Friday, February 28, 2014

What Does The Research On TENS Units Show?


TENS units are small battery operated devices that deliver an electrical current to the skin by way of surface electrodes. These units are inexpensive (usually less than $100), safe, and are non-invasive.

In 1965 Melzack and Wall published their pain gate theory which proposed that a gate existed in part of the spinal cord which could regulate the traffic of painful sensations. When administering the current with TENS, the objective is to activate the non-painful fibres which can then inhibit transmission of painful information. TENS modulates the method by which patients process the pain sensations from the anatomical area, and potentially help release endorphins that act as natural painkillers.

With regards to adverse effects of TENS units, most studies show no adverse effects at all. Some, however, showed an incidence of nausea, bradycardia, and dizziness. Some patients experienced pain, burning, and tingling at the electrode site. It does not interact with medications, and it does not make people drowsy. It is easy to put on, and can be worn during most physical activities. One contraindication is pregnancy, and another one is if the person has a pacemaker.

In a comprehensive review of published studies on TENS units, it has been shown that the quality of research over the past 2 decades has overall been poorly done. So it is difficult to make scientific conclusions. There have been well over 100 studies performed looking at the efficacy of TENS units, however, very few actually contained sufficient numbers to achieve any sort of statistical significance.

Even though most of the studies were of poor quality that were looked at, some showed excellent results for low back pain, arthritis pain, postsurgical pain, neurogenic pain, and sympathetically medicated pain.

There was one study looking at TENS usage after surgery in the 2003 Journal of Pain. It showed excellent results utilizing TENS after abdominal surgery. TENS allowed increased activity and decreased pain during patient's walking and breathing exercises. A lot of studies have shown no statistical difference between TENS unit effects and placebo.

The Osteoarthritis Research Society International recommends TENS units for short term pain relief of hip and knee osteoarthritis. They looked at seven research trials prior to making this recommendation.

When practitioners are asked how well TENS works for patients with musculoskeletal pain, the anecdotal reports are very promising. With it being so low-risk, it is a very prominent treatment option that gets utilized frequently for acute and chronic painful issues.

Kickboxing and MMA Training Require Quality MMA Shin Guards


An MMA fighter uses his feet more than any other body part, whether it be shifting his position for strategic advantages when facing an opponent, dodging punches, or delivering kicks as an offensive move during a fight. One swift kick can knock an opponent off his feet, and the feet and lower legs take quite a bit of abuse in the process. MMA shin guards are designed to protect these crucial areas, preventing injury while allow the fighter to move and use his legs freely without any restrictions.

This is especially true with kick boxing, or Muay Thai as it is often referred to in Thailand, where it is the national sport of choice. Muay Thai involves rigorous training, and there are a number of kicks, knees, and foot thrusts that a fighter uses to weaken and defeat his opponent. This is why Muay Thai shin guards are so important, since a competitor uses the legs so much more than in other types of MMA competition.

These guards protect all areas of the lower leg, including the knees, calves, shins, and ankles, safeguarding them from serious injury or fracture. In the old days, athletes had only straps and buckles to wrap around the hands, knees, and feet for protection. Since then, the technology in manufacturing protective equipment for fighters has come a long way.

Several vendors now offer MMA shin guards that meet UFC standards for protection and performance during championship matches, including Hayabusa Fightwear, Warrior, and Combat Sports. These companies use ergonomics and applied engineering to make functional protective equipment to improve the quality of the sport and help fighters have long-lasting careers.

Combat Sports is one of the better brands that designs top quality Muay Thai shin guards. Several superior models are available, like their Gel Shock Grappling Shin-Instep Guard. An inner gel lining offers maximum protection among other brands and the guard itself even has neoprene support and lining at the back to help the guards stay in place. They also carry youth guards for younger fighters and Ergonomic Shin Guards for a more basic look with dual hook and loop closures.

Hayabusa Fightwear is another quality brand name that always offers professional quality and utilizes the latest technology. Their Pro Shin-Instep Guards not only look sharp, but are shaped to fit well, protect well, and breathe well, while not being too heavy or cumbersome.

Regardless of the design, MMA shin guards should not hamper the individual - rubbing, pinching, or binding are signs of an ill-fitting guard that should be avoided. Concentration in the ring is of utmost importance, and fighters don't have time to worry about equipment that doesn't perform as well as it should or becomes a weakness that an opponent can capitalize on. It pays to pay special attention to these factors when fitting yourself for a pair of these all-important Muay Thai shin guards.

Likewise, if the guards are difficult to get on or off, the convenience factor is lost. Most vendors size their shin guards for the weight of the athlete, usually in either regular or large. A proper fit is paramount, as a competitor doesn't want his guards to shift or slip off during an intense sequence of moves.

Total Knee Replacement - Heal Faster


After any major surgery such as total knee replacement (total knee arthroplasty), one of the patient's prime concerns is regaining function and mobility. Exercise has been found to be beneficial for wound healing and also for more complete and quicker recovery of mobility and function. Exercise achieves these outcomes through several different methods. Some recent studies, written up in medical journals, provide pointers for anyone wishing to have a positive effect on their own rehabilitation after surgery.

One of the immediate results of almost all major surgery is reduced function and mobility. Reduced function and mobility immediately raises the stress level of the patient who is now confined an unable to provide complete care for themselves. This has the direct effect of increasing stress.

It has been demonstrated in numerous studies that stress slows the healing process. In Neuroimmunomodulation, Vol 13, 2006, Glaser and Christian write that "...stress can significantly slow wound healing: stressors ... impair healing in humans and animals. For example, in humans...the relatively brief stress of academic examinations impedes healing." They go on further to state "Recent evidence suggests that interventions designed to reduce stress and its concomitants (e.g., exercise, social support) can prevent stress-induced impairments in healing."

A 2005 report in the Journals of Gerontology describe a study on exercise and healing among older adults that was completed with some surprising findings. The study followed the results of 28 adults, with an average age of 61, who had not exercised in the previous 6 months. Half the group was started on a program of 75 minutes of exercise activity for three times a week. The other half did nothing other than their normal routine. After four weeks of exercise, all the adults received small puncture wounds on their upper arms and were then monitored for rate of healing. They also performed stress tests twice, at the beginning and at the end of the study. Their cortisol levels were measured before and after each stress test.

When they did the stress test before the study, the researchers found that neither group showed any increase in cortisol levels after the stress test. Exercise normally increases cortisol levels. The ability to produce cortisol diminishes with age. This is significant because cortisol increases the efficiency of immune system function. This is a factor in the commonly observed increased time for wounds to heal in older adults.

The results of the study were that the exercisers healed faster, typically within 29 days instead of 39 days for the non-exercisers. The researchers expected this. They reasoned that exercise increases circulation, and that fact alone would improve the flow of nutrients to the wound site and the flow of wastes away from it. What surprised the researchers was that when they administered stress tests at the end of the study, the exercisers showed increased cortisol levels typical of younger adults. This increase in cortisol levels was a second mechanism that promoted improved healing.

Exercise also plays a role beyond improvement in healing rates. Patients that undergo total knee arthroplasty or hip replacements will be dependent on walkers and canes for mobility during the early stages of their recovery. It is not uncommon for the increased exercise load on the upper body to lead to soreness, pain, and decreased energy levels in those unaccustomed to doing this type of activity.

In the 2007, May issue of Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research an article reported on the results of a case study involving two TKA patients. One underwent 4 weeks of pre-habilitation exercises. (Pre-habilitation is physical therapy delivered before any surgical intervention). There were significant differences in both function and self-reported pain perception in the exercising case than in the non-exercising case.

This supports the findings of a study reported in the February 2002 issue of Applied Nursing Research that compared preoperative exercise, anesthesia, or analgesia on the ability to walk after surgery. It was found that anesthesia, or analgesia had no effect. Subjects who exercised before surgery were able to walk significantly greater distances afterwards.

What does all this mean for people looking forward to surgery, whether total knee replacement or some other major intervention? It's simple. Exercise can help you in four ways.

1. It will actually help speed healing of the wound site through improved circulation and the attendant improved flow of nutrients to your wound.

2. It will help stimulate the proper regulation of cortisol levels in your body, which will improve your immune system function.

3. It will help strengthen your body, leading to improved mobility, especially if you must use an assistive device such as a walker or can after your operation.

4. And finally improved mobility will mean less stress on the recovering patient. In addition, exercise is a proven stress reducer in its own right. By reducing stress, you remove the ability of stress to slow healing.

The studies seem to be quite clear. If you know you are going to go for surgery, start exercising, even if it is a limited program. Any exercise, done regularly, is better than no exercise. And remember, discuss your exercise program with your doctor.

Good luck.

ACL Tear Treatments - ACL Surgery


The ACL or anterior cruciate ligament is one of four key knee ligaments. The ACL attaches the tibia to the femur, keeping the shin bone in place, and is critically important to knee movement and stability. An ACL strain or tear is one of the most common knee injuries and individuals who have suffered an ACL injury often complain that their knee "gives out" or buckles as the joint's overall stability has been compromised.

While there are many, many ways to tears one's ACL, the most common is high impact sports where the knee is forced to make sharp movements. High probability sports include football, skiing, rugby, and soccer. 80% of ACL tears occur in a non-contact situation where the knee is simply pushed beyond its capabilities. The other 20% result when there is a direct impact from another player or players. Research has also shown that women involved in sports are far more likely to sustain ACL tears than men. This is likely due to weight distribution and how the female hips situate the knees.

