Sunday, October 10, 2010

Upper Back Pain Herbal Remedies, Causes and Symptoms

Upper back pain is also referred as thoracic pain which is felt in the area between bottom of the neck and low back. Upper body of human beings forms a thoracic cage round heart, lungs and liver. This is a sturdy structure attached with the ribs to protect delicate internal organs.

Upper back comprised of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons to support the body in balancing head movement and maintaining overall balance of the body while doing simple activities like walking and changing postures. The upper back of human body contains seven vertebra which are separated by intervertebral discs to avoid them from rubbing each other and facilitate smooth and friction free movement. Upper back is the most rigid and strong part of the body with limited range of motion. Muscles, ligaments and tendons are soft part of the upper back which makes the limited movement of the upper back possible. Muscles are attached to the bones by tendons, and ligaments are strong bands of tissues which link the bones. Muscles provide all the power necessary for the movement. Combined function of all these three parts of upper back control hyperextend, hyperflex and twisting of the upper back.

Injuries, infections and overuse of muscles are the most common cause of upper back pain. Sprained muscles can cause pain during the movement as well as during resting position too as these muscles are active even when person is not making any physical movement. Ruptured or herniated disc in cervical spine is another cause of upper back pain which is commonly evident. The intervertebral disc in between two vertebra bulges out due to wear and tear and other reasons to hinder the movement and cause upper back pain.

Arthritis can also cause upper back pain particularly osteoarthritis as it can misalign the musculoskeletal system of cervical spine in upper back to cause pain. Pinched nerves, arteries and veins are other common reasons for upper back pain, in advent of such situation the pain radiates towards arms and shoulder and also causes cooling of arm. Osteoporosis can cause pain in any part of the body as it promotes loss of bone density, its effects can cause upper back pain too. Muscle spasms are rarely seen but they can also be a cause of upper back pain, these spasms are involuntary and uncontrollable and can strain the muscles to cause pain. Fibromyalgia is another disease which can promote upper back pain.

Herbs and herbal remedies are extremely safe and easy to treat upper back pain caused by any reason. Chamomile tea is excellent muscle relaxant to relieve pain and initiate movement. Burdock roots and bromelain has been used since ancient times for alleviating lower and upper back pain. Massages of eucalyptus oil can relieve the pain immediately, massage with warm mustard seed extract is also a good herbal remedy for back pain. Cayenne pepper has pain inhibiting properties and is popularly used as topical application for pain relief. Application of apple cider vinegar before going to bed is also extremely helpful in treating upper back pain.

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Muscle Joint Pain Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies and Alternative Treatments

Joint pain may occur due to muscle fatigue and strains. Muscles are responsible for joints to move, the two bones of joint are extended and bend by the contraction and expansion of muscles. Due to any injury, over use, or infection muscles may get swollen or infected which causes pain in the joint.

Muscle sprains cause temporary joint pains in the weight bearing joints and it is a very common problem. Weight bearing joints of the body bear chunk of weight and muscles need extra energy and strength to keep them moving. This makes them prone to exhaustion and sprains which causes joint pain. Massages to the affected joints by anti-inflammatory Rumatone Gold oil can alleviate the situation. Sometimes swelling around the joint is noticed with pain during the movement. Covering the joint with towel soaked in hot water helps in promoting blood flow to the area which can relieve the aching muscle to reduce pain and inflammation.

In osteoarthritis cartilage damage allows the bones of the joint to rub each other which causes severe joint pain during the movement, this damage to the joint changes the joint configuration for worst and muscles attached to the joints get swollen and painful to further aggravate the pain. In rheumatoid arthritis the tissues of muscles are attacked by the immune system of the body which can make them painful, swollen and weak. Such muscles are unable to move the joints and cause pain. Use of herbs which are helpful in relieving pain and inflammation along with massages and exercises can alleviate the pain. Herbs like Ashwagandha, nettle leaf, devil’s claw and boswellia have been used since ages for pain relief in joint and muscles due to arthritis.

