Temporomandibular Joint Disorder|Joint Pain Relief

The German Shepherd was originally used to herd sheep. They are a good-natured dog and do well in a family atmosphere. They do need to be trained at an early age however since they do tend to be dominate.

Many of these dogs that are surrendered to Humane Societies are surrendered usually because of behavioural problems or health problems. Any dog will get sick but purebreds seem to be prone to certain diseases and the German Shepherd is no different.

German Shepherds are prone to a number of diseases, one of them being hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is most common among larger breeds of dogs and is considered to be a genetic disease. It is the malformation of the hip joint where the ball or the head of the femur does not fit properly into the socket. It can cause moderate to severe pain and lameness in an affected dog. It can also cause arthritis of the joints. It can affect the left hip or the right hip or both.

Hip dysplasia can be apparent at birth or can be detected during the growing phase of the puppy or it may not be detected until the dog is much older.
Hip dysplasia is usually detected after a physical examination and then confirmed by x-rays of the hip joints.

There are different ways to treat hip dysplasia and treatment is going to be determined by the severity of the dysplasia, the dogs' age, the radiographic findings and how much an owner can afford. Having dog insurance may make your decision easier.

One way of treating hip dysplasia is by restricting your dogs' exercise and give them some sort of pain medication prescribed by your vet. Acupuncture can be used to help alleviate the pain but that would be an ongoing treatment.

There is also a surgical solution to hip dysplasia. Three types of surgery used are a total hip replacement, femoral head or a triple pelvic osteotomy. The cost varies from the least invasive surgery, the femoral head, which costs between $1000 to $2000 to the more invasive, triple pelvic osteotomy, which can cost between $2000 to $3500 and the last surgery which is a total hip replacement can cost between $4000 to $6000.

As you can see unexpected illnesses and diseases can cost quite a lot of money. You now have the option when purchasing a new puppy to purchase healthcare for them. There are different plans and many different companies that now offer pet insurance. Your best to research and compare pet insurance policies and find one that covers your pets needs and is affordable.

There have been a few natural arthritis pain relief supplements which are known to assist in relieving sometimes excruciating pain in the hip or knees, but often men and women in the West still prefer to opt for prescription NSAID's which have now been exposed through concrete medical evidence to damage your liver, kidneys, pose heart risks even heart arrhythmia - where your heart skips a beat and dramatically raises your chances of a heart attack.

Hence Vioxx and Celebrex have now been removed from the market and currently there is a shortage of respectable prescription arthritis drugs which is why the trend is veering towards all-natural alternatives.

There's also a shift in the way people are treating joint pain today as the new medical biological arthritis injections are proving much more successful at instructing remission as opposed to the NSAID's, which just dampen the pain while the disease continues to spread.

Additionally, NSAID's cannot be used in combination with these new injections due to the unpredictable nature of their side effects, which is why more refined and concentrated natural supplements are being sought after.

Of these Provailen is one such supplement.

In short this product contains 3 main ingredients, Reishi, Capsaicin and Tongkat Ali.

Reishi, which is well-known for its anti-inflammatory benefits is now extracted in FDA approved pharmaceutical labs, which takes approximately 60 hours to produce an active ingredient 70 times its natural anti-inflammatory strength.

This is now achieved through piercing the Chitin which coats the fungi's spores which prove almost impenetrable when digested.

To help increase the absorption of Reishi, which will help reduce the swelling and the pain, while contributing to the remission of the cartilage is Capsaicin.

Capsaicin can also assist in blocking pain signals being transmitted from the injured joint to the brain so it works two fronts.

Finally Tongkat Ali can help speed up the blood flow and is often a preferred natural metabolism booster to caffeine due to its minimal side effects, plus more importantly it works on strengthening muscles and adding density to bone cartilage.

Muscle atrophy is common amongst people with joint pain and arthritis, so by helping to rebuild the muscle through consuming this active muscle building compound, in combination ideally with exercise, preferably swimming, this will help relieve the stress on the joints almost overnight.

