Archive for knee pain
As a Ventura Chiropractor and healthcare provider, I cannot say enough about the crucial issue of excess weight and how it adversely affects every system of the human body. I “preach” to my overweight patients and hammer away on the subject in my blogs because in addition to the cardio-vascular diseases caused by obesity, much of the back pain, hip pain, and knee pain that people experience is influenced by the undue stress excess weight puts on the joints of the body. And, though it may not surprise you, an expert panel in a report out just today said that people in this country must slash their calories and increase physical activity because the obesity epidemic is “the single greatest threat to public health in this century.”
We all know that dieting isn’t easy, but the advisory committee for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans gave this clear-cut advice: “People in this country need to cut the calories they consume from added sugars and solid fats (butter, marbled meats) and start eating a more nutrient-rich, plant-based diet.”
The report called for many changes in the food environment. To read more, go to: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2010-06-15-
The Importance of Good Posture
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It’s a great time to be alive, isn’t it? Science and technology have literally put the world at our fingertips. And, in addition to the unlimited access we all have to information and communication, there are computer games, video games, and round-the-clock TV shows. Unfortunately, the “pros” of most things arrive hand-in-hand with the “cons.” Now, there are plenty of “cons” to be addressed here, but as a chiropractor, I’m going to focus on the adverse effect that our bad posture is having on our musculoskeletal system, not only while we’re engaging in these activities, but even after the work and play is done. All you need to do is to take a look at the majority of teenagers to see that posture, in general, is in a slump.
Why is posture so important? Poor posture causes headaches, neck pain, and back pain, just for openers. And, since the back bone is (eventually) connected to the hip bones and knee bones, bad posture can create a lot of painful movement from your head to your toes.
Joe Donofrio, dean of clinical services at Sherman College of chiropractic in Spartanburg, offers some great posture tips. Check them out at goupstate.com
Knee X-ray
Research done by Tufts University School of Medicine has found that individuals that are at least 65 years of age or older who suffer from knee osteoarthritis (OA), and who practice Tai Chi, enhanced their physical capability and encountered less pain. Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that produces an erosion of joint cartilage. Chiropractors provide therapy for quite a few individuals suffering from OA in a number of areas of the body, including the joints of the knee. Second only to spinal problems, knee pain and disability is one of the most commonplace conditions of the musculoskeletal system. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are a surprising 4.3 million people in this country over 60 years of ag diagnosed with knee OA, and the CDC predicts that by age 85, half of the people in America may incur symptoms of OA. The consequences of knee osteoarthritis are pain, mobility limitations, dysfunction and disability, and a reduced quality of life.
You may be wondering why so many people develop OA. Excessive stress over the years is a major determinant in the majority of musculoskeletal problems that develop as we age. Therefore, as people get older they are more likely to develop OA in their joints, including the knees. Incorrect mechanics of the knee, improper gait, compensatory foot mechanics as a consequence of foot pain, and overload of the knee joint all create excessive stress on the knees. Over time arthritic changes in the knee joint develop. In addition to chiropractic therapies, chiropractors enthusiastically endorse natural, drug-free practices, such as Tai Chi (Chuan), that can decrease knee pain. A traditional style of Chinese martial arts,Tai Chi features slow, rhythmic movements that produce peace of mind, as well as increased balance, an augmentation of strength, and more flexibility.
In otherwise good health, the 40 men and women with confirmed OA that were picked for the Tufts study were on an average 65 years of age and overweight. Patients were randomly selected to take part in 60-minute “Yang style” Tai Chi sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Each session included a 10-minute self-massage and a review of Tai Chi principles, 30 minutes of Tai Chi movement, 10 minutes of breathing technique, and 10 minutes of relaxation.
Tai Chi incorporates many of the current exercise recommendations for OA, such as range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout. As an added benefit, researchers observed that the “mental aspect” of Tai Chi promoted a sense of well-being, life contentment, and impressions of health that assisted the participants in dealing differently with chronic pain. Significantly, the group practicing Tai Chi exhibited a considerable decrease in knee pain compared with those in the control group.
Full findings of the study are published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.
Ventura Chiropractor on Knee Pain
Posted by: | CommentsYour Ventura Chiropractor is an expert when it comes to knee pain relief. Knee pain and disability is widespread, second only to spinal complaints within the musculoskeletal system. Problems with the knee can be divided into several categories including unsatisfactory of the knee and reduced foot mechanics due to foot pain, regular overuse of the knee joint, dysfunction due to arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from events such as sports and falls.
Non-trauma knee problems: Insufficient mechanics of the knee joint and the associated stress on the soft tissues of the knee are, by far, the most common cause of non-traumatic pain. Generally, the part of the knee implicated is the patella or knee-cap. Often the patella does not move smoothly or does not move efficiently on the femur during bending of the knee generating undue stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This distinct condition is frequently called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). The dysfunction usually starts when there are imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that join to and move the patella. Imbalances in the muscles having to do with knee movement commonly originate from lower back ailments, particularly in the sacroiliac joint. Pain and dysfunction can also be caused by imbalances in the muscle groups that connect to the knee. For example, pain on the medial or inside of the knee occurs when the muscles on the insides of the thigh are strained and rigid. Mechanical knee pain is also created by gait abnormalities such as pronation.
Evidence of overuse includes pain during activities such as climbing stairs, running, jumping, as well as pain upon rising after prolonged sitting. A number of women seem to be predisposed to painful overuse problems for anatomical reasons, but such conditions are many times due to wearing high heels on a regular basis.
It is important to re-establish proper muscle balance, restore appropriate motion to the patella and other knee joints, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot. In specific cases, a brace is used to help with the alignment of the patella or to secure the joint. Chiropractors, such as your Ventura chiropractor, are highly experienced in rendering knowledgeable assessment and treatment of these conditions.
Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries often occur during activities that involve running and jumping, such as football, basketball, and skiing. Sprains happen when tissue is torn by virtue of the knee being stretched or bent beyond the strength of the ligaments that hold the joint together. Strains to muscles that give motion to the knee can occur when the muscles are torn during injury. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can range from a slight injury that necessitates little care to a severe injury necessitating surgery. Furthermore the two special knee “cartilages” located between the tibia and femur (called the menisci), which facilitate frictionless movement and cushioning, may also be torn during traumatic injury. This serious injury often needs surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.
Traumatic knee injuries can produce severe pain and swelling and require immediate evaluation and care. In most instances an experienced chiropractor, such as your Ventura Chiropractor, can treat these problems, although there are some injuries that do need the dexterity of an orthopedic surgeon. Whatever the case, it is crucial to stabilize the injured joint as soon as possible and to use ice on the injured area, if possible, until the injury can be assessed.
If poor mechanics, overuse problems, or traumatic injuries are not corrected at an early stage, the tissues of the knee joint, expressly the cartilage, will begin to wear out eventually. If tissue and cartilage wear away, the bones will rub together unprotected and changes such as bone spurs can occur. This painful problem, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, is frequently progressive with age. Usual treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). However, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that are highly effectual such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely valuable in relieving the pain. Your Ventura chiropractor is very knowledgeable about anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, people can usually help themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.
