My Knee Joint Hurts! Be Sure to Ask These Crucial Questions Before Your Doctor Starts Treatment

There are many types of arthritis, but the most common form is osteoarthritis- a breakdown and loss of joint cartilage. A wear and tear type of condition, it is found mostly in seniors, but younger people can also suffer from it's painful effects.

Your first line of defense against arthritis is probably an over- the- counter pain reliever. It may help, but as you lose more cartilage, the effectiveness wears off.

Next, is usually a trip to your doctor. You should be able to receive an accurate diagnosis of your problem, but make sure you ask the right questions concerning your treatment. For osteoarthritis, common treatments include cortisone shots, or a prescription for an anti-inflammatory drug know as NSAID.

Cortisone injections are usually safe and can give satisfactory arthritis pain control in many cases, but only for a short time. Usually though, doctors will put a limit on the number of injections given, because they can cause a weakening of the tendons.

Another doctors' choice is one of the NSAID type of drugs for pain relief. These are powerful medications which can also cause serious side effects. These drugs are heavily advertised on TV and widely prescribed. Make sure your doctor thoroughly explains the negatives associated with these drugs. Also, ask your doctor about possible interactions with any medications you may be taking.

A common thread with both cortisone injections and NSAID drugs is that these treatments do not correct the condition. All they really do is treat the symptoms, but not the problem itself. So, while your joints may feel better, they are still deteriorating. And the NSAIDs come complete with horrific side effects, which can be damaging and sometimes even fatal.

If your doctor suggests NSAID medications, make sure to ask for what period of time. Remember, those type of drugs only help control the pain-nothing else. They do nothing to correct anything and can actually make things worse.

You want to know about the long-term result of any treatment you're offered. If you aren't getting a real solution, your future options usually come down to more limited mobility, or painful joint replacement. Not a pleasant picture, but you may have a better choice.

Ask your doctor how much cartilage is left. If there is some amount remaining, why not try a good natural solution, which can start to regenerate the cartilage, stop arthritis pain and prevent painful surgery.

Undoubtedly, you won't receive much support or help from your doctor if you bring up that subject. The reason is that your doctor receives very little in the way of natural healing, or nutritional information from traditional medical training.

A good, natural remedy won't interfere with any treatment you are receiving and can help in stopping arthritis pain and restoring the cartilage. And you don't have to worry about potential drug interactions, or the deadly side effects of NSAID drugs.

Homeopathic Remedies for Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis are two of the biggest and most common type of arthritis affecting millions of people worldwide.

As scientific advancement and the life span of human beings increases so does the number of diseases afflicting us. People live longer and osteoarthritis usually affects the older people.

Homeopathic treatment of arthritis has a number of useful medications which control and stop the progression of this very painful condition. Every individual patient reacts differently to different medications and a detailed analysis is necessary before medication is prescribed.

Listed below are some of the common drugs used in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Aconitum napellus: Cold weather and chilly winds case a sudden flare up of inflammation. This medication helps in controlling the swelling.

Apis mellifica: Warm weather aggravates the pain and swelling in some patients and this leads to a lot of pain which could be acute in nature. The medication soothes the pain and swelling.

Arnica: Sports injuries can sometimes lead to arthritis and the medication helps in such cases.

Belladonna: Sudden inflammation and unbearable pain are symptoms that can be treated with this medication.

Bryonia: Most arthritis patients are advised plenty of rest so that there is no sudden movement of joints. This medication is used for treating acute pain.

Calcarea carbonica: People who are on the heavier side and sudden jerk and movement causes acute pain in such people. The knees are mostly affected as they have to carry a lot of weight. Te medication helps in such conditions.

Calcarea phosphorica: In certain patients there could be a deposit of calcium in the joints. This could lead to inflammation and pain. The pain is reduced using this medication.

Calcarea fluorica: Injury to joints and bone enlargement is treated with this medication.

Cimicifuga : Severe pain especially in the case of women during the menstrual period is best treated with this.

Dulcamara: Allergies and back pain caused due to arthritis is treated with this medication

Kali carbonicum: Deformity and cold weather induced arthritis is best treated with this medication.

Kalmia latiflora: Sudden attack of arthritis pain concentrated more on the knees is effectively treated with this.

Ledum palustre: Swelling and cracking joints are the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis and the medication helps in the treatment.

Pulsatilla: Sudden flare up of pain in the back and knees are best treated with this.

Rhus toxicodendron: Pain in the morning is best treated with this medication.