How Can I Tell if I Have Injured My ACL?
ACL injury's result is pain, swelling and knee instability. A physician or sports doctor can either conduct special tests or an MRI to decide the degree to which the ACL is injured and if other ligaments where torn as well. It is quite common for multiple ligaments to be injured simultaneously. An ACL injury can lead to significant long-term knee instability and for this reason, many seriously injured individuals opt for surgery. ACL Surgery is certainly not required, however. Torn ligaments, including the ACL, can heal on their own and some individuals prefer physical rehab rather than undergoing the knife.

Should I Have Surgery for My ACL Injury?
If you have a complete tear, it is very likely that surgery is your best option, but if you have a partial tear, you will need to evaluate your situation and decide whether or not surgery is right for you.

There are several things to consider when evaluating ACL surgery, including:

  • What is the extent of your injury? Is it a small tear or something more substantial? The more extensive the injury, the longer non-surgical rehabilitation will take.

  • How important is a healthy ACL to your lifestyle? Do you play high impact sports? Are there certain activities that are critical to your quality of life that you are not willing to give up, such as skiing or soccer?

  • After several weeks of recuperation, does your knee feel "normal" or do you experience knee instability? Does it cause you pain or significant anxiety? Does it impede your ability to do important activities?

What to Expect with ACL Reconstruction
The surgery for an ACL tear is called ACL reconstruction. It is a procedure done under general anesthesia, meaning the patient is "asleep" for the operation. The surgery replaces the damaged ACL with healthy tissue from elsewhere in your body (autograpgh) or a donor (allograft), usually using tissue from the knee cap or hamstring tendons. The procedure is executed with a tiny knee arthoscopy camera which the surgeon will use to observe and treat the affected area. The new tissue is usually attached with screws or similar devices. After the surgery is complete, the patient will need to wear a post-surgical knee brace to support and stabilize the knee during rehabilitation.

ACL reconstruction surgery is fairly common and usually quite successful (90+%). There are, however, risks associated with any major medical operation. For ACL reconstruction the risks include infection, stiffness, the continuance of instability or pain, and difficulty performing certain tasks.

After surgery, the patient will undergo a rigorous rehabilitation period. Rehabilitation focuses on returning range of motion and building of muscles to support the knee and prevent future injury. It is recommended that the patient continue to strengthen their leg muscles as it will provide the best long-term knee stability. Many patients also choose to wear an ACL brace when they engage in at-risk activities -especial sports.

What Dog Arthritis Means For Your Pooch


No one ever said that arthritis was just for humans - arthritis is quite common throughout all dog breeds as they get older. About 1 of every 5 dogs over the age of seven suffers from this disease or between 20-25% of the dog population.

Veterinarians treat dog arthritis, easily defined as inflammation of the joints, more than just about any other ailment. The arthritis can be caused due to aging, excessive exercise, or injury. As a dog jumps, walks, and runs, their bones rub together and if the joints become inflamed, the result is arthritis.

Joints commonly affected with arthritis include the knee, shoulder, ankle, elbow, and most commonly, the hips.

Which Dogs Get Arthritis

The most common form of arthritis in dogs is degenerative joint disease (synonymous with osteoarthritis). Osteoarthritis is a slowly progressing disease that occurs due to the breakdown and destruction of the dog's cartilage. As it gets worse, the bones begin to grind against one another causing pain, reduced flexibility, inflammation, and a reduction in mobility.

Arthritis is almost inevitable with age but dogs that are overweight and put undue stress on their joints can suffer more than others. Pure bred dogs are generally more susceptible to arthritis as well as larger dogs whose size puts weight on their joints such as Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Labrador Retrievers and Mastiffs. Some small dogs like Dachshunds or Beagles are also more likely to have joint problems due to their oddly shaped bodies which put stress on their joints.

Symptoms

Signs that your dog is experiencing arthritis include favoring a limb, having difficulty sitting or standing, acting like his joints are sore or stiff, hesitating to jump or climb stairs, or evidence that his range of motion is decreasing. As arthritis pain affects your dog, his behavior or attitude may start to change; he may sleep more and show less interest in playing with you. Because of their lack of activity, they may also experience some weight gain and may not be as alert as they were previously.

If any of the symptoms persist for two weeks or longer, you should make an appointment with the veterinarian. Your vet will do a full physical exam and possibly run some X-rays to see if there is any other damage that is causing your dog to lose full limb capabilities.

As soon as your dog is diagnosed with arthritis, the vet can recommend the best course of treatment. He may prescribe some anti-inflammatory drugs as well as over the counter treatments that contain Omega fatty acids and glucosamine. Changes in diet may also be recommended.

Treatment

There are a number of choices for treating pets with arthritis. Every pet and every owner presents a unique situation so there is no "one treatment fits all" approach. Some people do not want their pets taking medications so they look for more natural or holistic therapies. Other owners are comfortable with their pet taking corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

A number of medications are available to reduce pain and to improve range of motion, especially helpful if your dog needs a certain activity level to maintain his optimum weight.

How You Can Help

Weight loss to correct obesity, dietary changes, and carefully managed exercise levels can have huge benefits for pets suffering from arthritis. In fact, the single most important factor in controlling pain associated with arthritis is for your dog to be at his optimum weight.

You may need to change your dog's exercise routine - instead of going with you on your morning jog, he may have to settle for an evening walk. Make sure that he's not trying to be a "weekend warrior" - active during the weekend when your family is home from work and school - but showing obvious signs of pain and stiffness come Monday morning. A good exercise routine of regular, short to medium length walks and/or swimming will help to strengthen his muscles and reduce the effects of arthritis.

Make sure that he has a comfortable bed to sleep on which will keep him from lying on a hard floor surface. If he's older, he may need a soft mattress and blankets. Raise his food and water bowls to relieve pressure on his spine.

Pet stairs can help him get to places he can no longer jump to easily. If he has a dog ramp to get in and out of your car or truck, he won't have to jump from the car onto the concrete driveway which puts a lot of strain on his joints.

Shoulder Replacement: A Treatment That Must Be Revisited


Joint arthritis is a problem affecting millions of Americans from all walks of life, and arthritis of the shoulder is no different. But, while we frequently hear about knee replacement and hip replacement, it is very rare for a similar treatment to be suggested for the shoulder.

However, it is not because of a huge difference between the hip or knee from the shoulder that this is the case. The primary reason that shoulder replacements are so rare is because there is a simple lack of expertise in such procedures. On top of this, it has been cited that shoulder surgery has more risk than a similar surgery for the hip or knee.

Thanks to a recent study, it appears that this common understanding was false. A study by the John Hopkins Department of Orthopedics led by Edward McFarland, MD, director of the division of adult orthopedics at Johns Hopkins Hospital analyzed a series of hip replacement versus knee replacement versus shoulder replacement procedures. After studying the way the patients recovered and the extent of effectiveness of the surgery, researchers concluded that comparatively, total shoulder replacement was just as safe and effective as other types of joint replacement.

According to a nationwide 2003 Medicare figure, 6700 people had shoulder joints replaced that year compared with 107,000 hip replacements and nearly 200,000 knee replacements. While these numbers would suggest that hip and knee replacements are most effective because they are most popular, it is interesting that patients in the study who had shoulder surgery, had far fewer in hospital post-surgical complications compared to those who had their hips and knees replaced. Additionally, despite the fewer numbers compared to the knee and hip, the shoulder replacement surgery (also called arthroplasty) was less expensive, according to the researcher. Shoulder replacements total cost on average were just over $10,000 where hip replacement was $15,000 and knee replacement nearly $15,000.

What it really comes down to is that shoulder replacement surgery should be performed more frequently than comparative surgeries in the knee and hip. This fact is that the surgery is cheaper, more effective, and has equal, if not more, of a demand from American patients. The effectiveness of shoulder replacement surgery cannot be ignored, as 99% of people who have had shoulder replacement for arthritis, find pain relief after the surgery and say they wish they had done it sooner. As indicated by the John Hopkins study, there may be little reason to wait.

Why You Should Use a Toothbrush Holder?


Seeing many websites that sell a toothbrush holder, you might be wondering why we should use a holder when we could simply place it on the sink. That is what most of the people do. Toothbrush holder has never been a must buy item for us when it comes to bathroom accessories. Sadly, you couldn't be more wrong. Here are 5 very important reasons why toothbrush holders should be considered an essential accessory.

1. It keeps the clutter off your sink

If you live alone, there will only be one toothbrush to keep track of and so it might not seem so improper to leave it on the sink. More often than not, there may be more than one toothbrush and it might be toothbrushes that take up the hefty space on the sink. They get knocked around with people trying to find their own toothbrush and sometimes brushes get in the way of soap or any other items on the sink. So, if this big mess drives you nuts, then get a holder to clean it up. Everything needs to have its own space and a holder sits away from other items is the right place for toothbrushes.

2. It keeps your toothbrush heads safe and sanitary

It is not just about clearing up your clutter. If you don't have a holder to keep your brush, then you are brushing with an unsanitary toothbrush daily. When the brushes are kept open, its head accumulate unseen bacteria, dust, and other debris. When you take shower, have a shave, and do other things over the sink, the toothbrush head collect lots of unseen particles that are insanitary. You never know what is floating around in the air in a bathroom. So, you better think on it next time when you put those toothbrush heads into your mouth.

So, it goes without saying a toothbrush holder helps you keep your toothbrush sanitary and safe. Being in a safe holder, your toothbrush head doesn't collect the dust and other particles floating around in the air.

3. It makes your bathroom look better for company

It doesn't look good when your guests are fighting for space in the sink with their toothbrushes. Such problems never arise with a toothbrush holder hanging in there.

4. It prevents accidents

Just like humans, toothbrushes can have accidents. They can fall off the sink into the floor, or even worse, into the toilet. They are just a couple of instances that causes an unhealthy environment for teeth brushing. The resolution is to place the toothbrushes up in a holder so they cannot easily misplaced.

