Golf… a contact sport?

Large numbers of people may, at some point in their life, become afflicted with arthritis or joint inflammation. There are different types of arthritis and many people as they grow older may suffer from osteoarthritis which is caused by general wear and tear and breaks down the cartilage, eventually wearing it away. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis which attacks the lining of the joints and can be extremely painful. Less well known is psoriatic arthritis which eats away at the joints. Arthritis can be a miserable condition; unfortunately many of the drugs that are used to treat arthritis can make life miserable in other ways. Alternative treatments rarely have the sort of side effects as these medications yet these can be an effective way of treating the pain and inflammation of arthritis.

If you suffer from any form of arthritis you will probably be reduced to taking drugs to help with the pain and reduce the inflammation. Doctors will prescribe different types of medication depending on which type of arthritis you may have. Some of these drugs can have nasty side effects which have led to an increasing number of people to search for a more natural solution to their problems. Some people swear by Glucosamine for relief from painful and swollen joints. Glucosamine is just one of the ingredients in a break through natural health product called Flex Protex.

There are many natural ways of achieving better health, including changing your diet, getting gentle nut regular exercise or by using some form of natural health substance such as Flex Protex. This treatment is derived from a range of different, natural ingredients, yucca for example which was a favorite healing plant of Native Americans. Flex Protex can help ease the pain and stiffness in your joints, especially the type of stiffness that many of us encounter in late middle age. The anti-oxidant properties of Flex Protex also work to slow the signs of aging and the some of the discomforts that accompany it.

Natural products do not contain the same type of harmful ingredients that some over the counter and prescribed drugs may have and can be taken alongside prescription drugs. Whatever type of natural healing methods you want to use you should always obtain your doctor’s advice and work along with them while you are taking the supplements. To gain the most benefit from Flex Protex you should include it as part of a generally healthy lifestyle. Some people find that cutting back on dairy products can help, this is because too much of a good thing can cause acid crystals to develop in the body and they form faster than the body can deal with them. These crystals add to the pain and discomfort of arthritis. Taking a natural remedy such as Flex Protex while paying careful attention to your diet will help to alleviate the stiffness and pain of arthritis.

We’ve all tried NSAIDS (over the counter pain medications) like Tylenol and Motrin from time to time when in pain. But recent information indicates that these drugs can cause damage to the stomach, and increase the risk of renal failure. Prescription drugs like Vioxx and Celebrex come with their own serious health risks as evidenced by the nightly news.

Pain however is only a symptom that the body is not functioning properly. So what can we do to offer ourselves some relief?

One component that offers a good deal of benefit is getting nutritional support. Taking a whole food source vitamin/mineral formula that gives the body adequate magnesium, amino acids (proteins), antioxidants, zinc, selenium and B vitamins along with other nutrients, is critical for healing. Additionally, for those with arthritis, Glucosamine & Condrotin Sulfate and MSM may be an option. For nerve pain one might consider lipoic acid.

Getting to bed by 10 pm and sleeping a full 8 to 9 hours is optimal for health and healing. Our bodies heal while sleeping and has very precise duties during specific hours of the night. These responsibilities include such things as, recharging of the adrenals and endocrine glands, repair of tissue and detoxification. Sleep is of the utmost importance, as more serious illness can occur if the body is not given the chance to regulate, rest and heal.

If sleep is difficult, one might consider taking an herbal sleep formula with a combination of ingredients like Valerian Root, Skullcap, Hops and Passionflower, etc., or trying a magnesium/calcium supplement, melatonin, 5htp/or L tryptophan.

Hormonal deficiencies should also be investigated, as a healthy hypothalamic function is often not present in chronic pain.

Infection in the body can and does affect pain. Due to the overuse of antibiotics both via doctor’s prescription and those given to livestock, our bodies can become depleted of good bacteria. This increases the risk of yeast overgrowth. Yeast in the body, coupled with the excessive consumption of sugar (estimated at 150 or more lbs per year) can and does cause inflammation in the body, and subsequently can lead to pain.