Additional natural pain relief supplements on the market, which contain active botanicals to treat joint pain include Eazol, an FDA registered homeopathic pain reliever, Jointkote and JointAdvance.

Do you need to know how to relieve TMJ disorder fast? The problem is that most recommended treatments by physicians focus mainly on muscle relaxant drugs. These can have serious side effects. I know. I suffered for years with TMJ, my doctor prescribed Cyclobenzaprine. Almost immediately I suffered serious fatigue and drowsiness. It got so bad I decided it was less painful to have the TMJ jaw pain, than feel like I was ready to drop any second.

I got really annoyed. I needed help and all I was given was something that made me feel even worse. I don't know if you experienced anything similar. If you did then you have my sympathy, I know how bad it can be. This experience did result in me finding something that actually can help folk like us in dealing with TMJ, without the dangerous side effects.

TMJ Easing Exercises

I discovered by regularly following simple TMJ exercises I was able to reduce the symptoms of my TMJ. Now it doesn't affect me at all. I earnestly wish you the same benefits by following these tips:

1. Jaw exercising and stretching: Gentle stretching and exercise and help to reduce the TMJ pain in the jaw. The whole routine takes less than 5 minutes a day.

a. Open-Close. Use a hand on your chin to gently resist as you slowly open and close your mouth 20 times.
b. Back and Forth. Resist again slightly as you move your jaw back and forth 20 times slowly.
c. Left and Right. Use a hand again to gently resist as you push your jaw to the left and back to centre, then to the right and back to centre. Repeat 20 times on each side.

2. 20 minutes of relaxation: Relaxation is a vital part of good health. Stress alone can cause serious health issues. Take 20 minutes a day to do something that helps you achieve deep relaxation

3. Hot and cold treatment: Apply a heating pad or hot water bottle to the side of the jaw. After 1 minute apply an ice-pack to the area. After 1 minute apply heat again. Alternating between the hot and cold treatments can help to improve circulation and reduce inflammation in the joints.

Heat applied directly to the neck and shoulders can also bring much relief.

Caution: These advices are given freely as a record of my experiences and personal understanding. You are under no obligation to follow these advices. Random attempts at self-healing without any structure can be ineffective at best, possibly dangerous.

Losing a tooth can be difficult especially if the empty space is visible every time you smile. It can be quite uncomfortable and sometimes even embarrassing to expose that empty space whenever you open your mouth. As a result, many people with missing teeth choose to either smile very modestly (when they really want to smile widely) or avoid smiling altogether for fear of humiliation.

But no one has to endure such hardship. A simple dental option called dental bridges can help solve your problem right away.

Dental bridges are artificial teeth planted into the space previously occupied by the missing teeth. They can cover up for one or more lost teeth. Dental bridges are generally needed to close the gaps that missing teeth have left because the surrounding natural teeth can slowly move in to the empty space, thereby causing a bad bite and imbalance. Such an imbalance can further cause gum disease and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders.

Dental bridges make use of a pontic and two abutments. The pontic is the false tooth while the abutments are the natural teeth found before and after the empty space. Pontics are planted in between the abutments, which serve as anchors for the bridge, and attached to both of the abutments crowns. You have a variety of bridge materials to choose from including gold, porcelain, ceramic and porcelain. If you do not know which material would be ideal for you, the dentist can help you decide on this based on the area of the missing tooth, the function of the pontic and cost.

Although dental bridges last for a very long time, they can sometimes fall out due to a dental disease that has affected the area underneath the bridge. Hence, oral hygiene must be observed. For people with dental bridges, brushing with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing becomes necessary to eliminate any bacteria or plaque build up and strengthen the enamel of the teeth. It is also recommended that they regularly visit the dentist for checkups and cleanings.

How are your knees feeling?

Do you have pain now, or does it come and go?

The knee, one of the largest and most intricate joints in the body, is often taken for granted. People use their knees ever day in almost every activity they perform. Yet, they do not usually think much about their knees unless they start to hurt. When the aching starts, the knee suddenly becomes the focus of your attention, and finding and eliminating knee ache causes becomes a priority. - Can you relate?

