Arthritis Treatment

Water Exercise Therapy Limitations

Ben Parr — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:34:33 -0700

For many back pain patients, water-based exercises should only be performed under the guidance of a qualified health professional. Water therapy exercise should usually be avoided if a person has any of the following:

Specific Osteoarthritis Exercise Programs

Ben Parr — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:14:14 -0700

Exercise need not result in heart-pounding, sweat-inducing fatigue to be beneficial. In fact, exercise does not, and in the case of osteoarthritis sufferers probably should not, include high impact activities such as running, or sports such as tennis, basketball or racquetball, which require a lot of stopping, changing directions and jumping – all of which can stress vulnerable joints and jar bones together.

Types of Conditions Treated by Cold Lasers

Ben Parr — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:17:25 -0800

Cold laser therapy can stimulate all cell types including muscle, ligament, cartilage, nerves, etc., so a number of conditions can be treated by cold laser therapy. Some of conditions that may typically be treated by cold laser therapy include:

Ankylosing Spondylitis Surgery

Greg — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:19:54 -0800

More Arthritis Info:

Osteoarthritis Causes

Osteoarthritis Treatments

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Facet Joint Disorders

Ankylosing Spondylitis Physical Therapy and Exercise

Greg — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:12:28 -0800

Physical therapy and active, low impact exercise help considerably in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis because they can prevent or slow development of a stooped posture which is a characteristic of many ankylosing spondylitis patients, as well as maintain movement and flexibility in affected joints.

Physical therapy generally will focus on promoting good posture, stretching to achieve greater flexibility, as well as strengthening exercises to support the spine. Deep-breathing exercises can also help patients focus their energy and increase lung capacity.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment

spine-health — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:28:07 -0800

There is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis but there are several ways of managing the symptoms so that the progression of the disease and the joint pain are controlled and the spinal deformity minimized.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatments

spine-health — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:22:45 -0800

More Arthritis Info:

Osteoarthritis Causes

Osteoarthritis Treatments

Facet Joint Disorders

Research on Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Supplements

spine-health — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:00:35 -0800

Existing research on dietary supplements

Currently, there is relatively little research on the effects of nutritional supplements on spine health and specifically on osteoarthritis of the spine. At this point in time, existing studies of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are inconclusive as to whether or not the dietary supplements can prevent or reverse the joint cartilage degeneration associated with osteoarthritis.

Arthritis and NSAIDs for Pain Relief

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:42:12 -0800

Joint pain from arthritis

In general, arthritis is a condition that involves any inflammation of joints. In the back, facet joint osteoarthritis can be a very painful condition. Facet joint osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) causes a breakdown of cartilage between the facet joints in the back and generally occurs in adults over the age of 60. When the joints move, the lack of cartilage causes pain as well as loss of motion and stiffness.

Osteoarthritis Treatments: Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Supplements

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

For patients who have evidence of osteoarthritis in their spine (as seen on an x-ray) and who have had other causes of back pain and neck pain ruled out by their health care provider, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate may be a treatment option.

While glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin have been taken orally since the 1960’s in Europe, it is only recently that these supplements have been used in the United States as an alternative treatment for osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.

Safe Use of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Supplements

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Consult a physician before taking glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate

Patients should always consult a health professional before changing their diet or taking any over-the-counter drugs or nutritional supplements (also known as dietary supplements or natural supplements). Only patients who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis by a health professional and have had other possible causes for their back pain ruled out are candidates for glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements.

Glucosamine Side Effects

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Preliminary studies show glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate to be safe and well tolerated. Common side effects may include:

Effectiveness of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate for Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Osteoarthritis treatments

Conventional medicine does not yet have a proven treatment to stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis. The nutritional supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, have emerged as a treatment alternative for some patients suffering from osteoarthritis pain.

Summary of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Studies

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Current studies show “a moderate benefit” for glucosamine sulfate and a slightly greater benefit for glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate when used for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip to treat pain (3). The only study that examined results for treatment of osteoarthritis of the spine did not have a large enough number of patients to support or reject the use of glucosamine sulfate and/or chondroitin sulfate.

Water Therapy Exercise Program

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:49 -0800

Water therapy pain relief

Water therapy exercise programs (sometimes called pool therapy, hydrotherapy, or aquatic therapy) consist of a variety of aquatic-based treatments and exercises that are designed for back pain relief, to condition and strengthen muscles. Water therapy exercise offers many of the same benefits associated with a land-based exercise program, including development of a treatment plan that is carefully tailored to the individual.

Osteoarthritis Exercises

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:47 -0800

While it may seem paradoxical, for those with so much osteoarthritis pain that it hurts to move, exercise is actually beneficial and will help manage the pain.

Exercise helps manage osteoarthritis pain in a number of specific ways, including:

Pool Therapy to Relieve Osteoarthritis Pain

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:47 -0800

Practical Point
Some osteoarthritis patients refer to pool therapy as a form of "floating traction", allowing them to stretch their spine and loosen and flex joints in a way that would be impossible on a mat.

Pool therapy for osteoarthritis

Anyone who has slipped into the comfort of a warm bath already has some appreciation for the benefits of pool therapy.

Osteoarthritis Complete Treatment Guide

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

While there is currently no proven treatment to stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis in the spine, there are treatments to alleviate the pain and other associated symptoms, and for most people the condition will not become debilitating. Some patients with osteoarthritis have minimal or no pain, and may not need treatment.

Osteoarthritis Medications

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Many different medications are used to control the pain associated with spinal arthritis. Two important factors that must be considered in medications are the level of the patient’s pain and the potential side effects of the medication. Even nonprescription drugs should be checked for side effects.

Understanding Osteoarthritis of the Spine

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

More Osteoarthritis Info:

Osteoarthritis Causes

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis Treatments

Facet Joint Disorders

Non-Surgical Osteoarthritis Treatments

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

There are several conservative care (non-surgical) options available that are the first line of treatment to help alleviate the pain and stiffness caused by spinal arthritis and associated disc degeneration. Most treatment plans will include a combination of these options, based on assessing several factors for the individual patient, such as: severity of the osteoarthritis, which joints are affected, nature of the symptoms, other existing medical conditions, age, occupation, lifestyle factors and everyday activities.

Exercise for Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

This category of treatment focuses on general physical fitness as well as specific activities to strengthen muscles around arthritic joints, and to increase joint mobility while adequately supporting affected joints to prevent injury. Helpful techniques include physical therapy and exercise (both land- and water-based).

Surgery for Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Although osteoarthritis tends to be chronic, the symptoms are rarely progressive and rarely require surgery on the painful spinal joints. Surgery may be needed for certain patients with severe cases of spinal arthritis that leads to instability of the joint (degenerative spondylolisthesis) or nerve root pinching (spinal stenosis).

More Osteoarthritis Treatments

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

In addition to the treatments discussed above, many patients with osteoarthritis and degenerative discs report that some or all of the following treatments are beneficial to managing the level of pain from their condition.

More Osteoarthritis Info:

Osteoarthritis Causes

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Treatment Options for Facet Joint Pain

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:33 -0800

To break up a cycle of recurring, acute facet joint pain, a number of treatments can be used successfully. Many of these treatments give some or even a lot of temporary relief but all too often, little long-term help.

There are a number of conservative care treatment options that can be tried to alleviate the pain and rehabilitate the back, such as: