So many of us have knee pain. Many just take ibuprofen or ice down after an athletic activity that leaves the knees screaming. What other options for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis? One important thing to note is that once osteoarthritis starts in your knee, you cannot reverse the damage — you can, however, slow or even the progression of osteoarthritis.

Being overweight is a big factor in the increase of cases of osteoarthritis, as is age. Symptoms typically increase from the ages of 55 to 64.  

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Pain may slowly develop over time. Your knees could hurt before, after, or when you move them, or even when light pressure is put on them. If you have not been mobile for a while, your knees may feel stiff and your range of motion could be limited. It is even possible to hear or feel a grating sound or sensation when bending your knees. You are experiencing these symptoms because the cartilage in your knee is changing. Cartilage is the tissue that is between your joints that is responsible for motion. If cartilage starts to wear down or even completely diminish, your bones will be rubbing on each other and this can be very painful.

Others at Risk for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can be an inherited genetic disorder. You could inherit a disorder that may interfere with your body’s production of cartilage, meaning you could see symptoms of osteoarthritis at an earlier age. Athletes that have repeatedly used their knees or suffered knee injuries while playing sports may be more susceptible to osteoarthritis in their knees. 

Ways to Manage the Pain

• Stay away from high-impact, repetitive sports and exercises such as tennis and running that can further harm your already damaged knees. Listen to what your body tells you — if it hurts, you probably shouldn’t do it.
• Participate in low-impact exercises that are still aerobic such as biking, swimming, and walking. These types of activities will assist in making the joints stronger and help keep them aligned and working correctly. A physical therapist, like a physical therapist from AmeriWell Clinics, can design an exercise program specifically around your strengths and weaknesses.
• Include both flexibility and strength training in addition to aerobic exercise. Stretching will help maintain and may increase flexibility in the knee and strength exercises work to support muscles all around the joints.
• When you do exercise, don’t forget to warm up before you start and cool down when you are done. Both will help minimize injury during your workouts.
• Keep your weight at a healthy level. Doing so will put a lot less stress on your knees, which can decrease the pain and even slow down the speed that the cartilage degenerates. 
• The type of shoes you wear for everyday activities can impact how your knees feel.
• It’s okay to wear a knee brace or even use a cane to help you move. There may be a time where you are not at the point to have surgery but the pain is pretty intense. A brace or cane can help you get through that time.
• Medications can help with pain and swelling but they will not slow down the progression of the disease. The same holds true with corticosteroid injections, they will only provide temporary relief from the pain and swelling but will not reverse any degeneration. Ice and heat therapy can also help temporarily reduce symptoms.

Contact a knee doctor or physical therapist today to see how he or she can help you manage your knee pain. 

Carpal tunnel is a very common condition that causes pain, numbness and weakness in the wrist and the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome can affect the person’s ability to use their entire arm, depending on how severe their carpal tunnel is. 

Carpal tunnel is caused by pressure on the nerve at the base of the palm; otherwise known as the median nerve. Your hands see constant use and this means you are constantly putting pressure on your hands and wrists. In some instances surgery may be required if you have a severe case of carpal tunnel syndrome, however physical therapy can often relieve pain and numbness, and even help to restore normal hand, wrist and arm use while avoiding surgery. 

What Exactly Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the narrowing of the passageway on the palm side of your wrist. This passage protects the median nerve, as well as tendons that help you to bend your fingers. When that tunnel narrows, you may find that nerves or tendons swell and take up more space, therefore taking space away from the median nerve. Pressure on this nerve causes weakness in the wrist and hand and numbness or tingling in the fingers. Oftentimes the most affected fingers are the thumb, index and middle fingers. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in professions like assembly-line work and it is common in  jobs that require the use of hand tools, especially tools that vibrate. Too much keyboard use can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome, even holding mobile devices, hand-held video games, sewing, or playing games or sports can cause it as well. 

Signs And Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

CTS often starts gradually, sometimes you might wake up with numbness, tingling or burning in your thumb, index finger or middle finger. People often report feeling the need to “shake out their hands” to relieve the feeling. 

