Joint pain can really slow you down. Learn simple steps you can
take to prevent joint pain from sidelining you.
Knee, back, and hip pain is for many older persons the proverbial
pain in the backside. Much of our persistent pain is caused by
Osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis and a
major source of pain in our joints like knees, elbows, hips and
back.
It is the result of degeneration of the cartilage in the joints
and happens as we grow older.
The many symptoms and effects of osteoarthritis are compounded
by the fact that as we age, our body loses its ability to
effectively repair the cartilage of our joints. One of the prime
symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) is pain and stiffness of the
joints.
While there is no simple known cure for OA, its symptoms can be
relieved to a certain extent through the use of drugs -
supplements and other treatments.
One of the primary actions you can take for joint aches is rest.
You should also steadily avoid any activity that puts undue
pressure on the joint.
-- An Overview of factors contributing to Osteoarthritis --
Research has shown that obesity is one of the contributing
factors for OA. Thus, weight loss is one of the recommended
remedies for joint ache relief.
Even a loss of 5 to 10 pounds of body weight can significantly
reduce the pressure on the lower joints of your body (hips,
knees and ankles). Another preventive step you can take (after
conferring with your doctor or health professional) is to --
remain active.
Joint surfaces tend to show more wear and tear with age. Also,
the body does produce adequate amounts of lubrication fluids for
the joints as you grow older. This is where exercise proves
fruitful.
Any movement helps in the delivery of vital minerals to a joint.
Also, you can better lubricate a joint if you keep it warm by
moving it.
An exercise routine for seniors is very necessary to keep the
joints nimble. Again, always check with your physician first
before starting with physical exercise.
The best warm up routine for maturing persons is one which
involves gentle stretching. We should usually look towards low
impact activities like brisk walking, swimming etc.
A non-invasive way of treating joint aches is the application of
herbal creams. These are usually absorbed through the skin and
are good at providing temporary relief.
Check with your doctor because many of these creams may not
be strong enough to provide you adequate relief.
You can also seek out homeopathic medicines for joint ache
relief. Most practitioners of homeopathy recommended the
taking of vitamin and mineral supplements in these cases.
Some supplements to consider are:
- cod liver oil and kelp
- minerals like copper, iron and zinc, and
- vitamins A, C, E and B-complex.
There is a whole range of alternative therapies which promise
to ease joint aches. An exotic one is acupuncture.
Now, a modern equivalent of acupuncture is also gaining
popularity. It is called transcutaneous electrical nerve
stimulation or TENS.
Also, you might want to try ginger baths. Even soaks and
compresses have been effective for some people with this herb.
This is because they soothe the joint through warmth, thereby
relieving the soreness. Another potion is warm footbath for
aching ankles.
Essential oils can also be helpful in this regard (especially
peppermint and rosemary). They are purported to be particularly
effective if taken just before bed.
Some people claim Allopathic drugs can help to relieve the pain
and inflammation.
Until recently, NSAIDS or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
were the standard drug therapy recommended for patients of OA.
Examples of these drugs include aspirin and ibuprofen.
They certainly help in short term pain relief and inflammation
suppression. But recent studies show that NSAIDS might actually
promote the progression of Osteoarthritis. This is because they
interfere and inhibit the cartilage repairing abilities of the
body.
Some studies suggest in the case of menopausal women, they even
stimulate the condition of osteoporosis and impair the function
of the immune system.
A good supplementary drug in place of NSAID might be glucosamine
sulfate or GLS. This compound performs the function of a building
block for GAGs (glycosaminoglycans).
GAGs promote the absorption of the mineral sulfur in the
cartilage. The use of GLS has been found to produce better
results than NSAIDS.
Doctors are also not averse to recommending the use of anti-
inflammatory herbs for standard ache relief. Not only this,
they also supply bone-building minerals to the body.
-- Eat Away at Your Pain --
Diet also goes along way towards help with joint aches as a
result of OA. You should take care to avoid...
- red meats
- sugar
- some vegetable oils (apart from olive oil) and
- alcohol.
You might also want to consider cortisone injections. If
administered to an acutely inflamed joint, they sometimes give
immediate relief. However, be aware that these injections have
been proven to harm the body’s immune system.
-- Try Supplemental Healing --
Fortunately there are natural products that can give you all
of the benefits of stronger pharmaceuticals, but without the
potentially harmful side effects. The makers of Phosoplex appear
to provide such a product. Phosoplex™, available from Amazon and
www.BODeStore.com, provides joint lubrication, pain relief and
can actually help rebuild the cartilage between the joints.
By undertaking some thoughtful lifestyle changes, including
exercise, some dietary changes and the introduction of some
supplementation, you can go a long way to combating joint pain.
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