc serves no useful purpose. It is unneeded for our survival.
Put simply, chronic pain is useless pain.
When pain outlives its usefulness it needs to be muted or silenced.
Perhaps the most surprising thing is that we almost always look to ourselves last in any attempt to control our chronic pain. Yet it is within our self and our own mind that real pain relief and truly effective pain control can be found.
Because we are so accustomed to looking outside of ourselves for help with pain, we seem to have a learned mind-set of helplessness when it comes to chronic pain. We have been conditioned to accept that something or someone external to ourselves is responsible for making pain go away.
Understanding that we have it within our self to control pain is a major step forward in releasing its truly debilitating grip on our life.
And this is the wonderful power of using hypnosis and self-hypnosis for pain relief.
With properly applied hypnosis we are empowered to instruct our own mind to dramatically reduce – and in many cases totally eliminate – any pain we may be experiencing.
No drugs, no apparatus, no TEMS machines are needed. Indeed, hypnosis is so powerful that it can be, and sometimes is, used instead of local or general anaesthetic in order to completely eliminate pain even in major surgery.
All that’s required is your mind’s own innate capacities and abilities.
If you or someone you care about suffers from chronic pain, there really is something you can do about it.
By working with an experienced and fully qualified transformational hypnotherapist, you can learn how to control even long-standing chronic pain.
Using the power of your own mind you can indeed learn to control pain – and regain control of your life.
Whittier Chiropractor
Knee pain does not care about your age or your overall health. It does not care how rich or poor you may be either… Sharp knee pain can effect you differently and we will discuss how to help effectively treat this problem in this article, so read on my friend…
Despite the origination of your sharp knee pain, there is one thing in common: It hurts!
Sharp knee pain can stop you in your tracks, put a damper on your activities, and generally decrease your quality of life. What’s more interesting is that sharp knee pain causes can be difficult to identify because numerous factors may be contributing to your discomfort. If you are able to figure out what your sharp knee pain was caused by, then this is a step in the right direction.
Of all the joints in the human body, the knee joint seems to cause the most trouble for most people. In general, 9 out of 10 individuals will indicate that they have suffered from knee pain problems at some point in their lives.
Sharp knee pain causes are often hard to pinpoint because of the inconsistency of the pain. It may come on from time to time, or it may be present for only certain activities. Actually, this seeming inconsistency may hold the key to identifying sharp knee pain causes, so it is important to keep track of when you experience the sharp pain, and what activities you were doing at the time.
Some of the causes of sharp knee pain are self-evident. Sudden injury to the anatomical structures of the knee joint (i.e. twisting the knee) can result in severe knee discomfort. Moreover, trauma to the knee joint(i.e. falling and hitting the knee cap), can result in sharp knee pain issues. On the other hand, some causes of knee discomfort are not always so noticeable. A few of the more common, less obvious causes are as follows:
Arthritis: Arthritis can develop slowly, gradually affecting the mobility of the knee until one day, you begin to experience sharp pain.
Free-Floating Matter: Bits of bone or cartilage can break off within the knee and shift around, interfering with the mechanics of the knee and causing sharp pain.
Chondromalacia: This condition occurs when the cartilage under the knee cap (patella) becomes soft, allowing the knee cap to rub against the bone, causing sharp pain.
Malalignment: The knee joint can become malaligned, forcing the patella out of place and putting extra stress on the muscles and ligaments. This problem, sometimes caused by such simple things as improper gait, bad posture, and overuse, can be a cause of sharp knee pain.
Bursitis or Tendonitis: Sometimes, the bursae (sacs of fluid) around the knee joint, or the tendons within the knee become inflamed, and becomes another of the many knee pain causes.
There are several other causes of intense knee pain. In order to properly diagnose the causes of your knee pain, you need to be evaluated by a qualified medical professional. Still, in the interim, whatever the cause of your knee pain, you may be able to obtain some relief through the use of a well designed knee brace.
