Health Articles

Dr. Ron Nusbaum is the Director of Back Clinics of Canada. He has been in practice for 21 years, helping those suffering from severe, chronic back pain and neck pain achieve a pain-free life and regain vitality and strength. Dr. Nusbaum has performed more than 4,000 Spinal Decompression sessions over the last two years, and his patients experience an unprecedented success rate when they follow his program of care.

Back Clinics of Canada serves primarily the Southern Ontario Region, but patients do come from across Canada and the United States, and sometimes from overseas.

Arthritis pain can radiate to tendons and muscles, but it is actually caused by wear and tear on cartilage between bones. This erosion of cartilage mainly occurs in joints such as the fingers, knees, hips and even the between spinal vertebrae. Arthritis can be painful and cause inflammation, numbness, tingling and even a weakness in joints. The best way to cure arthritis is through rest, immobilization, ice, heat, massage and exercise.

After the onset of arthritis symptoms, you should rest your arthritic joint for a few days. This will prevent further damage to the cartilage. It will also help control some of the inflammation and pain. During this time, you can further reduce inflammation and pain by using ice during the first few days. Ice causes vasoconstriction, a narrowing of blood vessels, which lessons swelling and pain by limiting the flow of blood and lymph fluid to the affected joint. Once the initial inflammation has been reduced, a heating pad can increase the flow of blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients that are essential for healing.

You should also take an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which can help control pain as well. These medications are Cox-2 inhibitors. They minimize pain and inflammation by limiting the effects of certain enzymes on prostaglandins or body chemicals, which is the body’s natural response to irritation or injury. Massage can also help cure arthritis muscle and joint pain by relaxing the nerves and promoting the flow of blood and nutrients to the soft tissues surrounding the joint. Stretching and resistance exercises can also help cure arthritis pain. Stretching will help increase flexibility in tight muscles around the joint. Resistance exercises such as weightlifting can build strength and stability in the muscles and tendons, which can relieve pressure on the joint.

If you are looking for a natural aid for your pain, Glucosamine and chondroitin are two supplements that can help rebuild existing cartilage in the joint and increase synovial fluids. Taken daily over time you will find a reduction in your arthritis pain.

The most effective method of obtaining effective treatment for osteoarthritis pain is to work with your physician.Once your condition has been diagnosed, he or she will suggest appropriate options to ensure that the treatment program deals with your individual needs and also provides proper relief from a medical standpoint. It’s a simple truth that multiple factors will determine which treatment is best for you, including your history of cardiac disease, hypertension, peptic ulcers, and renal disease.

Using pain killers and undergoing physiotherapy are the most common forms of treatment for osteoarthritis pain. Exercise and diet control can also help. A doctor’s opinion should be given before you undergo physiotherapy in order to maximize the chances for a cure. Consult a physiotherapist to learn about certain devices and appliances to manage your problem so that you can treat yourself at home as well as at work. Using a cane or crutches while walking or using rails in your bathroom can also help.

Weight control is another way to help control the pain. The pressure on the knees and hips of an obese person is often too much for the joints to handle, and it is known that the risk of developing this disease can be increased by obesity. Actually, women who are overweight have a greater chance of developing arthritis of the hip, so decreasing weight is an efficient treatment method.

Certain kinds of physical activity should be undertaken, which can be recommended by your physician. Possible exercises to do are swimming, walking, and aerobics, which will assist in decreasing the progress of this disease.

Using natural remedies is something you can do as well, and is actually a good treatment for osteoarthritis pain that offers a lot of relief from the swelling and pain. The application of a hot water bottle may be helpful, and electric heating pads and certain ointments can also provide a lot of relief. There are also certain age-old traditional approaches like a mud bath and wearing copper bracelets that are still used to treat osteoarthritis. Herbal remedies have also been known to help reduce arthritis pain.

As previously stated, many arthritis conditions are the result of obesity, and following a special osteoarthritis diet is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis pain. It is common knowledge that to keep your body in shape, you must adopt a healthy diet. Furthermore, it aids your body in fighting off infections.
Arthritis is a serious health condition that affects the joints, bones, and ligaments. There is more than one form of the disease, with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis being two of the most widespread. No matter which kind you have, it can be very painful.

Tai Chi has many amazing health benefits and can be used to help alleviate the symptoms of such health conditions as Osteoporosis, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and more. There have even been reports of success with things like Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis although western science is just beginning to back up these reports with hard evidence.

Tai chi’s effects on arthritis are much better documented, and the art is beginning to become accepted as an effective treatment for many arthritis patients. When practiced for health it is done vary slowly and there is no impact too the joints like there is in many other activities like running or walking. This allows arthritis patients to exercise their joints through a wide range of motion without causing more damage or pain to the effected area.
Arthritis treatment
The movements will provide some benefits for arthritis patients but they are not enough to get the benefits that Tai Chi is known for with out a deeper understanding beyond the choreography. It is important for anyone who is considering this art as an alternative treatment for their arthritis to put in some extra time and research into finding someone who is a truly qualified teacher in the internal arts and Chi Kung. Unfortunately most of the YMCA and fitness center Tai Chi teacher’s in the US know very little beyond the basic choreography (even those with arthritis certifications) and will not be able to provide effective results for arthritis sufferers.

