Advanced Treatment For Chronic Pain & Osteoarthritis

The body produces electrical energy to regulate everything from a heartbeat to the way our brains process things. And electromedicine has been used to treat conditions since the first century AD when Roman physicians utilized electric eels to treat conditions like gout. However, like many things about our body it has taken a long time to truly understand how manipulating or enhancing that electrical energy within the human body can assist in the health and well being of that person. Dr. Hansjurgens was a leading researcher in the field of electrotherapy and came to some unique conclusions on how electricity affects the body differently.

In fact Dr. Hansjurgens realized early on that there were some limitations in interferential treatments being used because they focused on just stimulation of the area being treated. As he studied and applied his theories to different cases he discovered that he could classify the electrotherapy treatments into two classes:

• Stimulatory which increases and decreases intensity over low frequencies (1-1000hz) which is used for treating atrophy, muscle rehab & strengthening, knee joint disorders and spasms


• Multi-Facilitory which keeps the intensity constant at a higher frequency (1000-100000 hz) which can be used for treating chronic polyarthritis, neuralgia, neuroma, inflamations, sciatica, severe pain and wounds.

This realization led him to create a new technology that treated patients at both the Stimulatory and Multi-Facilitory level and he called this new treatment protocol Horizontal Therapy. Through multiple clinical studies Horizontal Therapy has become the Gold Standard in electrotherapy treatment. By delivering these two classes of treatments to patients not only can clinicians treat the specific condition at the point of the pain but also at the biochemical level to enhance the healing properties of the human body to help provide long term results.

Osteoarthritis - What Changes Will I Have to Make to My Lifestyle?

If you or someone you love suffers from arthritis, you (or they) are not alone. Chances are if you have arthritis, you may have osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, or OA, is a progressive degenerative disease which may eventually destroys the joints it affects. It affects over 20 million people in the United States, and becomes more common with age.

With osteoarthritis, the cartilage, or padding between the bones in the joint becomes worn and thin. This causes increased friction between the bones, which in turn leads to a loss of mobility in the joint. It may also cause new bone growths, or bone spurs, to form around the joints. The end result is you have a joint which is painful and does not move as well as it should.

The older you get, the greater your risk of osteoarthritis becomes. If you are overweight, you are greatly increasing your risk of being affected by this form of arthritis. Once OA begins, being overweight will accelerate the ravaging effects of this disease on your joints. Osteoarthritis can also be caused by joint injury, joint overuse, as well as chronic inflammation. Most commonly you will find symptoms of osteoarthritis in your hands, feet, spine, hips, knees and ankles.

Preventing Osteoarthritis

Prevention consists first of incorporating moderate, low intensity physical activity in your daily routine. Activities such as walking, biking, and use of home exercise equipment such as elliptical trainers or stair climbers performed throughout your lifetime has been proven to make a significant impact on preventing OA. Secondly, reducing your body weight decreases the risk of developing OA. Lastly, preventing injuries to the joints commonly affected by OA will improve the chances of avoiding it.

Managing Osteoarthritis

If it is too late for prevention, your greatest hope is managing your osteoarthritis, as there are no known cures for this condition. Management is available several different ways, depending on the contributing factors to your situation. If obesity is a contributing factor, reducing your weight will greatly reduce your pain and help slow the progression of damage within your joints.

There is no magic pill or bullet to help you lose weight. The best way for you to reduce your weight is through eating smaller portion sizes and increasing your physical activity level. A simple way to eat less is to eat 2/3 of your normal portion size. When done so regularly, you will decrease your food intake enough to help you decrease weight. The beauty of it is that you won't struggle with still feeling hungry after every meal.

Selecting more fruits and vegetables will also help you eat less, as they are dense foods - foods which contain a large volume of water. Dense foods fill you up faster and cause you to eat less at each sitting. Dark-colored fruits and vegetables, especially those that are blue or purple, have been found to be very rich in agents called phytochemicals, which are greatly beneficial to your health and well-being.

Physical activity doesn't have to mean exercise. Being physically active means movement more so then hitting the gym and "working out". Perhaps one of the best methods you can use to increase your physical activity is to begin using a pedometer. Keep track of the number of steps you make in a regular day over the course of two weeks. Then work to increase your steps by 3000 per day for the next 60-90 days. Once this new level of activity becomes habit, re-evaluate your level of activity and work to increase your steps again by another 3000 per day. If you really want to make this program work for you, get a friend to walk with you. Having someone hold you accountable is a great way to improve your compliance to any physical activity program.

Doing resistive exercises which target the joints affected by osteoarthritis has also been found to slow the progression of this condition. The key is to do one set of many repetitions at a very low amount of weight. Elastic bands or weights can be used, and you can very slowly increase the resistance over time.

Supplements which help protect the cartilage in the joints can also be very beneficial to arthritis sufferers. Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate have been found to benefit the joints. Another supplement, known as SAMe, or S-Adenosyl-methionine, has been found to be a very effective, although more expensive, approach for osteoarthritis.

Relief from the pain of osteoarthritis without the side effects common to prescription medication can be found in topical analgesics that contain menthol, camphor and/or methyl salicylate. There does not appear to be any harm from using these products on a repeated basis, which lends to their strong popularity.

There are over 40 different medications are currently on the market which are commonly prescribed to deal with the effects of arthritis. Finding the one that is right for you can be expensive, frustrating and potentially dangerous. Getting relief from the aching in your joints as well as the muscle soreness that often accompanies stiff, swollen joints can be a daunting challenge.

Summary

Osteoarthritis is a challenging condition to treat. Exercise and topical pain relievers are the best non-prescription approaches to managing this disease.

NSAIDs For Canine Osteoarthritis Prove Effective But Not Without Major Risks

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the standard form of treatment for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis. For years, NSAIDs have been prescribed to dogs with this ailment because of their effectiveness in dealing with joint pain.