Reasons for gout arthritis is deposition of urate crystals in the tissues, tendons, muscles and ligaments which later cause infection in the synovial fluid to promote problems in the mobility of the joints. Tissues of the muscles get weak and prone to infection after deposition of urate crystals which come with blood. Tendonitis is a disease related to tendons which makes tendons swell. These swelled tendons can exert extra pressure on the muscles to promote joint pain and inflammation. Weakening of muscles due to any other infection, disease or disorder not directly linked with joint can also promote joint pain. Weak muscles get exhausted with minimum physical activity and cause joint pain, such pains can subside by treating the bigger problem. Such problems are hyper and hypothyroidism, diabetes, bursitis, fibromyalgia etc.

Any injury or trauma which has damaged a part of musculoskeletal system like nerve damage or multiple fractures can also initiate pain in muscles or joint. With the initial symptoms of swollen joints it shall be treated and if general treatments like massages and pain killing herbs and ointment are not working medical opinion shall be taken. Light exercises like yoga, aerobics and exercises in water pool helps a lot in pain relief and reduction of inflammation. These also increase endurance of joints and muscles which augurs well for smooth and pain free movement. Strenuous exercises shall be avoided during inflammation.

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Saturday, October 9, 2010

Low Back Pain Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies, Causes and Symptoms

Low back pain or pain in lumbar region affects nearly 80% of people once or many times in their lives. It is a pain caused due to musculoskeletal disorder and can cause acute, sub-acute or chronic pain. The low back is the area that supports most of the body weight of a human body, this structure makes all the movements of the body possible and provides flexibility to the body.

The low back area is made up of five vertebrae and between them are inter-vertebral discs which act as a cushion and also prevent the vertebrae to rub each other. These inter-vertebral discs also protect sciatica nerve which off shoots from the lumbar region. This whole structure is supported and held together by muscles and ligaments and muscles make the movement of the low back possible.

As it is evident that low back is the area which bears most of the weight of the body and is involved in most of the movements made by the body in day to day activities, this makes it prone to wear and tear and also to injuries. Any injury to the muscles or ligaments can cause pain in the low back. With the growing age the low back area can have diminished or shrunk inter-vertebral discs which make the vertebra or facet joints rub each other causing pain and stiffness in the lower back area. With the age ligaments and muscles also loose the strength and elasticity which can make vertebra move more than they should, hindering the functioning and causing pain in the low back. Spinal stenosis, pinched sciatica nerve, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout arthritis, herniated spinal disc are some other problems which lead to chronic low back pain and need special treatment and attention for alleviation.

The initial symptoms of low back pain is mild pain in the low back area which may radiate down on the front side or back of the leg or may remain confined to the low back area. This pain increases with the movement like walking or standing and sometimes it may get aggravated at night while in resting position or in prolonged sitting position. Inability to standup on the toes or inability to raise big toe upwards signifies irritation of certain nerves. Numbness or tender points or lack of blood supply to any leg during sitting position also suggest low back pain.

NSAID, herbs for controlling pain and inflammation, creams, massages, therapies and exercises are helpful in treating low back pain. In the case of chronic pain due to arthritis or herniated disc, massages and exercises are recommended along with pain killing medicines. Since side effect of NSAID are not yet known completely so herbal treatment for pain control is recommended. Rumatone Gold capsules and oil is very good ayurvedic remedy in lowering back pain. Light exercises, weight control and healthy life style are helpful in preventing episodes of low back pain. Yoga poses and exercises are also extremely helpful in curing and avoiding the pain in low back area by keeping the weight under control and functioning of the joints smooth and proper.

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Knee Joint Pain Causes and Treatment - Information That You Should Know

Knee joint is the junction of two large bones of leg in which pain can be caused due to many reasons. The exact location of the pain helps medical experts to diagnose the problem better and quickly for treatment. Like any other joint of the body knee too is prone to the injuries, infections and disorders, in fact in older people complaints for knee pain is more common than compared to any other joint of the body.

The knee joint is formed by two bones femur and tibia supported by four ligaments and a patella also popularly known as knee cap. This whole joint is covered by synovium and is filled with synovial fluid which provides nourishment to the cartilages and keeps them elastic. Synovial fluid inside synovium also keeps cartilages smooth and slippery to ensure friction free and pain free movement of the knee joint. The knee joint joins thigh and shin bones to make normal activity like walking possible. This joint can bend up to 135 degrees and extend to 0 degrees. The knee joint is a weight bearing joint and complex in design which makes it most commonly injured joint of the body.

