Arthritis Doesn’t Have to Mean It’s Time to Slow Down

New Expectations and New Advice for Today’s Arthritis Sufferers

If you or someone you care about is suffering from arthritis, you should know that arthritis doesn’t have to mean an end to an active lifestyle. Prior generations may have accepted the condition as an inevitable part of aging and been given a standard prescription of bed rest and drug therapies. However, today’s health care professionals recognize that appropriate exercise and nutrition are also critical to managing arthritis effectively, and they can recommend a much wider range of treatment options. Your chiropractor can play an important role, not only in relieving pain, but also in helping patients with arthritis continue to live a more independent, active lifestyle.

Understanding Arthritis and its Lifestyle Effects

Arthritis is not really one medical condition. Rather, it’s a more general term that refers to inflammation that may affect joints and other parts of the body as a result of more than 100 “rheumatic diseases”, such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These disorders destroy joints, bones, muscles, cartilage and other connective tissues. While arthritis is most often seen in middle aged and older adults, it can also afflict younger people. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 22% of American adults (about 50 million people) report having been diagnosed with arthritis. Their symptoms may include pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints.

While the general public is aware that arthritis is painful, fewer people recognize just how severe and widespread the debilitating effects of arthritis actually are. People with arthritis may experience difficulty with everyday tasks like buttoning shirts or opening packages and containers. They may also find that arthritis limits their mobility. This could prevent them from participating in their favorite activities or spending time with friends and family. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons issued a Bulletin in October 1999 that ranked arthritis as a more frequent cause of activity limitation than heart disease, cancer or diabetes. More than ten years later, the CDC estimates that 21 million Americans face some type of disability as a result of arthritis. These kinds of statistics suggest that strategies for managing arthritis need to address goals beyond pain relief if they are to be truly successful.

How Your Chiropractor Can Help

For many arthritis sufferers, treatment still begins with rest and medication. But if you have arthritis, a chiropractic physician can help you develop a well-rounded, long-term approach to managing your arthritis in two other very important ways:

• Designing an exercise program based on your own unique requirements. Such a program usually focuses on a combination of goals, including (1) restoring any lost range of motion in your joints, (2) improving your flexibility and endurance, and (3) increasing your muscle tone and strength. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that inactivity can make joints affected by arthritis even more painful and stiff. It can also have other negative health effects. A properly designed and supervised exercise program can reduce these risks.
• Suggesting dietary changes and/or nutritional supplements that may be effective in reducing or controlling inflammation in your joints. Some research indicates that certain foods can have a role in either increasing or suppressing the body’s natural inflammatory response. Making adjustments to your diet may reduce swelling, redness and pain related to arthritis.

Your chiropractor will help you make ongoing adjustments to both your exercise and nutrition programs based on your own progress so that you get the maximum health benefit with minimum discomfort and risk.

Communication is Key

Keep in mind that some types of physical activity and dietary supplements may actually do more harm than good depending on the specific nature of your arthritis, the joints involved and your current treatment plan. So open communication with all the members of your healthcare team—including your chiropractor, family doctor and any specialists you’re working with—is the key to achieving results safely!

Both the symptoms and underlying causes of arthritis can vary a great deal by individual, so it is important that you consult your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and to put in place a treatment plan that’s right for you.

References

Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation — United States, 2007—2009. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). October 8, 2010. Accessed August 2011

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5939a1.htm?s_cid=mm5939a1_w

The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States. Chapter 4: Arthritis and Related Conditions. 2010. Accessed August 2011

http://www.boneandjointburden.org/pdfs/BMUS_chpt4_arthritis.pdf

Musculoskeletal Conditions in the United States. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 1999.

Exercise helps ease arthritis pain and stiffness. The Mayo Clinic. Accessed August 2011

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/arthritis/AR00009

Research Spotlight: Green Team May Help Protect Against Rheumatoid Arthritis. National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Accessed August 2011.

http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/120808.htm

Research Spotlight: Pomegranate Extract May Be Helpful for Rheumatoid Arthritis. National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Accessed August 2011.

http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/120508.htm

Research Spotlight: Turmeric and Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms. National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Accessed August 2011.

http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/030106.htm

Arthritis: Dietary Dos and Don’ts. Johns Hopkins Health Alert. August 9, 2010 (Reviewed January 2011). Accessed August 2011.