So what are some of the most common knee ache causes? Of course, only a qualified physician can tell you for certain what is causing your knee ache.

What follows is a short list of some of the more frequent knee ache causes:

1.) Degenerative Arthritis: Otherwise known as Osteoarthritis, this condition results in a wearing away of the cartilage in the knee joint that prevents the painful rubbing of bone against bone upon movement. It usually occurs with age, and is a progressive condition. You can feel the symptoms on one side of your knee, or throughout the joint. This is one of the most common knee ache causes.

2.) Rheumatoid Arthritis: Unlike Osteoarthritis, this condition can occur at any age. It causes inflammation and stiffness within the knee joint, which in turn causes knee ache.

3.) Overuse of the Knee: One of the most typical knee ache causes is simple overuse. Athletes are prone to overuse, but so is the average active person, especially if they are performing an activity not part of their usual routine. Overuse causes the muscles and tendons to become overworked and strained, which in turn results in knee ache.

4.) Chondromalacia Patellae: This condition occurs when the cartilage under the kneecap (patella) becomes softened or worn, and the kneecap consequently fails to move smoothly over the joint as it meant to. It is one of the most well known of knee ache causes.

5.) Bursitis: This condition occurs when the bursae (small fluid filled sacks) that protect the knee joint at various points where the muscles and tendons move over the bone become inflamed. The inflammation can occur from overuse, injury or even infection, and cause pain problems.

6.) Synovitis: This condition, which is an inflammation of the lining of the joint, in not as common as the other knee pain causes, but carries the same symptoms of achiness.

Whatever the cause of your aches and pains, a knee brace, when used properly, can help reduce the friction and pressure on the knee joint, thus reducing pain stemming from any of the conditions noted above, plus the others not mentioned here. A knee support can also help keep the knee properly aligned which will in turn help reduce the stress on the knee joint, knee cap and cartilage underneath. Regardless of the cause of the knee ache, therefore, the use of a knee brace can help relieve your symptoms.

We hope that your pains disappears by itself, but if it does not, the problems can get worse. If you have knee pain, it is time to look it in the eye, and do something to get rid of it. Knee supports are low cost options to helping you deal with your knee issues. They are great because you can start using them right away to help rid yourself of your instability and pain issues. You deserve to get rid of your pain, don't you?

Lay media attention on stem cell (SC) therapy has generally focused on two areas:

1. The promise of embryonic SC
2. The proliferation of charlatans preying on the dreams and fears of helpless patients.

While embryonic SC, in theory, appear to potentially be the best option for tissue regeneration, the hype has exceeded the hope. Because of political and ethical concerns, research efforts using these cells has been disappointing.

At the same time, news articles and television commentaries have also dealt with controversial areas of SC therapy. An inordinate amount of time has been devoted to exposing the seamy side... individuals involved in obvious hucksterism, the possible abuse of SC therapy by practitioners, as well as the implication that all SC research conducted outside academic centers is suspect.

As a result, there has been neglect regarding of some fascinating and promising work, particularly in arthritis treatment.

One of the more intriguing studies was recently published by Korean investigators (Pak J. Regeneration of human bones in hip osteonecrosis and human cartilage in knee osteoarthritis with autologous adipose-derived stem cells: a case series. J Med Case Reports. 2011; 7: 296)

The Korean physicians treated four patients. Two (a 29 year old woman and a 47 year old man) had osteonecrosis of the hip. Two other patients (a 70 year old woman and a 79 year old man) had osteoarthritis of the knee. They were all given a mixture of autologous stem cells (the patient's own stem cells) derived from fat along with platelet rich plasma, hyaluronic acid, nanogram amounts of dexamethasone, and calcium chloride.

Pre and post treatment MRI scans were obtained in all subjects. In the case of patients with osteonecrosis, new bone formation was noted. In the patients with osteoarthritis, new cartilage formation was seen.

Along with the MRI findings, both subjective pain measures and functional outcomes improved.

I found these findings to be extremely interesting for a number of reasons.

First, the mixture used in the Korean report is similar to the one that we use at our center, with one exception. The exception is this: In addition to the SC, we also use bone marrow derived stem cells.