In the vast majority of cases, a knee brace can help protect your knee and help alleviate your painful symptoms. Well designed knee supports can come in several different styles, and they are not difficult to use. Some are more rigid (which can be a good thing) with a hinge that prevents excessive painful movements; others are soft, being more flexible in nature.
Regardless of the style or type, knee braces are designed to help support your knee, helping to take the pressure off the joint and thus helping to reduce any inflammation that may be causing discomfort.
Knee braces are also designed to help keep the knee properly aligned, thus helping to prevent sharp pain caused by malalignment while also helping you to avoid traumatic injury.
Whittier Chiropractor
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Soothe your lower back and hip area with ThermaCare Lower Back & Hip Heat Wraps.
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Specially designed to fit your lower back and hip area
Provides temporary relief from minor muscular aches and joint pains associated with overexertion, strains, and sprains, as well as minor pains associated with arthritis
Allows you to move freely while delivering therapeutic heat to relax tight back and hip muscles
Thin enough to wear discreetly under clothing
… More >>
- Air-Activated: Just open pouch; starts to warm on its own
- Ultra-Thin, Comfortable, Discreet, Odorless
- 8 Hours of Heat
- Powerful Pain Relief & Deep Muscle Relaxation
- One-Time Use – 6 Wraps
Product Description
Soothe your lower back and hip area with ThermaCare Lower Back & Hip Heat Wraps.
Targeted Heat Therapy
Specially designed to fit your lower back and hip area
Provides temporary relief from minor muscular aches and joint pains associated with overexertion, strains, and sprains, as well as minor pains associated with arthritis
Allows you to move freely while delivering therapeutic heat to relax tight back and hip muscles
Thin enough to wear discreetly under clothing
… More >>
The term “arthritis” refers generally to an inflammation of the joints and is typically associated with stiffness and joint pain. The different forms of arthritis vary in terms of cause, severity and potential pain relief treatments.
Management of arthritis pain depends not only upon the specific condition, but also upon your age, lifestyle, and unique response to different treatment methods.
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Together these conditions affect approximately 40 million people in the United States alone.
* Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition involving deterioration of the cartilage in the joints, resulting in joint pain or stiffness.
* Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease affecting the lining of the joints. While osteoarthritis is far more common, rheumatoid arthritis is often a much more severe form of the disease.
Before assessing your arthritis pain relief options, it is important to consult with a physician to determine whether you have arthritis, and if so, which type since treatment options differ.
Common Causes of Arthritis Pain
The joint pain associated with arthritis may be caused by a variety of factors. Most commonly, arthritis pain originates from:
* Inflammation of the tendons, ligaments or lining of the joints. This inflammation may be accompanied by swelling or redness, which results in joint pain.
* Joint tissue damage, which may be related to an injury or excess pressure on the joints.
* Fatigue, which is sometimes a result of arthritis and can make the joint pain seem more intense and the condition more difficult to cope with.
Arthritis Pain Treatment Options
There are a variety of ways to treat arthritis pain and other joint pain. It’s essential to be aware that people respond differently to different treatments. An individual’s response to pain and pain relief treatments is affected by the particular disease or condition he/she suffers from, the severity of the pain, and a range of psychological and emotional factors.
Short Term Pain Relief
One of the most important considerations when evaluating arthritis pain relief treatment options is to be clear about whether you are focusing on short or long term pain relief.
For short term relief from arthritis pain, many people use hot or cold therapy, depending on the type of pain and the specific condition. Cold therapy in the form of an ice pack can sometimes provide pain relief by reducing swelling, but may not be a good option for patients with poor circulation. Heat therapy, either moist or dry, acts as a muscle relaxant, and can also provide short term pain relief.
Certain drugs can also give quick, short term relief from the joint pain associated with arthritis. Depending on the amount of inflammation, doctors will often recommend a pain relief medication such as acetaminophen or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like aspirin or ibuprofen.
Another non-drug alternative that provides some patients with short term relief from arthritis pain is TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. A TENS unit delivers electrical pulses to nerves in the affected area. The pulses block pain messages that the nerves would normally deliver to the brain, thereby bringing pain relief to the patient.