http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/alerts/arthritis/JohnsHopkinsArthritisHealthAlert_3590-1.html

Arthritis Doesn’t Have to Mean It’s Time to Slow Down

New Expectations and New Advice for Today’s Arthritis Sufferers

If you or someone you care about is suffering from arthritis, you should know that arthritis doesn’t have to mean an end to an active lifestyle. Prior generations may have accepted the condition as an inevitable part of aging and been given a standard prescription of bed rest and drug therapies. However, today’s health care professionals recognize that appropriate exercise and nutrition are also critical to managing arthritis effectively, and they can recommend a much wider range of treatment options. Your chiropractor can play an important role, not only in relieving pain, but also in helping patients with arthritis continue to live a more independent, active lifestyle.

Understanding Arthritis and its Lifestyle Effects

Arthritis is not really one medical condition. Rather, it’s a more general term that refers to inflammation that may affect joints and other parts of the body as a result of more than 100 “rheumatic diseases”, such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These disorders destroy joints, bones, muscles, cartilage and other connective tissues. While arthritis is most often seen in middle aged and older adults, it can also afflict younger people. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 22% of American adults (about 50 million people) report having been diagnosed with arthritis. Their symptoms may include pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints.

While the general public is aware that arthritis is painful, fewer people recognize just how severe and widespread the debilitating effects of arthritis actually are. People with arthritis may experience difficulty with everyday tasks like buttoning shirts or opening packages and containers. They may also find that arthritis limits their mobility. This could prevent them from participating in their favorite activities or spending time with friends and family. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons issued a Bulletin in October 1999 that ranked arthritis as a more frequent cause of activity limitation than heart disease, cancer or diabetes. More than ten years later, the CDC estimates that 21 million Americans face some type of disability as a result of arthritis. These kinds of statistics suggest that strategies for managing arthritis need to address goals beyond pain relief if they are to be truly successful.

How Your Chiropractor Can Help

For many arthritis sufferers, treatment still begins with rest and medication. But if you have arthritis, a chiropractic physician can help you develop a well-rounded, long-term approach to managing your arthritis in two other very important ways:

• Designing an exercise program based on your own unique requirements. Such a program usually focuses on a combination of goals, including (1) restoring any lost range of motion in your joints, (2) improving your flexibility and endurance, and (3) increasing your muscle tone and strength. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that inactivity can make joints affected by arthritis even more painful and stiff. It can also have other negative health effects. A properly designed and supervised exercise program can reduce these risks.
• Suggesting dietary changes and/or nutritional supplements that may be effective in reducing or controlling inflammation in your joints. Some research indicates that certain foods can have a role in either increasing or suppressing the body’s natural inflammatory response. Making adjustments to your diet may reduce swelling, redness and pain related to arthritis.

Your chiropractor will help you make ongoing adjustments to both your exercise and nutrition programs based on your own progress so that you get the maximum health benefit with minimum discomfort and risk.

Communication is Key

Keep in mind that some types of physical activity and dietary supplements may actually do more harm than good depending on the specific nature of your arthritis, the joints involved and your current treatment plan. So open communication with all the members of your healthcare team—including your chiropractor, family doctor and any specialists you’re working with—is the key to achieving results safely!

Both the symptoms and underlying causes of arthritis can vary a great deal by individual, so it is important that you consult your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and to put in place a treatment plan that’s right for you.

References

Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation — United States, 2007—2009. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). October 8, 2010. Accessed August 2011

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5939a1.htm?s_cid=mm5939a1_w

The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States. Chapter 4: Arthritis and Related Conditions. 2010. Accessed August 2011

http://www.boneandjointburden.org/pdfs/BMUS_chpt4_arthritis.pdf

Musculoskeletal Conditions in the United States. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 1999.