Ruta graveolens: Wear and tear of the joints causes lots of pain. This condition is best treated with this medication.

Is There Life After Back Surgery?

You are facing back surgery and all sorts of doubts and fears are going through your head. You are probably wondering if there is life after back surgery. Will I be able to resume my normal life or never be able to do the things I did before my operation? Well the good news is yes there is life after back surgery. However you might want to consider if you even need back surgery.

Now first of all I am not a medical doctor, I am just someone who has gone through back pain, ruptured discs and the resulting surgery and physical therapy. Since my back surgery I have studied the prevention of back surgery as well as the side effects of surgery.

Unfortunately my experience with back surgery happened before I knew of all the dangers and the alternatives to surgery. Looking back I would not have had the operation without first trying some of the alternatives.

Also please understand that everyone's experience is unique and it is important to work closely with your doctor as you discuss the various options available to you. All that being said here are some key points of my back surgery and my life afterwards.

* The operation was a success, but I still had pain months after the operation.

* After two weeks of bed rest I had 8 weeks of physical therapy.

* After therapy I had some improvement and went back to work.

* I did some research I found a program called Lose the Back Pain.

* This program is tailored to each individual and I did notice improvement almost immediately.

* It has been four years since my surgery and physically I am in better shape than before my back operation.

* I still do the specific exercises outlined in the program, but also have added cardio and strength exercises.

I had my back operation at the age of sixty-two and now at sixty-six I am strong, fit and healthy. I keep my weight down, exercise 30 minutes four or five times a week as well as walk almost every day. For me my life after back surgery has turned out better than expected. I really did worry about the quality of my life and all the dangers of surgery. Because I have always been physically hoped I would be able to maintain an active lifestyle. My only regret is not trying alternatives like Lose the Back Pain program possibly if I had I could have avoided a lot of pain and time spent on my back.

A Healthy Back Starts With Your Feet

Contrary to popular belief, many people with foot problems do not have any pain in their feet. Instead, the area of pain is transferred up the body, to the knees, hips, lower back, or even neck. An example of this is one whose feet roll inward, which causes their pelvis to jut forward. This, in turn, causes the upper back to "hump" and the head to move forward, all in an attempt to keep the body balanced. In fact, 80% of people over forty years of age experience bodily distortions directly resulting from supinated (rolled out) or pronated (rolled in) feet. The most common symptom of this problem is not pain, but rather, a general feeling of fatigue.

Your feet must be flexible enough to adapt to changes in the terrain, yet rigid enough to provide solid propulsion when walking. Problems arise when there is too little or too much mobility in the foot and ankle. Visual signs that the foot and ankle are causing problems include: bowing in of the Achilles tendon, lateral heel wear on shoes, patellar (kneecap) malpositioning, weak psoas (hip flexor) muscle, and anterior pelvic tilt.

Orthotics can help stabilize your feet and ankles, thereby alleviating the associated pains. Orthotics have been shown to help the following conditions: excessive pronation, arch pain, bunions, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, Morton's neuromas, shin splints, Achilles and patellar tendonitis, patellofemoral syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome, hip bursitis, hamstring strains and spasms, stress fractures, ankle sprains, chondromalacia patella, knee collateral ligament injury, vertebral subluxations, lower back pain, leg length inequality, sciatica, spinal instability, lumbosacral strain, lumbosacral facet joint jamming, L4/L5/S1 disc degeneration, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, cervical muscle spasm, and pelvic rotation.

Besides orthotics, wearing properly fitted shoes is very important for foot health. This is especially important for women, as they are four times more likely to have foot problems due to the type of shoes they wear. Shoes have been shown to be the principle cause of forefoot disorders in women, and 88% of women wear shoes that are too small for their feet. Proper footwear for the proper activity reduces fatigue because the bone alignment is correct.

When buying shoes, pay attention to the width and arches of the shoe as well as the length. Each type of shoe has a particular arch to support the movements the foot needs for that activity. Alternate shoes daily and with each activity. All fitting should be done weight bearing. You should have your feet measured by a qualified professional occasionally, as our foot size tends to change with age. When standing in a shoe, there should be three-eighths to one-half inch space from the longest toe (which is not necessarily the big toe) to the front of the shoe. The toe box must be wide, high, and long enough to allow for toe movement. If it is too narrow, the toes will be crowded and calluses will form. If it is too short, the shoe will cause nail problems and jammed toes. Any shoe that does not have laces is too tight; as it needs to be so to prevent the shoe from falling off, so avoid these if at all possible. If, after some time of wear, your shoes show a "pushed over" vamp (the lace area), it is probable that you have biomechanical foot problems.