Eliminating sugar and adding probiotics, while adopting an anti candida diet, and treating for yeast overgrowth with natural anti fungals (exp. garlic, capryllic acid, apple cider vinegar, and olive leaf extract) will assist you in getting yeast under control. For those with a more chronic yeast condition, prescription anti fungals like Nystatin plus Diflucan (which are gut and blood anti fungals respectively) may be considered.

Here are some additional natural remedies that are beneficial in reducing pain. You may want to investigate a number of these natural remedies in limiting the pain response.

• Omega 3 fatty acids: Assists the body in an anti-inflammatory response.
• Noni Juice: Anti-inflammatory, immune enhancing, natural cox 2 inhibitor.
• Niacinamide B3: Helps maintain and enhance healthy cartilage, joint flexibility and connective tissue.
• Bromelain: Provides an inflammatory response. This enzyme improves digestion and absorption of sulfates.
• Boswellia: Also known as Frankincense, this herb has important anti-inflammatory properties. Beneficial to both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.
• Tart Cherries: Helps to relieve and prevent arthritis and gout.
• Feverfew: Anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, helps maintain flexibility.
• Willow bark: Original source of aspirin, effective in reducing pain, considered as effective as Vioxx for osteoarthritis.

There are no easy solutions in getting to the source of pain and relieving it. However giving the body maximum support often will silence the pain response.

Taking a painkiller is certainly not going to resolve your pain issues and only acts as a temporary yet toxic fix. The more toxic chemicals that we put into our body will only exacerbate our health issues. Of course you should always do the research yourself and by all mean consult your doctor. Investigating all of your options will certainly put you on the right road in you quest to become pain free.

Those currently taking a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement for natural arthritis pain relief may be unaware of the startling fact that it’s simply not enough. There is a special supplement, called Flex Protex, which recent studies have proven to be 62 percent more effective at soothing pain and stiffness. This award-winning supplement, devised by the pioneer Patty McPeak, is even suspected by scientists to help break down excess bone growth and augment fluid in the joint spaces. Those are the two major culprits for arthritis.

The secret to Mcpeak’s natural arthritis pain relief supplement is that it contains clinical strength glucosamine and chondroitin, plus a special mix of essential amino acids that your body needs whenever it undergoes major healing. These amino acids are plant derived and completely safe. They are the exact same aminos present in the food you eat every day – just in higher quantities and correctly balanced to promote healing.

Amino acids are found in all living things and are often called the building blocks of life because they are fundamental in cell protein biosynthesis. Bones, joints, organs and other body tissues cannot grow properly without the right balance of amino acids. When there is an amino acid deficiency some of the processes that restrict unhealthy bone growth are hampered significantly leading to bone overgrowth in the joints.

This explains why McPeak’s formula is so beneficial in natural arthritis pain relief : it reverses precisely this sequence of events that are the culprit in arthritis formation. In addition, when the body has an adequate amino balance, bone overgrowth will not happen again. Therefore, Mcpeak’s formula both cures and prevents arthritic overgrowth.

Let’s revisit glucosamine and chondroitin. You might already be taking these supplements. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are amino acids. It’s true that studies have found both of these aminos to be good for healing cartilage in arthritic joints. They’ve been found both safe and effective. But it’s also been found in an American Arthritis Foundation (AAF) study that these aminos need the correct combination of other amino acids in order to function correctly.

Amino acids such as Lysine, Glutamine, and Serine are combined with glucosamine and chondroitin to increase their effectiveness. These can be difficult to obtain in the necessary quantities when simply using a healthy diet, but are found in abundance in Mcpeak’s formula. Don’t trust just any supplement to effectively treat your arthritis pain.

A two year study conducted by a team of researchers at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands recently concluded that the use of glucosamine has no meaningful effect on the pain in patients with arthritis of the hip, as posted in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Rianne M. Rozendaal and colleagues randomly assigned 222 patients in the early stages of hip arthritis to either glucosamine or a placebo. The research team took careful precautions to ensure the integrity of their results, including requiring that the supplier of the glucosamine double check that the tablets were of the correct dose. In spite of the carefully controlled conditions, the treatment had no significant effect on pain scores, stiffness, or physical function.

Many consumers have turned to glucosamine as a way to treat hip arthritis pain as an alternative to pain medications. However, despite various studies, definitive proof of glucosamine being effective as a treatment for pain associated with arthritis of the hip is lacking. So that leaves consumers wishing to avoid frequent use of pain medication with a big question: “If glucosamine does not help, then what does?”

If you wish to avoid unnecessary strain on your hip, and in doing so relieve hip pain, a variety of independent living products are available that allow you to continue enjoying your usual lifestyle. Many who suffer from hip arthritis are unaware that by making small adjustments to their everyday routine, they can enjoy a relatively pain free lifestyle without the use of narcotics.

Sitting and Standing in the Living Room and Kitchen

Arthritis of the hip can make sitting down and standing up a painful experience, and make standing for a long period of time virtually impossible. With the correct products around the home, however, you can go about your normal routine with very little change to the lifestyle you have grown accustomed to.

Standing up from a chair or couch can be especially difficult, especially if soft foam causes you to sink low into the seat. Not every couch is “hip arthritis friendly”: couches rarely sit high off the ground and often the armrests are not positioned in a way that makes them ideal for support when you stand up. The CouchCane is an easy to install solution that provides you with a sturdy, comfortably positioned handle that you can lift yourself up with. The weight of your couch holds it in place while the rubber feet on its base prevent slipping and protect your floor. The CouchCane features an adjustable height hand grip, quality steel components, and an adjustable base that fits either end of a variety of couch sizes and styles.

If you lack hand and arm strength, or if you have arthritis in your hand as well, a handle to lift yourself up will not be of much help. Pride Lift Chairs make an attractive addition to any room’s d

Have you noticed your dog having trouble getting up stairs or jumping onto the couch (even if he’s not supposed to?) Limping or wincing during activity, lagging behind, groaning or difficulty when getting up or lying down? These behaviors and more may be indications that your dog needs relief from painful joint conditions. The signs may be obvious such as pain upon being touched, or more subtle, like suddenly seeking cool areas to lay down in an effort to soothe inflamed joints. Being alert to the signs of joint pain in your dog and treating the condition can greatly improve your dog’s quality of life and prevent more serious problems.

Glucosamine and chondroitin, when combined, provide a powerful treatment to not only alleviate discomfort, but also acts as a preventative. For dogs already in pain, it can help to slow the progression of arthritis by starting to rehabilitate the joints, soothing the discomfort and allowing for easier movement. It can also be used in younger dogs to decrease the chance of suffering from arthritis later on.

Chondroitin acts as a lubricant for joints and glucosamine assists in growing and repairing joint tissue. With up to 30 percent of dogs suffering from osteoarthritis, or if you wish to prevent this condition in your dog, you will want to consider supplementing with a high quality pharmaceutical grade powder such as Jammin’ Joints. Steroids and prescription medications can often cause unwanted side effects. Studies have shown that the natural supplements of glucosamine and chondroitin reduce the enzymes which destroy cartilage, decrease inflammation, and enhance cell activity working to rebuild cartilage. You should expect your pet to experience positive results within 2-4 weeks.

Your dog deserves relief!

Jammin’ Joints

Arthritis sufferers know a thing or two about joint pain. These patients make up a large portion of all the people dealing with joint pain, especially when all the different types of arthritis are linked together. Unfortunately, many people find themselves moving around less and less and begin to develop even more joint discomfort, thus beginning a vicious and frustrating circle. Fortunately, there are many types of joint therapy available today for all ages, ailments and fitness levels.

The problem starts when people slow down. Of course, it is natural to want to avoid causing our bodies pain. When we move less, our joints can become stiff from lack of use. It makes sense that choosing to do occupational of physical therapy would be very beneficial.

So what are the differences between physical and occupational therapy? Physical therapists work with you and show you how to perform exercises that will loosen the joints. They also know how to ensure that the exercises you are doing do not exacerbate any joint problems. After an injury to a joint a physical therapist is also recommended to help the patient recover and develop the strength and flexibility they need to get through everyday life.