Over the years, however, more and more studies are emerging that NSAIDs may not be the best treatment for canine osteoarthritis after all. NSAIDs do work by blocking the formation of chemicals in a dogs body which cause inflammation of the joints and joint pain in the affected area. Just like in any disease, the best form of treatment for osteoarthritis should be something that works to repair the source of the disease itself, in this case, degenerating cartilage in the joints. NSAIDs cannot do that. All it can do is to try to stop the inflammation and control the pain. Common names of pain killers used in treatment are Rymadol, Tramadol, and Deramaxx. But take a look at these side effects direct from the Deramaxx web site:

Vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, melena, inappetence, hematemesis, hematochezia, weight loss, nausea, gastrointestinal ulceration, gastrointestinal perforation, salivation. Hematological: Anemia, thrombocytopenia. Hepatic: Hepatic enzyme elevations, decreased or increased total protein and globulin, decreased albumin, decreased BUN, hyperbilirubinemia, icterus, ascites, pancreatitis. Neurological: Lethargy, weakness, seizure, ataxia, tremor, nystagmus, mydriasis. Sensory: Vestibular signs, glazed eyes, uveitis. Behavioral: Aggression, apprehension. Urinary: Azotemia, polydipsia, polyuria, hematuria, low specific gravity, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, renal failure. Cardiovascular: Bradycardia. Respiratory: Tachypnea, coughing. Dermatological/Immunological: Fever, edema, facial/muzzle edema, pruritis, urticaria, moist dermatitis, erythema, dermal ulceration/necrosis.

Half of these symptoms, I have no idea what they are, but I am certain they are of a detrimental nature to the happiness of your pet. Moreover, studies are also stating that NSAIDs may pose even more serious side effects that can lead to permanent damage in dogs. Such damages include ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver damage and kidney damage which can lead to death. While we will do anything to help our pets feel happy and pain free, this path of powerful drugs for treatment may be more than we bargained for.

Because of these side effects, more dog owners and more veterinarians are looking for alternatives to NSAIDs to help in dealing with canine osteoarthritis. The one that stands out as most effective and with few, if any, side effects, are natural supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin. Studies have concluded that the combination of these two supplements effectively control joint pain better than NSAIDs. Glucosamine treats osteoarthritis right at its source, the degenerated cartilage tissue in the dogs joints. Glucosamine is a building block of cartilage tissue and also acts as a catalyst to the formation of new cartilage tissue. In effect, glucosamine helps treat osteoarthritis by assisting in the repair of damaged and degenerated cartilage tissue.

As for chondroitin, chondroitin works by keeping harmful enzymes that cause inflammation away from the joints. It also aids in the tasks to be done by glucosamine by attracting liquids that will provide lubrication to the joints.

Glucosamine and chondroitin, as clearly stated above, treat osteoarthritis by dealing with the source of the ailment. Pain relief comes from healing, not masking pain.

Do glucosamine and chondroitin display side effects on the same degree as those of NSAIDs? The answer is that none are discovered yet, and most likely, there will be few and not nearly as severe as the side effects of NSAIDs. Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural compounds both found naturally in the dogs body.

Natural Joint Relief Formulas For Men and Women

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis do not choose their victims. Men and women alike stand a huge risk of dealing with one or the other at some point in their life. There are virtually over 100 different types of conditions that are related to joint pains. It is no wonder why over a million adults suffer from this type of discomfort alone.

What can you expect from a joint relief formula? They are made with ingredients capable of subduing a number of side effects associated with rheumatic conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia. Also known as rheumatism, rheumatic conditions can be uncomfortable and cause pains, swelling, inflammation, and stiffness in the muscles or joints. You can expect a formula made with high quality extracts to ease the pain and discomforts while calming the inflammation and increasing mobility.

Natural supplements can help those that suffer from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is where the joints are worn and painful because of general wear and tear of the joints. A natural supplement can help rebuild worn cartilage. By using ingredients like glucosamine sulfate, they can help replenish the protective tissues surrounding the joints. This will add cushion that allows the joints to move freely without pain and swelling. It can protect you from bone spurs and promote healthy bone growth.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a little different from osteoarthritis. True, they leave people with the same side effects, but the way that the condition acts is different. Unlike OA, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not just because of wear and tear. RA happens when the body has a hyperactive immune system that attacks its own healthy tissues. People that have RA will notice the same pains in the same spots of either side of their body. For example, if your left elbow is in pain you right one will be as well. Or, if one knuckle is in pain on one hand, the same knuckle will be in pain on the other hand. Chondroitin sulfate is another key ingredient used in natural supplements to help relieve pains and discomforts. The Arthritis Foundation stands behind the validity of this key ingredient.

Although women often experience rheumatic conditions at an earlier age than men, it is never too early or too late to have healthy joints. If you exercise, eat a healthy diet, and coordinate natural supplements into your daily diet, you can prevent further discomforts or avoid them all together.

Osteoarthritis - Is There Any Modern Day Cure To This Disease?

One of the most feared and extremely debilitating diseases that are a major cause for partial and permanent disability in the world is osteoarthritis. The joints in the body, especially the limbs, are the most affected. There are extremely painful conditions leading to decreased movement, tenderness, inability to walk or make a fist formation and a host of other pseudo psychiatric effects.

Osteoarthritis has its origins in degenerative hereditary conditions and it goes down through the genes into the progenies. It is feasible that any joint in the body can be affected but the most common areas are the knees, hands, hips, spine and feet.

In extreme cases, there is permanent disfigurement too. Swelling in these areas is marked leading to a gradual limp in the gait and virtual inability to climb stairs. Pain gradually increases during the daytime and bedtime becomes unbearable or, at the very least, very uncomfortable. With the complete wearing off taking place in the cartilages, the bone joints rub against each other increasing the pain many fold. Even the slightest touching of one bonehead with the other in the missing cartilage area causes enormous pain.

Since the disease is degenerative in nature, osteoarthritis does not have a permanent cure. There may be medication for pain relief but that is purely temporary in nature. Steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to prevent worsening of the pain. Surgical treatments such as complete replacement and resurfacing procedures have been able to address the issue with some success but again, the costs involved in these procedures are astronomical. There are also continuous post-surgical medications that may become necessary depending upon the progress made.

Natural Osteoarthritis Pain Relief

Is natural osteoarthritis pain relief possible? You bet it is!

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It's a degenerative joint disease that affects over 20 million Americans. OA causes inflammation, pain, lack of mobility and reduced motion, mainly in the joints of the hands, knees, hips and spine.

Before the age of 50, men are the most likely to be affected. But once the onset of menopause begins, the number of cases among women increases rapidly.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Healthy cartilage is smooth and slippery. It normally cushions the end of bone joints and serves the purpose of absorbing the pounding and shock of our movements.

But, over time, as a result of growing older and physical abuse, the natural cartilage can become thinner and thinner, causing the smooth cartilage surface to become rough, irritated and swollen. OA starts when this cartilage begins to deteriorate.