TENS therapy may also raise the level of endorphins produced by the brain. Endorphins are substances that are produced naturally in the body and contribute to feelings of well-being and pain relief.
Long Term Pain Relief
Because both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are chronic conditions, sufferers often need to look for long term options to deal with their joint pain.
Drugs such as NSAIDs provide some level of pain relief. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) target the immune system and are helpful for some patients. Corticosteroids are hormones that are sometimes prescribed for treatment of the joint pain and inflammation that typically accompany arthritis.
For many people with arthritis pain, exercise and physical therapy can help reduce stiffness and joint pain. Depending on the severity of the condition, walking, swimming, and a variety of strengthening and/or aerobic activities may be helpful, not only in pain relief but also from the standpoint of improving patients’ self-confidence and psychological and emotional well-being.
Overweight people suffering from arthritis pain are frequently advised to lose weight, since additional weight places an added burden on the joints.
In a small minority of cases, medication and lifestyle changes do not provide the desired pain relief and doctors may recommend surgery. Surgical procedures can remove tissue within the joint, or else realign or replace the joint.
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More people call out sick from work because of chronic pain than call out sick because of the common cold. Chances are you or someone you know suffers from chronic pain. Pain is a necessary part of life. It alerts us when something is wrong with our bodies. It’s normal to experience pain with an illness or injury. Normally, this pain fades as the injury heals or the sickness goes away. This is referred to as acute pain.
Pain becomes chronic when it continues after the healing time of the injury. This pain can hang on for months or even years and often causes depression in its sufferers. Chronic pain can also occur as the result of an ongoing condition, like fibromyalgia, arthritis, or cancer. Back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and migraine headaches are some other examples of conditions that cause chronic pain. Some pain can result from injury to the nerves causing them send false signals to the brain. How massage affects your pain is partly dependent on its source.
If your pain is caused by a muscle injury massage can not only help ease the pain but also help speed the healing process. Acute or chronic – these are the two words that describe pain. Acute goes away easily and rarely lasts long. Chronic is its exact opposite. Chronic pain can last for six months and is expected to recur at anytime. The main cause of it is very hard to pinpoint. And it doesn’t help if doctors were more interested in addressing the pains rather than knowing what is actually causing it. As such, chronic pain relief can be elusive to patients.
But then again, there are certain medicines and therapies that are deemed effective for chronic pain. There are also a lot of medicines sold over-the-counter, which can truly help. While chronic pain is a major problem, patients do have options to treat it. Doctors normally prescribe medicines, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants, to address chronic pain. Chronic pain relief is also possible with physical therapy. Physical therapy corresponds to the low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, and stretching. If done regularly, these simple exercises can help your body a lot. It can help lower the intensity of the pain you’re going through.
However, these exercises are best performed along a trained physical therapist. Both occupational and behavioral therapies could also help. In occupational therapy, patients are thought how to pace and condition themselves when doing everyday tasks. Don’t get discouraged if you are one of the chronic pain sufferers for which a cause cannot be found. An unknown source doesn’t make the pain any less real. Fibromyalgia, for example, causes widespread pain in muscles and joints.
Yet, a person with fibromyalgia may not know the cause of the pain A healthcare provider may be able to link fibromyalgia to an injury or virus; but in other cases, a specific cause may go unidentified. Irritable bowel syndrome is another example of chronic pain for which the specific cause may not be known. Chronic pain may be related to changes in your nerve signals after a healed injury. Chronic pain may also be related to heightened pain sensitivity when your body produces lower than normal levels of painkilling endorphins. If you suffer from chronic pain do not ignore the warning signals. If you try to tough it out, the disease, illness, or injury may get worse. Left untreated, chronic pain can also mentally wear you down. Making massage therapy part of your treatment routine could help ease your pain and lessen your dependence on pain killing drugs. In the long run this will lead to less drug side effects and better health.
Whittier Chiropractor