Arthritis Treatment

Rheumatic diseases are characterized by inflammation (signs are redness and/or heat, swelling, and pain) and loss of function. Common symptoms of rheumatic diseases include pain, swelling, and stiffness. They especially affect joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles, although some rheumatic diseases can also involve internal organs. An estimated 43 million people in the United States have arthritis or other rheumatic conditions; they are the leading cause of disability among adults age 65 and older.
Many people use the word "arthritis" to refer to all rheumatic diseases. However, the word literally means joint inflammation. There are more than 100 rheumatic diseases, and the many different kinds of arthritis are just a portion of the rheumatic diseases.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting an estimated 21 million adults in the United States. When people talk about "arthritis," they are usually referring osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis primarily affects cartilage, which is the tissue that cushions the ends of bones within the joint. The cartilage begins to fray and may entirely wear away. Osteoarthritis can cause joint pain and stiffness. Disability results most often when the disease affects the spine and the weight-bearing joints (the knees and hips).
Causes of Rheumatic Disease
Scientists are studying risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing a rheumatic disease. Some of these factors have been identified. For example, in osteoarthritis, inherited cartilage weakness or excessive stress on the joint from repeated injury may play a role. In other types of arthritis, a combination of genetic factors and environmental triggers are believed to be important. Gender is another factor in some rheumatic diseases.
Arthritis Symptoms
Different types of arthritis have different symptoms. In general, people who have arthritis feel pain and stiffness in the joints. Some of the more common symptoms include:
    * Swelling in one or more joints
    * Stiffness around the joints that lasts for at least 1 hour in the early morning
    * Constant or recurring pain or tenderness in a joint
    * Difficulty using or moving a joint normally
    * Warmth and redness in a joint
Early diagnosis and treatment help decrease further joint damage and help control symptoms of arthritis and many other rheumatic diseases.
Diagnosing Rheumatic Diseases
Diagnosing rheumatic diseases can be difficult because some symptoms and signs are common to many different diseases. A general practitioner or family doctor may be able to evaluate patients or refer them to a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in treating arthritis and other rheumatic diseases).
The doctor will review the patient’s medical history, conduct a physical examination, and obtain laboratory tests and x rays or other imaging tests. The doctor might need to see the patient more than once to make an accurate diagnosis.
It is vital for people with joint pain to give the doctor a complete medical history. Answers to the following questions will help the doctor make an accurate diagnosis:
    * Is the pain in one or more joints?
    * When does the pain occur?
    * How long does the pain last?
    * When did you first notice the pain?
    * What were you doing when you first noticed the pain?
    * Does activity make the pain better or worse?
    * Have you had any illnesses or accidents that may account for the pain?
    * Is there a family history of any arthritis or other rheumatic disease?
    * What medicine(s) are you taking?
The doctor will examine the patient’s joints for redness, warmth, damage, ease of movement, and tenderness. To see what the joint looks like inside, the doctor might order x-rays or other imaging procedures. X rays provide an image of the bones, but they do not show cartilage, muscles, and ligaments. Other noninvasive imaging methods such as computed tomography (CT or CAT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and arthrography show the whole joint.
The doctor may look for damage to a joint by using an arthroscope, a small, flexible tube which is inserted through a small incision at the joint and which transmits the image of the inside of a joint to a video screen.
Because some forms of arthritis can affect other organs, a complete physical examination that includes the heart, lungs, abdomen, nervous system, eyes, ears, and throat may be necessary. The doctor may order some laboratory tests to help confirm a diagnosis.
Treatments
Treatments for rheumatic diseases include rest and relaxation, exercise, proper diet, medication, and instruction about the proper use of joints and ways to conserve energy. Other treatments include the use of pain relief methods and assistive devices such as splints or braces. In severe cases, surgery could be necessary. The doctor and the patient work together to develop a treatment plan, which usually combines several types of treatment.
Rest, Exercise, and Diet
One sign of many rheumatic conditions is fatigue. People who have a rheumatic disease should develop a comfortable balance between rest and activity. For example, when experiencing pain or fatigue, it is important to take a break and rest. Too much rest, however, might cause muscles and joints to become stiff.
People with a rheumatic disease such as arthritis can participate in a variety of sports and exercise programs. Physical exercise can reduce joint pain and stiffness and increase flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance. It also helps with weight reduction and contributes to an improved sense of well-being. Before starting any exercise program, people with arthritis should talk with their doctor. Exercises that doctors often recommend include:
    * Range-of-motion exercises (e.g., stretching, dance) to help maintain normal joint movement, maintain or increase flexibility, and relieve stiffness.
    * Strengthening exercises (e.g., weight lifting) to maintain or increase muscle strength. Strong muscles help support and protect joints affected by arthritis.
    * Aerobic or endurance exercises (e.g., walking, bicycle riding) to improve cardiovascular fitness, help control weight, and improve overall well-being. Studies show that aerobic exercise can also reduce inflammation in some joints.
Another important part of a treatment program is a well-balanced diet. Along with exercise, a well-balanced diet helps people manage their body weight and stay healthy. Weight control is important to people who have arthritis because extra weight puts extra pressure on some joints and can aggravate many types of arthritis.