5. It teaches children responsibility

With a toothbrush holder for your kids, you get a chance to teach your child the importance of keeping the brush sanitary and safe. There are lots of decorative toothbrush holders designed for kids and your kids will surely find them fun to use and thus you can make sure that your dear kids take good care of their brushes.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Arthritis Treatment: Does Stem Cell Treatment for Osteoarthritis Really Work?


The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA), affects more than 20 million Americans. One of the primary targets for this disease is the knee.

Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear disease involving hyaline articular cartilage. It arises as a result of the lack of ability of cartilage to keep up with excessive breakdown.

The basic treatment approach for osteoarthritis has not changed in more than 50 years. Basically, physicians have been trained to treat the symptoms of pain and try to restore function and wait for the inexorable journey to joint replacement.

Different modalities such as physical therapy, analgesics (pain relievers), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), exercises, braces, topical agents, and injections of either corticosteroids ("cortisone"), or viscosupplements (lubricants) are all tried and then the doctor throws up his or her hands and says to the patient "you need a knee replacement."

So essentially there is a huge void between management of symptoms and eventual surgery.

Recently, excitement has swirled around the role of regenerative medicine techniques in solving the osteoarthritis conundrum. These include the use of platelet-rich plasma and stem cells.

Unfortunately, this interest has had untoward side effects. The first is the proliferation of practitioners who have jumped on the band wagon without the requisite training.

The second is the media hype generated by this relatively new treatment approach.

An example recently is the headline in an Australian newspaper, "A "MIRACLE" cutting-edge stem cell operation could have saved Sharks forward Anthony Tupou's career."

In case you're not up on rugby, Anthony Tupou was a former star in the sport. He underwent a stem cell procedure involving the use of fat-derived stem cells for a knee issue. And this procedure has apparently resurrected his career.

Dr. Paul Annett, a sports physician, raised an interesting counterpoint on his blog. He quite rightly pointed out that many procedures performed in the realm of sports medicine are performed because they "might be helpful" and are relatively innocuous.

He then posits that "there are many potential reasons this procedure may of benefit to some patients, including the 'placebo effect', the normal fluctuation of arthritic disease or some mechanical effect of the injection itself. Anthony's knee may just feel better as he had an off-season without running!

And he then goes on to say, "The ethical way of getting around this is for the proponents of this technique to perform some randomised double-blind clinical trials (the 'gold standard' of studies) to rigorously confirm the relative benefits..."

And I couldn't agree more. While there is abundant anecdotal evidence that these procedures have benefit, there are no rigorous double-blind controlled trials. The reasons are probably two fold.

First, it's difficult to get a biotech or pharmaceutical company to fund a study involving the use of a patient's own body tissue. Where's the profit?

The second is that the process of getting grants from institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Arthritis Foundation in the U.S. is unbelievably arduous.

At our center we have done what we can to systematize the procedure as well as document various measures so that while uncontrolled, there is at least data collection being done. (Wei N, Beard S, Delauter S, Bitner C, Gillis R, Rau L, Miller C, Clark T. Guided Mesenchymal Stem Cell Layering Technique for Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. J Applied Res. 2011; 11: 44-48)

How to Build a Strong Pair of Calves After a Knee Replacement


Whether you have had arthroscopic surgery on your knee or, had the whole knee replaced, one muscle that seems to get over looked is the strengthening of the calf muscle. The large muscle located on your lower leg has several responsibilities when walking. If the muscle is not properly rehabilitated after surgery for instance your walking or balance will suffer.

Most knee surgery patients will be happy to just get the muscle back to its previous status regarding strength. There are others that not only want to get the muscle back to where it can perform properly but, also want to add size to it as well. There is nothing short of a big pair of biceps that is more impressive then a great looking pair of legs no matter what your age.

After knee surgery and depending on your age and previous level of activity, there are two main exercises that I recommend everyone do to get the calf to respond.

1. Standing Calf Raises: If you are at home go to the kitchen counter or sink where you have a stable surface, grab on with both hands and then get up as high as you can on your tip toes. Hold that position for a slow count of five then slowly lower yourself. Try 15-20 repetitions to start. If you are at the gym you can find a standing calf raise machine and do the same. The gym machine is great since you can add weight as needed.

2. Seated Calfs: This exercise when seated and your knees are bent to a 90 degree angle works the soleus muscle which lies underneath the calf muscle. The soleus adds fullness to your lower leg and also helps strengthen the ankle. While seated, raise your heels as high as you can up onto your toes and hold that position for a slow count of five then slowly return to the starting position.

When completing your rehabilitation or just working out at the gym, be sure to pay attention to those calf muscles. Stronger calves after surgery mean a smoother walking pattern, stronger ankles, and improved standing balance.

Knee Pain in Women - Causes and Treatments


Anterior knee pain in women is very common and affects 1 in 5 women, mostly between the ages of 14-25 and then 40-60.

This is mainly due to the fact that women have slightly larger pelvis' than men, and as such, the pull on the kneecap is slightly more angled compared to a smaller pelvis, commonly seen in men. This abnormal pull, coupled with their lax joints (again found more in men than in women) can pull the kneecap (or patella) out of alignment and give rise to anterior or patellofemoral knee pain. Early diagnosis is essential, as research shows that if this condition becomes established and incorrectly treated, surgery can be the most likely outcome.

Most of the damage if prolonger can affect the cartilage behind the knee cap where if untreated can lead to permanent damage and even arthritis in years to come. This is why essential diagnosis is early to prevent this from being long term.

Treatment of anterior knee pain includes aggressive physiotherapy, joint injections of steroid and surgery. Physiotherapy can help, but exercises alone will not work. A combination of the right manipulation skills, massage around the knee, laser and ultrasound treatment, and more importantly the right exercises are the key, says Dr Solomon Abrahams who specialises and lectures at several universities in this area.

If you would like to see Dr Solomon Abrahams to help identify and solve any knee conditions you might have he can be contacted through his website at www.quickrecovery.co.uk

Conditions That A Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Treats


Pediatric orthopedic surgeons are mainly specialized in all aspects of musculoskeletal care for infants, children and adolescents. These surgeons are specialized in both the surgical and nonsurgical aspects for various conditions such as musculoskeletal diseases, skeletal deformities and other traumatic injuries.

List of diseases treated by pediatric orthopedics include:

• Metabolic disorders
• Spina bifida
• Scoliosis
• Spinal deformity
• Cerebral palsy
• Congenital foot and hip deformities
• Traumatic injuries
• Common hip problems in the older adults
• Metachromatic leukodystrophy
• Intoeing, outtoeing, bowlegs, knock-knees and leg-length discrepancy

Here are the conditions that can be treated by a orthopedic surgeon in detail:

Most of the times, children are at risk for falls and sometimes for injuries caused by chemicals, fire, animal bites and unfortunately sometimes by violence. Sometimes, young children also suffer from injuries and lead to bodily injury, traumatic brain injury, and also death of adolescents. These conditions can be effectively treated by an orthopedic surgeon.

Cerebral palsy is a condition that can affect infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric orthopedics use comprehensive, pro-active and individualized approach to treat this condition in children. Finding a good orthopedic surgeon can help children with cerebral palsy to achieve maximum physical, intellectual and emotional development. Also, these surgeons educate the affected individuals and parents about this condition.

Spina bifida is a condition in which there is an abnormal development of the back bones, spinal cord, surrounding nerves and also the fluid filled sac that surrounds the spinal cord. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon can effectively perform pediatric spina bifida surgery to help manage the problems. But the surgery may or may not restore muscle function or sensation to the normal state.

Scoliosis is termed as a lateral curvature of the spine. In many cases the cause is not known, which means why the curvature occurs. Most of the scoliosis can be seen between the ages of 10 and 14. Though it occurs equally in boys and girls, girls are more likely to get the condition. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon can better address your child's condition.

Four Words That Men Fear The Most


Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a man more then these four words. These words have been known to bring men to their knees leaving them weeping in a pool of tears. These words have crushed men in the four corners of the world. What are these evil words I speak of?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Yes, those horrible four words. You arrive at her house to pick her up or you come home from work to your love and she is standing there in front of you, a big smile on her face, and stares in your eyes and asks you WHAT DO YOU THINK? The sweat forms in the back of your neck and runs all the way down your spine. Your right knee begins to knock. Your left eye starts to twitch rapidly. All of a sudden that cool, calm and collected man you once were has now disappeared to be replaced by a blob of jelly.

Why do men fear those words so much? Because we have no idea what we are supposed to be looking at. Is it her hair, did she get it done? Do you have new furniture? We are not sure if it is the same furniture as when we left this morning. Maybe it is the carpet or the paint or a hundred other things. Our brains are on overdrive. We feel like our head is going to explode. God save us from this torment.

What should you do? Should you just make a general statement like, "It looks great," and hope that satisfies her? The danger here is the follow-up question. Meaning if she pushes you for more input and you can't give it because you are struggling. Now comes the moment of truth. She gets that look on her face, which tells you that your game is up. She knows you have no idea what she is talking about. She asks you and you break down in a well of tears and confess your ignorance. You beg for mercy. There is none coming. She storms into the bedroom and bolts the door. Now you have to spend the next day apologizing for something but you are not sure what it is.

You wrack your brain and look all over the house to see if anything is different. Nothing rings a bell. You check photos of your love on the table to see if she changed her hair color without you noticing. Nothing there either. In desperation you know you have to give up so you go crawling to the bedroom door and knock gently. No answer. You knock again. She tells you where to go in her best flowery language. You ask her to please tell you what it is you are supposed to notice. She shouts back in anger that she bought a new dress for the upcoming dinner party you are both going to and you didn't even notice she was wearing it.