And, while our center has had excellent results with knee osteoarthritis (more than 90 per cent success), our experience with both hip osteoarthritis as well as hip osteonecrosis has been disappointing.

Why the difference between hip and knee? I suspect it's because the mechanical forces are different. The anatomy of the hip joint allows extreme rotation as opposed to the knee joint which is primarily a hinge joint with some rotation and some gliding. Activity level and body weight may also be contributing factors.

Nonetheless, this report from Korea underscores what we believe to be true... the use of autologous stem cells, also known as repair stem cells, will prove to be a fruitful area of progress in osteoarthritis research for years to come.

You have powerful muscles that surround your hip joint. Sometimes these muscles get "out of balance." Some get used and some don't. This creates stress on the joint. When muscles pull on bones in a different way than they were designed to--more pull on one side than on another--it creates little bony spurs or bumps. Those little bone spurs are arthritis. But, you can have hip pain whether you have arthritis or not. Many times hip pain comes from your muscles!

If your hips hurt, you might wish to consider walking a different way.

Nordic Walking uses poles to help balance you and might help people with hip pain more than using a cane. If you are walking with a cane, that cane supports you on only one side. But, walking with a pole in each hand gives you support on both sides and helps propel you forward.

The poles also cause you to swing your arms in a good, neutral position. When you walk, you are supposed to swing your arms next to your body rather than in front of (across) your body. Your thumbs should point upward as they do when you shake hands. When you swing your arms correctly as you walk you use all of your upper body muscles as they were designed to be used.

Holding the walking poles puts your hands in the correct neutral position. So, Nordic Walking gives you a good upper body workout as well as your legs, hips and abdomen.

Why is walking good for your hips?

We get into pain when we get out of muscular balance. Walking is what we were designed to do. We are supposed to move. We are built to walk for miles and miles. Honest!

But, long hours of sitting and other lifestyle changes caused some muscles to become "too tight" and others to become weak. Walking changes all of that. Walking helps get all of the muscles around your hip joint strong and balanced, each with the other.

Maybe you can't walk so easily anymore. You might be able to do Nordic Walking or you simply might not. You will have to really consider your body and how you feel, and you might want to check with your doctor.

You can watch a video about Nordic Walking at the website "Live Healthy By Walking dot com". When you watch the video, you might think, "They are walking way too fast. I could never do that." Well, maybe you can't do it right now, but if you start walking gradually at the pace you can manage comfortably, your hips will start to get happier and stronger. Using the walking poles might be a helpful way for you to begin to walk.

You can also read Rosalie's inspirational story when you are there. You'll discover how she's getting rid of her hip pain with walking.

Cerebral palsy is a condition that arises due to a group of disorders in the nervous system and the brain. People with cerebral palsy find difficulty in movement, seeing, hearing, thinking and learning. Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disease that has no cure! If a person suffering from this condition has to be made independent, it is possible only if the prime cause of this condition is dealt with, which is strengthening of the muscles with the help of exercises.

Cerebral palsy fitness training includes a lot of things that a person suffering from this condition needs to learn so that he/she can live by their own. There are many exercises and therapies that can be framed for the patient depending on his motor ability. When therapies are given along with other cerebral palsy exercises then it can increase muscle strength and flexibility. It also prevents atrophy of muscles which is a rare condition that can occur in children and adults suffering from cerebral palsy.

Exercises play a very vital role in the life of a child with cerebral palsy. There are many simple exercises that can be done by the child in his daily routine. Some exercises that can be done at home without any difficulty include arm cycling, chair aerobics, dancing, jogging, leg cycling, rowing, stair climbing, swimming, walking, water exercises, weights training, wheeling and yoga and, tai chi.

Arm cycling, chair aerobics and dancing help in the improvement of heart and lung efficiency, strength and endurance as well as flexibility and range. Arm cycling is an activity that stimulates bicycling but is done with the arms instead of legs. Special equipments like erogmeters can be used when done indoors. Chair aerobics is a combination of the upper body movements and stretches that are designed to increase flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. Dancing is an exercise that is done in tempo of the music so that the speed of movement and intensity depends on the music. People with contractures and low bone density should avoid dancing and do other forms of exercise that is appropriate to their condition.