Medications
A variety of medications are used to treat rheumatic diseases. The type of medication depends on the rheumatic disease and on the individual patient. The medications used to treat most rheumatic diseases do not provide a cure, but rather limit the symptoms of the disease.
Medications commonly used to treat rheumatic diseases provide relief from pain and inflammation. In some cases, the medication may slow the course of the disease and prevent further damage to joints or other parts of the body.
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) are used to reduce the pain caused by many rheumatic conditions. NSAIDs have the added benefit of decreasing the inflammation associated with arthritis. A common side effect of NSAIDs is stomach irritation, which can often be reduced by changing the dosage or medication. Newer NSAIDs have been introduced to reduce gastrointestinal side effects and offer additional options for treatment.
Hyaluronic acid products like Hyalgan and Synvisc mimic a naturally occurring body substance that lubricates the knee joint. They are usually injected directly into the joint to help provide temporary relief of pain and flexible joint movement.
Heat and Cold
Heat and cold can both be used to reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis.
Heat therapy increases blood flow, tolerance for pain, and flexibility. Physical therapists are needed for some of these therapies, such as microwave or ultrasound therapy, but patients can apply moist heat themselves by placing warm towels or hot packs on the inflamed joint or taking a warm bath or shower.
Cold therapy numbs the nerves around the joint (which reduces pain) and may relieve inflammation and muscle spasms. Cold therapy can involve cold packs, ice massage, soaking in cold water, or over-the-counter sprays and ointments that cool the skin and joints.
Capsaicin cream is a preparation put on the skin to relieve joint or muscle pain when only one or two joints are involved.
Hydrotherapy, Mobilization Therapy, and Relaxation Therapy
Hydrotherapy involves exercising or relaxing in warm water. The water takes some weight off painful joints, making it easier to exercise. It helps relax tense muscles and relieve pain.
Mobilization therapies include traction (gentle, steady pulling), massage, and manipulation. (Someone other than the patient moves stiff joints through their normal range of motion.) When done by a trained professional, these methods can help control pain, increase joint motion, and improve muscle and tendon flexibility.
Relaxation therapy helps reduce pain by teaching people various ways to release muscle tension throughout the body. Doctors and physical therapists can teach patients a variety of relaxation techniques.
Assistive Devices
The most common assistive devices for treating arthritis pain are splints and braces, which are used to support weakened joints or allow them to rest. Some of these devices prevent the joint from moving; others allow some movement. A splint or brace should be used only when recommended by a doctor or therapist, who will show the patient the correct way to put the device on, ensure that it fits properly, and explain when and for how long it should be worn. Incorrect use of a splint or brace can cause joint damage, stiffness, and pain.
A person with arthritis can use other kinds of devices to ease the pain. For example, the use of a cane when walking can reduce some of the weight placed on a knee or hip affected by arthritis. A shoe insert (orthotic) can ease the pain of walking caused by arthritis of the foot or knee. Other devices can help with activities such as opening jars, closing zippers, and holding pencils.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery might be required to repair damage to a joint after injury or to restore function or relieve pain in a joint damaged by arthritis. The doctor may recommend arthroscopic surgery, bone fusion, or arthroplasty (also known as total joint replacement, in which the damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial one).
Nutritional Supplements and Alternative Treatments
Nutritional supplements are often reported as helpful in treating rheumatic diseases. These include products such as S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) for osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for lupus, and glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for osteoarthritis. Reports on the safety and effectiveness of these products should be viewed with caution since very few claims have been carefully evaluated.
At this time, the only type of arthritis that can be cured is that caused by infections. Although symptoms of other types of arthritis can be effectively managed with rest, exercise, and medication, there are no cures. Some people claim to have been cured by treatment with herbs, oils, chemicals, special diets, radiation, or other products. However, there is no scientific evidence that such treatments cure arthritis. Moreover, some may lead to serious side effects. Patients should talk to their doctor before using any therapy that has not been prescribed or recommended by the health care team caring for the patient.
Limiting Your Pain
Changes in the home may help a person with chronic arthritis continue to live safely, productively, and with less pain. People with arthritis may become weak, lose their balance, or fall. In the bathroom, installing grab bars in the tub or shower and by the toilet, placing a secure seat in the tub, and raising the height of the toilet seat can help. Special kitchen utensils can accommodate hands affected by arthritis to make meal preparation easier. An occupational therapist can help people who have rheumatic conditions identify and make adjustments in their homes to create a safer, more comfortable, and more efficient environment.
The role you play in planning your treatment is very important. It is vital for you to have a good relationship with your doctor in order to work together. You should not be afraid to ask questions about your condition or treatment. You must understand the treatment plan and tell the doctor whether or not it is helping you. Research has shown that patients who are well informed and participate actively in their own care experience less pain and make fewer visits to the doctor.
Arnold Hakers writes for <a href="http://www.arthritison.nethttp://www.arthritison.net">http://www.arthritison.net</a> where you can find out more about <a href="wheel”>http://www.arthritison.net">wheel chairs and other topics</a>.