Feeling like an idiot you continue to beg for forgiveness and plead your case. Not getting anywhere you head to the sofa to watch TV and most likely sleep for the night as you are not going to get much comfort from her.

Lesson to learn lads. Always write down what she is wearing when you leave the house and carry photos of the furniture and the inside of your home with you at all times so you can always check and see if anything has changed. God forbid you leave it up to your memory.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

How to Get Your Boyfriend to Appreciate You! Here Are the Steps Every Woman Must Follow Right Away


If your boyfriend is too shy or insensitive towards you then he might not be able to speak up or appreciate the efforts that you have put in the relationship.

Here are some cool tips that will get your boyfriend to appreciate you for life.

Appreciate him first. In order to get appreciation, you will also need to show some appreciation first. You can praise your boyfriend's new haircut or clothes and watch him slowly respond to your praise by appreciating you too.

Make him miss you. If he has started to take you for granted then it is time to burst that bubble. You too can enjoy yourself by going out a few times with your girl friends. Allow your boyfriend to miss your presence and make him live without you around for a few hours to knock some appreciation into his head.

Let him realize that you care for him. Instead of silently providing undying love to him, let him realize through carefully selected words that you care for him and that he needs to appreciate your efforts by words and actions.

This will goad your ignorant or insensitive boyfriend into action as he will feel that he might lose you forever if he does not get his act together.

Surprise him occasionally. You should surprise your boyfriend occasionally by buying tickets for his favorite game and allowing him to go with his buddies or by organizing a candle-light dinner followed by a walk on the beach only for the two of you.

Your boyfriend will surely love you for this and show his appreciation in more ways than one.

Make visible changes. Exercise your body, get that hip haircut and get that skin scrubbed and polished for a well-groomed look. Guys are visual creatures and once he realizes the effort that you have taken to get preened for him then he is sure to appreciate your new looks, clothes and hair style.

Let him watch others appreciate you. Nothing will get your boyfriend's goat more than him watching others, especially guys appreciate you for your looks, attitude or caring nature. This will force your boyfriend to pull up his socks and appreciate you more so as to keep other wolves at bay.

Let him loose, for a little while. If your boyfriend is too dumb or insensitive to understand your needs then let him loose for a little while. Tell him that you need a short break since you are tired of his uncaring attitude towards you.

A few days and nights spent without you will get his heart aching for your love and he is sure to return back to you on folded knees and repentant lips.

How to Effectively Get Rid Of Knee Pain


Pain in the knee is a clear sign that you need to see a medical practitioner. This, along with other problems like a deformed knee, constant knee pain or knee pain that arises even when you are simply resting are reasons enough for you to pay your doctor a visit.

Also if you have a knee that will not bend or one that buckles instead of offering support, you too will need to pay the doctor a visit. There could be instances where the joint just swells and you start to suspect that you could have an infection.

If however, your condition is not one that requires a visit to the doctor then it is important to you pay close attention because you could actually be able to solve the problem all by yourself. Many of the knee treatments that are recommended may not be of great help in certain conditions but there are instances where they are actually the perfect remedy. Make sure you know which one to go for and when to go for it.

Apply a gentle massage on the knee then put it in a resting position. The importance of resting is to ensure that the inflammation reduces. Sometimes this is all you have to do for the pain to stop completely. It is also vital that you use crutches so that the pressure and weight on the joint is reduced massively. This should be until such a time when the knee can hold the weight again without experiencing any pain at all.

Sometimes knee pain can be controlled by using heating pads or ice packs. Make sure that you always remember that if there has been an injury to the joint there is need for heat and therefore using ice may not offer the best solution.

Other times, knee pain can be controlled by simply applying some stretching to the tendons and muscles around the area of the joint. Make sure you come up with a good routine that you stick to on a regular basis. If need be, visit a physical therapist who will give you the best advice on which technique to use. Only they can tell which technique will increase strength and help the movement while helping the knee to get back to its original state.

It is also important to maintain a diet that is full of natural ingredients as you try to make your joints stronger and free from pain. Items that you should have are hyaluronic acid, glucosamine sulfate and chrondroitin. These will come together to offer better prevention measures against problems of the joints.

The treatment that you embark on for knee pain will be determined by the reason for the knee pain. In case you are not really sure what caused the problem or how serious it is you are better off contacting a doctor for advice before you decide which treatment you would like or what supplements you should take.

Fully Cement-Less Total Knee Replacements Using Trabecular Metal Technology, Revolutionary Implants


Joint replacement surgery involves replacing irreversibly damaged cartilage and bone with artificial surfaces. The goal is to alleviate pain and improve function. With advanced implants the artificial joint lasts longer and the limb has improved motion.

With the Zimmer trabecular metal implant, components are cementless. Trabecular metal is an innovative material made with tantalum in an interconnecting, 3-dimensional lattice structure which is 80% porous. It closely resembles the microstructural architecture and mechanical properties of bone making it an ideal material for orthopedic implants. When used in joint replacements, human bone grows right into and through the trabecular metal in a rapid fashion creating a very strong bond. This allows the orthopedic surgeon to implant artificial joints without the use of bone cement. Bone cement can weaken and crack over time and generate debris. By eliminating bone cement from the implant, we can perform a simpler procedure that can last longer than the traditional cemented implantation.

Late November, 2007, Dr Michael Greller, MD, FAAOS, President of the Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, and I performed the first fully cementless, minimally invasive total knee replacement using trabecular metal technology in the history of CentraState Medical Center, Freehold, New Jersey. The patient, a 50 year old retired police officer from Jackson, was referred to the Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute when the constant grinding pain from his knee, the stiffness and the lifestyle changes necessary because of reduced mobility overcame his fear of joint replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis, trauma, genetic factors and 25 years in the police force probably all contributed to the irreversible damage to his knee. Joint pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of mobility are symptoms experienced by about 450,000 Americans who seek surgical treatment each year.

We used a minimally invasive procedure through incisions now less than half the length of incisions made in traditional surgery in the past. Mini-incision or minimally invasive knee replacement surgery combined with new techniques in pain management and anesthesia has a significant advantage; shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, lower rates of complications. There is no violation of the quadriceps muscle with the quad-sparing approach.

The patient opted for an advanced anesthetization, a femoral nerve block, which meant less post-operative pain and a further contribution to his rapid recovery. He remained awake throughout listening to music on his iPod. A Zimmer sales assistant remained in the operating room throughout the procedure, a common approach to ensuring the product is implanted correctly. Post-op x-rays showed the Zimmer cementless trabecular metal knee replacement in perfect alignment with the patient's upper and lower leg.

This technology has the most potential benefit for young, active patients in need of knee replacement surgery.

Back Pain and Sciatica - Evaluating Your Options


You've been hurting for months. You can't stay on your feet for more than a few minutes. It hurts to sit for too long. Recently you can't get a good night's sleep because you just can't get comfortable. The painkillers aren't working, and you're starting to think seriously about back surgery. But after all the expense, rehabilitation and risk, will you bet better off? There are alternatives to surgery, and they just might work for you.

Back pain that leads to surgery is often associated with a damaged intervertebral disc or spinal stenosis. The discs are the tough, flat cushions between the vertebrae. Imagine a disc as the warm toasted marshmallow sandwiched between two graham crackers in a s'more. If the crackers are pressed together evenly, the marshmallow will spread out evenly as well. If you squeeze just one side of the sandwich together, the marshmallow (or disc) will ooze out to the opposite side. That's what happens with a "slipped" disc. The protruding part can irritate a nearby nerve. If it ruptures, there can be chemical irritation of the nerve as well. The discs also tend to degenerate, flatten and become less resilient over the years, so there is less space for the nerves where they come out of the spinal column.

Siatica (Sciatica) is an irritation of the siatic/sciatic nerve. It can cause radiating pain, burning sensations or cramping in the buttocks and down the leg. This may be caused by a nerve root problem in the lower part of the spine, but it can also be caused by impingement further down in the area of the buttocks. The piriformis muscle runs across the back of each hip joint, deep in the buttock, where it crosses paths with the sciatic nerve. Pressure from an overly tight piriformis muscle is believed to irritate the sciatic nerve causing buttock and/or radiating leg pain. This is known as piriformis syndrome. It can be addressed by releasing excess tension and any "trigger points" (knotted areas) in the piriformis and associated muscle groups.

Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that leads to compression of the enclosed spinal cord and nerves. Fractures of the spine can also result in unstable vertebral joints and irritation to the spinal nerves.

Treatment Options

Common surgical procedures for these conditions include discectomy, laminectomy, and fusion. In a discectomy, the part of the disc that is stressing the spinal cord or a nerve is removed. Removing or trimming part of the bony structure around the spinal cord (the lamina) is called a laminectomy. This may be done to widen the spinal canal when it has been restricted by stenosis, or to provide access for a discectomy. Spinal fusion fixes vertebrae together using bone grafts and screws or other hardware to prevent any movement between them.

Determining when surgery is appropriate is not always easy. Most incidents of back pain resolve themselves over several weeks. Even cases of severe chronic back pain or sciatica may respond very well to more conservative treatments. Individuals with substantial disc degeneration and/or stenosis can return to an active pain-free life without surgery. Surgeons may have a skewed perspective because their patients who are diagnosed as needing surgery, but who go on to rehabilitate themselves through non-surgical means, are unlikely to report back to the surgeon.