If you have back pain and answer "yes" to any of the following questions, your pain may be related to problems in your feet:

1. Do you stand or walk on hard surfaces more than four hours per day?

2. Do you regularly participate in a physical sport?

3. Are you forty years of age or older?

4. Have you had a previous knee, back or neck injury?

5. Do your shoes wear unevenly?

6. Do you have joint pain while standing, walking, or running?

7. Is one of your legs shorter than the other?

8. Do you have "knock knees" or "bow legs"?

9. Do you have any obvious foot problems, such as bunions, corns, or flat feet?

10. Do your feet toe out when you are walking?

Whether a foot tends to pronate or supinate, these chronic, repetitive forces are transmitted along the kinetic chain to the knees, hips, back, and neck. To stabilize the feet, well-fitted shoes and custom-made orthotics are necessary. By providing proper support for each phase gait, these will ensure balanced function throughout the musculoskeletal system.

References:Austin, William M, DC, CCSP, CCRD. "Repetitive Microtraumas and Chronic Low Back Pain." Practical Research Studies, Vol. 15, No. 3, 2003. Charette, Mark N, DC. "Every Shoe Has a Story to Tell." Orthopedic Notes, 2003. Danchik, John J, DC, FICC, CCSP. "Posture Starts From the Ground Up." Orthopedic Notes, 2003. Greenawalt, Kent S. "Serial Distortion: It's Effect on the Patient." Orthopedic Notes. Hyland, John K., DC, DACBR, DABCO, CSCS. "Foot Flexibility and Hypermobility." Practical Research Studies, Vol. 17, No. 2, 2004. "Tips on Foot Care from Faculty Doctors at Northwestern Health Sciences University." Northwestern Natural Health News Service, 2003.

Rift PvP Souls

The beauty of the Rift game is that there are a variety of options you can pick to make your gaming experience personal not to mention exiting. As you already be aware, you start as a puny character at the bottom of the food chain slowly carving your way through the world and gaining experience in the process. This setup is called PvE or Player vs Environment where you pit yourself against the challenges of the Planes of Telara. However, by Level 10 you start gaining access to a whole new and exciting facet of the game, the PvP. PvP refers to Player vs Player and gives you the chance to pit your talents against the very best in a knock-your-scoks-off battle to demonstrate true dominance. It is for this purpose that Rift PvP souls were created.

Each Soul class in Rift has access to special Rift PvP souls. From Level 10 onwards, players start gaining Favor by engaging in PvP battles and beyond a certain number of Favors, the Soul Tree opens up to a new Rift PvP soul for the Soul class. These Rift PvP souls can be used in much the same way as ordinary souls, picking them as an off-soul and investing in the Soul Tree to unleash that boatload of talents and skills that will allow you to dominate the enemy. In essence, the two standard Rift souls will dictate your playing style while the Rift PvP souls give you access to a host of other talents critical for PvP battles. It's also important to remember that beyond Level 50, gaining experience is eliminated in favor of gaining Prestige Rank. Prestige basically dictates the amount of skill points you can invest in the PvP soul tree.

The new PvP soul for the Warrior class is the Vindicator, described by the folks at Rift as "the boulder rolling down the mountain side who cannot be stopped." The Vindicator relies on the grit and power of the hardened Warrior class in order to bring the world to its knees. What sets the Vindicator apart is its command of a variety of arms and weapons making it a specialized killing machine designed to subdue even the most formidable fighters from the other Soul classes. The Rogue's answer is the Infiltrator, relying on stealth and subterfuge to wreak havoc on the field. The Infiltrator is not designed for straightforward but following the cunning and smarts of the Rogue class, the Infiltrator can render even the strongest characters dead before they even realize what has happened.

From the Cleric class is the Templar, which relies on perhaps the most perfect balance of offense and defense ever seen on the Planes of Telara. Templars can attack, defend, heal and provide support wherever necessary making them the ultimate jack-of-all-trades. Completing the roster is the Archmage for the Mage class, the most dedicated melee and range fighter on the battlefield. Archmages excel at spells on all facets including empowerment, control, protection, damage, healing. Cursing is the bastion of the Archmage and anyone not prepared to deal with otherworldly magic will easy succumb to the crippling will of the best magician ever.