If the cartilage eventually wears down completely, bones start rubbing together causing even worse painful joint swelling and stiffness. This is generally most noticeable upon first waking in the morning, in damp or cold weather and after strenuous physical activity.

While the specific cause of osteoarthritis isn't clear, contributing factors can include:

o Being overweight,

o The aging of joints,

o Sports or accidents,

o Joint injury or stress,

o Hereditary tendencies,

o And muscle weakness.

If lifestyle changes aren't made the constant rubbing together of bone on bone can eventually cause permanent joint damage.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

The most common osteoarthritis symptoms are joint pain, stiffness and swelling. But other common symptoms are bony growths and limited mobility of the afflicted joints.

Look for the following warning signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis:

o Inflammation, tenderness or pain in one or more joints.

o A crunchy feeling in a joint or the sound of bones rubbing together.

o Joint stiffness after sitting for a period of time or when first getting out of bed.

No single test can diagnose the existence of osteoarthritis.

And although the neck, lower back, hands, knees and spine can be affected, OA is most prominent in the weight bearing joints - the hips and knees - especially in older women.

Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition that tends to get worse over time. But some people can go for years without experiencing any pain at all. Symptoms also vary greatly from person to person. While some are incapacitated, others hardly suffer at all.

Osteoarthritis Pain Relief - Naturally

There's no known cure for osteoarthritis, so sufferers are generally prescribed risky, controversial painkillers that can have serious side effects.

But, more and more evidence shows that making healthy lifestyle and dietary changes can both help to prevent the onset of the disease and provide long term pain relief from the symptoms of osteoarthritis. So a more holistic approach is being taken.

The key is to get healthy and fit through exercise and optimum diet and to avoid injuries and reduce stress, fatigue and depression. The main recommendations are:

o Moderate exercise strengthens bones and muscles, improves flexibility, reduces pain and fatigue and relieves stress and depression. Walking, swimming and yoga are good ways to stay active with a minimum of stress. But don't push too hard.

o Healthy weight maintenance keeps joints from having to support excess weight.

o Rest and relaxation relieves stress on joints and improves health.

o An optimum diet provides the nutrients necessary to prevent degenerative diseases and is essential for OA relief. Red meat, for example, can increase the risk of inflammation and arthritis. Eliminate non-nutritious foods, such as high glycemic carbohydrates, and eat a moderately low fat diet (20% to 30% of calories) rich in cold water fish, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean poultry and low fat dairy.

o Omega 3 fish oil is nature's most potent anti-inflammatory. So increase the omega 3 fish in your diet, such as fresh salmon, and include fish oil supplements.

Approved Osteoarthritis Medicine - What You Don't Know About Prescription Drugs Will Shock You!

Although approved osteoarthritis medicines might provide relief from pain and other symptoms, but they also pose significant health hazards by way of adverse side effects. In many cases, they also can cause a lot of life threatening diseases. Find out the expert facts and natural treatments for osteoarthritis in this article.

To cite an example, Vioxx is a Cox-2 inhibitor drug and an approved osteoarthritis medicine manufactured by Merck. It had to be recalled from the market because it caused a lot of adverse side effects such as strokes, heart attacks and blood clots in the patient's suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, till today there are thousands of pending cases and law suits against it.

Similarly, Bextra is a drug similar to Vioxx. It was also taken off the market due to similar reasons. It had been found to cause Stevens Johnson syndrome, which is a type of skin disorder.

Similarly, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which are approved osteoarthritis medicines also carry warning label stating that "users may face an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects and gastrointestinal bleeding".

Corticosteroids also come under "approved osteoarthritis medicines". They provide effective short-term relief from inflammation and pain. But they are known to cause various serious side effects such as fatigue, depression, drug dependence, abdominal pain, blurred vision, increased blood sugar levels in diabetics, etc.

Narcotic pain relievers such as oxycodone, vicodin, etc. are also approved osteoarthritis medicine. You would be shocked to know that the manufacturers of oxycodone had to pay millions of dollars as damages. It was because their sales representatives had allegedly advised the doctors that the drug was less addictive in comparison to other narcotics, whereas in reality it was one of the most addictive drugs.

Narcotic pain relievers only provide temporary pain relief as they block the pain receptors of nerve cells. In fact, they don't reduce inflammation at all. They can cause a lot of side effects such as constipation, dry mouth, drowsiness and difficulty in urinating. They also pose the risk of causing liver damage if their use is accompanied with alcohol.

Due to the risk of such side effects, more and more people are shifting towards the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Although they are not approved osteoarthritis medicine, they are frequently recommended by medical experts. They include nutritional supplements, increased physical activity and dietary changes.

Omega-3 fatty acids play a very important role in alleviating osteoarthritis symptoms. They reduce inflammation and tenderness in joints, enhance joint mobility and decrease morning stiffness in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Fish oil supplements are one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Although they cannot be classified as osteoarthritis medication due to FTC regulations, they are widely used as long term treatment of osteoarthritis as well as due to their amazing benefits on overall health including the heart, brain, skin, digestive system, and joints.

Omega-3 fatty acids are natural blood thinners. Therefore, in case you are taking blood thinner medications such as aspirin, you should consult your doctor before you use fish oil supplements or omega-3 supplements as a treatment for osteoarthritis. This is so that you can avoid taking too many blood thinners as that could lead to serious side effects.

Green lipped mussel found in New Zealand is also an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. It contains outstanding anti-inflammatory properties and helps to reduce pain and joint stiffness, increase grip strength and improves joint mobility in patients suffering from osteoarthritis.

The research on the best natural alternatives for treating osteoarthritis is going on. Newly approved osteoarthritis medicine might come up in the future. In the meantime, fish oil supplementation with a combination of green lipped mussel is one of the best natural alternatives for omega-3 supplementation and long-term treatment of osteoarthritis.

Orthopedic Surgeon Demand Grows With America's Waistline

Obesity is commonly categorized as a national crisis and an epidemic for good reason. The health risks posed by obesity affect every almost every single part of the body, and the condition has officially surpassed smoking as the number one health threat in the United States. Although emergency heart surgeries and gastric bypass make more headlines, obesity also causes many musculoskeletal problems that require the skills of an orthopedic surgeon.

Obese patients often must see an orthopedic surgeon because of knee, ankle, back or hip pain. Osteoarthritis is often the cause of this pain. Osteoarthritis a condition that historically has affected mainly elderly patients but in recent years has become common in younger adults because of obesity. Joint pain and limited joint mobility are the main symptoms of this condition, which is the wearing away of cartilage and other joint tissue. This tissue provides a buffer between bones that keeps them from grinding against one another during movement.

Osteoarthritis has long been considered a condition of the elderly because this level of wear and tear is normally achieved after many decades. However, the massive amounts of extra weight an obese person places on his or her own skeletal system far exceeds what our bodies are equipped to carry. This accelerates the degeneration of joint tissue, which results in an increase in younger people who need corrective orthopedic surgery and joint replacements.

Aside from sheer weight, lack of exercise also worsens these joint problems. Though it may be painful at first, exercise alleviates osteoarthritis symptoms by lubricating the connective tissue and strengthening the surrounding muscles to take some of the stress off of the joints. The "use it or lose it" motto popular with many older folks who have been diagnosed with arthritis should now be adopted by all at-risk overweight people. Even the small, simple exercises that can be done sitting down can be beneficial in preventing further joint deterioration.

Furthermore, operating on obese patients poses a higher risk for complications. Surgery heightens the risk of blood clots, and obese patients are several times more likely to develop blood clots both during and after surgery because of poor circulation.

Blood clots pose several deadly health risks including pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis and stroke. Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot causes blockage in the lungs and can result in death. Similarly, a stroke occurs when a blood clot causes blockage in the brain and can result in coma, severe brain damage and death.

Many people seek out an orthopedic surgeon to have these procedures done electively, which is why these potentially deadly health risks should be carefully considered. However, if surgery does go well, it could be a turning point in someone's life. After having a painful joint problem fixed by an orthopedic surgeon, an obese patient may find it easier to get out and exercise. Being able to move without debilitating pain could just be the extra help someone needs to begin a healthier lifestyle.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis - What You Should Do and What You Shouldn't For Permanent Pain Relief!

The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary depending on factors such as lifestyle, age, etc. Preventing further deterioration of cartilage and osteoarthritis pain relief are two of the main goals of treatment. Find out the expert facts on the best treatment methods in this article.

Pain is a common characteristic in all the types of arthritis. Therefore, a proper diagnosis should be done by a doctor before the use of any medication. Progressive stiffness without fever and pain are some of the early symptoms of osteoarthritis, but they are also found in other types of arthritis.

Among the symptoms of osteoarthritis, pain free intervals are also seen for a temporary period which may last even up to a few years, while there are others who do not find even the slightest osteoarthritis pain relief for a single day.

Among the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis, is joint pain after repetitive use. It occurs due to the grinding of joints as a result of destruction in the cartilage that plays the role of a shock absorber. For example, the occurrence of knee pain that is not associated with any sprain, injury, etc. for those who have a history of mountain climbing, heavy sports, etc. is a common example of osteoarthritis.

The pain generally worsens with the passage of the day. Among the symptoms of osteoarthritis that occurs in weight bearing joints such as hips, ankles, knees etc. a limping outward curvature is seen.

A "joint replacement" operation is suggested when the cartilage has deteriorated to such a point that no osteoarthritis pain relief is found even during period of rest. In fact, osteoarthritis is the biggest reason for knee replacement in USA.

In the spine, symptoms of osteoarthritis include neck and low back pain. In osteoarthritis of the big toe, painful swelling of the bursa of the first joint or bunions are seen.

In osteoarthritis of finger joints, the joints become swollen and enlarged. Even simple tasks such as buttoning a shirt also become difficult in advanced stages of the disease.

Most people often use over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen for osteoarthritis pain relief. But, care should be taken that it can cause heart diseases in the form of side effects. Other prescription based pain relievers also have a lot of serious side effects.

Omega-3 fatty acids and green lipped mussel extract found in New Zealand form part of the best natural treatment for effective osteoarthritis pain relief. It has no side effects and in fact is very beneficial for vital body functions and overall health. Their benefits include improved cardiovascular health, brain health, radiant skin, better digestive system and many more.

Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce joint stiffness, pain and inflammation, improve grip strength and help to enhance joint mobility in osteoarthritis patients. Unfortunately, the average Western diet has become highly deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids, which have natural anti-inflammatory properties and play an excellent role in the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Research studies also show that omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the functioning of those enzymes that play a role in destroying cartilage. In this way, they prevent any further deterioration in the cartilage cushions. Fish oil supplements are one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Regular exercise and light physical activity, proper weight maintenance, adequate rest and a healthy diet with purified high quality fish oil omega-3 supplements can help to alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis and prevent it from occurring and serve as the best means of osteoarthritis pain relief naturally.

An Osteoarthritis Introduction

There are many types of arthritis, in fact more than 100 are known and documented, but the most common is a type of degenerative arthritis known as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is also sometimes called wear and tear arthritis, as a result of the common factors that cause this disease.

Over time, daily activities, injuries, and certain high risk sports or activities cause the joints in the body to wear down, typically as the result of loss of cartilage. When this happens, the joints rub together and simple movements can become much more painful. The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, typically affects joints that are weight bearing the most, including the knees and hips. However, any joint can be affected by the disease and it is common for the disease to be found in the hands and feet.

One of the most significant differences of osteoarthritis and the other common form of senior arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, is that osteoarthritis will commonly only affect one joint in a pair, where rheumatoid arthritis will usually affect all similar joints. So, for instance, in someone with osteoarthritis, it is common for the degenerative arthritis to only be found in one of their hands and not the other. In part, this is due to the fact that wear and tear are the biggest risk factors of this type of mobility related disorder.

The symptoms of this type of degenerative disease most commonly result in limited mobility and joint pain. Morning and night pain, which can last for about half of an hour, is quite common and it is often the worse in the evening. Activities can aggravate this type of joint pain.

It is also common for bone spurs to develop around the joint, as well as for small pieces of bone to break off and cause further irritation. Part of this is due to cartilage being lost in the joint, so the added layer of protection from it is removed.

Diagnosing any type of arthritis can often be difficult, as there is no specific test that is always going to be accurate. However, often by learning about the patients symptoms and preforming x-rays of affected joints, later stage osteoarthritis can be diagnosed. Blood work and other tests may also be preformed.