Even when there is clear disc impingement upon a nerve, non-surgical remedies are possible. Experiments have shown that a healthy nerve root (where the nerve exits the spinal cord) can withstand substantial pressure without pain or paresthesia (tingling or burning). When a nerve root is injured, pressure on it can cause loss of feeling, reduced reflexes and eventually reduced strength and motor reflex. However, when a nerve root has a poor blood supply (ischemia), it becomes very sensitive to pressure. So, a healthy nerve root with a good blood supply can tolerate a fair amount of mechanical abuse. But once it has become irritated, swollen, inflamed or otherwise suffered decreased blood flow, it will be much more easily irritated. Therapy should therefore be aimed at reducing mechanical irritation, reducing inflammation, and improving blood perfusion.

"Conservative treatment" is a term that can be applied to anything from pain pills and bed rest to much more aggressive therapy that involves substantial patient participation. The latter requires more commitment but is likely to give better results. The patient can also learn some useful self-care techniques during treatment. Analgesics, muscle-relaxers and anti-inflammatory drugs (or herbal formulas) may also have their place in the therapy.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

The muscular, skeletal, neural, vascular and lymph systems of the body all affect one another. A good treatment plan works toward optimizing all of them. When there is pain, as from nerve impingement, a common protective reaction of the body is to tighten up and stabilize the area. Unfortunately, this tightening can exacerbate the problem by putting more pressure on the damaged structures. Also, chronic spasm of the muscles leads to decreased blood infusion (ischemia) and poor lymph movement. The muscles become poorly nourished, and the tissues are not properly cleansed of cellular waste products. A large component of patient's pain can be from this muscular dysfunction, rather than from the direct nerve impingement itself.

Tight muscles, especially when their forces are not well balanced, are intimately involved with skeletal joint dysfunction. The skeletal system, after all, is aligned and controlled by the soft tissues around it (with limits set by the bony structures themselves and by the ligaments that surround the joints). When muscular action on one side of the spine is stronger and tighter than the other, it can significantly change the alignment between the vertebrae, and inhibit the natural smooth gliding at the joint surfaces. Besides nerve irritation (remember that squeezed marshmallow), this can accelerate arthritic changes in the joints.

Nerves are responsible not only for sending pain signals back to the brain, but also for sending motor control signals out to the muscles. Therapy should address the neural components of the problem. Neuromuscular reeducation refers to therapy that aims at normalizing the interaction between muscles and their nerve signals.

Many types of non-surgical therapies are available, and each has its strengths. Chiropractic adjustments can restore normal joint function, and thus release tension and inflammation in surrounding soft tissues. Unfortunately, some people do not respond well to this high-velocity approach, and normal muscular function often does not follow. Skilled massage, physical therapy, yoga, stretching, strengthening and other manual therapies can address the muscular components. Functional and postural habits that exacerbate the condition may need to be relearned. Acupuncture works via several pathways: it can release and balance muscle tensions, moderate nerve signals, decrease inflammation and increase local blood flow to the tissues.

The Benefits of Avoiding Surgery

Results from conservative therapy can be dramatic, but it typically takes weeks or months to effect lasting changes, and a combination of techniques may be needed. The reward for this effort is a reduction or elimination of pain, a better functioning body and more information about how to keep it that way, not to mention the avoidance of surgery, anesthesia, and post-surgical rehabilitation. This can save tens of thousands of dollars, and greatly decreases one's exposure to pharmaceuticals. Even with a course of anti-inflammatory drugs, a patient will be subjected to a much lower pharmaceutical load that when undergoing surgery.

Besides, surgery often fails. The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality states that "Patients considering lumbar spine surgery should be informed that the likelihood of having another spine operation later is substantial." A study of 24,882 adults who had low back surgery for degenerative spinal problems in the early 1990's found that about one out of five had another back surgery within 11 years. That's about double the rate for hip or knee replacement. And one should not assume that the rest were living pain free.

Is Good Medicine Driving High Back Surgery Rates?

A study by the University of Washington's Center for Cost and Outcomes Research looked at spinal surgeries in the U.S. and confirmed some disturbing trends. In 2001, approximately 122,000 lumbar fusions were performed, representing a 220% increase from 1990. Were those surgeries more successful than in the past? It seems not. Reoperation rates actually increased during the 1990's, with a cumulative rate of about 12% just three years after the initial surgery.

The Department of Health Services at the University of Washington has noted that there are large variations in back surgery rates across different parts of the country. The Department also found that "The rate of back surgery in the United States was at least 40% higher than in any other country and was more than five times those in England and Scotland. Back surgery rates increased almost linearly with the per capita supply of orthopaedic and neurosurgeons in the country." That sounds more like supply-side economics than evidence-based medicine.

Meanwhile, the New England Journal of Medicine has published a new study of 283 patients with severe sciatica. The participants were randomly selected to have surgery early on, or to have extended conservative treatment and undergo surgery at a later time, if needed. Only 39% of this second group actually ended up having surgery. After one year, the outcomes were similar for those with early surgery and the conservatively treated group, although those receiving early surgery had somewhat faster pain relief and self-perceived recovery rates.

The decision to have surgery for back pain or sciatica due to degenerative conditions will usually be left to the patient. Trauma resulting in fractures, cancer, and other conditions causing back pain may permit fewer options. But for patients who are willing to participate in their own recovery, conservative treatment holds a lot of promise with very low risk. Surgery, after all, will remain an option. They may need to be more proactive in seeking out treatment. Learning stretches and other exercises from a skilled therapist will give them some control over their recovery. A willingness to try appropriate therapies and actively engage in the treatment process can lead to much greater success than simpler treatments involving only rest and drugs. Those who choose such a treatment plan may well be rewarded with a strong, pain-free body, and new knowledge that can help keep it that way.

How Rickets Develops in Infants


If the baby is lacking the mineral of Vitamin D, then his bones will not grow properly. This deficiency mostly presents itself in children or infants. The causes of this sickness is due to lack of Vitamin D. This vitamin will be received if children have adequate sunlight exposure or right amount intake of Vitamin D. The sunlight is important in the formation of the Vitamin D - needed in the formation of the bone in human.

The rickets will also develop if phosphorus and calcium is lacking or inadequate in the child's diet. Weak bones and muscles are the symptoms of mild rickets. If not medicated earlier, the bones become distorted or deformed and have fractures. Thickening of the wrists and ankles are other early evidences of rickets. Bones of the spine, pelvis, and long bones of the legs can be distorted. Bow legs can be the result of rickets.

It generally occurs in infants six to eighteen months of age. The earliest symptoms consist of restlessness irritability and sweating of the head. The junction of bone and cartilage at the front of the ribs on either side of the breastbone, enlarge forming two rows of hard nodules because the skull bones are soft, the head takes on a square shape. Other symptoms include bowlegs or knock- knees, a protruding abdomen and constipation. X - rays will reveal poor development near the ends of the bones. The pelvis may become deformed, a special problem for girls who when mature may have difficulty at childbirth.

Rickets is demineralization of the child bone. It is caused due to a lack of calcium and phosphorus, the chief minerals elements in bone structure. It was poorly absorbed from the intestine because of the deficiency of vitamin D. synthesized in the skin when exposed to sunlight and is essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. The cause of this disorder includes shortage of vitamin D, a diet lacking calcium and phosphorus kidney failure in which phosphorus is lost.

Bed Wedge Pillow - 5 Primary Health Conditions Requiring Elevated Sleep


Did you know that manufacturers of the bed wedge pillow focus on five major health issues when designing and manufacturing a pillow wedge? The reason this is important is they have researched, received customer feedback, and are focused on these specific health issues. A bed pillow wedge provides relief and possibly a cure for many conditions. These are the primary health conditions requiring elevated sleep:


  1. Back Pain: The sleep wedge for back pain must support the lower lumbar and take stress off of the back muscles and spine. There is a memory foam pillow wedge with a groove for the spine for back sleepers. Side or back sleepers will benefit from a contoured pillow that cradles the neck and helps keep the spine straight. There are also lumbar support pillows for your desk chair.

  2. Sleep Apnea: Relaxed muscles in the throat cause limited air flow and suffers of sleep apnea to stop breathing during sleep. Through loud snorts and snoring they are able to breathe. Severe cases use a CPAP and get forced air from the device to promote oxygenation during sleep. The CPAP pillow cradles the neck and face with a cutout for the breathing device.

  3. Acid Reflux: This conditioned is caused by the contents of the stomach flowing back up the esophagus when the stomach is higher than the esophagus during bed rest. The condition is very serious as it creates scars in the esophagus and has been linked to Barrett's esophagus, a form of cancer. The most popular pillow wedge acid reflux is the adjustable bed wedge pillow which goes between the mattress and box springs.

  4. Leg or Knee Pain: Lower leg pain may be caused by poor blood circulation and may indicate varicose veins. If you use a leg pillow wedge, you can increase the blood circulation by forcing the blood back to the heart inside of pooling in the leg veins. Knee pain is tricky and you should have a medical doctor decide on the proper care. People who have had knee replacement surgery should not use a knee pillow wedge without the doctor's permission.

  5. Snoring: The snorer usually stops snoring when turned on his or her side. However, it is difficult to stay on your side without back and neck support. The contoured memory foam pillow wedge elevates and cradles the head and often minimizes snoring. An adjustable bed wedge pillow at a smaller incline supports side sleepers and tilts the head sometimes enough to stop snoring.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Knee Arthritis - Hydrotherapy Can Help!


Arthritis in knee joints can be very painful.?People suffering from this problem experience not only pain but stiffness, weak muscles and less confidence in walking and get out and about.?They may walk with a limp and be afraid to use the knee in a normal manner.

