Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Causes of and Cures For Cartilage Damage in Joints


When there is no balance between destruction and construction, the cartilage lining the joints becomes eroded and the cartilage can become thin, the lubricating fluid around the joint can be lost, which will cause the cartilage to become dry and eventually wear away.

Cartilage is the connective tissue that exists in many of the joints in the body including the shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles and more. Cartilage is much more rigid than muscles or ligaments but is more flexible than bone. Cartilage does not cover the entire end of the bones in the joint, but exists only at the points of contact. This is why when there is damage to the cartilage, joints don't move as smoothly. The grinding feeling that this creates can be very painful and is actually the joint wearing down. Over time this can lead to a whole host of problems, including arthritis or facilitating the need for joint replacement surgery.

It is possible to reverse damage to cartilage in joints, but unlike muscle, cartilage contains no blood vessels, which means that it takes a much longer period of time for damage to repair itself.

There are a number of reasons that cartilage erodes. One of the most common reasons is aging. Over time, cartilage simply wears out. This is one of the primary reasons that the elderly often require joint replacement surgery.

Cartilage damage can occur in the spine as well, as a result of an injury such as a car accident or from misalignment of other joints. For instance, if hip joints are out of alignment, it can cause pressure on spinal discs. This can, over time, cause cartilage to deteriorate.

People involved in sports like running, tennis, or martial arts are particularly susceptible to cartilage damage due to the increased impact on the joints. Over time this will cause the joints to wear down even more quickly than most. This is a large part of the reason that many professional athlete's careers end before they reach the age of 40.

Often the most common form of treatment is anti-inflammatory medications. However this doesn't really treat the problem, it just masks the symptoms. This is a very common problem with what most people call "conventional" medicine.

One of the best ways to maintain balance is to visit a chiropractor regularly. A chiropractor can manipulate the joints in the body to relieve undue pressure that can cause cartilage damage.

Drugs and nutrition do not treat the cartilage damage; they only treat pain and inflammation. This can cause acidity to the stomach. This acidity finds it's way into the body and the joint and can actually make the inflammation and pain worse, not better.

Some exercise is actually helpful to treating cartilage damage. Things like yoga, tai chi, or swimming are a great way to strengthen muscles and ligaments and maintain good overall health, but without the stress on joints, which will allow the cartilage to heal without further damage. To help rebuild the cartilage in the joints it is recommended to take daily1 teaspoon of Gelatin and melt it in a 1 / 2 cup water or juice and drink. This will help lubricate the damaged joint and prevent further damage, thus allowing the cartilage to heal naturally. Even if you are recovering from joint surgery, this drink will help your rehabilitation. Gelatin is a substance that naturally occurs in the joints in the body and it aids in joint lubrication and cartilage formation.

There are also essential oils that can be used to treat pain and inflammation. Although the treatment can take between 3 months to 6 months, the results are much more effective.

The above is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition, and is not a recommendation for any treatment.

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