Exercise helps ease arthritis pain and stiffness. The Mayo Clinic. Accessed August 2011

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/arthritis/AR00009

Research Spotlight: Green Team May Help Protect Against Rheumatoid Arthritis. National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Accessed August 2011.

http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/120808.htm

Research Spotlight: Pomegranate Extract May Be Helpful for Rheumatoid Arthritis. National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Accessed August 2011.

http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/120508.htm

Research Spotlight: Turmeric and Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms. National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Accessed August 2011.

http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/030106.htm

Arthritis: Dietary Dos and Don’ts. Johns Hopkins Health Alert. August 9, 2010 (Reviewed January 2011). Accessed August 2011.

http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/alerts/arthritis/JohnsHopkinsArthritisHealthAlert_3590-1.html

Effective Arthritis Treatment: The Arthritis Disease Process

According to federal reports, the number of Americans diagnosed with arthritis continues to rise. Arthritis, the leading cause of disability in the US, is estimated to cost America $65 billion per year in medical care and lost productivity. In fact, a recent study reported by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) indicated that the number of people with arthritis increased by 750,000 each year between 1990 and 1997. What’s worse is the CDC says the US is now on track to have 60 million suffer from the disease by 2020, compared with 43 million in 1997. Of those 60 million, more than 11 million will be disabled by the condition.

Education is the Key to understanding Arthritis Treatment
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis – about 70% of people over 40 have at least x-ray evidence of OA somewhere in their body. Osteoarthritis typically attacks two types of joints; those that bear weight (such as the lower back, hips, and knees), and those involved in repetitive motions (such as the hands, wrists, and shoulders). Osteoarthritis can also develop in injured joints, for example in the vertebrae of the neck after a whiplash injury or in football players’ knees.

Arthritis Treatment: The Role Of Cartilage

Although “osteo” means bone, and “itis” means inflammation, osteoarthritis is actually a disease originating in the cartilage, not the bone. This is why the more recent and accurate name for osteoarthritis is degenerative joint disease or DJD.

Arthritis Treatment: The Anatomy of a Healthy Joint

The Anatomy of a Joint
A joint is made of two bones connected by a capsule or envelope made of ligaments. At the end of each bone is a thin, smooth layer of cartilage. This cartilage layer acts as a protective cushion between bones to absorb the stress on joints during movement.

Collagen – Strong, but not indestructible
Although cartilage is very strong, it can be damaged when a joint is injured. Cartilage is made of protein strands called collagen that form a tough, mesh-like framework. The mesh is filled with substances that hold water, called proteoglycans, that act much like a sponge. When weight is placed on cartilage, water is squeezed out of the mesh. When weight is removed, the water returns.

Cartilage is difficult to Heal
Cartilage does not contain blood vessels, which makes healing them when they’re injured more difficult. It also does not contain nerves, which means that problems may go undetected until significant degeneration has occurred.

Chrondrocytes: The Key To A Delicate Balance
Similar to our skin, there is a normal balance between the wearing down (known as a catabolic activity) and building up (known as an anabolic activity) of cartilage cells (called chondrocytes). This is a delicate and extremely important balance and anything that alters this balance will ultimately affect the health of our joints.

The Osteoarthritis Epidemic
The cartilage balance in our joints is the key to understanding a costly mistake in the typical medical treatment of osteoarthritis. Here’s why. In osteoarthritis the cartilage breaks down faster than it is rebuilt and therefore it gradually wears away. So it’s reasonable to say that anything that promotes the building up of the cartilage cells would be a benefit to the joint, whereas anything that promotes the breakdown of the cartilage cells would be destructive to the joint. You now possess the knowledge necessary to understand a key part of the Osteoarthritis Epidemic.

Do today’s over-the-counter and prescription drugs contribute to the progression of osteoarthritis? I’ll let you decide. The typical medical treatment for osteoarthritis is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs known as NSAIDs. Treatment begins with over-the-counter medicine, called OTCs (such as ibuprofen and aspirin).

Arthritis Treatment: NSAIDs Come With Potential Side Effects

Arthritis Treatment: NSAIDs come with many possible side effects including stomach ulcers

NSAIDs come with well-known side effects like stomach irritation and ulcers, but also have some not-so-well-know side effects like causing swelling, increased blood pressure, and the potential for liver and kidney damage. This is why when you are taking these prescriptions, your doctor may require periodic blood tests to check for liver damage.

Safety of Arthritis Treatment Drugs in Question

NSAIDs for Arthritis Treatment – are there any other alternatives?

Although the results are controversial, a new study published by the Journal of the American Medical Assoication suggests that newer NSAIDs may actually double the risk of heart attacks!

This prompted former president of the American Heart Association, Valentin Fuster, MD, to state:

“Even though the study is not perfect, the findings cannot be thrown into the wastebasket.” He warned, “Because so many people use the drugs – more than 2 million prescriptions will be written this year – we had better pay attention to this observation”.

