Knee X-ray

Individuals over 65 years of age who’ve been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA), that practice Tai Chi, improve their physical capability and encounter less pain, according to a new Tufts University School of Medicine study. Osteoarthritis is a general form of arthritis that causes a breakdown of joint cartilage. Chiropractors treat many individuals who suffer with OA in a number of regions of the body, including the knee joints. knee pain and disability is one of the most prevalent dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system, second only to spinal dysfunctions. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are an astounding 4.3 million adults in the US over age 60 diagnosed with knee OA, and the CDC predicts that by age 85, half of American adults may develop symptoms of OA. Knee osteoarthritis results in pain, immobility, functional disabilities, and a decreased quality of life.

Why do so many men and women develop OA? As with the majority of the musculoskeletal problems that we develop as we age, inappropriate stress to a joint over time is a major determinant. That is why as people age they are more at risk for developing OA in their joints, including the knees. Abnormal mechanics of the knee, poor gait, compensatory foot mechanics as the result of foot pain, and repetitive use of the knee joint all create undue stress on the knees. Over time arthritic changes in the knee joint develop. In combination with chiropractic treatment, chiropractors wholeheartedly support natural, drug-free practices, such as Tai Chi (Chuan), that can mitigate knee pain. Tai Chi (Chuan) is a traditional style of Chinese martial arts that features slow, rhythmic movements that create mental relaxation, as well as increased balance, an increase in strength, and more flexibility.

The 40 adults chosen for the Tufts study were, on average, 65 years of age, overweight, and with confirmed OA, but in otherwise good health. Individuals were randomly picked to engage in 60-minute “Yang style” Tai Chi sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Each session included a 10-minute self-massage and a review of Tai Chi principles, 30 minutes of Tai Chi movement, 10 minutes of breathing technique, and 10 minutes of relaxation.

Tai Chi involves many of the contemporary exercise recommendations for OA, such as range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout. Furthermore, researchers noted that the “mental aspect” of Tai Chi encouraged a sense of well-being, life contentment, and impressions of health that aided the participants in dealing differently with chronic pain. Compared with the control group, the group practicing Tai Chi displayed a considerable decrease in knee pain.

Full findings of the study are published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.

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Sciatic pain ordinarily travels from your low back, through the buttock(s), and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of your leg(s). Frequently, the pain may even be felt in your knee. Motion and sitting, alike can be painful. On occasion lying down will decrease, or perhaps momentarily eliminate, the pain. Nonetheless, sciatica will not go away permanently without proper treatment.

“Radiculopathy,” the medical term for the clinical diagnosis of sciatica, means simply that a disc has distended from its original position in the vertebral column and is placing pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve. This type of pressure is extraordinarily painful.

Increased pressure on the intervertebral discs, as well as imbalances in the muscles encircling the spine, can happen as the result of prolonged sitting, specifically in a poor position. For the most part, a specific event or exact injury doesn’t produce sciatica, but rather it tends to come about over time as a by-product of average wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine. Over the course of time the lower spine loses its ability to function in a healthy way during common daily stresses.

Ultimately, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, which then allows the soft nucleus to extend the disc outward. If the disc presses on sensitive tissues, it generates the pain that is generally called a ruptured disc. If the disc puts pressure on the spinal nerve, then sciatica can develop.

Most disc challenges, including sciatica, can be alleviated with chiropractic adjustments and management that commonly includes postural exercises. If you are suffering from sciatic pain, it is vital for you to seek chiropractic attention.

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As if the acute pain and suffering from fibromyalgia weren’t enough, a disproportionate ninety percent of fibromyalgia sufferers also have developed chronic fatigue syndrome, and you might be one of them. It is this “double whammy” that can leave you not only suffering from pain and fatigue, but also malaise, headaches, numbness and pins and needles, dizziness, sleep disturbance, swollen feeling in tissues, stiffness, sensitivity to noise and stress, and cognitive impairment.

If you are suffering from one, or both, of these two devastating conditions, you may find it difficult to engage in even the simplest activities in life, and you may even be experiencing depression and feeling defeated. Fortunately, your chiropractor can assist you. chiropractic techniques have been found to be highly effective in reversing trauma-induced injuries by decreasing inflammation to the nerves in the brain stem and spinal cord that can trigger pain, neuromuscular dysfunction, and fatigue.