What can be done about knee arthritis??The most important thing you can do is exercise to maintain the strength of the knee joint muscles and stretches to maintain the range of movement.?Exercises can be done using weights or resisted bands to increase the strength but in some cause people prefer to perform exercises in water.?
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Hydrotherapy is very useful for people who suffer with arthritis in knee joints.?As a starting point, walking in the water is useful.?You can then walk backwards and sideways.?Other activities to trial in the pool is standing and marching on the spot, stepping up and down onto a small step in the pool and simply floating and kicking your legs.?There are no hard and fast rules with respect to water exercises for arthritis in knee joints.?If you are moving your legs, that is an exercise.?The key is then to repeat that movement and increase the number of repetitions you perform over time.?Because arthritis in the knee is a long term problem the best way to track you progress is?to use?a workbook, write down the exercise type and then monitor the number of exercises.
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Hydrotherapy is a useful therapy that can be used not only for arthritis in knee joints but for arthritis in other joints.?Joints need to keep moving.?If you don't use it or you lose it is a good motto for patients suffering from arthritis.?The important this is to pace the exercises for knee arthritis and overtime you will see a huge benefit.

Knee Aches After Running - Does the Pain Chase After You?


Running is an enjoyable and healthy sport, but it can be tough on the body, including the legs, feet and especially the knees. You may feel fine during the actual activity, but after you stop, knee aches can chase you down, fast! Knee aches after running are a common occurrence, and can happen in one or both of your legs. The sensation may vary from a mild ache to an excruciating pain. Aches and pains after running may last less than an hour, or they may continue for hours, even days. Regardless of your particular symptoms, if you experience knee aches after running, you probably just want some relief. Period.

Knee pain problems after exercising can stem from a number of conditions. These pain issues may come from a chronic condition such as degenerative arthritis, or they may be the result of a misalignment of the kneecap, a prior injury, or any number of troublesome conditions.

Only a qualified doctor can definitively diagnose the source of your knee aches after running. But regardless of the particular condition, the root cause is likely to be stress on the knees. You can treat the symptoms with home remedies such as ice/heat or anti-inflammatory medications (all to be prescribed by your physician), but it would be preferable if you could stop the pain problems before they ever start, right?

There are several steps you can take to make sure you are lessening the shock to the knee joint as much as you can. First, you should assess your footwear to insure that it is providing the proper support for running. There are shoes designed especially for running that help keep the foot properly aligned and this, in turn, will improve your gait and help take some stress off the knee joint.

You can also try changing the surface you are running on. For instance, many people run on hard concrete or asphalt surfaces. Running on these types of surfaces can cause a jarring impact to the knee with each step and increase the incidence of knee problems after exercising. Thus, consider running on a specifically designed track or on a treadmill, or even a dirt path instead of the sidewalk. Most importantly, though, to help avoid knee aches and pains after jogging, you should consider wearing a knee brace on one or both knees. Just think about it here for a second...

Knee supports are available to anyone and they are something that you can use right away to help add meaningful support to your knee. Since they don't generally have to be custom made, you don't have to mortgage your house to afford one. A properly fitting, low profile support can really help you when you are out there pushing yourself to keep in shape. Consequently, a knee brace, when properly used, can help to significantly reduce the incidence of knee problems. Supports can come in a variety of sizes and styles, several of which are quite compatible with running.

In the end, you can choose to do nothing for yourself, or you can be proactive. Whatever you choose to do, consider using a knee support because they are affordable and can greatly help reduce your pain because of the meaningful support that they can provide.

Progressing Collegiate Football Position


Running Drills are a big help

If you have more energy at the fourth quarter then your opponent then you have won, and the best way to get endurance are running drills. Running drills will help you gain stamina so that you will be able to play to your full extent throughout the game. Though running drills can be a big help to your game, many people complain the most about the running. Whether you are tired, exhausted, and ready to throw up, if you keep running your added strength will help you win games. Running has a final help to your team, and that is learning how to push beyond your limits, you will be surprised how often that happens in football, and in life

Up Downs Conditioning Drill

Up downs is an excellent conditioning drill that will improve reaction time and endurance. Players will start this drill by running in place as fast as they can, keeping their knees high as possible. Then at random a coach will yell, "down" or blow a whistle at which the players must dive to the ground do a push up and then jump back into running in place. This drill is an excellent workout and should be worked in slowly at first and then increased in intensity and length over time.

Learning the Plays from the Playbook

Practicing the plays is fun, and also very important. When you master your part of the play it will strengthen your team and yourself. Because football plays can be intricate, it is important that you understand and follow the coach's instructions. As you start to practice the play make sure to slow it down, there is no sense in practicing errors. Practice is a great time to get some extra help, so if you are struggling with a certain play remember that your coaches are there to help you master the techniques. Always, always ask for the help that you need. After practice is over visualize the play in your mind. Go over it again and again, and you will find that your mind will help you learn the plays even when you sleep.

Forcing the Fumble

In order to win football games you need to have possession of the football. Forcing a fumble is one of the quickest ways that you can turn the tides and retain possession of the football. A great way to practice is have two players line up, one as the defense, the other with the football as the offense. The defender will practice stripping the ball by bringing his hands up quickly with a clenched fist to grab the opponent and as he does so to aim to knock out the football. Practice these movements slowly to start muscle memory and to correct bad habits.

History of Toilet Tissue Paper


Just in case you are not happy to live in the twentieth century and take for granted the simple amenities we enjoy in everyday life, like for example, general grooming items like soap, toothpaste and toilet tissue paper. How would you manage without them? Did you ever wonder, for instance, who invented toilet paper and what was used before its invention? We can go back in history to the ancient Greeks, for instance, whose idea of using stones or pieces of clay was a bit rougher than the Romans, who used sponges on the ends of sticks that were kept in jugs filled with salty water. Mid Easterners commonly used the left hand, which is supposedly still considered unclean in the Arabian region.

But who first thought about using paper for personal hygiene? If we could travel back in time to 1391, we would encounter a Chinese emperor who demanded the first paper sheets sliced to be placed in his outhouse. The first "official" toilet paper was introduced in China measuring a whopping 2 ft X 3 ft each.

In early American years, one common alternative happened to be... corncobs. If you lived in early rural America, you would find a corncob hanging from a string in the outhouse for purposes of personal hygiene. The string, as it turns out, was to permit the cob to be reused. While in coastal regions, the cob might be replaced by a mussel shell, the preferred method became plant leaves and magazines. In fact, Sears received significant complaints when they switched to color coated shiny paper.

As history would have it, an important move towards the production and distribution of modern toilet tissue paper came from a teacher in Philadelphia in 1907. Concerned about a mild cold epidemic in her classroom, she blamed it on the fact that all students used the same cloth towel. A very smart, ahead of her time teacher proceeded to cut up paper into squares to be used by her class as individual towels, a revolutionary idea.

Who invented the "modern" type of toilet paper? In 1871, the first U.S. Patent for perforated paper was awarded to Seth Wheeler of Albany, becoming the official "inventor" of toilet paper. Unable to make a go with the production of a thin tissue toilet paper, the assembly eventually was mastered by the Scott brothers, who founded the Scott Paper company in Philadelphia.

During the Victorian Era, when only proper etiquette was accepted, it was unmentionable to talk about any "toilet paper or rolls of tissue" product in society. When a desire for better hygiene flourished and improvements to indoor plumbing came about, the first significant use of toilet paper began to develop. Today, the average American uses 57 sheets of toilet paper a day or more than 20,805 sheets a year, making it a $ 2.4 billion dollar industry.

More fascinating than the history of toilet paper was the clever ways invented to hide the tissue toilet roll. Since the Victorian Era called for concealing "unpleasant" products like toilet tissue paper, a great selection of distinctive Tissue Toilet Roll holders or covers were found. One such holder was called "Madam's Double Utility Lace Fan". This witty item had a hidden compartment in the handle with 150 sheets of toilet paper cut to conform to the shape of the fan.

Although today's toilet paper and its use are natural parts of life, using roll covers to delicately conceal toilet tissue paper rolls has developed into a hot trend in decorating.

The Importance of Arthritis Knee Support


One way to treat arthritis pain and provide stability is with the proper arthritis knee support. For many patients suffering from osteoarthritis in the knee, a knee support will give them the relief and support they need.

Types of Knee Braces

There are several different types of arthritis knee support braces to choose from. In order to get the best fit you should always discuss knee support devices with your doctor or health professional. Most physical therapists are well versed in the use of knee support and can also offer helpful and knowledgeable advice.

The type of knee brace you chose will depend primarily on the location of the affected area.

A medial arthritis knee support brace will support the inside of the knee joint. A lateral brace will give stability to the outside of the knee joint, and a patellofemoral brace stabilizes the area behind the kneecap.

These types of braces are usually recommended for patients who suffer osteoarthritis and cartilage loss of the knee joint.

Breaking It Down: Different Types of Knee Braces

Arthritis knee support devices can be broken down even more into specific types of braces. One popular type of brace is the single piece sleeve. This brace is made from durable neoprene and is the basic type of knee brace. To put on the brace you simply pull it on over the foot and up to the knee. This brace is for mild osteoarthritis only.

An unloader brace is made from molded materials such as plastic or foam. Inside the mold are metal bars that limit the range of motion of the knee joint. This type of brace is individually fit to each patient. It works by moving the pain from the affected area with pressure.

Other Treatments

Medication is also popular treatment for the early stages of the disease. Medication is usually used to control pain until such time that you can begin a treatment plan. During this time you will work with a physical therapist and also do exercises at home. The goal is to not have to take pain medications for life.

Some patients will benefit from a simple change of diet with exercise. Overweight people are prone to arthritis of knee because of the added pressure on the joints due to their weight. Dieting and exercise can help overweight people get control of their weight and relieve pressure on the joints.

Knee joint surgery and knee replacement surgery are usually reserved for those persons who have not had success with other treatment options. In some cases this is the only way to reverse the damage and ease the pain.