NSAIDs Affect Cartilage Production
This is the most important part of this story. Research reveals that there is another little-known side-effect that NSAIDs have on cartilage, which may promote the progression of osteoarthritis.

Studies have shown that over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs can actually lead to the degeneration of joint cartilage! In fact several NSAIDs inhibit chondrocyte (cartilage cells) production and accelerate degeneration of joint cartilage.

Can Somebody Please Explain This to Me?
The fact is that Americans are spending upwards of $5-10 billion dollars per year on the drugs actually contribute to the condition they’re supposed to help; drugs that:

1. Can lead to bleeding of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract causing ulcers and gastritis
2. Can lead to increased risk of liver and kidney damage
3. Can lead to swelling and increased blood pressure
4. May cause a rise in the risk for heart attacks
5. And finally promotes the breakdown of our joints

Why do we deliberately inflict damage to ourselves?
The question we ask is, “Why?” Why do we deliberately inflict damage to ourselves? I believe the answer is two-fold. First, we are a speed-based society. We desire results now. When it comes to pain, we want immediate relief. This is where the appeal part of the poison comes in. Secondly, I believe that most people are simply unaware of the serious side-effects of long-term use of today’s NSAIDs.

Big Pharma’s Role In Arthritis Treatment Education – Are They Telling Us The Truth?

Big Pharma and Arthritis Treatment: Are they telling the truth?

Most of us have seen the drug commercials where a couple happily strolls down the beach with soft music playing and the narrator quickly and quietly begins to list the potential side effects. If you’re not listening carefully, you’ll miss it. I believe this does the public a disservice.

Did Your Doctor Inform You?
Concerning the doctor’s responsibility for prescribing the medications, today’s fast-paced medical environment doesn’t allow the time for complete review of the long list of side-effects. Are you taking any NSAIDs currently? If they were prescribed, did your doctor inform you about all of the side-effects listed above? More than likely the answer is no.

Is There a Better Way to Treat Arthritis?
Knowing now what you know about joint health and cartilage balance, what would make sense to take for arthritis? Something that builds cartilage! If you are among the millions of Americans suffering from OA, you’ve probably heard something about the supplement called glucosamine. Glucosamine has been used for years in Europe as an effective alternative to drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
If you suffer from OA, consider the following exercise tips:

Effective Arthritis Treatment: How to keep your joints moving!

• Low-impact or non-weight-bearing activities, such as walking, stationary training, and light weight training work best for OA patients.
• Use strengthening exercises if the key muscle groups that relate to the function of the joints are weakened by the degeneration.
• If you are overweight, start exercising carefully, so as not to put too much stress on the knee and ankle joints.
• Stair climbing, water aerobics, Theraband workouts, and similar exercises will help to keep the joints mobile without straining them.
• Learn to read the body’s signals and know when to stop, slow down, or rest.

Glucosamine: Help or Hype?
Last year the prestigious British medical journal Lancet published a ground-breaking study regarding the long-term effects of glucosamine sulfate. This was a clinical trial, in which 212 patients with OA of the knee were randomly assigned to take 1500 mg of oral glucosamine sulfate or placebo (a pill with no active ingredients) once daily for 3 years. The study revealed the following results.

Arthritis Treatment with Glucosamine: The Results Are In!

Arthritis Treatment & Glucosamine: The Results Are In!

• Pain Levels. The patients taking glucosamine sulfate had decreased pain compared to the group not taking glucosamine.
• Cartilage Balance. The glucosamine group experienced no significant loss of cartilage, and in fact some patients actually experienced a growth in cartilage. This effect was reported as due to glucosamine’s stimulus of building up cartilage while depressing the tearing down of cartilage.
• Safety. There were no differences in safety between the glucosamine and placebo groups.
• Conclusions. The long-term combined joint structure-modifying and symptom-modifying effects of glucosamine sulfate suggest that it could be a disease modifying agent in osteoarthritis. In plain English, glucosamine is safe and effective in preventing the progression of osteoarthritis!

Helpful Arthritis Treatment Tips:

1. Get your diagnosis of osteoarthritis confirmed. There are many forms of arthritis, and each may have special treatment requirements and prognoses.
2. Don’t limit treatment to pain relief only. Try to begin a gentle exercise and stretching program. Remember that inactivity leads to progression of osteoarthritis.
3. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet. Decrease saturated fats (found in red meat and dairy products) and increase mono and polyunsaturated fats.
4. Heal your stomach. If you have used over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs , your stomach lining is possibly irritated. Green “superfoods” are very helpful in healing your stomach and intestines.

