Bionutra - The Freedom To Live Well : Remedies for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint. Often it occurs on the hands, spines, hips, knees or feet. The knuckles, wrist, elbows, shoulders and ankles are rarely affected, except in cases of overuse or injury.

Try applying these simple yet effective remedies.

Hands (Fingers)

Cause: Growth of small bony knobs (spurs) on the end joint of fingers

May be inherited, more common in women

Result: Fingers become enlarged and swell, may ache or be stiff and numb

Difficult with pinching movement

Remedy: Consider finger splint or support

Try paraffin wax dips, warm water soak or nighttime cotton gloves

Spine

Cause: Breakdown of spinal discs that results in bony overgrowth

Result: Stiffness and pain in the neck or lower back

Pressure on nerves in spinal cord

Weakness or numbness in the arms and legs

Remedy: Use firm mattress and bed boards, sit on a back support pillow or wear neck collar

Apply heat treatment, heat pad or warm bath

Try exercises to strengthen back and abdominal muscles

Try massages

Hips

Cause: Preexisting disorder or excess body weight

Result: Pain in groin, inner thigh or buttock

Referred pain in knee and side of thigh

May cause limp and affect daily activities

May experience difficulty with sexual activities

Remedy: Try weight loss and exercise

Use walking aids

Install raised toilet seats, shower bars or tubs

Seek sexual consultation

Knees

Cause: Excess body weight

Result: Pain, stiffness and swelling in the knee

Grating or creaking noise when joints move

Difficult to walk, climb or get in and out of chairs and cars

Remedy: Maintain a healthy weight and exercise

Use walking aids or elastic knee support

Wear insoles or cushioned shoes

Install raised toilet seats, shower bars or tubs

Feet (Large joint at base of big toes or toe joints)

Cause: Prolong pressure by body weight and physical activities or sports injuries

May be inherited, more common in women

Result: Pain, stiffness and limpness when you stand or walk

Limited range of motion

Remedy: Avoid tight or pointed shoes and high heels

Wear insoles, cushioned or sports shoes

Choose shoes of the right size; lace-up or with straps

Early Detection

There is no blood test for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis except to rule out other causes of your condition. To find out if you have osteoarthritis, your healthcare professional uses a combination of diagnostic tools:

CLINICAL HISTORY

Provide a good description of your symptoms, when they usually occur and how they change over time. It is important to share information of your medical condition and any medication that you are taking.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

This includes general health check, reflexes and muscle strength and examination of joint(s) that bother you.

X-RAYS

X-rays can show damage to joints such as cartilage loss, bone damage and bone spurs. They help to decide if surgical intervention is necessary.

It is important to diagnose your joint pain, as it may be the result of tendonitis or a pitched nerve. Getting help early is very important.


				Remedies for Osteoarthritis Introduction to Osteoarthritis Wear and Tear on Joints Causes of Osteoarthritis Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis Remedies for Osteoarthritis Managing Osteoarthritis Drug Therapy Alternative Remedies for Osteoarthritis Holistic Approach to Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint. Often it occurs on the hands, spines, hips, knees or feet. The knuckles, wrist, elbows, shoulders and ankles are rarely affected, except in cases of overuse or injury. Try applying these simple yet effective remedies. Hands (Fingers) Cause: Growth of small bony knobs (spurs) on the end joint of fingers May be inherited, more common in women Result: Fingers become enlarged and swell, may ache or be stiff and numb Difficult with pinching movement Remedy: Consider finger splint or support Try paraffin wax dips, warm water soak or nighttime cotton gloves Spine Cause: Breakdown of spinal discs that results in bony overgrowth Result: Stiffness and pain in the neck or lower back Pressure on nerves in spinal cord Weakness or numbness in the arms and legs Remedy: Use firm mattress and bed boards, sit on a back support pillow or wear neck collar Apply heat treatment, heat pad or warm bath Try exercises to strengthen back and abdominal muscles Try massages Hips Cause: Preexisting disorder or excess body weight Result: Pain in groin, inner thigh or buttock Referred pain in knee and side of thigh May cause limp and affect daily activities May experience difficulty with sexual activities Remedy: Try weight loss and exercise Use walking aids Install raised toilet seats, shower bars or tubs Seek sexual consultation Knees Cause: Excess body weight Result: Pain, stiffness and swelling in the knee Grating or creaking noise when joints move Difficult to walk, climb or get in and out of chairs and cars Remedy: Maintain a healthy weight and exercise Use walking aids or elastic knee support Wear insoles or cushioned shoes Install raised toilet seats, shower bars or tubs Feet (Large joint at base of big toes or toe joints) Cause: Prolong pressure by body weight and physical activities or sports injuries May be inherited, more common in women Result: Pain, stiffness and limpness when you stand or walk Limited range of motion Remedy: Avoid tight or pointed shoes and high heels Wear insoles, cushioned or sports shoes Choose shoes of the right size; lace-up or with straps Early Detection There is no blood test for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis except to rule out other causes of your condition. To find out if you have osteoarthritis, your healthcare professional uses a combination of diagnostic tools: CLINICAL HISTORY Provide a good description of your symptoms, when they usually occur and how they change over time. It is important to share information of your medical condition and any medication that you are taking. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION This includes general health check, reflexes and muscle strength and examination of joint(s) that bother you. X-RAYS X-rays can show damage to joints such as cartilage loss, bone damage and bone spurs. They help to decide if surgical intervention is necessary. It is important to diagnose your joint pain, as it may be the result of tendonitis or a pitched nerve. Getting help early is very important.