Resistance bands can also be used while doing cerebral palsy exercises and stretches. While doing this, stretching should be slow and precaution must be taken not to release the band when it is in a stretched position. These exercises help in increasing bone structure and strength as well as strength and endurance of muscles. Jogging is also a good form of exercise by running at a steady pace. However, proper shoes should be worn and people with contractures or degenerative joint disease should avoid this. Jogging increases heart and lung efficiency, bone structure, strength and endurance. Walking is a milder form of exercise and can be done without any assistance device. Yoga involves breathing and stretching exercises that help in flexibility and range of muscles. Tai Chi - a series of individual dance like movements linked together in a slow, continuous, smooth flowing sequence can help develop bone structure and strength.

There are many side effects of obesity and related diseases stemming from the condition. Studies have shown that being just a few pounds overweight can contribute to health problems, so is it any wonder that common knee injuries are on the rise among those who are obese? Unfortunately, knee pain in overweight patients is something that doctors are seeing quite often these days.

Why are the knees so affected? The reason is very simple. When you walk, pressure is concentrated on your joints. Those closest to the ground handle the majority of your weight, of course. But did you know that the amount of pressure put on those joints can actually be many times your actual body weight? Your joints take a hefty beating even when you are at a normal weight, so for individuals who are obese, that pressure and joint stress is even more magnified. The joints take as much as they can, but at some point they can begin to weaken and then give out. That is the beginning of joint pain.

The above is a very simple explanation, but it illustrates the point: Knee injuries are more common in overweight people simply because there is so much more stress put on them. With that kind of stress, it's easy to twist a knee the wrong way, or to have situations where inflammation develops or cartilage is torn.

If you are overweight, how can you protect yourself from those common knee injuries? Knee strengthening exercises are good for keeping the knee pain at bay. Doing regular squats and lunges help to strengthen the muscles around your knees. Avoid high-impact activities, such as running or power aerobics, as the constant motion and demand on your joints can hurt your knees more than it will help. Engage in a low-impact exercise regimen until such time as you've lost enough weight to be good to your knees! Then you can more safely engage in more strenuous forms of exercise.

What exercises can you do that will be beneficial for you? Swimming and underwater exercises work wonders for your body. Water exercise takes the pressure off your legs, while you still get the benefits of increasing your heart rate and making your body work hard. If you prefer something on dry land, walking is always good. Make certain that you are fitted with appropriately supportive shoes and wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes. Take it slow and easy at first, and as your body and your knees become more accustomed to exercise walking, gradually build up to a faster walk and longer distances.

When you are exercising, beware of pain in your knees. If your knees begin to hurt, especially if you feel sharp, shooting pains in them, it's time to back off and rest. If the knee pain worsens or lingers for a few days, it's time to go to the doctor and get things checked out.

The side effects of obesity are legendary, but how often do we think of knee pain until it's too late? Avoid contracting knee pain from the beginning by choosing exercises and activities that are good to your joints, and avoid those that put a lot of pressure on them. Most of all, start losing weight! Even a few pounds off your frame will do your knees a world of good.

Do you want true natural arthritis pain relief? Do you need help with your high cholesterol levels or high blood pressure?

Now there are many different extraordinary natural products available, which feature super fruits, like the amazing brazilian acai berry, and many other potent body-beneficial fruits from around the world. These newly discovered fruit compounds which are contained in these super fruits are now being used to target specifically, heart health remedies and arthritis pain relief with natural ingredients, and are achieving fantastic real results.

Arthritis joint health - plant derived glucosamine and esterified fatty acids for natural arthritis pain relief use, have been scientifically proven to maintain lubricating fluid in joints, promote flexibility, increase your range of motion, reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, and helps you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Most glucosamine sources are extracted from crushed sea shells, but generally only reduce inflammation of the muscles and tissues around the joints. Plant derived glucosamine is better for the body and can actually penetrate your joint tissue cells for maximum benefit, helping you achieve real natural arthritis pain relief!