No Quick Fixes To Arthritis Treatment
There are no quick fixes. Give glucosamine a 90-day evaluation period. Also include other ingredients in your supplement including chondroitin, MSM (methylsulfylmethane), CMO (cysteolmeristolyiate), Sea Cucumber Extract, Tumeric, Boswella, Bromeline, White Willow Bark, Noto-Gin, Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins D and C, and fish oils.

The Role Of Posture, Orthotics, and Adjustments In Arthritis Treatment

A balanced joint has the best opportunity for maximum performance and longevity. Correcting your posture with specific stretches and exercises (like those found in the back of this magazine), along with orthotics to stabilize your feet and ankles, and regular chiropractic adjustments all provide for optimal alignment.

Doctor of Chiropractic and Patient Discussing Arthritis Treatment Options

Can Your Chiropractor Help?
Doctors of chiropractic, by the nature of their work, can detect the earliest degenerative changes in the joints. They see the impact of degenerative changes in the spine, as well as in the hips, knees, and other weight-bearing joints. Doctors of chiropractic are also trained to relieve the pain and improve joint function through natural therapies, such as chiropractic manipulation, trigger-point therapy, or some massage techniques.

Doctors of chiropractic can provide exercise counseling, helping you choose exercises that are best for you. If a sore or swollen joint prevents you from exercising, talk to your doctor of chiropractic about other drug-free pain-relief options, such as applying heat or cold to the affected area. In addition, your doctor of chiropractic can help you choose proper supplements that play important roles in arthritis treatment and prevention.

Arthritis Treatment: References

1. Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 158, June 8, 1998.
2. Gleberzon BJ. Chiropractic care of the older patient. 1st edition. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann 2001
3. Guyton, WB. Textbook of medical physiology. 10th edition. Saunders Company.
4. Fored, CM. Nonnarcotic analgesic use tied to development of chronic renal failure. N Engl J Med 2001; 345: 1801-1808.
5. Journal of the American Medical Association, August 22, 2001.
6. Brandt, KD. The effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on chondrocyte metabolism. University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.
7. Buffum, JC. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the elderly. The American Society of Pain Management Nurses, June 2000, 2(1).
8. COX-2–Selective NSAIDs, New and Improved? M. Michael Wolfe, MD, Boston Medical Center, Section of Gastroenterology, 650 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118-2393
9. Frishman, W.H. Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy on blood pressure and peripheral edema. Am J Cardiol. 2002;89(6A):18D-25D.
10. Journal of the American Medical Association, August 22, 2001
11. Lancet 2001; 357: 251-56
12. Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism, July 2002.

In the long run, patience and consistency with safe and effective products combined with commitment to proper nutrition and exercise for arthritis treatment beats short-term relief any day in my book!

3 Arthritis Treatment Tips For Living Your Best Life Naturally With Osteoarthritis

Nearly 21 million U.S. adults report activity limitations because of arthritis each year. Continued movement is the key to successful arthritis treatment.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls arthritis the nation’s most common cause of disability. Nearly 21 million U.S. adults report activity limitations because of arthritis each year. Among all U.S. adults of working age (18–64 years), 5.3% (6.9 million people) reported that they have arthritis that limits their work. Of the 23 million adults with arthritis in this age group, arthritis-attributable work limitations affect about 1 in 3 people.

Arthritis Background
It’s important to realize that “arthritis” is divided into two primary types: osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD); the wear-and-tear form of arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These two types are completely different, even though they have some similarities. They both affect the joints and can be connected with joint stiffness, pain, inflammation and swelling. However, their underlying causes are distinctly different.

Osteoarthritis (a degenerative joint disease) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease) are two entirely different diseases, but they can be treated in much the same way. This is because certain principles will start a cascade of healing in your body, no matter what the problem is. So even though osteoarthritis is commonly said to be caused by wear-and-tear on your joints due to lifestyle, diet and aging, and rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which your body starts destroying itself, you can gain relief in much the same way: by addressing your diet and exercise habits.

Arthritis Treatment Tip #1: You Have Arthritis, But Arthritis Doesn’t Have You

Effective Arthritis Treatment: By making changes to your eating and exercise habits you truly can live your best life now with arthritis.

