(NC)-Pain from osteoarthritis (OA) can be so intense and constant that it can consume every waking moment (and can cause many sleepless nights). Due to pain, some people with OA may be unable to continue with their daily activities and as a result they become less active in an attempt to keep their joints as comfortable as possible. This inactivity can have negative effects on muscles and joints leading to a loss of strength, reduced flexibility, and more pain. Read the rest of this entry »

(NC)-Osteoarthritis (OA), a disease that affects more than three million Canadians usually progresses slowly over a period of months to years. To learn more about OA visit www.arthritis.ca or speak to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed:

There is no cure for OA, but early diagnosis and the right treatment, can help most people with OA lead active and productive lives with the help of the right treatments which can include exercise, medication, joint protection techniques, and surgery.

How to Manage OA Read the rest of this entry »

Yoga – Yoga has helped arthritic patients with improving confidence, mood, self-awareness, range of motion, relaxation, blood circulation, concentration, stress and pain reduction, health of bones, tendons, muscles and joint ligaments. Classes and instruction are often offered at health and fitness centers; check out public library resources, too (books, videos, audio cassettes, DVDs, etc.) Not much is required to begin: pillows and a mat, some type of blanket or carpet piece for padding and comfort. “Let’s Do Yoga,” an article by Christina DiMartino published in Arthritis Today, mentions six basic yoga positions that offer a wide range of benefits (don’t perform any that cause strain and remember to confirm with healthcare provider):

Mountain Pose – This position is for helping develop posture. With feet a comfortable distance apart, legs and knees straight, stand and distribute weight evenly, tightening thigh muscles. Keep pelvis in a neutral position, not arching the back, not leaning forward, and expand ribcage by opening chest and shoulders. Hold head comfortably straight with arms loosely hanging at your sides, body vertically aligned. Read the rest of this entry »

(NC)- Is this arthritis, we wonder, when examining the pain in our wrist, knee, or hip?

It’s alarming, especially when we think we are too young to have arthritis. But if so, is there anything you can do about it, aside from taking painkillers?

Various degrees of pain in a joint, loss of flexibility, limited movement, and swelling are osteoarthritis symptoms. This chronic disease of the joints is often blamed on day-to-day ‘wear and tear’ on joints and while it is more common among older people, congenital defects, trauma, and metabolic disorders can also be contributing factors. If some of your joints are stiff and painful, and feel worse with increased use, see your medical practitioner to determine the nature and extent of joint damage. There are excellent illustrations and information on osteoarthritis and its symptoms at: www.adam.about.com/reports/Osteoarthritis.htm

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Dietary & Exercise Planning – Consult your healthcare provider for guidelines, recipes and menus to help establish a tailor-made diet and exercise plan. If there are other family members with you, make sure to include them in your plans so that there is less stress regarding food decision-making at mealtime. Ask about any vitamins and other supplementary items as well.

Activity – Plan regular physical activity on a daily basis. This is for the rest of your life, too, not just to lose 10 lbs, then stop. So plan accordingly, keeping in mind your monthly budget, seasonal weather changes, any equipment and attire needs, etc. Planning ahead avoids the stress of the unexpected; for example, on rainy days when you can’t go jogging or walking. Instead, with advanced preparation, you can simply pop in an exercise video or cassette, borrowed from the public library for that month. Keep a journal and note your progress and see which type activities you like best, which make you feel better and which help you with your overall health plans that may include weight loss or maintenance, and just getting out for some fresh air and sunshine. Read the rest of this entry »

(NC)-”You can find natural help for the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis,” explains Dr. Joyce Tellier-Johnson, a naturopathic physician. “Every body reacts differently to nutrition and nutritional supplements. Educate yourself and determine what YOUR body needs, and look for quality dietary supplements from a trusted manufacturer for joint support that works for you.”

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Aromatherapy – Aromatherapy or “treatment using scents,” is another holistic treatment used by some arthritic sufferers for pain relief, skincare and revival, rejuvenation and stress management. Treatment focuses on using pleasurable aromatic botanical oils by either massaging them into the skin, adding them to the bath water, inhaling them directly or diffusing their scents into the surrounding environment. The oils have been known to affect moods, help with relaxation, lessen or end fatigue and anxiety, and help the brain and nervous system via olfactory nerves stimulation when inhaled.

Aromatherapy is reportedly one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine, used in home, clinical and hospital environments for pain and stress relief.

Aromatherapy treatments for arthritis vary and essential oils used can include: Read the rest of this entry »

(NC) .. The Arthritis Society has launched the Lifestyle Makeover Challenge to help Canadians reduce the onset and disability of some forms of arthritis by adopting a more active, healthier lifestyle. Losing just 10 to 11 pounds translates into a decrease in stress on knee joints by 40 pounds and reduces the risk of needing a joint replacement by 25 per cent.

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To help with the prevention and relief of arthritis, prescribe a proactive plan for yourself. Take charge of your lifestyle and see where improvements can be made, like with regards to any of the following, listed in no particular order of importance or affect.

Acupuncture / Acupressure – Acupuncture or therapeutic ‘needle piercing” is the insertion of fine needles into the skin in order to stimulate targeted places in the body, referred to as acupoints. Along with the needles, the acupuncture practitioner also generally applies any of the following to stimulate the points; suction, friction, heat, pressure or electromagnetic energy impulses. The treatment goal is to stimulate the acupoints in order to balance the body’s movement of energy (qi) and restore health. Ask your healthcare provider for practitioner referrals or look in directories under holistic services. Read the rest of this entry »

The following is a guest article by Helen Hecker, who is an RN. I want to remind all my readers that even though Helen is a nurse, you still need to discuss her suggestions with your regular health professional, as they may know something unique about your situation.

To read our full disclaimer, see the link to the right of this article, under the “Pages” section.

Arthritis sufferers today are continually seeking relief from their arthritis pain. I got rid of my arthritis symptoms and arthritis pain years ago by making a change in my diet and lifestyle.

Arthritis pain is most usually experienced whenever a stiff or swollen joint is used. Arthritis is usually found in the joints of the fingers, feet, knees, hips, and spine. In osteoarthritis, any one or more of the affected joints can experience a progressive loss of cartilage, which is the slippery material that cushions the ends of bones.

The combination of the collagen meshwork and high water content tightly bound by proteoglycans creates a resilient, slippery pad in the joint, which resists the compression between bones during muscle movement. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that coats the ends of the bones. Cartilage contains a high percentage of water and decreases with age. Read the rest of this entry »