The symptoms often worsen as the day draws on:

• You may find yourself having trouble grasping heavy objects.
• You may even have trouble using the computer or holding a cell phone.
• You may have trouble gripping something for long periods of time.

Hand weakness and constant numbness can occur if the pressure continues to go untreated. You may find you drop things without expecting to drop them. 

What Can A Physical Therapist Do?

Your physical therapist that treats your CTS should be someone you trust and know has experience with your condition, such as the therapists at AmeriWell. Your physical therapy program is often tailored to your needs specifically, but you may learn these things:

• How to change wrist positions and when to change them.
• Avoiding bent-wrist positions for long periods of time.
• Proper neck and upper-back posture, to avoid forward-head posture or slouching.
• Safety precautions when using sharp utensils, tools and other implements. 
• “Stretch breaks” during your work routine. 

Those are basic things that will probably be included in the physical therapy plan of most CTS patients. 

How to Prevent a Knee Injury

Those currently suffering from a knee-related injury can consult with a doctor, for a health evaluation. You may have been dealing with pain or discomfort for some time now and are looking for relief. Knee doctors believe in helping patients get to a better place through integrative medicine.

In order to help prevent a knee injury from happening or becoming worse, you can practice following the tips below. If you have any questions about the information provided, do not hesitate to reach out to a doctor today. 

Preventative Tips: 

• Maintain overall fitness including lower body strength
• Wear proper fitting shoes and buy specialty workout shoes for sports
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Do not overexert yourself when training
• Use proper exercise stances and lifting techniques
• Avoid surfaces that are uneven, broken, or slippery
• Do not walk a long distance on loose gravel or turf 
• Utilize knee braces and pads if needed for sports, or as required by your doctor
• Seek treatment for osteoporosis if you have been diagnosed
• Do all rehabilitative exercises for previous knee injuries
• Examine your household and fix areas that may cause a fall 

Reasons Knee Injuries Happen 

Knee injuries are most commonly due to an excessive amount of force being applied to the knee through bending or twisting. Most knee injuries result from twisting during sports, falling, or other accidents. A twisted knee may cause damage of cartilage and ligaments. Injuries due to high-force events like extreme sports or traumatic vehicle accidents, may greatly disrupt the surrounding knee anatomy. Other reasons for knee injuries include degenerative joint disease, arthritis, overuse, infections, or gout. A knee doctor can perform diagnostics in order to evaluate the knee itself, and nearby tissues. 

Schedule an Appointment

You may be feeling distraught and unsure about your ability to fully recover from your knee injury. You may have even gone through many treatments with many different doctors, and are looking for an alternative treatment plan. An experienced knee doctor can go over with you the treatment options that are unique to your body. Every patient is different and should not all be treated the same when it comes to care. Schedule an appointment with a doctor today to begin getting relief for your pain. 

Asbestos in the Home

If you live in a beautiful older home, then there could be danger lurking throughout all that beauty that you’re not aware of. This danger though, can negatively impact your family’s health. We’re talking about asbestos, that mineral known for its fire-retardant capabilities. Prior to around 1980, builders routinely used asbestos in home construction.

The problem with asbestos is that it breaks down over time. When it does, it releases microscopic fibers that disperse throughout your home in the slightest of breezes. When you and your family breathe in these fibers, they can build up in your lungs and other tissues, causing all sorts of respiratory problems and, ultimately, a variety of cancers.

Where Asbestos Lurks

Asbestos can be a component of numerous materials in your home, including the following:

• Ceiling tiles
• Sheetrock and drywall
• Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves
• Floor tiles
• Blown ceilings
• Pipes
• Window putty
• Joint compound
• Outdoor siding and stucco
• Heating ducts
• Water heaters
• Attic and wall insulation

When Asbestos Becomes Hazardous

Asbestos is harmless as long as it’s not damaged or compromised. However, even such an innocuous thing as driving a nail into an asbestos-containing wall in order to hang a picture can start the degradation process. Once begun, it continues on its own, releasing even more asbestos fibers into the air for your family to breathe.