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It is characterized by degeneration of the articular cartilage (the gristle that caps the end of long bones in a joint) and, ultimately, joint destruction. OA is a major cause of disability in older adults and the prevalence of the condition is expected to increase over the next 20 years with the graying of the population. In fact, it has been estimated that more than 100, 000o Americans cannot transfer from their bed to the bathroom as a result of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.

The burden of OA is made worse by the inadequacies of current therapies.

Non drug and various drug treatments are used for early OA, but protection of articular cartilage has so far not been available. Surgical intervention- meaning joint replacement- is often indicated when the symptoms cannot be controlled and the disease progresses.

Because this is such a significant public health problem- ranking among the top ten diseases chronic diseases impacting society- it has been an attractive target for researchers as well as clinicians specializing in arthritis.

A potentially valuable tool has been multipotent adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), obtained from the bone marrow of normal adults. Many strategies have been studied and developed to possibly harness the ability of MSCs to differentiate into cartilage cells.

Osteoarthritis is a complicated disease. Cartilage cells, called chondrocytes, produce and secrete enzymes, such as matrix metalloproteinases and aggrecanases, which corrode cartilage.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is an inflammatory chemical messenger which makes these enzymes cause more damage. Stimulation of these factors leads to damage to cartilage through both reduced synthesis as well as accelerated breakdown. Other inflammatory messengers such as tumor necrosis factor are also involved in cartilage breakdown and, along with mechanical factors lead to worsening of the disease.

Despite much research into development of inhibitors of these molecules for use in treating OA, success with prevention of cartilage breakdown or with cartilage restoration has not been achieved.

That is why MSCs have been attractive. MSCs are cells that can be stimulated to differentiate along specific pathways, including cartilage production. In contrast to existing cartilage tissue which needs to be surgically harvested from non-weight-bearing cartilage, MSCs can be harvested from bone marrow.

Some evidence exists that tissue damage in osteoarthritis is due to depletion of MSC populations.

So why havent MSCs been used for OA treatment already?

First, questions exist as to whether MSCs obtained from patient with OA differ functionally from those of healthy people.

Also, age-dependent decline in the differentiation capability of MSCs has been reported by some investigators.

However, it should be pointed out that when MSCs are harvested and concentrated properly, enough MSCs with adequate differentiation potential can be isolated from patients with OA, irrespective of their age or the cause of their disease. These results indicate that MSCs for regeneration of cartilage in patients with OA is practical as well as feasible.

How to deliver stem cells is the biggest question. Direct into the joint injection of MSCs is, technically, the simplest approach to OA therapy. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee and even less data to support the effectiveness of this approach.

Compared with direct into the joint injection, MSC application to cartilage surfaces using a scaffold offers more control. The scaffold may consist of either natural or synthetic material. (The scaffold technique is the one advocated and used at the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland (301) 694-5800)

Another possible approach: MSCs can be introduced with various viral vectors. This permits delivery of genes that encode proteins that could potentially reverse some of the damage in OA.

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Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee affects approximately 20 million Americans. It is characterized by pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling due to inflammation and fluid accumulation.

Knee osteoarthritis is caused by cartilage deterioration within the knee joint. Factors that increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis include being obesity, age, injury or stress to the joints. In addition genetic factors play a role since a family history of the disorder can increase the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.

A new study has shed light on another possible risk factor for OA of the knee. Low vitamin D levels may cause greater knee pain and difficulty walking in patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to research presented recently at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston, Mass held November 6-12, 2007.

Recent studies have shown that vitamin D has significant influence on proper function of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems.

In a two-year trial of vitamin D supplements and their effect on progression of knee OA, researchers tested whether vitamin D deficiency at study entry was linked to pain and physical function in OA patients. Researchers studied 65 women and 35 men in their sixties who showed signs of having knee OA by measuring blood levels of vitamin D, their baseline knee pain, the time needed for getting up out of a chair into a standing position and then back down again repetitively, and the time needed to walk 20 meters.

Of the 100 participants, 47 percent were vitamin D deficient, with vitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml. This deficiency contributed to increased pain and difficulty walking among the participants. However, the deficiency did not affect time needed to stand and to sit repeatedly.

Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium and phosphorus needed for bone mineralization, modeling, growth and repair. Sources of vitamin D are available in certain food sources such as fortified margarine, oily fish, liver, fortified breakfast cereals and dairy products. Sun exposure helps vitamin D to become active.

Absorption of vitamin D from food and conversion of it to the active form occurs less efficiently in elderly persons. For this reason, vitamin D supplements of 400-800 and calcium doses of 1,200 to 1,500 mg a day are recommended to prevent osteoporosis. The interesting finding from this study suggests that Vitamin D supplements may also help in arthritis treatment as well.

Tim McAlindon, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine, division of rheumatology, Tufts New England Medical Center and an investigator in the study commented, These results suggest thatpeople with knee osteoarthritis, having a low vitamin D level is associated with more knee pain and greater functional limitation. Dr.McAlindon also added, Future results from this ongoing randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of vitamin D will help determine whether vitamin D is an effective disease-modifying intervention for knee osteoarthritis.

Currently, treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee is limited to a combination of weight control, exercise, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, local treatments (ice, heat, topical agents), glucocorticoid injections, viscosupplements (lubricants injected into the knee), arthroscopic procedures (cleaning the knee out using a small telescope), and knee replacement in patients with severe OA.

The holy grail is to develop drugs that help slow down cartilage loss and possibly even help cartilage regenerate. While this study does not prove that vitamin D does any of this, it is a ray of hope that someday, researchers will be able to discover disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs.

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The most effective method for osteoarthritis pain relief is any treatment that reduces inflammation. And while there are numerous natural treatments and herbs which can do that, it’s important to learn which ones work for you. The best part? Many of these natural treatments have little or no side effects.

If you want to know more about natural and herbal osteoarthritis pain relief, then read on.

Boswellia Tree Extract

Boswellia is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that has been clinically tested on humans. Not only can this plant derivative reduce inflammation, but it will also help with circulation. That increased circulation can take pressure off joints and improve blood flow.

Celadrin

Though it’s made from all-natural ingredients, Celadrin is actually a patented product sold under a brand label. Their ingredients are very similar to the herbs listed here, but formulated for extra efficacy. While other arthritis treatments tend to exaggerate, Celadrin is actually a remarkable tool for pain reduction and decreasing instances of inflammation.

Chondroitin Sulphate

A steady supply of chondroitin sulphate can help to lubricate the body and its joints, therefore reducing the pain associated with osteoarthritis. By lubricating the joints, this sulphate prevents further damage to the bone caused by rubbing, and therefore reduces pain and prevents progression of the disease.

Devil’s Claw

Devil’s Claw is an effective arthritis treatment that not only reduces inflammation, but also relieves symptoms and the general pain associated with arthritis. Despite its efficacy, it has not been involved in many clinical trials. However, anecdotal evidence suggests it’s very effective.

Cat’s Claw

Cat’s claw is a powerful botanical that comes from the Amazon Peruvian rain forest. With its anti-inflammatory properties, cat’s claw is often used for treating arthritis and fibromyalgia. This herb also has a rich source of pynogenol, a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger.

Evening Primrose Herb

Evening primrose is used to treat a variety of inflammation problems, not just osteoarthritis. However, its oil contains something called gamma linolenic acid which helps reduce inflammation. This acid is particularly effective in treating patients with osteoarthritis and has been proven in clinical studies to be just as effective as some contemporary pharmaceutical drugs.

Ginger

Ginger is a popular herb that has a wide variety of uses and abilities. It’s often used as an anti-inflammatory and has been demonstrated to improve osteoarthritis symptoms. People taking regular doses of ginger on an ongoing basis report reduced pain, reduced swelling and improved movement and mobility.

The great thing about ginger is that the side effects are minimal, aside from a bit of burping and maybe a little bad breath. If you’re concerned about ginger breath, try scent-free ginger tablets.

The natural osteoarthritis pain relief treatments listed above are known to be safe and relatively safe from undesirable side effects. However, before you start any new type of treatment or medication, you should always consult with your physician to help ensure that the mix of any alternatives don’t produce negative consequences with prescriptions you may be taking.

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The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, affects nearly 20 million people. More than half of the population over the age of 65 is afflicted with this disease in at least one of their joints.

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition, is a form of arthritis that causes the gradual breakdown of the cartilage that cushions the joints, resulting in bones rubbing against bones. This cause stiffness and pain when movement is attempted. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips. It also is common in the fingers.

DIET AND OSTEOARTHRITIS:

FOODS TO AVOID: There are several factors that contribute to the disease; the ageing process, joint injury and being overweight. There are some foods that should be avoided if at all possible from your diet.