You may be curious, at this point, about what “trauma-induced injuries” have to do with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. You may find the answer surprising

While the specific cause of these problems is unknown, recent research has identified traumatic neck injuries, like whiplash and concussion, for example, as risk factors for the onset of both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. And, here’s the thing: although the pain and fatigue caused by spinal injuries can begin immediately, frequently it can take months or even years to develop. These types of injuries may no be remembered by the time fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms arise.

When it comes treating problems related to the muscular-skeletal system, your chiropractor is an expert. Chiropractic care has been shown to be highly beneficial in reversing trauma-induced spinal injury. If you’ve been experiencing the pain and discomfort generated by fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, see your chiropractor today to find out if chiropractic treatment can help to eliminate your suffering.

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Along with spinal problems, knee pain and disability is one of the most widespread problems of the musculoskeletal system. Poor mechanics of the knee, as well as faulty foot mechanics as compensation for foot pain often cause painful knee conditions. Additional causes normally include overuse of the knee joint, inflammation related to arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from sports and falls.

Non-trauma knee problems: Insufficient mechanics of the knee joint and the corresponding stress on the soft tissues of the knee are, by far, the most prevailing cause of non-traumatic pain. Usually, the part of the knee implicated is the patella or knee-cap. Many times the patella does not move smoothly or does not move sufficiently on the femur during bending of the knee causing abnormal stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This specific condition is frequently called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). The condition generally starts when there are imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that attach to and move the patella. Imbalances in the muscles having to do with knee movement frequently begin from lower back problems, particularly in the sacroiliac joint. Imbalances in muscle groups that attach to the knee can also lead to pain and dysfunction. For example, pain on the medial or inside of the knee occurs when the muscles on the insides of the thigh are stressed and tight.   Faulty foot mechanics that create gait deviations such as pronation, are another cause of mechanical knee pain.

The correspondent pain from overuse is most often noticeable during activity, in particular stair climbing, running, jumping, and subsequent standing after prolonged sitting. Some women appear to be predisposed to painful overuse ailments for anatomical reasons, however such ailments are many times related to wearing high heels on a regular basis.

The main treatment for mechanical or overuse injuries to the knee is to re-establish proper balance of the muscles, restore proper movement to the patella and other joints of the knee, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot.  In certain cases, a brace is adopted to aid with the alignment of the patella or to stabilize the joint. Chiropractors, such as your Costa Mesa Chiropractor, are highly experienced in providing knowledgeable diagnosis and management of these ailments.

Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries commonly take place during sports that involve running and jumping, especially. When the knee is pulled or twisted beyond the capability of the ligaments that hold the joint together, tearing of these tissues can happen creating a sprain. The muscles that move the knee can also be torn during injury creating a strain or pull of the muscle. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can range from a mild injury that requires little treatment to a serious injury necessitating surgery. The knee also has two special “cartilages” – the menisci – between the tibia and the femur that facilitate frictionless motion and cushioning. These cartilages can also be torn during trauma, and commonly need surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.

Traumatic knee injuries can create serious pain and swelling and necessitate immediate diagnosis and treatment. In the majority of cases a competent chiropractor, such as your Costa Mesa Chiropractor, can manage these problems, but there are some injuries that require the craft of an orthopedic surgeon. In any event, it is vital to stabilize the injured joint as soon as possible and to ice the damaged area, if possible, until the injury can be evaluated.

Conditions such as poor mechanics and problems due to overuse, as well as traumatic injuries, need to be eliminated at an early stage. If not, the tissues of the knee joint, particularly the cartilage, will start to erode. If tissue and cartilage wear away, the bones will rub together unprotected and changes such as bone spurs can eventuate. This painful problem, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, is frequently progressive with age. Common treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Nevertheless, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that produce excellent results such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely helpful in alleviating the pain. Your Costa Mesa Chiropractor is will be happy to recommend anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, people can often assist themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.

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Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the labels for the most common form of arthritis, which is also called, spondylosis, if it occurs in the spine. This form of arthritis is not limited to humans, but occurs in all mammals, and is due to the degradation of the cartilage that protects the joint surfaces. When joint cartilage is injured, the sensitive bone tissue that is usually protected by the cartilage becomes stressed causing degenerative changes in the joint. Sometimes, osteophytes, or bone spurs, can occur when the bone around the joint increases quickly. Bone spurs create painful inflammation to other tissues adjacent to the joint exacerbating the already grievous condition.