If your water pipes contain asbestos, their interiors tend to degrade over time, which then releases asbestos into your family’s drinking and cooking water. Asbestos ingestion is just as dangerous as asbestos inhalation and has just as many negative health effects.

Asbestos Red Flags

If you or your family members, especially your children, exhibit any of the following symptoms, asbestos could be the cause:

• Persistent cough
• Persistent hoarseness
• Persistent chest or abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath
• Persistent fatigue
• Unexplained loss of appetite or weight loss
• Difficulty swallowing

Finding and Removing Asbestos

Unfortunately, confirming the presence of asbestos in your home can be difficult and time-consuming. This is not something you can generally do yourself. You need to call in an experienced asbestos removal contractor. Not just any contractor will do. Each state requires its asbestos abatement contractors to be licensed, so make sure the one you hire has such a license.

Tell your contractor where in your home you think asbestos may be lurking. He or she can safely take samples and send them to the proper labs to be analyzed. If the presence of asbestos is confirmed by lab tests, then your only permanent solution is to have your contractor safely remove it.

Chiropractic Care

Getting long-term relief for chronic back pain is a common struggle many people have. Due to a variety of conditions as well as occupational factors, back pain is one of the most common issues people suffer from. Thankfully, you can get much needed relief by discussing possible treatment options with a specialist who provides chiropractic care and other alternative approaches to health and wellness. A back pain specialist uses natural forms of treatment that are non-invasive and pose less risks, unlike surgery or medication. To find out which relief methods may be best for your back pain, schedule an appointment to discuss your condition with a certified back pain specialist.

Common Conditions That May Require Back Pain Treatment

If you experience constant back pain on a regular basis you may benefit from going to a specialist who can evaluate you and form a recommended care plan. You may want to consider talking to a specialist if you suffer from the following common health conditions or symptoms:

• Lower back pain
• Sore muscles
• Thigh pain
• Muscle spasms
• Bulging or herniated discs

What Are Natural Effective Treatments For Back Pain?

When you visit a back pain doctor or specialist, there are several treatment methods that they may propose. These include chiropractic care in the form of spinal manipulation or physical therapy exercises. Instead of traditional treatments such as surgery, a specialist who practices chiropractic care in Rockville, MD, like one from the Pain Arthritis Relief Center, emphasizes a holistic approach to wellness so that underlying causes of pain and discomfort are addressed. Surgery is expensive and comes with many risks, and a successful surgery does not guarantee that your back pain will be completely remedied. The focus is not on just treating one area or eliminating a particular symptom, but treating pain so that relief for the entire body can be achieved. These are some effective treatment options that back pain doctors often use to treat their patients:

• Chiropractic care. Spinal adjustments are commonly used by chiropractors as treatment methods for patients who suffer from back pain. 
• Physical therapy. Patients can achieve pain relief through low to moderate impact physical therapy exercises and stretches.
• Acupuncture. As a natural method for pain management, acupuncture is used for a variety of ailments, including back pain.

Schedule an Appointment Now

Don’t wait another day to search for an alternative treatment plan that will provide you lasting relief and help manage your condition. Contact a back pain specialist today to get started. 

It’s the question that keeps many of us up at night. It’s the thought that can permeate both the new home health aide and the most seasoned caregiver. It’s the need to ask: am I doing this right?

As caregivers, it’s only natural to want to be successful and effective in our efforts. The following will provide four easy tips for being an effective caregiver!

1. Know your own strengths

The best way to be an effective caregiver is to know what you can accomplish. Be aware of what you personally excel at and target any potential areas that may seem challenging to you. Having an awareness of your strengths and weaknesses provides a foundation of knowledge for your own caregiving abilities.

2. Establish healthy boundaries

Once you have pinpointed what you can and cannot do, use this information to set healthy boundaries with who you are caring for. Carve out some time to discuss what will help you excel as a caregiver.

You can spend this time negotiating moments for self care, finding tasks that can be delegated to others, and creating a system in the event of caregiver burnout.