Treating osteoarthritis, as well as other types of arthritis, usually is focused on making life easier for the patient, as the effects of the disease are not reversible. So, pain management, reduction of swelling, and reducing inflammation is often a big part of treatment. However, it is also sometimes possible to keep the disease from getting worse, so this is also an important factor during treatment.

The patients diet and activity level are very important and, with many of those who are obese developing this type of arthritis, weight reduction can also significantly reduce joint pain. Studies have shown that safe exercises, which do not put a lot of stress on the joints, can have a major impact on health and joint discomfort, so things like swimming or walking can be powerful tools too.

This type of arthritis is the most common among seniors and can have a major impact on their health, as well as all of their daily activities.

Orthokine - Treatment of Arthritis and Spinal Disorders

Orthokine is an antilogous concept that is used for the treatment of arthritis and spinal disorders. Osteoarthritis, the loss of cartilage in the joint has many causes. The factors like being overweight, predisposition, heavy load by work, etc are the main causes for osteoarthritis. In western countries there is about ten percent of the populations suffering from osteoarthritis. A protein named interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a crucial role in the development of osteoarthritis and destruction of cartilage. Osteoarthritis patients will have too much IL-1 present in their joints. IL-1 is a most prominent active agent which damages the cartilage and so the natural shock absorber in the joint loses its function.

The therapy of osteoarthritis is done using IL-1 blocker which is known as interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). IL-1Ra is anti-inflammatory, reduces pain and also protects the cartilage. The orthokine procedure is done by taking blood from the patient using a special syringe called orthokine syringe. The orthokine syringe is approved in the EU and Australia. The blood taken from the patient is an antilogous injection solution and it is called as orthokine serum. The Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is naturally present in the blood. However, with the production of orthokine, it is produced and extracted in higher concentrations. So, to increase the concentration of IL-1Ra, blood samples are taken from the arm vein using special EOT syringe. The glass beads in the syringe induces the blood cells to synthesize increased amounts of protective proteins. The temperature of 37'c in the incubator is the optimum environment for protein synthesis.

During incubation, the white blood cells present in the bloods are stimulated immediately to produce IL-1Ra and other anti-inflammatory and regenerative proteins. They are increased in concentration and the "Antilogous Conditioned Serum"(ACS) is injected into the joint. A centrifuge separates the blood clot from the amber serum, containing the protective proteins in high concentration. The protective protein IL-1Ra displaces the damaged protein IL-1 and the inflammation process is blocked. Subsequent therapy includes about six injections that will be given once or twice weekly.

The orthokine procedure is used throughout the world by orthopaedic surgeons and rheumatologists. This procedure cannot be compared to treatments using the patient's own blood that is often used in alternative medicine. In Germany alone there are over 20,000 patients have been treated by this orthokine treatment. The advantages of this treatment is, pain in the joints will be reduced, improves the joint function and mobility and the continuing process of cartilage destruction will be blocked. This treatment is very efficient and safe.

What is the Future of Stem Cell Treatment For Regrowing Cartilage?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Estimates of its prevalence among Americans vary from 20 million to 40 million.

The underlying pathophysiology is the premature deterioration of articular cartilage, the gristle that caps the ends of long bones. Cartilage is a form of connective tissue. It is unique in that it receives its nourishment from the lining of the joint- the synovium. Cartilage itself has no blood vessels or nerves.

The pain that arises from osteoarthritis is due to irritation brought about by local inflammation. These local inflammatory changes occur as a result of the production of destructive enzymes as well as local irritation due to altered biomechanics.

Until recently, the treatment of osteoarthritis has been purely symptomatic. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs either in oral or topical form, local joint injections of glucocorticoids, or intra-articular injections of viscosupplements (lubricants).

While helpful for alleviating pain temporarily, these approaches also are associated with potential side effects, and do not address the underlying problem- loss of articular cartilage.

In the 1990's there was interest in developing what are called disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADS). However, research efforts directed at these disease modifying remedies were disappointing.
More recently there has been interest in the use of stem cells (SCs) to help with cartilage regeneration.

The questions, though, with this line of thinking have been many. What type of SCs should be used? What keeps the SCs inside the joints? How can the SCs be made most productive? When do they stop working? How do you provide the right environment for the SCs to make cartilage? What are the dangers of involved? What criteria are involved in selecting the right SCs expert?

The major breakthrough recently has been in the field of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). The original work done by Shinya Yamanaka in 2007 has laid the groundwork for some excellent investigations involving the use of this techniology. Basically what Yamanaka was able to demonstrate was the ability to take adult stem cells, and reprogram them- essentially rewinding the biologic clock- so that the adult stem cells now behave like embryonic stem cells. The advantage is that these induced adult stem cells can become any type of tissue given the right environment.

However, there are technical problems with this approach and the reality of being able to use these types of stem cells, particularly for arthritis, is way off in the future.

So what is available now and how good is it? Currently, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), adult stem cells located in the bone marrow and, which, if placed in the right location with currently available growth stimulators, appears to be effective.

MSCs are multipotential. They can become a limited number of tissue organs. Fortunately, cartilage appears to be one of them.

How effective the approach is, is difficult to say since there are no good long term randomized controlled studies. What is available are anecdotal reports. Unfortunately, these anecdotal reports fall far short of what would be considered good science.

Also, the application of MSCs where there is no cartilage left and there is an angulation deformity is problematic. In our hands, these patients do not respond.

Age and body mass index (weight) are two other important factors to consider.

What is known is that the approach is safe and appears effective for the short term (2-3 years). Clinical measurements, along with cartilage thickness improve.

Also, there is no evidence of cancer, which is the concern using the induced pluripotential approach.
So... the bottom line...the best current approach appears to be the use of adult MSCs made by concentrating marrow, along with growth factors derived from platelet rich plasma. In addition, the utilization of adipose tissue (fat) to serve as a scaffold is strongly advised.

Finally, the technical harvesting and administration of MSCs using diagnostic ultrasound guidance by an experienced and expert physician seems to be the most important ingredient necessary for a successful outcome.

Preventative and Rehabilitative Exercises for Those With Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is often seen as an inevitable part of aging. As it turns out, people younger than 65 may also develop osteoarthritis. Even though the majority of osteoarthritis patients are older, osteoarthritis is not a necessary facet of aging. Being overweight, having a family history, decreased bone density, a sedentary lifestyle, and previous joint problems are all risk factors for developing osteoarthritis.