Joint replacement surgery is performed everyday and considered very safe and successful.

If you decide to try using an arthritis knee support device it is important to consider all of your options. As mentioned earlier, your doctor will know the best type of brace for your specific condition. The success of the arthritis knee support device depends on your dedication - wear it always.

How to Protect Your Knee to Avoid Arthritic Conditions


Working as an Physical therapy Assistant in Southwest Florida, I see my share of arthritic conditions in the lower extremities. Most of the arthritic conditions I see are osteoarthritis of the knees. This is a major cause of knee pain in the United states due to obesity and lack of exercise. There are some cases of traumatic osteoarthritis that for the most part cannot be helped because if a joint has been previously injured the chances of osteoarthritis setting in later on are very good.

When discussing knee pain due to arthritis, generally you find an individual is overweight and, they have lost quadricep strength in the affected leg or legs as well. If you lack the proper strength in your thigh muscles for instance, then your body weight is driven directly through the knee rather then the muscle absorbing your weight with each step you take. Poor muscle strength and atrophy of the legs themselves are one of the biggest problems that older adults will confront. By building a strong pair of legs you place the burden of the workload on the muscles instead of the knee joint itself.

In regards to obesity as you get older, you loose muscle and your metabolism slows down. You in turn start to gain weight which again, in our society we have been lead to believe that is the way it is. That cannot be further from the truth.

By getting resistance exercise started and cleaning up your overall diet, you begin to put on some lean muscle which in turn burns calories. When you burn calories you loose weight. When you loose the weight your knees then do not have to take the pounding every day that they do when you are carrying excess weight.

Though this may seem rather simplistic I can assure you it works. Exercise and diet is your answer in regards to prevention of arthritis. Now if you already have an arthritic joint then range of motion and exercising the muscles around the joint is your main objective to prolong the life of the joint.

Get busy today in defeating this chronic condition that pervades our society. You will be glad you did.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Medical Tourism Saves You Money, but Which Country is Best?


Increasingly, people from the industrialized countries of the world are seeking out places where they can both enjoy a vacation and obtain medical treatment at a lower price, than in their country of residence.

Medical tourists are increasing in numbers, but which country is best for medical tourism?

Medical Tours to India

For medical tourism, India is a relative newcomer, but recent estimates indicate that the number of foreign patients is increasing by 30 percent each year.

India has world-class medical facilities, with excellent staff in all areas of medical care.
All Indian hospitals are equipped with the latest electronic and medical diagnostic equipment.

India also has the technological sophistication and infrastructure to maintain its market lead. Indian pharmaceuticals for example, meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

India's quality of care is world class, competing with any other industrialized country.

Indian medical centres provide services that are in fact uncommon elsewhere. For example, hip surgery patients in India can have a hip-resurfacing procedure, in which damaged bone is taken away and replaced with chrome alloy, an operation that costs less and causes fewer traumas than the traditional replacement operations carried out in western countries.

Medical Tours to South East Asia

South East Asia offers some great advantages for medical tourism with Thailand being the main destination and the main rival to India.

The Thai medical profession is probably the most advanced in the region and successive governments have invested in ensuring the necessary education and training.

Many doctors undertake specialist training abroad, particularly in the United States and Europe and are at least as well qualified as physicians in these countries.

Singapore and Malaysia also have well developed medical facilities.

Medical Tours to the East Indies

For North American patients, the East Indies and Costa Rica in particular, are the chosen destinations for medical tourism.

Costa Rica provides close, inexpensive, high-quality medical care without a trans-Pacific flight. Cost wise though, it is more expensive for medical tourists generally, particularly from destinations outside of the USA.

Medical Tourism in South America

Medical tourism in South America is mainly cantered on Brazil, which has been a centre for plastic surgery for many years.

With a large influx of medical tourists particularly from the USA, Brazil has built a well-developed healthcare industry in all areas.

Although slightly more pricey than many other destinations, you are assured of good quality healthcare in Brazil - one of the most beautiful countries on earth.

Argentina also has a flourishing medical tourism industry, but its geographical position is a problem for many.

The Rest

Medical tourism is growing in other countries with Eastern Europe, Africa, and Dubai entering the industry.

Dubai will be providing the Dubai Healthcare City by 2010 and this clinic will be the largest international medical centre between Europe and South East Asia. Including a new branch of the Harvard Medical School, it will be prestigious, but aimed at the medical tourist with more money.

Eastern Europe and Africa are emerging markets, but probably have some way to go to match the healthcare services available in countries such as India.

India for Medical Tourism

There are many choices for medical tourists seeking overseas healthcare and many destinations have reasons to recommend them, but overall for medical tourists, it will be India that will be the most attractive. Why? Simply, India has wide variety of treatments, world-class hospitals, and medical staff, is inexpensive, and offers a beautiful holiday destination.

Clinical Studies With Arnica


Arnica Montana is one of the most popular alternative remedies used by consumers today. This remedy is commonly called leopards bane or Arnica. Arnica is a plant that blooms around July throughout Europe.

Arnica Montana is touted as a remedy that can reduce soreness, bruising, traumatic injuries and sprains. Arnica comes in two forms. A herbal form and a homeopathic form. Arnica in the herbal form is basically extracts of the blossoms made into a liquid, ointment, gel or cream. Many times this extract may be combined with alcohol and shaken vigorously. This combination of extract and alcohol is called the mother tincture. Homeopathy may call this 1X or Q potency. Most gels, creams and ointments are made from the mother tincture. This remedy is rubbed into your body where the injury has been sustained. The herbal form or homeopathy tincture is not to be digested as it will cause nausea and vomiting.

The homeopathic form of Arnica is diluted in water or alcohol. The homeopathic form is safe to eat since the dilutions have weakened the side effects of this remedy. The dilutions of Arnica vary. The more diluted Arnica is used to treat more traumatic injuries. Less diluted Arnica is used to treat less severe injuries. A potency used to treat a severe injury would be Arnica 30C. A potency which helps less severe or chronic injuries would be 6C.

We are going to examine several trials with Arnica gel. In the first trial with Arnica, we are going to look at a trial with carpel tunnel release surgery. This trial actually uses both homeopathic Arnica tablets and Arnica gel. This study compares how much bruising is experienced post carpel tunnel surgery. These medicines are compared against a placebo group. 37 adults participated in this trial. The results showed that grip strength and wrist circumference were exactly the same as the placebo group after surgrry. However, perceived pain was significantly less in the Arnica group. It is difficult to determine in this trial if the Arnica gel had an effect or the homeopathic Arnica tablets.

A small study done in Miami looked at arnica gel to see if it would reduce bruising after laser surgery to the face compared to a placebo. There were 19 participants. They were divide into two groups for making a comparison. The study found Arnica gel to be no better than a placebo at reducing bruising after surgery.

Another trial examines Arnica gel trial for treating osteoarthritis in the knee. In this study, 26 men and 53 women were given herbal Arnica gel. The participants reported significant reductions of pain with the gel. The study did not have a placebo group so the trial was far from conclusive.

The final trial compares Arnica gel to Ibuprofen in a double blind study. This study compares 204 patients with osteoarthritis in their hands. The study had 2 groups. The study compared pain intensity and hand usage after 21 days of using an Ibuprofen gel and Arnica gel. The study found that Ibuprofen and Arnica were both equally effective in treating osteoarthritis in the hands.

More studies are needed on Arnica gel to see if it is effective. Most studies are too small to draw any definite conclusions. However, there seem to a few positive studies suggesting Arnica gel is effective in reducing pain and swelling.

References

1) Jeffrey SLA, Belcher HJCR. Use of arnica to relieve pain after carpal-tunnel release surgery. Altern Ther Health Med. 2002;8:66-68.

2) Alonso D, Lazarus MC, Baumann L. Effects of topical arnica gel on post-laser treatment bruises. Dermatol Surg. 2002; 28:686-688.

3) Arnica montana gel in osteoarthritis of the knee: an open, multicenter clinical trial. Knuesel O, Weber M, Suter A. Department of Rheumatology, Valens Clinic for Rheumatism, Valens, Switzerland.

4) Reto Widrig, Andy Suter, Reinhard Saller, Jorg Melzer. Choosing between NSAID and arnica for topical treatment of hand osteoarthritis in a randomised, double-blind study. Rheumatol Int DOI 10.1007/s00296-007-0304-y.

Brief Introduction to Surgery Games


Online and offline games are a craze these days with kids and adult alike. Some people spend more hours playing games than working for livelihood. Currently, operation and surgery games are the current favorite. In these, the player becomes a virtual surgeon and performs all kinds of surgeries of their choice.

They are played as:

Board Games- This surgery game requires the player to remove objects from the body of the patient without creating any impact on the patient. Sponge bob's Barnacle Brain, Homer Simpson, Cavity Sam, and Patty Pleasure are some of the popular ones.

PC Games- These games show the inner world of Emergency Rooms from a close perspective.

Console Games- This surgery game require the player to perform surgeries to increase game levels.

Below are some descriptions of popular surgery games played online:

1. Open Heart Surgery- The player performs heart by-pass operation and tries to prevent blood vessel blockage.
2. Heart Operation- It means performing heart transplant, fixing heart valves, or doing by-pass surgery. Procedures are length and can scare the faint hearted too.
3. Knee Surgery- Done on sport persons needing knee transplant or installing metal knees. Sometimes, they are accompanied with questions to be answered before progressing. It provides loads of information on knee surgery.
4. Hip Replacement- Like knee surgery, this game provides patients with new hips to athletes. This game is as engrossing as knee surgery and the procedure is as detailed as before.
5. Dental Games- Fighting tooth decay, tooth cavity, extracting molars, or even root canalling are some of the game features.
6. Simple Operation- This game is suitable for beginners. Player has 10 levels to attain and they have to search for objects placed in the patient's body. No particular body part is focused; it is an overall search operation.