Arthritis Treatment Tip #1: You Have Arthritis, But Arthritis Doesn’t Have You. The most important of the 3 Natural Arthritis Treatment Tips For Living Your Best Life With Osteoarthritis is simply this – you are in control of this disease. In other words, you have arthritis, but arthritis doesn’t have you. By making changes to your eating and exercise habits you truly can live your best life now with arthritis.

Arthritis Treatment Tip #2: Medication Is Not The Solution

Medication is not the answer to effective arthritis treatment.

Many people with arthritis automatically reach for pain medication, but it is not always necessary to do so. There are other solutions that work just as well, or even better, for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. When they reach for medication, most reach for non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) come with well-known side effects like stomach irritation and ulcers, but also have some not-so-well-know side effects like causing swelling, increased blood pressure, and the potential for liver and kidney damage. This is why when you are taking these prescriptions, your doctor typically requires periodic blood tests to check for liver damage.

There are many natural anti-inflammatory supplements, here are a few that are helpful for reducing the pain of arthritis:
1. Fish Oil
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which decrease the body’s production of a long list of pro-inflammatory biochemicals, including the same ones targeted by most NSAIDs — cyclooxygenase (COX 1 and 2). It also helps to reduce levels of inflammatory interleukins, specifically interleukin-1, a marker of chronic inflammation. In studies, people with rheumatoid arthritis who took fish oil were able to reduce their dosage of anti-inflammatory drugs. They also reported less pain and stiffness.
Fish oil has a synergistic effect with aspirin on inhibiting synthesis of thromboxane A2 and the highly inflammatory leukotriene B4. It’s reported to help asthma, cystitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, prostatitis and dermatitis.
2. Antioxidants
Immune cells cause oxidative damage as they fight infection, and ongoing oxidative damage drives chronic inflammation. Reducing oxidative damage can help control inflammation. Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium all help to control oxidative damage by neutralizing “free radicals,” the molecular renegades that cause oxidative damage and can start a chain reaction that keeps it going.
3. Quercetin
The anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin seem to come from its ability to dampen the production and activity of pro-inflammatory biochemicals such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins, and to block the release of histamine, the biochemical that causes allergic symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes. Quercetin also seems to help symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and chronic, nonbacterial prostatitis.

Arthritis Treatment With Glucosamine: Help or Hype?
Last year the prestigious British medical journal Lancet published a ground-breaking study regarding the long-term effects of glucosamine sulfate. This was a clinical trial, in which 212 patients with OA of the knee were randomly assigned to take 1500 mg of oral glucosamine sulfate or placebo (a pill with no active ingredients) once daily for 3 years.
The study revealed the following results.

Pain Levels. The patients taking glucosamine sulfate had decreased pain compared to the group not taking glucosamine.
Cartilage Balance. The glucosamine group experienced no significant loss of cartilage, and in fact some patients actually experienced a growth in cartilage. This effect was reported as due to glucosamine’s stimulus of building up cartilage while depressing the tearing down of cartilage.
Safety. There were no differences in safety between the glucosamine and placebo groups.

Conclusions. The long-term combined joint structure-modifying and symptom-modifying effects of glucosamine sulfate suggest that it could be a disease modifying agent in osteoarthritis. In plain English, glucosamine is safe and effective in preventing the progression of osteoarthritis!

Arthritis Treatment Tip #3: Movement Is A Must

Natural Arthritis Treatment includes movement, supplementation, and chiropractic care.

Arthritis can be extremely painful, and you may think it is next to impossible to exercise when your joints are inflamed. However, if you stop moving, your joints will become more stiff and painful, and you will gradually lose your independence. If you have arthritis, it is essential to keep your body moving, but it does take some creativity to do so in a way that minimizes stress to your joints.

Gentler exercises like Tai Chi and yoga are recommended, as are swimming, power walking, stretching and lifting weights. You should generally avoid high-impact exercises like running, as they can cause permanent joint damage due to the excessive amount of inflammation present. A simple key to follow is that if you have pain two hours after exercise that specific exercise was likely too aggressive for your joints in their current state of inflammation. Exercises, including activities that engage the full body, are also recommended for individuals with arthritis.

Can Your Chiropractor Help?