These new Rift souls add another dimension to the already riveting world on the Planes of Telara. Find out how you stack up against these callings or be a PvP specialist yourself so you can lay claim to being the best soldier ever.

Knee Aches and Pains - The Unavoidable Cost of Growing Older? - Knee Braces Can Help, See How

We have all heard the story: As you get older everything starts to hurt. You have knee aches and pains, back troubles, and all kinds of other problems.

But what if it doesn't have to be that way?

Or, what if you're not that old, but yet you still have knee aches and pains?

Is knee pain unavoidable? Or, could there be a solution?

When thinking of available solutions to knee aches and pains, most people conjure up images of tedious therapy, expensive medications or even the dreaded "s" word: surgery. Consequently, they choose to live with their knee discomfort rather than seek help. Unfortunately, doing nothing will not make the aches and pains go away and, in fact, they may worsen over time. But there is one possible solution that you should never fail to consider: knee braces can help ease your knee aches and pains.

Knee pain problems can stem from many different root causes. Arthritis can cause knee aches and pains, as can the effects from an injury to your knee. There are a host of other possible conditions that may cause or contribute to knee discomfort. Because of the complexity of the knee joint, unless you are an orthopaedic specialist, you should not try to diagnose your own current knee pain problems alone. In order to find out exactly what is causing your knee issues, you should see a medical specialist. In the meantime, though, the use of a knee brace may help relieve the aches and pains by adding extra stability to the joint itself. These low cost supports can be the answer that you have been looking for.

You probably think that a knee brace needs to be specially ordered and manufactured specifically to fit your knee. This is not necessarily true. Most people are generally able to find a properly fitting knee brace that is not custom made, because knee brace manufactures have so many different styles and sizes these days. This makes knee support readily available for much less money than it would cost to have one custom made. - Also, what happens when you get a bill for a custom brace and you find out it is up to $1500.00!!!? Knee braces, which come in a variety of styles and designs, are meant to help support the knee and help keep the knee in its proper position. In this manner, a brace can help to alleviate knee aches and pains and really help get you going again with confidence. You deserve that, don't you?

Strengthen the Muscles That Support the Knee Joint With Knee Exercises

Life would be simple if knee joint pain were a thing of the past, with surgeries fondly remembered as an old-fashioned method of treating injuries. Occurring sooner than we think, more and more individuals who are diagnosed with knee injury with pain are using an alternative to surgery and strong medication. This alternative method is used to strengthen the muscles that support the knee joint with exercises - much cheaper, less invasive, and just as affective with the patient more in control of their own healing.

The knee consists of several parts - bones, tendons, cartilage, ligaments and muscles. Each part can become damaged and develop into a serious knee injury or the knee pain can results from parts of the knee wearing out. Up until recently, orthopedic surgeons have been the answer for surgically treating all bones, joints and soft tissues for extensive injuries or knee diseases, when damage is more extensive. But if tears are minor and the pain is limited, muscle strengthening exercises are used, building the hamstring muscles to increase the knee's strength and flexibility.

Types of knee joint exercises to strengthen the knee muscles

• Before beginning any exercises, warm up by riding a stationary bike. Then straighten the injured leg and raised it slowly a couple of times.
• Water is excellent to strengthen supportive muscles of the knee joint. (1) Press the back against the side of the pool while in chest-deep water, raising each leg 90-degrees; (2) do a quick walk while in water that is chest-deep; and (3) hold onto the side of the pool and do several flutter kicks in the water.
• While sitting on a chair on or on the couch, extend the injured leg with a weight worn on the ankle.
• Lie flat on the stomach on a soft floor mat, raising the injured leg in the air as high as possible.
Using knee exercises to strengthen muscles for knee tendon injuries

Once a person injures the knee tendon (tendinitis), the muscles surrounding the area will become painful due to swelling and inflammation. Initially, the injured knee should be rested and elevated, with ice applied to the knee and compressed wraps used. Aspirin or ibuprofen can be taken to relieve any pain and inflammation during this time.

When the knee tendon is partially or completely torn, knee exercises are used as a primary rehabilitation to restore its ability to bend and straighten the entire knee area. The exercises are also used to strengthen the knee for prevention of further knee injuries. Knee ligament injuries would use similar exercises but are more vigorous in their application. Strengthening the muscles that support the knee joint with knee exercises is an excellent preventive for further injuries, or a way to work out the present painful knee injury. Even after surgery for a seriously damaged knee, knee exercises are needed in order to keep the knee flexible and movable.