Sharp Knee Pain When Running is the Worst! - Get a Brace For Support


Running and jogging are a great form of exercise. Sure, running can be great for your heart, but what about your knees?

Whether you love running, or like to occasionally go for a jog, sharp knee pain can take you out of the race almost immediately. If you have been sidelined by sharp knee pain when running or jogging, you may be tempted to throw in the towel on the sport. But do not throw in the towel just yet! Read on for a helpful way to reduce knee discomfort and stabilize your knee!

While simply not running or jogging may be one way to avoid sharp knee pain, you may have other options that can keep you in the race.

Whether from injury or overuse, at some point, most runners experience sharp knee pain when running. The knee discomfort problems you are having can subside with rest and various training improvements (i.e. better running shoes, cutting back on downhill running, changing the surface you run on, etc.). Some athletes find that icing the knees after a run helps to reduce the pain. However, if the sharp pain persists, worsens, or recurs whenever you are running, it is important to have the problem evaluated by a qualified medical specialist.

The area of the knee where the sharp pain occurs can serve as a good indication of the possible cause of the pain when running. For instance, if the sharp pain is more localized within the joint line (interior) knee, the cause of the pain may be the menisci. However, if the sharp pain is primarily in the front of the knee, the cause may be related to the patella (kneecap). Either way, even if training improvements, rest and the application of ice do alleviate the pain, chances are, if you continue running, the pain will return.

So does that mean that to save your knees, you must give up running or jogging?

Not necessarily. Something as simple and affordable as a knee brace may help reduce or even eliminate the sharp pain and help keep you on the trails.

Knee supports are not difficult at all to use, and they come in a variety of styles. Some are firm and rigid, while others are soft and flexible. However, whatever the style or type, a knee brace is designed to help support the knee, helping to reduce the stress and impact on the muscles and ligaments caused by running. - They do not have to be big and bulky either. There are a wide variety of options available to runners at all different levels.

A knee brace can also be helpful in keeping the knee and knee cap properly aligned, which in turn can also help reduce or eliminate sharp pain in the knee when running. Helping the knee joint to remain in proper alignment and stay supported when running can really help reduce injury levels.

Hip Replacement: When It's Time to Say Uncle


Let's say you are an active, 40 plus year-old jogger, tenniser, or gymnophile, and you or your best friend has noticed a change in your mobility, posture, or gait; or you are beginning to get some unusual pain in your knees or groin; or you notice you're not as quick to get up and go as you once were. It's more than likely, despite your 'youth' you are suffering from osteoarthritis (a common joint problem), what your grandparents called rheumatism. It develops as a combination of your genetics, aggravated by overuse (e.g. repeated running, martial arts, contact sports, etc) and if this is you-obesity.

Now, if it forces you into a change however gradual, in your lifestyle or activities, or you find you've started taking pain medication on a regular basis, it's time to stop, and see an orthopedic specialist. You may well be a candidate for a hip resurfacing or replacement by an experienced Orthopedic Surgeon.

Alternately, let's say you are 60 plus, and know you have to limit your activities, even walking short distances because they result in hurting, or you have morning stiffness often accompanied by pain. The problem and solution are likely the same.

I am an Orthopedic Surgeon, who has performed and taught young doctors in training to perform total hip replacement surgery. Then having experienced some of the above problems, needed and had two of my own hips replaced. So as the saying goes, I've been on both sides of the table.

Then as a result of the experience, determined to write a practical hand book that explained and narrated the experience from diagnosis to recovery in plain, common English for those who might need a Total Hip Replacement or it's younger version a Hip Resurfacing.

This year 450,000 people will undergo hip replacement surgery and another 100,000 have a hip resurfacing. It is anticipated that these numbers will increase by 175% over the next 2-3 years. Forty-Six million people in the USA sixty or over have arthritis of one or several joints. Their disability ranges from mild (heat, medication and rest do help) to disabling (nothing relieves).

Despite what you may have heard about miracle drugs, special joint treatments and substances, medications do not presently provide the cure for arthritis, BUT...the condition can be treated by replacing or resurfacing the joint. In other words we can't alter diseased or distorted hip, knee and shoulder anatomy, but we can replace it. Hips are among the most common joints affected by arthritis and hip replacement or resurfacing procedures the most successful.

If "Uncle, I quit" has become a reality for you- here are a few recommendations:


  • Don't ask a friend for an experienced surgeon; use your GP or internist to recommend.

  • On your first visit be sure to bring a written list of your history, medications, allergies and conditions - and note no question you want to ask is unimportant or off the table.

  • Avoid Metal-on-Metal implants-ask your surgeon about this critical issue.

  • Good information about the procedure will make you part of the solution, not part of the problem - be your own advocate. Read or watch any material your surgeon offers.

  • After your surgery YOU will be the first to notice any problem, however minor. Don't ignore it. Report immediately to your doctor for explanation or treatment.

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Knock the Heads off Corporate Giants


Are you a starting entrepreneur? Is it your first month of operation?

I can hear your knees knocking. Do you wonder whether you
can hold your own against the giants that dominate your chosen
industry. The entrenched enemy tend to have vast resources, a strong
marketing machinery and of course, a powerful brand presence.

How can one compete against that?

It's easy: with a little bit of entrepreural guerrilla skirmishing. Microsoft
did it. Gateway did it. IBM did it. Do you think these companies started out
big? Of course not. Microsoft started out from Bill Gate's backyard.

You can be a Bill Gates. Here's how.

DOMINATE A NICHE

There's no sense selling soap, candies or match sticks to the general public.
Everyone from Jack to Jill sells this product. Unless you have economies of scale
and a whopping system to keep costs low, you can't fight against the Unilevers of
this world. Let the giants sell the commodities. Stick to a well differentiated
product that caters tp a small segment of society. For instance, you can market
organic dog shampoo to Doberman Owners. Or you can offer custom body kits to
Honda Type R aficionados.

Serve a small market segment which the bog boys overlooked. You'll quickly grow
loyal customer base.

DIFFERENTIATE THE PRODUCT

Do you sell pizza? If it looks like Yellow Cab, tastes like yellow Cab and smells
like Yellow Cab, your customers would rather go to Yellow Cab. You'll be regarded as
a second rate imitator.

Rather than imitate, differentiate. Provide value adding features to a product
that everyone considers commoditizes. If the features are unique and helpful enough, you'll
inspire repeat purchase and massive word of mouth marketing.

Take the example of Hammer Baking Soda. Instead of selling their product as simple baking
soda, they positioned it as a super product that removes cooler smells, cleanses, deodorizes
and everything else a housewife might need.

Apple wasn't just another PC. They positioned themselves as a lifestyle.

And Tony Robbins wasn't just a speech coach. He was an Empowerment Guru- who charges
$2000 a seminar.

COST LEADERSHIP

People fight tooth and nail to gain market share. That can be a problem when competition
boils down to price wars. Margins diminish and profits sink below the horizon.

Compete on cost leadership! Source your raw materials and labor from third world countries.
This allows you to cut prices, but maintain margins. Plus, you give people jobs!

Entrepreneurship can give a high that will make many businessowners
forsake sleep and social life just to grow the business. I know- I've been an insomniac
entrepreneur for years. Maximize your company's longevity by following the three
rules of entrepreneural guerrilla skirmishing. You might just end up the next Microsoft!

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Chronic Knee Pain - A Life Sentence


Chronic knee pain is a debilitating condition that robs a person of the ability to freely enjoy everyday activities without pain. Chronic joint pain is a constant or reoccurring pain that can stem from a number of causes. While the intensity varies for each individual, those who suffer from chronic pain long for relief. It is not enough to grin and bear it and deal with the pain; one must learn how to manage their chronic knee pain.

It's discouraging to think that your body is having trouble healing itself. That's what your body is made for! But when the pain is a daily battle, it is easy to feel hopeless, like your pain is just never going to end. Many people who suffer from the daily effects of chronic knee pain seek only for immediate relief of the pain. It's natural to yearn for that feeling of well being, but sadly, many only look as far as pain relief and don't explore rehabilitation of the joints. Doctors, it seems today, are quick to scribble out a prescription and send patients on their way. Some people with chronic knee pain take several pills a day to simply get through the pain, and of these, some will take the same painkillers the rest of their lives. This is not to say that they are not justified in needing real relief. Chronic pain can be crippling and each person tolerates pain at a different level.

If the idea of dependency on medications that you can't pronounce with a list of side effects a mile long worries you, you're not alone. Many chronic knee pain sufferers are looking for safe and natural ways to manage their pain, and work to rehabilitate their sore joints. Going all natural may not be as recognizably effective as prescription medications, but natural remedies may go further in healing your chronic pain than simply covering it up. There are many products you can buy that promote joint health. Supplements and lifestyle changes could do more for relieving your pain than you might think.

Glucosamine is something that your body makes naturally to assist in making healthy cartilage, but as we age our bodies slow down the production of this naturally occurring compound. When taken in a supplement form, glucosamine can help rebuild healthy cartilage, thus eliminating pressure on the joints and relieving knee joint pain. There have been promising studies made with glucosamine, although some doctors would express doubts about its effectiveness. Chronic joint pain sufferers seem to sing its praises, swearing by its healing properties.

Your chronic knee pain doesn't need to be a life sentence. There are ways of treating and rehabilitating joints without heavy-duty painkillers or expensive surgeries. The best way to get effective results is to be proactive about your pain management regime. The sooner you take your joint health seriously into your hands, the less likely it is that you will succumb to your chronic pain and find yourself missing out on the things you love to do.