If you do not begin to see some results within a month of practice I highly recommend you find another teacher. Tai Chi has many amazing health benefits but in order to obtain any of them you need a much deeper understanding of the art than just knowing a few moves.

If you have an injury, neuromuscular disability, arthritis, stroke or carpal tunnel syndrome, you are among the tens of thousands of people living in North America with diminished hand strength and dexterity. The main problem with diminished strength and dexterity in your hands is the lack of grip strength. There are many great products on the market which you can buy to help with your grip -grip gloves, braces, powders, grip sprays etc. all designed with getting a better grip in mind. All of these products are certified and guaranteed by their respective companies to do what they were designed for. However, there seems to be an area where people have to be more creative in finding grip aids – personal grooming. Most find tips and tricks over the internet or talking to their physiotherapists. These tips and tricks could save you time, energy and money, all things which are very important to anyone’s life, not only the disabled.

Tip # 1- Grip sleeves for tools are about $3-$4 each. It can really add up if you consider everything which you consider a tool. They are helpful and function well, however they can be bulky causing fatigue and cramping over time. A simpler idea would be to use foam rubber shelf paper, available everywhere including dollar stores. It is used by physiotherapists as an inexpensive method of adapting everyday items into an easy to grip item. Just cut out a piece of foam the size of the tool, wrap it around the handle, and secure it with rubber bands. The rubber adds an extra dimension for gripping without slipping, and will cut down on nasty vibrations.

Tip # 2 – Squeezing is an area which grip can be painful. Buy toothpaste and other products which are available in ‘pump’ dispensers. It may be more expensive (around a dollar more) but it will be worth every penny. You can also buy pump dispensers from your local pharmacy and transfer your favorite products into them. If pumps are still painful, try blocks of soap and shampoo. They can be bought at most ‘natural’ shops like The Body Shop or Lush. These products also work for people with chemical sensitivity problems.

Tip # 3 – In the shower, always have a chair or stool to sit on. There are many different products on the market today to help but if you are frugal, you can use a stool or chair from a hardware store with rubber feet. Also, a rubber mat will help with slipping, and rails are always indispensable. Having a shelf next to, or in the shower will allow you to do more without bending or stretching. An adjustable shower head will be helpful for washing your hair or shaving your legs without the exhaustion. Some people have problems with heat or cold. Having the fan on while you shower or bathe will help with the heat and having a large towel next to the bath will help with cold. Try sewing the towel together to form a tube, this will be easier to keep it on, and help with drying your back without extra effort.

Tip # 4 – To style hair without pain or exhaustion, use a long handled brush or comb. Adding a long stick to the handle can elongate the brush or comb, once again wrap it in rubber for extra grip. Buying a stand up hairdryer will be the best purchase you may buy in your life. You can sit under it and read while the dryer does all the work.

Saving energy and avoiding pain from a lack of grip strength is very important for people who suffer from an injury, neuromuscular disability, arthritis, stroke or carpal tunnel syndrome. Finding products to help with everyday functions will make your life much easier and less stressful. There are many companies who provide these products for every special need. Check online and at your local pharmacy to find these products, and talk to your physiotherapist for more tips and tricks. There is a wealth of information you can access without exerting any energy at all.
Pat Munro

Before you can come to any decision about which arthritis treatment you should use, you have to fully understand the disease of arthritis itself, how it works and what is involved with it. Only by making yourself more informed in this regards first will you be able to have any success with any arthritis treatment.

Arthritis is one of the most common diseases which affects many millions of people worldwide. It is a damaging, delibitating condition which affects the bones and joints in the body. There are three main types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis. The type of treatment available depends on the type of arthritis you have. They are all different.

Before any treatment for arthritis can be prescribed there has to be an accurate diagnosis as to the specific form of the disease that is causing the problem. It is very important that an appointment with a physician is made as soon as the first signs of arthritis are noticed. The physician will then be able to discover which form of the disease is causing the problem and to prescribe the appropriate medication.

If left untreated, arthritis can become an extremely painful disease. The joints can become incredibly swollen and painful, making them difficult to use. It can even be potentially dangerous as you could be liable to have falls and to drop things.

When you have found out from your physician, which type of arthritis you have you are able to look at the different treatment methods an choose which is the best one for you to try. The gentlest method is often the first one most people try. This involves applying soothing gels or creams which either cool or heat the skin and thus stop you concentrating on the pain.

Often this will not be enough and stronger remedies or medications will have to be prescribed by your doctor. Many different medications or drugs can be tried to treat or lessen the effects of the disease. Steroids, disease modifying drugs, anti-tumour necrosis factor and strong painkillers will be prescribed either singularly or as a combination treatment.

Painkillers are often the first choice for doctors as they are available in many strengths, the mildest of which can be purchased without a prescription. If you do need the stronger type however, you will need to have them made up by a pharmacist.
Fda panel recommens smaller doses of painkillers
New medications and drugs for arthritis are constantly being invented and improved so it is important to make regular visits to your doctor to inform him of your condition and if the medication is working. If it does not seem to be working your doctor may know of a different remedy or medication that you can try.