Chiropractic Treatment and Tai Chi Practice Relieve Knee Pain
Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by admin in Santa Barbara Chiropractor, knee pain
Knee X-ray
Research done by Tufts University School of Medicine has found that patients that are at least 65 years of age or older with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and who practice Tai Chi, enhanced their physical function and encountered a decrease in pain. Osteoarthritis is a prevalent form of arthritis that brings about a breakdown of joint cartilage. Chiropractors help many people who have developed OA in a number of places in the body, including the knee joints. Knee pain and disability is one of the most commonplace dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system, second only to spinal complaints. In fact, an astounding 4.3 million US adults over 60 years of age have been diagnosed with knee OA, according to the CDC, and it anticipates that half of the men and women in America may incur symptoms of OA in at least one knee by age 85. Knee osteoarthritis results in pain, mobility limitations, dysfunction and disability, and a decreased quality of life.
You may be asking why so many men and women develop OA. Inordinate stress over a period of time is a major determinant in the majority of musculoskeletal conditions that develop as we get older. Therefore, as people age they are more susceptible to developing OA in their joints, including the knees. Abnormal mechanics of the knee, improper gait, compensatory foot mechanics as a consequence of foot pain, and overuse of the knee joint all produce excessive stress on the knees. Eventually arthritic changes in the knee joint take place. In addition to chiropractic care, chiropractors wholeheartedly advocate 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 mental relaxation, as well as improved balance, an increase in strength, and improved flexibility.
The 40 men and women selected for the Tufts study were, on average, 65 years of age, overweight, and with confirmed osteoarthritis of the knee. Otherwise they were healthy. Individuals were picked at random 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 practice involves the type of range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout that is compatible with prevailing exercise advice for osteoarthritis. Furthermore, researchers noted that the “mental aspect” of Tai Chi promoted a sense of well-being, life satisfaction, and personal concepts of health that helped the participants to deal differently with chronic pain. Compared with the control group, the group practicing Tai Chi experienced a substantial decrease in knee pain.
Full findings of the study are published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.
Santa Barbara Chiropractor: Causes and Corrections for Knee Pain
Posted on 24. Mar, 2009 by admin in Santa Barbara Chiropractor, knee pain
Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor knows how prevalent knee pain and its attendant disability are these days, second only to spinal conditions within the musculoskeletal system. Poor mechanics of the knee, as well as impaired foot mechanics as the result of foot pain often create painful knee problems. Additional causes normally include overuse of the knee joint, inflammation related to arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from sports and falls.
Non-trauma knee problems: The most prevailing cause of non-traumatic pain is insufficient mechanics of the knee joint and the corresponding stress on the soft tissues of the knee. Normally, the part of the knee involved is the patella or knee-cap. Often the patella does not move evenly or does not move adequately on the femur during bending of the knee causing abnormal stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This distinct condition is normally called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain).
The dysfunction generally originates when there are imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that join to and move the patella. Imbalances in the muscles associated with knee movement commonly begin from lower back ailments, particularly in the sacroiliac joint. Imbalances in muscle groups that connect to the knee can also lead to pain and dysfunction. For example, the muscles on the inside of the thigh, when strained and tight, can cause pain on the medial or inside of the knee. Mechanical knee pain is also created by gait abnormalities such as pronation.
The correlative pain from overuse is most frequently felt during activity, particularly stair climbing, running, jumping, and following getting up from prolonged sitting. Many women seem to be predisposed to painful overuse conditions for anatomical reasons, although such ailments are frequently related 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 certain cases, a brace is used to help with the alignment of the patella or to secure the joint. Chiropractors, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor are ideally trained to render the appropriate diagnosis and care of these problems.
Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries frequently happen during physical exertion that involves running and jumping, such as football, basketball, and skiing. When the knee is extended or twisted beyond the capability of the ligaments that hold the joint together, tearing of these tissues can occur causing a sprain. 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 vary from a slight injury that requires little care to a serious injury requiring surgery. The knee also has two special “cartilages” – the menisci – between the tibia and the femur that provide for frictionless mobility and cushioning. These cartilages can also be torn during trauma, and commonly need surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.
Traumatic knee injuries can produce intense pain and swelling and require urgent examination and treatment. In the majority of cases a competent chiropractor, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, can take excellent care of these problems, although there are some injuries that do need the craft of an orthopedic surgeon. Nevertheless, it is very important to stabilize the injured joint right away and to use ice on the hurt area, if possible, until the injury can be examined. Conditions such as poor mechanics and problems due to overuse, as well as traumatic injuries, need to be eliminated at an early stage.
If not, the tissues of the knee joint, particularly the cartilage, will begin to erode. Consequently the bones will rub on one another, and changes such as bone spurs can occur. This painful condition, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, is commonly progressive with age. General treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Fortunately, 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 helpful in reducing the pain. Your Santa Barbara chiropractor is will be happy to recommend anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, individuals can usually aid themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.
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