In fact, more than 20 million Americans suffer from Degenerative Joint Disease, or osteoarthritis (OA). Knee osteoarthritis is also the major cause of musculoskeletal pain, disability and impaired mobility in elderly populations. Women are most often affected. However, research also shows that elderly people aren't bound to suffer from osteoarthritis pain. There are many holistic ways to address the condition that can have a long-lasting impact on osteoarthritis and the patient's general well being.

The Osteoarthritis Diagnosis
Osteoarthritis affects the cartilage - the tissue on the ends of bones that merge in a joint - and causes the cartilage to break down and gradually wear away. Cartilage is responsible for helping bones smoothly glide over one another. Instead of gliding, however, osteoarthritis causes bones to rub against one another. This can lead to pain, swelling, and motion loss.

The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is made by assessing the patient's clinical history, and performing a physical examination; an x-ray may be needed. Additional tests, such as taking fluid from the joint, may also be recommended.

Signs of osteoarthritis may include, but are not limited to: persistent, steady or recurring joint pain, stiffness in the joints after not moving for a prolonged period of time (this can include sleeping or sitting for extended periods), joint swelling or tenderness, and the sound of bones rubbing against one another, or a "crunching" sound/sensation.

The above are signs that you should contact your chiropractic doctor. Even though an osteoarthritis diagnosis is not difficult to make, oftentimes it's not immediately apparent whether the patient's symptoms is caused by OA. As such, it's important to rule out other disorders and conditions that may be aggravating the symptoms. Making a diagnosis at an early stage of the disease's onset and providing the right course of treatment will help reduce pain, improve overall function, and stall the degeneration process.

Exercise
One of the best forms of treatment for osteoarthritis is through prevention. One of the ways to accomplish this is through adopting some form of regular exercise. Exercise strengthens the muscles around the joints, as well as aids and maintains the joint's function and ability to move. Exercise also helps with weight management and improves the patient's emotional well being; these are factors that can have a significant effect on decreasing the severity of symptoms.

Here are some exercise tips for dealing with osteoarthritis:

• Go for low-impact activities, such as walking, and light weight training. Avoid heavy weights as they can place a strain on your joints.


• Adopt strengthening exercises targeted at the affected muscle groups.


• Develop a careful exercise approach. You don't want to place too much stress on your knee and ankle joints, especially if you are overweight.


• Try climbing stairs or water aerobics. These can help keep the joints mobile without putting a strain on them.


• Make sure to read your body's signals, which tell you when to stop or slow down.


• Your doctor of chiropractic may also recommend proper supplements that play important roles in osteoarthritis prevention and treatment.

Your Doctor of Chiropractic Can Help
By the nature of their work, doctors of chiropractic are able to detect the degenerative changes in the joints at their earliest of stages. Doctors of chiropractic can see and evaluate the impact of degenerative changes in the spine. They can also see their overall impact in the hips, knees, and weight-bearing joints.

Chiropractors are trained experts, with reliable methods of alleviating osteoarthritis pain which, at the same time, improves joint function. Chiropractic doctors do this with the use of natural therapies, such as chiropractic manipulation, massage, and especially designed exercises, as well as a host of other techniques.

Traumatic Osteoarthritis

Traumatic osteoarthritis or post-traumatic osteoarthritis as it is better known is mainly caused due to an injury of the joints, followed by a number of physiological and mechanical changes. A patient may develop arthritis in a joint which may have been previously injured. The development of arthritis in that joint though may or may not be related to the injury. The progressive degeneration of the joint after an injury along with the genetic or other natural causes of bone degeneration worsen the condition as the patient grows in age. It is extremely important for the treatment, to know whether or not the condition is a direct consequence of the injury.

There are various factors which can lead to conclude whether or not the patient?s condition is a case of traumatic arthritis. If it is noted that other joints are also suffering from similar symptoms as the traumatized joint then the condition is definitely not one of traumatic osteoarthritis. One must also try to recall whether or not the joint was absolutely normal even before the injury and whether or not any evidence of structural damage was found only within a few days of the injury. Many a times, a closer investigation into the history of the injury also reveals that it was not that bad enough to have caused an internal joint condition like arthritis.

However, if the injury may have caused a dislocation of the bone, a fracture, a torn ligament or anything as serious then it may have led to the present condition of arthritis which can easily be classified as traumatic arthritis. Also, if one realizes that only the previously injured joint is affected then too it is a case of traumatic arthritis. An MRI scan can sufficiently establish the condition.

The disease becomes evident only 2 to 5 years after the injury. However, certain changes which are symptomatic of an osteoarthritic condition maybe visible immediately after the injury.

How Eating Wheat Can Contribute To Arthritis

There are a number of less obvious neurological and autoimmune conditions that are the indirect result of consuming wheat and gluten, these symptoms and conditions tend to present themselves in less obvious ways, than gas, bloating and skin conditions and tend to get diagnostic labels that don't help solve the underlying problems. Sadly, most of the people who need this information aren't reading this article right now. The good news is that YOU are and the more you are aware of symptoms and potential conditions which are known to be linked, the safer and healthier we all will be.

It is important to note that many of these conditions can be caused by a number of factors - however, my experience is that most people suffering from the diseases and conditions I'm going to discuss in a minute, never consider wheat or gluten as a possible root cause - and that's why it is important to be aware of all the ways that wheat and gluten can affect our physiology.

Let's start with a class of diseases known as autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases by themselves create a variety of symptoms by definition-and this makes it really difficult for the medical community to properly diagnose and treat the real disease.

One of the most common is arthritis, which tends to be one of the common diseases that come from wheat and gluten especially in middle-aged and elderly people, although it can affect kids too. Arthritis is a medical term which actually covers over 50 conditions and rheumatic diseases that affect something like 20% of adults.

Rheumatic diseases by the way are those which are characterized by inflammation or pain in muscles joints or fibrous tissue. One of the things that I really struggled with before cleaning up my diet was extreme pain in my neck and back both of those areas are linked to old rugby injuries. I'm not sure if the inflammation in those two areas for me or any area of the body is a result of eating wheat or gluten, or if it's an indirect result of the inflammation response that comes from having toxic byproducts in your bloodstream because your liver can't break down the toxins being produced in your lower intestine.

Either way arthritis affects joints and tissues around the joints and is a painful condition which is in the United States and Canada anyway technically classified as a disability. More than 10 million of the 40+ million adults diagnosed with arthritis say that the condition affects the quality of their life in some way.