The most common areas of the body that develop degenerative joints are in the spine, particularly in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, the hips and the fingers. Everyone may experience DJD at one point in their lives, though previous trauma, ones occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity affect the degree of the condition and its onset.

Pain and/or stiffness in the affected joints are primary indicators of DJD. As the condition advances there can be loss of mobility, particularly when weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees are implicated.  As a last resort joints can be surgically replaced with synthetic devices. This should be done only in severe cases where the joint is measurably worn and movement is intolerable due to severe pain.

Prevention is invariably the best option, beginning at an early age.

• Making sure that all injuries to joints are properly treated will help to avoid future problems.
• People involved in occupations that necessitate standing or walking should wear suitable shoes that provide good support and shock absorption.
• Weight loss through proper diet will help to lessen stress on weight-bearing body joints.

• Avoid kneeling on hard surfaces, such as when doing housework, as this can put strain and create knee pain.

• The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants included in fruits and vegetables are crucial for healthy joints and a healthy body.

Recently there have been some studies that reveal that the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can help with DJD and can possibly help rebuild joint cartilage. However, it must be used over time and does not work in all conditions.

chiropractic adjustments help to restore proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Chiropractic care is not only sound, but extremely effective in relieving the debilitating pain of arthritis. Your Costa Mesa Chiropractor is highly trained when it comes to arthritic pain relief. In addition, chiropractic modalities such as joint mobilization, ultrasound, cold laser therapy, massage and electro-therapy may be used to aid in the treatment of painful and stiff joints. Sometimes a brace is required to help stabilize the joint in an attempt to alleviate pain. A chiropractor may suggest exercises such as stretching, yoga, tai chi and other gentle mobilizing activities to help maintain arthritic joints.

Gout

An increased level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints produce gouty arthritis. The most common joints are the big toes, the knees, ankles and wrists, and is often characterized by acute pain and swelling. A large number of people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are more often than not brought on by binge eating of inflammatory foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Particular foods such as red meat (especially organ meat), certain seafood, legumes, and mushrooms contain the natural substance, Purines, that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. Since individuals with gout cannot efficiently metabolize uric acid, the buildup in the bloodstream causes joint problems. In addition to the foods specified and additional foods containing Purines, other dietary restrictions need to be followed including the avoidance of alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is systemic in nature and thought to be produced by immune system dysfunction. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, though other areas of the body can be affected as well. Morning stiffness made more painful by movement is most often associated with the disease. Many times people complain of general malaise and fatigue, and the disease in its more advanced forms can affect many of the other body systems. Rheumatoid arthritis can be easily identified through particularized blood tests. Though, currently, there is no cure, in addition to medication and vitamin and diet therapy, treatment should include chiropractic adjustments to mobilize joints and help to relieve the pain and stiffness associated with this disease. Additional modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy, and massage may also be valuable. Your Costa Mesa Chiropractor is dedicated to helping individuals in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

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Let’s face it. There are going to be consequences when your body is forced to stop abruptly and without warning. An emergency room attendant may hand you a clean bill of health because you haven’t sustained any broken bones, and you may be given a prescription for drugs to relax the muscle spasms that you are doubtless experiencing as a result of the structural changes in your neck or lower back that you experienced from the impact. But, unless you’re actually treated for the bodily trauma you’ve sustained, your condition can go from bad to much, much worse. In fact, many people undergo problems years after an auto accident as the consequence of their not getting the help they required in the first place.

Your Costa Mesa Chiropractor absolutely understands what your body undergoes during an auto accident. Chiropractic techniques include treatment for soft tissue injuries and spinal bio-mechanics dysfunction. And when it comes to rehabilitation strategies, your chiropractor is an expert

If you’ve encountered a minor auto accident, even if your car may not require much repair, no doubt, you do. Neck and back traumas are not only painful in the places in which they happen, but they can also produce pain, tingling, and numbness in your arms and hands and cause headaches days, weeks, even months after an accident occurs.

chiropractic care offers a drug-free, natural road back to feeling good again.  It will go a long way in putting the trauma of your accident where it belongs – behind you. In addition, because your chiropractor has experience working with insurance companies and lawyers, not only will you undergo less physical stress, but less emotional stress, too!

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The ancient practice of yoga might be based on a philosophy of self-acceptance and non-competitiveness, but plus-size people usually feel too self-conscious to even try a yoga pose, much less try on a yoga philosophy. In addition, most yoga classes, even beginner courses, don’t address the needs of big bodies, says Michael Hayes, the owner of Buddha Body Yoga in New York. Poses considered standard for those who are fit or slim are often difficult or even impossible for heavier students.