The nightshade family of vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and potatoes are specific allergens for many people with arthritis. Dairy products, orange juice, wheat, and corn are often responsible for food allergies. Eliminate all the suspect foods from your diet for at least one month. If your arthritis improves, gradually reintroduce the foods, one at a time (every seven days). This way, you can determine which food is causing problems.

Decrease your consumption of all animal products other than fish. This should help reduce the inflammation in the joints. It is also very important to eliminate alcohol, coffee, sugar, saturated and hydrogenated fat, and excess salt.

FOODS TO INCLUDE: A joint-friendly diet should be rich in fruits and vegetables.

*Fruit:

Those high in Vitamin C like strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, peaches, mango, and cantaloupe.

*Vegetables:

Those high in Vitamin A (beta-carotene) and Vitamin C. Carrots, squash, sweet potato, spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.

*Anti-Inflammatory Foods:

Ginger, garlic and apples.

*Oily Fish:

Rich omega-3 essential fatty acids and high in Vitamin E like salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, tuna and trout.

*Nuts and Seeds:

Rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids and high in Vitamin E. Unsalted nuts like walnuts, brazil nuts and almonds, and seeds like sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

*Pulses and Grains

Lentils, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), brown rice, and whole grains (breads, cereals, pastas,etc.).

*Drink at least 48 ounces of pure water every day.

EXERCISE AND OSTEOARTHRITIS:

EXERCISE: One of the best forms of treatment and prevention is exercise. It strengthens the muscular support around the joints and improves joint mobility and function.

There are three types of exercise that are beneficial in the treatment of osteoarthritis:

*Stretching exercises – help reduce stiffness and increase joint movement and flexibility.

*Strengthening exercises – increase muscle strength. Strong muscles help support and protect the joints that are affected by arthritis.

*Aerobic exercises – improve cardiovascular fitness, control weight and improve the bodys overall function.

Start with a warm-up and begin exercising slowly. Resting frequently will reduce the risk of injury. Before beginning any type of exercise program, consult your doctor to find out which exercises are appropriate for you and which exercises you should avoid.

While you cannot prevent osteoarthritis, you can eliminate or decrease your symptoms by eating a joint-preserving diet, maintain your ideal weight, and exercise regularly. Exercise also helps control weight and improves mental outlook by releasing feel-good chemicals in our brains.

Remember, being overweight not only carries a highly increased risk of developing osteoarthritis, it increases your risk of many other ailments and diseases.

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Can magnetic bracelets play a significant role in helping to reduce pain from Osteoarthritis?
There is a growing body of evidence to say yes.

Osteoarthritis What Is It?

Osteoarthritis is a commonly described as the wear and tear disease. It is a widespread degenerative disorder of joints characterized by loss of articular cartilage with thickening (sclerosis) of underlying bone. Some areas of bone may become porous with formation of bone cysts. Bony lumps can also form called osteophytes. Debilitating symptoms are varying degrees of pain, stiffness, discomfort, swelling around joints and restricted mobility. Most people over the age of 60 will present evidence of osteoarthritis via x rays. Approximately 15 per cent of the population have problems related to it. It is more common in women and is related to age, obesity, previous joint injury and previous joint deformity.

The UK Arthritis Research Council has a few interesting statistics

- More that 7 million adults in the UK have long-term health problems due to arthritis and related conditions.
- More than 2 million people visited their GP in the past year because of osteoarthritis.
- The number of people with osteoarthritis has risen over 10 years as the population ages and more people are seeking their GPs help.
- At least 4.4 million people in the UK have x-ray evidence of moderate to severe osteoarthritis in their hands.
- At least 550,000 people in the UK have x-ray evidence of moderate to severe osteoarthritis in their knees.
- At least 210,000 people in the UK have x-ray evidence of moderate to severe osteoarthritis in their knees.
- The cost of drugs prescriptions was 341 million in the year 2000.
- The cost of GP consultations was 307 million in the year 2000.

Since osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, the damage of joints has shown to be irreversible. The medical profession has no cure. Medical treatment is with NSAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and analgesics (painkillers).

Alternative Approaches To Treatment

Osteoarthritis sufferers have been seeking their own help and using other resources such as complementary medicine. These may include acupuncture, herbs, supplements and increasingly magnetic therapy and magnetic bracelets. What many arthritis sufferers are looking for with these alternative approaches are safe natural solutions that are drug free so there are no side effects, reasonable pricing and more importantly therapeutically effective. Magnetic therapy appears to fulfil many of these criteria and can work for many arthritic sufferers.