An occupational therapist works in a similar fashion. The main focus for an occupational therapist and patients needing joint therapy is to develop ways in which to reduce the pressure on your joints as you do your daily tasks. An occupational therapist recognizes ways in which to make your home and work environments more friendly for your joints. Between the two types of professionals, patients often find a better way of life–one with less pain.

Along with physical movement, there are other types of joint therapy. One of the easiest things for patients to try is a supplement formulated specifically for joint stiffness and pain. There are many of these available in stores nationwide. There are the more well-known supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. A newer supplement that is showing a lot of promise is Celadrin, which is made from cetylated fatty acids. Studies have shown it to be effective in relieving joint pain, stiffness and inflammation, especially when combined with glucosamine and chondroitin. These supplements can be very helpful when it comes to successful physical therapy.

The work put into physical therapy is meant to help patients be able to get through the day in as easy a manner as possible. By following the advised exercises the therapist teaches you on a regular basis, things will get better. With the actual physical work and a supplement to help lubricate the joints, an increase in range of motion is often obtained. Between this and an increase in strength, many arthritis sufferers find relief from pain and stiffness. Joint therapy is worth the effort for a better way of life. So push through the discomfort, resist the urge to slow down too much, and claim the active lifestyle you deserve!

Unfortunately arthritis pain is something that most people will have to go through at some point in their life. It’s estimated one third of all adults have arthritis. Arthritis pain is even one of the leading causes of disabilities. There are many different types of arthritis but they all have in common the need to find arthritis pain relief.

Arthritis causes tissues to swell and joints to be inflamed and painful. Cold weather can increase pain symptoms. Because of this, many people have discovered they can find arthritis pain relief by using heat on the affected area. Warm packs, electric heating pads, warm towels or blankets and even creams and gels that have a warming action can be used directly to the affected area to provide pain relief.

For some this isn’t enough. Anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to reduce the inflammation. There are steroids that will give this type of relief as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) that can be purchased by prescription and over the counter. Herbal remedies with anti-inflammatory properties can also be used for arthritis pain relief. It’s important to discuss these with your doctor or a pharmacist to make sure there won’t be any drug reactions with other medications you are taking.

In most cases of arthritis there is a lack of glucosamine in the body. Your body needs glucosamine to protect the joints. Chondroiton is also naturally produced by the body and needed for healthy bones tendons and other tissues. When these two substances are taken together in a supplement they produce anti-inflammatory effect without unwanted side effects. This gives arthritis pain relief and helps to rebuild cartilage in affected joints.

Arthritis pain relief can also be achieved through massage. There are several different massage techniques. Reflexology massage is done at pressure points to help different areas in the body while Swedish tile massage is used to relax the affected area and stimulate blood flow to that area. This helps to relax the tissues directly involved and give pain relief. Deep tissue massage is done deeper to reach the muscles and joints to increase movement and decrease pain. It is believed that massage, done on a regular basis, helps to rid the body of any toxins that may be in the system to help reduce swelling as well as pain and stiffness.

Nutrition also plays an important part in arthritis pain control. Increasing foods that have omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce inflammation. Eating fresh vegetables grains and legumes and only a small amount of meat has also been shown to be beneficial.

Regular exercise can also give arthritis pain relief. Arthritic joints that are not moved on a regular basis can stiffen up and lose mobility. It’s important to use what mobility you have and two range of motion exercises to continue with motion that you have and increase mobility where mobility has been lost.

Acupuncture can also be used for arthritis pain. Many people find acupuncture highly effective in treating arthritis pain. Given the fact that acupuncture does not have side effects and doesn’t add medications that are unnatural or contain toxins to the body it is a first choice for many people.

Each person has slightly different symptoms with their arthritis and each case should be treated on an individual basis. Arthritis can be very debilitating. Once you find what works for you stick with it. People who find it difficult to achieve arthritis pain relief can discus taking stronger medications with their Physician.