So, if your body weight has been holding you back, and if you’ve been waiting for just the right moment to start getting healthy and fit, it looks like that moment has arrived. Check to see if there’s a yoga class for plus-size people in town. If not, maybe you can start one!

For the complete article go to http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/health/nutrition/14fitness.html?_r=1&em

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Back pain is frequently a mystery to many of the people who are afflicted by it, and chiropractors are proficient at solving the puzzle. Why is it that most back pain sufferers have not undergone any trauma, accidents, or major injuries before the onset of their pain? The answer is that the cumulative effects of awkward sitting posture, poor work habits, improper lifting, lack of regular exercise, and other unhealthy lifestyle-related factors produce most back pain. These factors add up over time and produce stresses and imbalances on the spine producing subluxations that can lead to serious back problems. The process is not unlike the front end of your car being out of alignment. When you persist in driving anyway, there is unbalanced wear and tear on your tires. If you ignore the problem, the situation could worsen until a tire “blows.” The stability of the spine is threatened when your spine is misaligned. It’s not only a problem waiting to happen, so to speak, it’s a problem waiting to get worse. And then, something as effortless as bending over to pick up a piece of paper can be the “final factor” that causes back injury. The surrounding back muscles go into spasm when thisoccurs to stabilize the stressed or injured tissues of the back.

When it comes to problems of the spine, chiropractors have more education, training, and experience than medical doctors. They provide highly qualified diagnosis and effective treatment for all muscular-skeletal abnormalities. In addition to offering welcomed relief to those suffering from back pain, but they know what will help you to avoid further back pain. Your chiropractor not only will provide you with effectual adjustments and other productive chiropractic therapies but, in addition, will give you a personal exercise strategy and give advice about other beneficial lifestyle changes that will help to keep you well-adjust and pain-free in the future.

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Your Costa Mesa Chiropractor knows a lot about what causes back pain and, in addition to chiropractic treatment, offers this advice on something you can do on your own: There are many men and women today struggling with weight loss on a regular basis, particularly excess weight around the middle. But, the necessity to lose weight is, more often than not, more than just a cosmetic issue.  The unfortunate truth is, if people are lugging around extra weight in the front of their body, their back is going to suffer as a consequence.

Most individuals who are overweight encounter moderate to severe back pain. The reason for this is because the spine was not made to haul a load that is more substantial in weight than the body is at its generally healthy weight.  As a human being puts on additional poundage, the spine begins to negatively change and to compress, causing a lot of pain and discomfort.  The pelvis can also be affected and become tilted forward causing it to pinch the sciatic nerve. This is a primary reason why those who are overweight tend to have difficulties with their lower back. The suffering is due to either sciatica or the distorting of the spinal column.

If you are undergoing this problem, unmistakeably the thing to do is to get rid of some of the extra weight that you are lugging around, and your spine will immediately respond and reestablish its regular position.  Unfortunately, losing weight isn’t easy and it can take time, even with the best of intentions. But, luckily you don’t have to live with back pain as you lose the weight. A chiropractor can help you to get the pain relief you’ll require to help you as you shed the extra pounds.

However, you will still need to lose the extra pounds, and not having back pain will undoubted help you do it. Two things that are simple (but not necessarily easy), but will be extremely beneficial to you in losing the extra weight naturally are being sure to get some sort of exercise, even if it’s just a small amount per day, and modifying the food you eat so that you are taking in less calories than you use throughout the day. Sure, you’ve heard about these two things before. Nonetheless, now that you know your back is depending on you, it’s a good time to get truly motivated.

Start exercising slowly, expressly if you’re having difficulties with back pain. And, most importantly, be sure to see a Costa Mesa chiropractor so that you don’t make the mistake that many people do, which is to exercise into the pain. That will without a doubt make your condition worse. Exercise, though occasionally uncomfortable, should never be painful or cause pain. That’s why seeing a chiropractor is beneficial if you’re suffering from back pain.

Do basic stretching exercises and also concentrate on your core abdominal body muscles. Strong stomach muscles aid in relieving back pain. Your chiropractor will be able to offer exercises that are best for you, personally. Within just a week or two of dedication to losing the weight that is causing your back pain and possibly other health problems as well, you ought to begin to notice a significant difference in the way that you feel.

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