Magnetic Therapy and Magnetic Bracelets

Magnetic therapy is as the name suggests the therapeutic application of magnets, this includes products such as magnetic back, wrist, elbow, knee, ankle and shoulder wraps and supports. It also includes the application of block magnets, dot magnets and drinking magnetic water. Wearing a magnetic bracelet is part of the magnetic therapeutic approach. Scientists are now beginning to discover that magnetic therapy can have a beneficial affect on the human body. Like some aspects of medical science and complementary medicine magnetic therapy is not fully understood. Some mystery surrounds the subject, but initial research has started to indicate that the use of magnetic bracelets can play a useful role in reducing the debilitating symptoms of osteoarthritis.

This positive conclusion is not news to the millions of users of magnetic bracelets and other magnetic therapy products around the world who have accepted them as an additional therapeutic medium to help with the symptoms of osteoarthritis. For more information on the subject of magnetic therapy please visit our web site.

Magnetic Bracelet Research and Anecdotal Evidence

The increasing acceptance of the use of magnetic bracelets is due to two factors. Firstly the sheer weight of anecdotal evidence. Most people find their way to magnetic bracelets by the good reports of friends and family. Secondly, because of the positive feedback, the publicity and consistently great results, the scientific world has been prompted to investigate and research their efficacy.

In December 2004 the British Medical Journal (BMJ) published the results of a randomised controlled trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. The study involved 194 men and women aged between 45-80 years with Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. The patients wore one of three bracelets standard strength static neodymium magnetic bracelets, weak magnetic bracelets and non-magnetic (dummy) bracelets for twelve weeks.

The research results were very positive in that the evidence showed a beneficial effect of magnetic wrist bracelets on the pain of Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee and compared favourably with other drug treatments. The study had unresolved questions over the placebo effect (some participants guessed they had a standard (strong) bracelet) and indicated that further research was needed (See our Website for further details), but a significant conclusion was: Whatever the mechanism, the benefit from magnetic bracelets seems clinically useful.

How Do Magnetic Bracelets Work?

So why is it that a bracelet with magnets lying close to the main arteries in the wrist can reduce pain so far away such as in the knee, hip or back? There are various theories and hypothesis, some relate to alternative medical theory such as acupuncture points and meridians, others use a more modern medical scientific approach, it is very much a work in progress.

A popular view point says its all in the blood, and that the answer lies in the fact that healing works on a cellular level. Several studies have been done on the effects of magnetism at the cellular level. Nearly 1% of our blood is charged particles or ions. These ions can be affected by a magnetic field from good quality magnetic bracelets; the ions polarize creating an electric field which in turn creates a small induced electric current. Any ions that have attached themselves to the artery walls are freed by this weak current to flow back into the main stream. The small current increases the quantity of ions and the newly ionised blood circulates throughout the body improving oxygenation to the cells, thereby significantly contributing to the efficiency of the blood flow with the resultant healing effect.

The Future of Magnetic Bracelets

Research and anecdotal evidence indicates that magnetic bracelets can be very useful in reducing many of the debilitating symptoms of osteoarthritis. Further research is definitely needed to confirm some of the reported experiences and findings. Research is also needed to determine some of the key magnetic bracelet variables such as; minimum magnetic strength, magnet size and polarity.

A question arises about when or even if this research will ever be conducted, as most research is drug related and budgets are tight. It would be unfortunate if sufferers of osteoarthritis missed out on the potential pain relief benefits of magnetic bracelets while waiting for more research, unless off course we conduct our own personal research project by experimentation.

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Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than fifty-five years.

One type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is often related to aging or to an injury. Other types occur when your immune system, which normally protects your body from infection, attacks your body’s own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of this kind of arthritis. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a form of the disease that happens in children.

Cause of Arthritis

There are two major categories of arthritis.

The first type is caused by wear and tear on the articular cartilage (osteoarthritis) through the natural aging process, through constant use, or through trauma (post-traumatic arthritis).

The second type is caused by one of a number of inflammatory processes.

Joint Injuries: Damage to a joint can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in that joint.

Infection: Many microbial agents can infect joints and potentially cause the development of various forms of arthritis.

Occupation: Certain occupations involving repetitive knee bending and squatting are associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Arthritis Symptoms

Stiff neck, most often one of the very first signs. Neck stiffness tends to grow progressively worse over time.
Radiating pain to the bottom of the skull and/or to the shoulder and down the arm. This radiating pain may seem like a stabbing or a burning, or it might present itself as a dull ache

arthritis is not a condition to be ignored. Left untreated, it can progress to the point where debilitating joint damage severely diminishes quality of life. Inflammation can also cause pain in the eyes and in the chest wall, making breathing difficult. If the inflammation reaches the heart, it can eventually lead to heart failure.

What’s the treatment?

There isn’t a cure for arthritis, but it can be kept under control enabling people to get on with living fulfilling lives.

In conventional treatment, painkillers, such as paracetamol, are essential. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can help with episodes of more severe pain. It’s important to consult a doctor before taking any medicine for a long time. These medications, known as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can damage the lining of the stomach causing ulcers, which sometimes bleed. They should always be taken with or after food.