Heart health - a healthy blend of fruits specifically chosen for their ability to nutritionally support cardiovascular health in your diet, would supply your body with healthy levels of plant sterols. Clinical studies show that they are a key factor in lowering cholesterol absorption and helping you maintain healthy cholesterol levels. These compounds will dramatically help reduce your heart disease risk. Also, with resveratrol included in your diet with using natural supplements, they can help support your cardiovascular system with proven results, showing it can also protect your healthy blood vessels and blood cells.

Resveratrol has many benefits being attributed to it, mainly the fact that this natural compound can and will slow the ageing process dramatically.

*What has been discovered about many human ailments.

Health scientists around the world are now concurring that chronic inflammation in the body is a precursor to a frightening list of serious health conditions and ailments. With the media constantly reporting the potential risk and dangerous side-effects associated with using anti-inflammatory arthritis pain relief drugs and heart health drugs, it has created concern with people worldwide and there has never been a time when the quest for safe alternative natural remedies has been more important.

Arthritis - Health scientists also now know that a multitude of free radicals damage our bodies healthy cells constantly, which can be slowed down or reversed easily by including potent natural antioxidants included in your diet. We now know that natural esterified fatty acids are incredibly important essential fatty acids needed in our diets to reduce and stop free radical damage to your joints. Esterified fatty acids have been proven to help improve joint function dramatically and slowly regenerate the protective tissue between the bone's and joints. These fatty acids help obtain painfree movement and natural arthritis pain relief for people struggling with the aches and discomforts resulting from their arthritis.

The wear & tear seen in osteoarthritis is actually due to the excess action of proteolytic enzymes that break down joint tissue and cartilage causing inflammation and pain. Published twice in the internationally acclaimed journal of rheumatology, studies show that esterified fatty acids offer great arthritis pain relief by providing youthful cell fluidity and elasticity, improved cushioning of bones and joints while also providing, cumulative and restoring benefits to joint tissue and cartilage. Esterified fatty acids are all natural ingredients scientifically reported to inhibit these destructive enzymes, and are known to reduce inflammation and pain. These vital compounds will give arthritis pain relief with outstanding results, and best of all, they are all natural compounds which have no dangerous side effects at all!

Heart - plant sterols have been proven to lower the amount of bad cholesterol absorbed by your body in a tricky but very simple way. The body absorbs the plant sterol compounds instead of the cholesterol in your digestive system because it cannot tell the difference between them. If you have a regular supply of plant sterols in your diet, the body absorbs less cholesterol because it is absorbing the sterols instead, which will then lower your bad cholesterol intake. It is a simple but very effective and safe way to help reduce your heart disease risk.

Resveratrol is also a very effective antioxidant which can stop free radical damage and improve your whole body health, which will help reduce the stress on your heart. Resveratrol has been studied extensively for its health promoting benefits and has been proven to slow down the ageing process and extend your life. Most importantly, is the fact that it can reduce the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, which are known to play a big role in heart disease. This natural compound also improves insulin resistance, making it effective in the treatment of weight loss and the management of diabetes. It also has anti-cancerous properties, inhibits the formation of tumours and can help delay the onset of Alzheimer disease.

*Natural health product benefits.

The synergy of properly combined body-beneficial fruits can produce an extraordinary delivery of the resources and nutrition of powerful anti-oxidants and phytonutrients your body needs to fight free radicals. These natural products help maintain your bodies overall health and give excellent arthritis pain relief, and provide heart disease risk reduction while improving your heart health with amazing results.

Enjoy the benefits of increased energy and better health today, and let the power of nature help you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle!

To learn more and read some product reviews, follow the links below. Natural arthritis pain relief and heart health products have improved greatly in recent years as we learn more about human health.

Natural arthritis pain relief and natural heart health products are a much better and safer option for yourself or your loved ones. They are easy, convenient, better for the human body and they are achieving excellent results!

Thanks for listening and good natural health to you.

Regards Shane Nolan.