Doctors of chiropractic, by the nature of their work, can detect the earliest degenerative changes in the joints. They see the impact of degenerative changes in the spine, as well as in the hips, knees, and other weight-bearing joints. Doctors of chiropractic are also trained to relieve the pain and improve joint function through natural therapies, such as chiropractic manipulation, trigger-point therapy, or some massage techniques.

Doctors of chiropractic can provide exercise counseling, helping you choose exercises that are best for you. If a sore or swollen joint prevents you from exercising, talk to your doctor of chiropractic about other drug-free pain-relief options, such as applying heat or cold to the affected area. In addition, your doctor of chiropractic can help you choose proper supplements that play important roles in arthritis treatment and prevention.

The Truth Revealed About Exercise As Part Of Arthritis Treatment Plan

The Truth Revealed About Exercise As Part Of Arthritis Treatment Plan: May I encourage you to reconsider your position on exercise as it relates to arthritis?

Contrary to popular opinion, if you have osteoarthritis exercise is absolutely fundamental to your well-being. Unfortunately, many people with joint pain reject exercise – perhaps because it’s a bit, shall we say, “easier” to stay inactive. May I encourage you to reconsider your position on exercise as it relates to arthritis? I hope so. Please find the following information, an incentive to living your best life with arthritis.

The truth about exercise playing a role in your arthritis treatment plan.

Does exercise contribute to arthritis? Research says no
If you’re putting off getting into a regular exercise routine because you’re worried that exercise contributes to arthritis, think again. Studies show that exercise can be safe for joints, both in older, overweight folks and in athletes.

Arthritis Treatment Study: The Knees of Framingham

When the results were tallied, the researchers found no link between exercise and arthritis of the knee.

In 1948, more than 5,200 residents of Framingham, Mass., volunteered for the Framingham Heart Study, which has produced major insights into the causes of heart attack and stroke. In 1971, scientists began a new study of the children of the original volunteers and the spouses of those children. Between 1993 and 1994, 1,279 members of the Framingham Offspring Cohort enrolled in a study of exercise and arthritis. Their average age was 53.

All the volunteers were free of arthritis when the study began. Each answered detailed questions about their patterns of exercise, including walking, jogging, being active enough to work up a sweat, and their overall exercise level. All the people provided information about knee injuries and symptoms of knee pain and stiffness. In addition, all the volunteers were weighed and measured, and they each had a full series of knee x-rays.

Between 2002 and 2005, the subjects answered the same questions about knee pain and injury, and the x-rays were repeated. All the x-rays were independently evaluated by two experts who had no knowledge of the subjects’ exercise histories.

When the results were tallied, the researchers found no link between exercise and arthritis of the knee. The most active people had the same risk of arthritis as the least active, in terms of both symptoms and x-ray abnormalities.

Arthritis Treatment Study: The Australian Knees
Although the Framingham study goes a long way toward dispelling the idea that exercise causes arthritis, it did not confirm a fond hope of exercise enthusiasts: that repetitive exercise could be good for joints.

However, a high-tech Australian investigation of 297 men and woman without knee injuries or disease showed that people who performed the most vigorous weight-bearing exercise had the thickest, healthiest knee cartilage.

Arthritis Treatment Study: Runners’ Knees
A 2008 study that compared 284 dedicated runners with 156 nonrunners also found little evidence that exercise causes arthritis. After a remarkably long 21-year follow-up period, the runners experienced significantly less musculoskeletal disability than did their less active peers — and the runners also enjoyed a 39% lower mortality rate.

The research is impressive, and it confirms earlier studies. Former varsity runners, for example, are no more likely to develop arthritis in their legs than former college swimmers, and champion runners are no more likely to end up with arthritic hips than non athletes.

Arthritis Treatment: Exercise is friendly to the knees

Exercise was as friendly to the knees of joggers as walkers, even though jogging subjects the lower body to much higher impact and stress than walking. And even though obesity is an independent risk factor for arthritis, physically active overweight members of the study group fared just as well as their slim peers.

How Exercise Can Help with Arthritis Treatment

Ignoring the pain of arthritis won’t make it go away. Nor will avoiding all motions that spark discomfort. In fact, limiting your movements can weaken muscles, compounding joint trouble, and affect your posture, setting off a cascade of further problems. And while pain relievers and cold or hot packs may offer quick relief, fixes like these are merely temporary.