3. Establish a caregiving network

Establishing a caregiving network is one of the best ways to be an effective caregiver. This is a team of others who can assist in daily caregiving needs. It’s important to note that a caregiving network is not solely the registered nurse or home health aide.

A caregiver network is the support system that empowers you to provide the most efficient care possible. It’s the neighbor who can help walk the dog, a family member who can assist with medication management, or a friend who can provide a home-cooked meal.

Reach out to the people in your life and see if they can help take on a weekly or monthly task. You never know who can offer help until you ask!

4. Do your research

If you want to be an effective caregiver, it’s important to be as knowledgeable as possible about your loved one’s needs. Educate yourself on their ailment, the potential side effects of medication, their medical history, and any applicable recovery process.

This research doesn’t need to fall entirely on your shoulders. Reach out to your healthcare and caregiving network for help. Have a cloud-based storage document where you can compile findings, diagnoses, research, and relevant data. Seeks to provide the best advice for nurses from nurses, especially when it comes to caregiving.

Before going into a chiropractic appointment, many patients have questions in their minds about what to expect. This is particularly true for people who do not have much experience receiving chiropractic care. If you are someone that deals with daily discomfort or pain, then it is probably time to consider trying this non-invasive form of treatment. Consider speaking with a reputable clinic near you for more information. Until then, here are common questions many patients have about chiropractic:

Is Chiropractic Care a New Form of Treatment?

Understandably, new patients may be cautious about a treatment they have never received before. But, chiropractic has been around since the late 1800s and has proven to be a safe and alternative method of care. The educational and professional requirements expected of a chiropractor are strict, so patients can trust that they are in good hands. It can help to look up reviews and speak with a chiropractic clinic before getting treatment if you have any concerns.

Is it Okay to Get Chiropractic Treatment During Pregnancy?

Yes, in general, chiropractic care is safe to receive when pregnant. However, it is encouraged that you check with your obstetrician-gynecologist beforehand. Many patients experience relief after chiropractic adjustments, which help to reduce aches and symptoms associated with pregnancy. 

If I Get Just One Adjustment, Will My Body Get Addicted?

Some people worry that if they get a spinal adjustment, that this will result in them having to depend on chiropractic care ongoing. No evidence suggests our bodies get addicted to spinal adjustments. But, you may find that you enjoy going to the chiropractor because it reduces your symptoms and alleviates pain.

If you stop getting treatments, your spine may slowly return to the state it was in before. This isn’t a cause of dependency though, it’s just that your spine will become misaligned again, especially if you did not make changes to your lifestyle or have a long-term chronic condition that needs managing. 

Will it Hurt When I Hear Cracking or Popping Sounds?

Sounds that are commonly associated with chiropractic care are cracking and popping sounds. There is no reason to be concerned about these sounds, as they are normal and to be expected during a spinal adjustment. It does not typically cause pain or discomfort for patients and is not dangerous to your health. Some people say they feel immediate relief after hearing these sounds since it means that their joints or vertebrae are being gently coaxed back to their normal resting position. 

What Are Signs That I Should Get Chiropractic Care?

If you have pain or discomfort related to your musculoskeletal system, such as the neck, back, spine, or muscles, then it may be time to seek chiropractic care. Many people live with daily pain which may be corrected through the chiropractic approach. Your chiropractor will perform a physical exam, inquire about medical history, run diagnostics, and then let you know whether chiropractic is right for your body. 

Reach out to a chiropractor from Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic today if you are ready to take control of your health and to get a better understanding of how a chiropractor could help you.

Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment

Accidents of all kinds happen every day in the United States, whether it’s a car crash, a slip and fall, a sports mishap, or something else. Injuries to the knee that result from these accidents is also common. A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) doctor can treat many types of injuries, and knee injuries represent a high percentage of patients. PRP treatment is increasingly popular because it is an effective alternative to invasive surgical procedures. It is also an alternative to taking potentially addictive prescription pain medications that may cause a variety of side effects.