Steroids. Corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone and methylprednisolone (Medrol), reduce inflammation and pain, and slow joint damage. In the short term, corticosteroids can make you feel dramatically better. But when used for many months or years, they may become less effective and cause serious side effects. Side effects may include easy bruising, thinning of bones, cataracts, weight gain, a round face and diabetes.

Exercise — Exercise is an essential element of treatment for psoriatic arthritis. An exercise program can be done at home or with a physical therapist. Physical activity helps to strengthen, maintain and improve joint range of motion. For best results, exercise should be done on a regular basis.

Related Posts:

• Guide to effective arthritis treatment – Part 3
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• Arthritis treatment guide – Part 5
• The different types of arthritis – Part 2

One in 10 people have osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis mainly seen in older adults. In osteoarthritis, joints are damaged as cartilage, the joints’ shock absorbers, wears down.

While there’s no cure for osteoarthritis, treatments are available that can relieve pain and help you remain active. If you actively manage your osteoarthritis, you can gain control over pain.

The good news: A new study shows that massage may reduce pain and improve joint function. Massage therapy is safe and effective in adults with osteoarthritis of the knee, reported researchers at the Yale Prevention Research Center and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Many people report significant benefits in terms of pain reduction and relaxation, the reason why many doctors recommend massage therapy for their patients. Although there are many forms of massage, the type most people are familiar with is Swedish massage, a full-body treatment that involves stroking or kneading the top layers of muscles with oils or lotions.

Massage therapy can soothe pain, relax stiff muscles, and reduce the swelling that accompany arthritis. Massage and gentle stretching help maintain a joint’s range of motion. Research confirms that after eight weeks of massage, patients with osteoarthritis reported less knee pain and stiffness and better knee function.

Massage therapy seems to be a viable option in addition to other treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee. Treatments to date cannot reverse the disease although massage and a good joint supplement may halt its progression.

Weight loss can significantly benefit overweight patients. Relaxation programs and moderate exercise, good nutrition, and education can all help relieve suffering in arthritis patients. Caring family and healthcare professionals can help reduce worries and enable the patient to achieve realistic goals.

Devices such as canes, supports, and braces can take some stress off the affected joint. Avoid aggravating factors such as trauma, excessive weight gain or overly strenuous exercise. Other analgesic therapies, such as heating pads or ice packs, also alleviate suffering. Naturally, care should be taken as in all pain-related illnesses.

If you or your loved one is suffering from osteoarthritis, get a massage and a complete joint health supplement like Phosoplex. Check out www.phosoplex.com to learn how it can help you regain your active lifestyle.

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An inexpensive, effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis that has no harmful side effects?

Both aerobic (endurance) exercise and strength training exercise have been shown to decrease pain and improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis.

Many people with knee osteoarthritis are fearful of starting an exercise program. People know that osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of wear and tear of the cartilage that covers the bones. It seems logical that exercise would lead to more wear and tear and worsen the condition.

How does exercise help people with knee osteoarthritis? Several theories have been proposed and there are varying levels of evidence for each theory. The more popular theories include (1) improved joint lubrication, (2) improved shock absorption, and (3) decreased joint loading because of decreased body weight.

Synovial fluid is the substance within joints that acts as a lubricant. It is thought that increased joint use during exercise increases the production of synovial fluid and thereby improves the lubrication of the joint surfaces, decreasing wear and tear.

One of the purposes of joint cartilage (articular cartilage) is shock absorption. As this cartilage breaks down a vicious cycle begins. Cartilage breakdown leads to less shock absorbing capability, which contributes to further cartilage breakdown. However, muscles that surround the joint also function as shock absorbers. Strengthening these muscles can improve shock absorption and limit further breakdown of joint cartilage.

One well established risk factor for developing knee osteoarthritis is excess body weight. An exercise program combined with healthful eating can lead to weight loss, which can lead to decreased joint loading through an osteoarthritic knee joint.

How does a person with osteoarthritis get started with an exercise program? If you haven’t exercised recently, it may be helpful to first get an annual physical exam. Your healthcare provider may recommend starting in a supervised exercise program where your vital signs and your exercise progression can be closely monitored. In some areas, the Arthritis Foundation offers the Lifestyle Improvement Series, which includes supervised exercise programs. Local health clubs may also offer exercise programs tailored for people with osteoarthritis.

If you have knee osteoarthritis, give exercise a chance. You have a lot to gain.

Related Posts:

• Arthritis treatment & pain relief – Part 1
• Naturally Treat Osteoarthritis- 6 Tips to Cure Arthritis With No Medication
• Basic facts about arthritis – Part 8
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Part 1.

