Behind the Scenes of Aches and Pains
Take a look at the factors behind osteoarthritis, which is commonly blamed as the guilty party behind joint pain and inflammation.
By Dr. Scott Simpson
More than 80% of the population will suffer back pain at one point in their lives, and nearly 50% of people age 65 years or older suffer from arthritis, which is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability. Lower back ailments, meanwhile, are the leading causes of sick leaves from work. What most people never question is why these complaints are so prevalent in our society , as well as why so many are afflicted with these issues. What is Osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative joint disease) is a major culprit of joint pain and inflammation. In simple terms, it’s a wear -and -tear condition. Many disagree with the concept of it being an age- dependent condition. Far too often, people are told that they have to expect joint pain and inflammation at a certain stage of life, yet no one is able to define osteoarthritis’ “magical” onset age ; literature gauges it as somewhere between your 20 s and 70 s. However, upon examination of x-rays, unaffected areas are noticeable next to areas depicted to be the “age dependant” condition. So, now the big question is : how is this condition prevented or slowed in progression to ensure there’s no disruption of your normal daily activities? As with many conditions, prevention is the solution . Here are three simple tips to help you fend off or delay the onset of this condition: Stretching your body frequently helps keep your joints freely moving and allows them to function to the best of their ability. Moderation in sitting, standing or task-related positions. Limit the time you spend in one position, get up often and move to allow your body to reduce the pressure and tension associated with the task. If you’re driving, pull over often , get out and walk around or stand up and stretch. Change your seated position to relieve the pressure from sitting in one position. Building up your body’s muscular system around the joints manages the pressure exerted on them. Exercises such as yoga, stability ball exercises or pilates aid in the strengthening of the core tissue. Studies show that using certain natural products, such as glucosamine, MSM and fish oils are beneficial to some individuals displaying symptoms of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine at a dosage of 1,000mg per day and MSM at 500mg per day may help you to relieve the discomfort related to this affliction . Fish oils with a combined level of 1,000 to 1,500 mg per day of EPA and DHA have also been shown to help reduce inflammation. These natural products are not for all people, though. Those with diabetes or taking other medications should always consult their health care provider prior to starting any exercise program or taking any form of natural or prescription medication. Steering clear of acidic foods like citrus fruits, and nitrate -rich foods such as tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant, can also positively impact the level of discomfort you might be experiencing. Finally, seeking the care and instruction from a chiropractor, physiotherapist or other health care provider with holistic insight into o steoarthritis will most certainly shed light on the best way to manage health challenges.
References Clinical Drug Investigation. 2004, (6 ) 353-6. “Randomized Double Blind Parallel Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis,” Usha P.R., Nadu M.U. |
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