Common Types of Knee Injuries that Result from Accidents

As most PRP doctors know, knee injuries are a common injury in accidents, particularly car crashes. Knee injuries are also common among those who play sports: tennis, soccer, football, rugby, and other sports that require players to twist and turn while on their feet. After examining your injury, our PRP doctor can determine if you are a good candidate for PRP therapy. Regardless of how the accident occurred, some types of knee injuries are more common than others. They include:

· Dislocated knee. When the knee suffers a direct hit, it can cause the knee joint to separate, or dislocate from its natural position.

·         Knee strain or sprain. When the knee, or a part of the knee is damaged from tearing or over-stretching, it can cause injuries to the ligaments, tendons, muscles, or the capsule that surrounds the knee joint.

·         Knee joint break or fracture. This is a complicated injury that may require surgery if the damage is extensive. Alternately, a knee doctor may determine that a knee cast is sufficient to allow the body to heal on its own. It’s important to seek medical care because if left untreated, the pain will be significant and the condition can lead to irreversible arthritis in the knee joint.

·         Torn knee cartilage. The cartilage in the knee is a protective cushion between the knee bones, preventing contact between them. This is important as a safeguard to feeling pain, so when that cartilage is damaged, bone on bone contact may occur causing pain and extreme difficulty with walking or placing weight on the affected leg. In less serious cases, the patient may be able to heal without surgery but significant rest and physical rehabilitation will be necessary.

·         Knee ligament tear. Whether a ligament in the knee is torn or stretched, it can be a long road to recovery. This type of injury is not unusual for National Football League players while on the field during practice or a game. The three most common types of ligament injuries are:

o   Anterior cruciate ligament (often simply referred to as an ACL injury)

o   Posterior cruciate ligament

o   Medial collateral ligament

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and mobility restriction. It is the most commonly seen type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis comes from the breakdown of joint cartilage and wear and tear on the underlying bone. In this inflammatory condition, the body fails to repair the injury or damage to the affected tissues. 

Cartilage is a kind of tissue that covers the surface of the bones within a joint. When healthy, it usually is smooth, allowing joints to move freely and without friction. Damage to this lubricating cartilage exposes the underlying bones, which causes inflammation and further damage to the joint.

Risk factors for osteoarthritis

Aging is a risk factor for osteoarthritis. The potential for osteoarthritis increases as you get older. Women suffer from osteoarthritis more often than men. A patient’s genetics are also a pivotal contributor to arthritic conditions. Some people are genetically programmed to be more prone to osteoarthritis, just as some are more likely to have gray hair and wrinkles. 

Prior sports and other types of injury can damage the cartilage and predispose an individual to the development of osteoarthritis. Certain repetitive job actions or stresses that overtax and put pressure on the joints, such as heavy lifting can lead to arthritis. Additionally, being overweight causes more stress on the spine, hips, and knees, leading to osteoarthritis.

Symptoms and treatments for osteoarthritis

The most pronounced symptom of osteoarthritis is pain. However, it can also include swelling, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and mobility restrictions. Osteoarthritis typically affects the weight-bearing joints, including the hips, knees, toes, and spine. It can involve the joints in the shoulders and fingers as well. Osteoarthritis can be diagnosed by examining an individual’s symptoms, and by examining x-rays or MRI scans of the joints.

Unfortunately, there is not a cure for osteoarthritis at this time. Treatments include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication 
• Injections
• Exercise and physical therapy 
• Weight loss
• Joint replacement surgery

Stem cell therapy is a new and innovative form of treatment for osteoarthritis. Stem cells are extracted from an individual’s adipose (fat) tissue or bone marrow and then injected into the damaged or injured joint. Stem cell therapy has demonstrated benefits in both animals and people. 

Stem cells work to repair and regenerate arthritis-damaged tissues by decreasing inflammation. They can repair cartilage, as well. Treatment with stem cells could help delay the need for a total joint replacement for a few years. When stem cell therapy is combined with physical therapy, it can ease pain, help to lessen swelling, and improve mobility in the joint.