One of the more common types of arthritis that affects something like 1% of the North American population is called rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a process where the synovial lining-or the membrane that surrounds the joints swells up and then loses its protective qualities. Over time these inflamed cells will begin to release bad enzymes in that area that can actually break down bone and cartilage which inevitably causes the joints to lose its shape and alignment not to mention pain and loss of movement.

When I got off wheat and gluten I immediately noticed a dramatic improvement in the pain I had in my neck as well as my back and of all the non-typical symptoms that come from eating wheat or gluten, most people in the medical community recognize arthritis - specifically rheumatoid arthritis as one which can be greatly improved by eliminating gluten from the diet.

Osteoarthritis is primarily where you just have wear and tear on the joints. Most people as they get older show some kind of osteoarthritis. Having said that the inflammation that comes from wheat and gluten can exacerbate the pain and suffering that comes from osteoarthritis.

Do You Suffer from Osteoarthritis? Here's How to Tell!

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). This type of arthritis is commonly referred to as wear and tear arthritis or degenerative arthritis."

While this condition probably begins in the early teen years, it does not become symptomatic until a person reaches their 40's.

Osteoarthritis affects cartilage, the slippery elastic tissue that covers the ends of long bones. Cartilage functions to absorb shock from movement and also to provide a gliding surface for the joints. With OA, the cartilage begins to wear away and the underlying bones begin to rub against each other. This leads to pain. As OS progresses, it causes swelling and loss of motion. Bone spurs develop and the joint starts to deform. Microscopic particles of cartilage and bone flake off and cause irritation of the joint lining leading to more inflammation which leads to pain and more damage.

Symptoms of OA include pain or stiffness in a joint particularly after getting out of bed or after sitting for a prolonged period of time. Some people have "flares" of their symptoms with weather changes. Stiffness and pain in the joints with movement may occur as may "crunchiness".

Some people report no symptoms. One study done at the National Institutes of Health showed that one third of patients with osteoarthritis on x-ray had no symptoms.

While any joint may be affected, the most common areas of involvement are weight-bearing parts of the skeleton such as the neck, low back, hips, and knees. The great toe and the base of the thumb are also common locations. In older women the last row of finger joints and the next to last row of finger joints may be affected. Less common sites are the shoulders, elbows, ankles, and jaws.

Many factors including the way people use their joints. Occupational experiences also play a role. For instance, miners and dockworkers may develop knee OA while farmers have a higher incidence of OA of the hip. Ballet dancers can also develop OA in the feet, ankles, and hips. Athletes also fall into a high risk category with women soccer players being more likely to develop knee OA as a result of prior injury. Other athletic activities which cause joint trauma also can be a trigger for the development of OA.

Obesity is a major risk factor for OA of the hips and knees. The famous Framingham study showed that obese women had the most severe OA.

People with other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout are at increased risk for developing OA also.

Probably the most significant risk factor is genetic. Patients with a strong family history of OA are at high risk themselves for developing OA. This is most likely a result of defects in cartilage metabolism which hastens wear and tear.

Treating Osteoarthritis with Glucosamine

Osteoarthritis is identified as the most common form of arthritis and has affected millions of people around the world, mostly in their forties or more. Also referred to as degenerative joint disease, it is characterized by damage to the cartilage, the substance found between joints and serves as cushion against constantly rubbing joint bones. Among the joints commonly affected by osteoarthritis are the hips, knees, and in the hands, all of which bear the body weight in some degree or another. Along with pain, swelling and inflammation also occurs in the affected joints. There has been a lot of products promising relief from these symptoms as well as addressing the destruction of the cartilage, one of which is the liquid glucosamine product offered by Synflex.

There are numerous reasons for the development of osteoarthritis. These include injury, infection, and the result of wear and tear over the years. Typically, glucosamine, the active ingredient in Synflex and Syn-flex 1500 Liquid Glucosamine products, can be naturally produced in the body. However, as one grows older, the body loses its capability of producing the amount of glucosamine needed in order for the body to produce collagen fibers and proteoglycans, building blocks of cartilages. Because of the damage done to cartilages, there is hardening of the joints, which makes movement painful. Bone spurs also develop in the affected joints, adding to the pain and discomfort of arthritis patients. Apart from pain, osteoarthritis is also manifested in bone deformation and vastly reduced mobility.

In several studies conducted, glucosamine has been found to be effective in alleviating pain and inflammation, as well restoring movements. It is also found that liquid forms of glucosamine sulfate are more readily absorbed by the body compared to glucosamine products in capsule forms. And because it is readily available and extracted from animal cartilages, a lot of glucosamine liquid products have found its way into the market. Syn-flex products, however, are touted to be one of the most effective liquid glucosamine products for osteoarthritis, not only in humans but also in pets.

What makes Synflex liquid glucosamine a cut above the rest is the assurance of its high quality raw materials and the combination of several other substances to ensure pain relief as well as cartilage repair among its users. Syn-flex not only addresses pain and inflammation, but goes right into the source of the problem. Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine is effective in the long-term management of osteoarthritis. Though other medications, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs promise immediate pain relief, they are only good in masking the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Syn-flex liquid glucosamine is not only effective in rehabilitating but also in restoring movements to affected joints. It also affords protection from further damage to the cartilage. Many users report favorable results in as little as ten days following the intake of Synflex products.

These natural glucosamine products are available in apple and orange flavors, and can be taken in original form or mixed with other beverages.

Most pet owners would be happy to know that Synflex liquid glucosamine products are also veterinarian recommended for dogs and cats with arthritis. Administered in dosages according to the weight of the pet, these supplements also promise the same pain relief and joint rehabilitation as experienced by humans. Owners will find that their pet who used to whine in pain and just lie in the corner to avoid movements will regain their alertness and zest for activities.

Osteoarthritis Alternative Treatment For Relief in Order to Get Back to Doing Those Things You Love

Osteoarthritis may take the fun out of those actions you love to do. Osteoarthritis may affect almost any joint within your body and hurt. It often affects the hips, neck, hands, knees and back. The problem usually gets worse as time passes and there's no known cure, although there are osteoarthritis alternative treatment that may help you through the day. Researchers never have been able to resolve the specific reason for arthritis, however the condition sometimes have several contributing factors. Those factors range from aging, heredity, injury, weak muscles and obesity.