By contrast, the right set of exercises can be a long-lasting way to tame ankle, knee, hip, or shoulder pain. Practiced regularly, joint pain relief workouts might permit you to postpone—or even avoid—surgery on a problem joint that has been worsening for years by strengthening key supportive muscles and restoring flexibility. Over time, you may find limitations you’ve learned to work around will begin to ease. Tasks and opportunities for fun that have been weeded out of your repertoire by necessity may come back into reach, too.

The right set of exercises can be a long-lasting way to tame ankle, knee, hip, or shoulder pain, and should be part of your arthritis treatment plan.

Beyond the benefits to your joints, becoming more active can help you stay independent long into your later years. Regular activity is good for your heart and sharpens the mind. It nudges blood pressure down and morale up, eases stress, and shaves off unwanted pounds. Perhaps most importantly, it lessens your risk of dying prematurely. All of this can be achieved at a comfortable pace and very low cost in money or time.

How Does Exercise Benefit Osteoarthritis?
Most people have little appreciation for how powerful exercise can be in preserving bone density and joint function, which can help prevent and alleviate osteoarthritis as you age. The notion that exercise is detrimental to your joints is a misconception; there is no evidence to support this belief. It’s simply a myth that you can ‘wear down’ your knees just from average levels of exercise and/or normal activity.

Instead, the evidence points to exercise having a positive impact on joint tissues — if you exercise sufficiently to lose weight, or maintain an ideal weight, you can in fact reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Arthritis Treatment: Why weight matters

Being overweight raises your risk for developing osteoarthritis in a weight-bearing joint like the knee — and even in the hand, according to some research, since inflammatory factors related to weight might exacerbate this condition. Simply walking across level ground puts up to one-and-a-half times your body weight on your knees. That means a 200-pound man will deliver 300 pounds of pressure to his knee with each step. Off level ground, the news is worse: each knee bears two to three times your body weight when you go up and down stairs, and four to five times your body weight when you squat to tie a shoelace or pick up an item you dropped.

Arthritis Treatment: Why weight matters. One study found that the risk of developing osteoarthritis dropped 50% with each 11-pound weight loss among younger obese women.

Fortunately, strengthening your quadriceps (the muscles on the fronts of the thighs) changes the equation, and so does losing weight. Each pound you lose reduces knee pressure in every step you take. One study found that the risk of developing osteoarthritis dropped 50% with each 11-pound weight loss among younger obese women. If older men lost enough weight to shift from an obese classification to just overweight — that is, from a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher down to one that fell between 25 and 29.9 — the researchers estimated knee osteoarthritis would decrease by a fifth. For older women, that shift would cut knee osteoarthritis by a third.

Arthritis rates are more than twice as high in obese people as those who are normal weight, because the extra weight puts more pressure on your joints. This can not only lead to osteoarthritis, it can also make the condition exponentially worse. You will want to jumpstart your weight loss by eating a healthier diet based on the principles of my nutrition plan, and then continue with appropriate exercise.

Whether you need to lose weight or not, however, exercise can help by reducing your joint pain and making it easier for you to perform daily tasks. This is important, as the pain of osteoarthritis has a tendency to lead to decreased activity, which in turn promotes muscle weakness, joint contractures, and loss of range of motion. This, in turn, can lead to more pain and loss of function, and even less activity. Exercise can help you to break free from this devastating cycle.

Healthy body, healthy joints
Listen to your body as you exercise and report any problems to your doctor.
Warming up and cooling down will help protect your heart and your joints. Stretching exercises, good shoes, and good technique will also reduce your risk of musculoskeletal injuries. With these simple precautions and a dose of common sense, exercise will be safe for your joints.

Can Your Chiropractor Help?
Doctors of chiropractic, by the nature of their work, can detect the earliest degenerative changes in the joints. They see the impact of degenerative changes in the spine, as well as in the hips, knees, and other weight-bearing joints. Doctors of chiropractic are also trained to relieve the pain and improve joint function through natural therapies, such as chiropractic manipulation, trigger-point therapy, or some massage techniques.

Doctors of chiropractic can provide exercise counseling, helping you choose exercises that are best for you. If a sore or swollen joint prevents you from exercising, talk to your doctor of chiropractic about other drug-free pain-relief options, such as applying heat or cold to the affected area. In addition, your doctor of chiropractic can help you choose proper supplements that play important roles in arthritis treatment and prevention.