It’s remarkable that rooster combs have provided the source of a frequently used treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Through a combination of research and serendipity, viscosupplements- a type of lubrication treatment for OA of the knee- originally derived from rooster combs, are widely used by both rheumatologists as well as orthopedic surgeons. But do they really work? This two part article discusses the evidence in the medical literature.

Viscosupplements are compounds that have been created to mimic the effects of normal synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is the lubricating liquid present in normal joints that permits gliding and also helps with cushioning. Synovial fluid is produced by cells that line the joints and is essential for proper nourishment of the cartilage that caps the ends of long bones. At low levels of shear force (standing and walking for instance), synovial fluid’s primary effect is a lubricating one. At high levels of shear force (running and jumping), synovial fluid has a more shock absorbing function.

The major component of synovial fluid is a substance called hyaluronic acid. (HA). All synthetic viscosupplements also have HA as their major component. In this article I will use the term viscosupplement and HA interchangeably.

The first question is do these compounds work for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee? As with any treatment, there is the possibility of negative studies. Viscosupplementation is no exception. Lo concluded that HA products have only a small effect compared with placebo (Lo GH, et al. JAMA. 2003; 290: 3115-3121). Brandt stated that HA and placebo produce similar results (Brandt KD, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2000; 43: 1192-1203). And Karlsson posited that neither of two HA products did better than placebo at 26 weeks (Karlsson J, et al. Rheumatol. 2002; 41:1240-1248).

However, the majority of studies have demonstrated that there is a significant effect. But how well do they work? The interpretation of how effective these preparations are has been difficult because of a number of factors. These include:

Global use of these compounds with different measuring instruments and techniques in the research studies;

Single versus multi-center studies
Varying inclusion and exclusion criteria
Different statistical outcome measurements
Other study design issues

And comparisons have been made to treatments other than placebo. Two studies looked at viscosupplements compared with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). (Altman RD, et al. J Rheum. 1998; 25:2203-2212; Adams ME, et al. Osteoarthritis and Cart. 1995; 3: 213-216). They found that viscosupplements performed as well or better than NSAIDS. However, design issues of the studies make interpretation somewhat difficult. It must be pointed out that adverse events were noted in both treatment groups. Not surprisingly, systemic therapies (NSAIDS) had more systemic side effects and HA therapies had more local adverse events.

One question that clinicians often wonder about is, “What about corticosteroid injections?” How do they compare? These preparations are used to reduce pain and inflammation, especially in acute knee osteoarthritis flare-ups and are relatively fast-acting

However, there are shortcomings. They include:

Duration of efficacy may not last
Frequent injections (more than 3 per year) may cause cartilage damage
Local adverse effects
Post-injection flares of pain
Skin atrophy
Osteonecrosis (dead bone)

Studies have evaluated the effects of viscosupplements vs intraarticular glucocorticoids. These include the following studies:

[Leardini G, et al. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 1991; 9: 375-381 (both equivalent until day 28 when divergence favored Hyalgan)]

[Caborn D, et al. J Rheum. 2004; 31:333-343 (both worked @ 1-4 weeks post injection; Synvisc better @ 5-13 weeks post injection)]

[Tekeoglu I, et al. J Rheumatol and Medical Rehab. 1998; 9: 220-224. (For first 4 weeks Orthovisc and methylpredsolone acetate similar; @ 5-13 weeks post injection, Orthovisc better)]

Most studies show this divergence of effect occurring at 5-13 weeks post injection.

(Raynauld JP, et al. Osteoarthritis and Cart. 2002; 10: 506-517). This is an interesting study from Canada where they looked at the difference between usual care, meaning all the things you would do for a knee OA patient except viscosupplementation versus another group where viscosupplementation was added. And they found that the usual care group + visco supplementation did better.

So what about repeating treatment? This was one study that looked at patients receiving 5 injections of viscosupplement every 6 months for a total of 25 injections. While the results showed that good safety and positive outcomes, design issues made this study a bit difficult to interpret. (Scali JJ. Eur J Rheumatol Inflamm. 1995; 15: 57-62).

One important bit of information that we can glean from many of these studies, regardless of viscosupplement used, is that the period of maximum onset of relief is @ 5-13 weeks post injection.

Part 2 of this series will discuss more about what the medical literature can tell patients about “rooster comb” treatments.

Related Posts:

• My Doctor Wants To Give Me Rooster Comb Treatment For Osteoarthritis In My Knee? Does It Really Work? Part 1
• Basic facts about arthritis – Part 8
• Degenerative Arthritis is also known as Osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a debilitating disease that affects the joints. There are over 100 forms of Arthritis known to man and Degenerative Arthritis is the most common form. It is called Degenerative because the amount of cartilage in the joints is deterioration and becoming permanently lost. It is said that over 20 million Americans suffer from Degenerative Arthritis.
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