Most folks don't experience osteoarthritis until after age forty. The condition is a lot more widespread in women than in men. One of the risk factors are sports injuries. Additionally, some jobs that put additional stress around the joints can be a factor in development of the illness. Gradually, osteoarthritis could get worse. The pain can become so severe that persons are no longer capable of work or enjoy hobbies. At that point, a family doctor may encourage you to definitely have joint replacement surgery. Several over the counter medications help to treat osteoarthritis. Acetaminophen is usually helpful with pain but won't affect swelling. NASIDs assist with both pain and swelling. Ibuprofen is one tyoe of a NASID.

If non-prescription medications are not treating the pain effectively, your doctor may prescribe Tramadol, or stronger pain killers like Darvon or codeine. Finally he may prescribe cortisone shots. Aside from that, some people find help from a natural remedy called glucosamine. This naturally occurring substance is useful in rebuilding the skeletal structure that had been lost as a result of osteoarthritis. When you discover the right osteoarthritis alternative treatment for the osteoarthritis, you may begin to feel significantly better. As you feel better, you may have time for hobbies that you just enjoyed before this condition robbed you of strength and even life.

It may be time to take out the old dreadnought acoustic guitar and play a few tunes or get with the old garage band again. Hands that had lost their flexibility may once more be nimble enough to relax and play like a young rock star. For those who have given up video gaming due to osteoarthritis, then whenever you find the correct treatment you had better dig out the ps2 transformers because you are soon going to be king of the video game again.

Avoid Osteoarthritis Pain Early in Your Life & Later in Life With Chondroitin Liquid

Joint pain is not something that occurs suddenly. It occurs over time. In order to maintain your joint health, one must first understand joints. A joints composition is pretty complex but the short version is this: where bones meet via a grouping of cartilage and fluid.

These fluids and cartilage are what provides cushioning between bones so when you move about, your bones don't collide. When your bones and or cartilage collide or have pressure on them, this is where joint pain comes from.

Joint health is something that in order to avoid future complications must be addressed earlier in life. One must in ingest adequate amounts of essential fatty acids (EFA's). An example of a fatty acid is fish oil. Therefore, eating fish will provide your body with some essential fatty acids. If you're not the fish eating type, you can simply look up the types of foods that have these EFA's.

Almost all the polyunsaturated fat in the human diet is from EFA. Some of the food sources of fatty acids are fish and shellfish, flaxseed (linseed), hemp oil, soya oil, canola (rapeseed) oil, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts. It is not hard to find these in daily diets.

The point of providing you these food sources and suggesting that storing these types of EFA's early in life is because once osteoarthritis sets in, it is pretty difficult to build them back up with out some sort of supplementing surgery. Chondroitin liquid is a precursor to healthy joints but has not shown significant results in rebuilding joint health.

Simply put, if you don't like to eat any of the foods mentioned above, don't like to take pills, are overweight, and even have genetic disposition for osteoarthritis, then take chondroitin liquid on a regular basis. It will save your joint health if you start on it early enough in life.

What's New for Osteoarthritis Treatment?

The American College of Rheumatology meeting, held in Atlanta, Georgia, from November 7 through November 11, 2010 provided some new modest advances in the understanding of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by the gradual wearing away of articular cartilage the gristle that caps the ends of long bones. Osteoarthritis primarily affected weight-bearing regions such as the neck, low back, hips, and knees.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects more than 20 million Americans and is expected to increase in frequency as Baby Boomers continue to age.

The aim of treatment in osteoarthritis is to provide pain relief and improve function. However, the ultimate goal has always been to restore articular cartilage.

Some important highlights from this year's meetings were:

1. The demonstration that genetic markers called "SNPs" may provide clues as to why some people develop osteoarthritis more readily than others. So, in addition to trauma to the cartilage, which is a known risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis, there also appears to be a genetic predilection for the disease. Perhaps, in the future, patients who are at higher risk for contracting osteoarthritis might be identified and treated more aggressively.

2. Cymbalta (duloxetine), a drug already approved by the FDA for treatment of major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, was approved by the FDA for treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain, including pain resulting from osteoarthritis and chronic lower back pain. The efficacy of Cymbalta for chronic lower back pain and osteoarthritis were assessed in four double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials. Patients taking Cymbalta in these trials experienced significantly greater pain reduction compared with placebo.

3. Data on Naproxcinod, a unique non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug was presented. Naproxinod is the first cyclooxygenase inhibiting nitric oxide donator (CINOD) in development for the treatment of osteoarthritis. It was found to be comparable to naproxen in its ability to relieve the pain of hip osteoarthritis, while causing fewer adverse effects on blood pressure.

4. The popular "new kid on the block", vitamin D, suffered a blow to its reputation. Supplementation with vitamin D was unsuccessful in helping patients with osteoarthritis of the knee overcome pain in one study presented from Tufts University.

5. The use of ultrasound to guide knee injections for osteoarthritis treatment led to a 42 percent reduction in pain, a doubled response rate to therapy and a 15 percent reduction in cost to patients, compared with conventional injections guided by "feel."

6. Pennsaid, a relatively new topical agent which combines the anti-inflammatory effects of diclofenac with the penetrating power of DMSO presented some encouraging data on pain relief for osteoarthritis of the knee.

7. Another study showed that Lidoderm patches provide another possible options for knee osteoarthritis pain relief and were superior to placebo.

8. Researchers from Rush Medical School in Chicago recently studied the gaits of 16 adults who, through x-rays and reported symptoms, were diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knees. The researchers found that special shoes can ease knee pain and slow the progression of knee pain and arthritis.

9. A study from the Netherlands showed that distraction of the knee ( using pins to open the knee joint) actually led to cartilage growth and improvement of symptoms as well as avoidance of the need for knee replacement.

10. Two presentations on mesenchymal stem cells provided hope that in the near future, the ability to regenerate cartilage to treat osteoarthritis is a possibility. The first was a talk given by Dr. Nathan Wei, from the Arthritis Treatment Center in Maryland, who presented data on 22 patients treated with mesenchymal stem cells for osteoarthritis of the knee. At six months and at one year following treatment with autologous stem cells (a patient's own stem cells), patients showed improvements in both subjective measures as well as objective measures of cartilage growth. The second talk given by Dr. Rocky Tuan from the University of Pittsburgh, demonstrated that transformation of adult mesenchymal stem cells into human articular cartilage was not only possible but relatively easy.