It’s really bizarre, the number of animals suffering from ‘people’ type disease like arthritis in dogs. To see some poor dog limping around, (and it’s happening in younger ones) is something most of us cannot bear to watch.

It’s true that it’s more common in the larger breeds and in particular the purebreds, but I have to say even smaller dogs have arthritis pain. As for the purebreds, I believe that the genetic manipulation which is prevalent in their lines may cause expression of various desired traits like coat color, structure, behavior etc., but at the expense of heartier, sturdy genetics resulting in chronic ailments coming out which in nature, they would not.

Arthr (joint) itis (inflammation) is as it’s root words indicate, an inflammation in the joints, particularly the weight bearing ones. Commonly, dog arthritis pain occurs in the hips and ankle joints.

The normal joint is the meeting of two bones which are lined with a pad of cartilage and bathed in a nutrient rich liquid called synovial fluid. In arthritis, the fluid starts to dry up, the cartilage thins and as this gets worse and worse the two bones end up rubbing together creating bone destruction and crippling pain.

Obviously, your dog can’t tell you about their joint pain..so look for symptoms or indications such as:

1) Favoring one leg
2) Difficulty getting up and/or laying down.
3) Sleeping more
4) Avoiding or hesitating when you want to go for a walk, especially when they loved it before
5) Weight gain
6) Disposition changes, especially more cranky or aggressive
7) Being less alert or bright

Don’t forget that inflammation in one area of the body, will predispose to inflammatory problems throughout, such as Diabetes, Heart problems, Skin disorders, etc.

Glucosamine For Dogs and Other Natural Solutions For Dogs With Arthritis

First and foremost, do NOT give your dog any Ibruprofen or Tylenol-type medications! They are extremely toxic to animals and just far too risky. Besides, they solve nothing. Your dog is not suffering from joint pain and arthritis because they lack acetominophen or ibruprophen!

The best anti-inflammatory for dogs is in their food. And they key to avoiding arthritis in dogs is to feed them naturally, chemical free food from day one.

Commercial pet food is filled with dye, chemical flavor enhancers, preservatives and that doesn’t even mention the quality of the ‘protein’. That can be from dead, diseased animals, chicken feathers, beaks and feet. It’s really very disgusting.

I was fortunate enough to find a book by a Vet who had lost his dear pet to these types of foods and according to him the typical medications he was trained to use in college. Dr. Jones admitted that approach is wrong.

Combine that information with the use natural arthritis cures such as glucosamine for dogs, homeopathics like Rhus Tox for stiffness, Ruta Grav for acutual joint pain and Belladonna for that really hot, sore joint.

Arthritis in dogs can be treated successfully and changes in your dog’s diet will save them from other chronic diseases, leaving them to live happy healthy lives.

Glucosamine for dogs is a simple way to help treat the dog’s arthritis. Most do not know that arthritis does not just affect older dogs. The truth is that arthritis can happen to a dog at any age. However, it is more popular in older dogs than younger dogs. A younger dog can suffer from the arthritis because of a accident where the dog hurt its joints and ligaments. This could happen if a dog had been in a accident concerning a vehicle. In this case, a dog may then suffer from arthritis during specific times of the year. Most commonly a dog will have problems with its arthritis during the winter months when the air outside gets colder and the bones will then suffer sending the dog reeling from the aches it feels. The arthritis that a dog suffers from is just like a humans arthritis. They will ache the same and feel the same.

What most of us do not realize is that, in fact glucosamine has been used for twenty years in other countries but since the FDA does not monitor such medicines that are not a prescribed drug it was not used in the United States. The truth is that once the glucosamine was used in the United States by doctors and veterinarians and a drastic improvement was seen, they began to use it more often.

Supplement the glucosamine to your dogs diet. You will be able to find this in a number of stores who sells vitamins and minerals since we as adults also suffer from arthritis. You will be able to find it in the form of Glucosamine hcl and Glucosamine Sulfate. Once you start to supplement this into their diet you will start to see a significant difference in a short amount of time. Glucosamine for dogs is a great way to start your dog on a path to a successful future with less aches and pain.