Injuries can promote pain in the knee joint. Any traumatic event can cause damage to ligaments attached to the knee joint. As knee has four ligaments attached to it exact area of pain can help the doctor to find out the particular ligament that has been damaged. Pain occurs when weight is transferred on the joint. Swelling of tendons also referred as tendinitis or jumper's knee, injuries caused to meniscus by sharp and quick movements can cause mild to severe pain in the knee joint. The pain due to tearing of meniscus is felt with a popping sensation and locking or feeling of unstable knee. Swelling of tendons causes pain below the knee cap or at the back of the knee joint. All of these knee joint pains may also occur due to old age or overuse of the knee joint like in sports and other activities.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatic arthritis are other common causes of knee joint pain. Osteoarthritis causes damage to cartilages which eventually exposes ends of the bones to rub each other to cause severe pain and inflammation and also can cause complete immobility of the joint. Rheumatic arthritis makes immunity system attack its own healthy tissues which causes damage to the tissues present in the knee joint causing inflammation, redness, pain and infection in the synovial fluid. Arthritis also promotes secretion of fluid in the joint which gets accumulated in the form of a cyst at the back of the knee joint also known as baker’s cyst.

Knee joint pain due to arthritis or any other disease, infection or disorder is treated along with the major problem while knee joint pain due to any injury can be treated by hot and cold compresses, massages with warm oil or pain relieving ointments and creams, light exercises like walking and cycling, yoga and aerobics. Knee replacement surgery is the last option medically available to treat a completely immobile and painful knee.

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Friday, October 8, 2010

Joint Pain Ayurvedic Treatments and Herbal Remedies

Joint pain can be due to relatively benign condition like muscle sprain or ligament injury which can subside by some simple treatment or on its own and it can be a symptom of serious disease like arthritis. Some other mild infections like flu and other viral infections can cause inflammation of bursae, which works as cushion pads for joints and known as bursitis, which can cause joint pain.

Joint pain which occurs after strenuous physical activity or repeated use of any particular joint or due to sudden jerk and shock is largely due to muscle pull and sprain. Such pains can be problematic too, massage with any over the counter pain relieving ointment or cream can be a sufficient treatment, if one feel pain in almost every joint of the body due to straining or sudden physical activity, taking a bath with warm water shall help. If there is some inflammation at any joint hot and cold packs can be applied. Hot water tubes and a pack of ice cubes shall be applied at the affected joint one after another, this will improve blood flow to the area and will control the pain and inflammation.

People who occasionally get involved in strenuous physical activity tend to develop the tendency of joint pain as their body is not used to of taking physical strain. Mix two parts of pure olive oil with one part of kerosene oil to form a paste. This paste can be used in the case of joint pain as and when required. It is safe and effective treatment for joint pain. Rumatone Gold oil is also an Ayurvedic non-prescription treatment for joint pain.

If there is swelling and redness on the joints along with the pain and particularly if the pain surfaces in the morning or after a period of inactivity it can be a symptom of arthritis. In such condition medical advice shall be taken but some alternate treatments can go along with the regular treatment for quicker relief. Mixture of camphor, methyl salicylate, eucalyptus oil and menthol can be applied and rubbed at the aching joints to relieve the pain. Application of hot apple cider vinegar at the joints before going to bed also provide relief from joint pain and inflammation.

Joint pain can be relieved by some supportive diet. Equal parts of carrot juice and lemon juice mixed and a large tablespoon of this mixture consumed everyday helps the body in relieving the joint pain. One clove of garlic consumed with water is also an effective treatment of joint pain. Consumption of carrot juice is also helpful in treating recurring joint pain.

Hot and cold water bath, TENS, therapies and exercises particularly of joints, helps in improving strength and endurance of the joints which eventually helps in relieving pain due to any reason. Mild exercises like aerobics, walking and jogging improve metabolism and blood circulation for better joint functioning. Yoga has few exercises and poses which can relieve the joint pain and also prevent its reoccurrence by strengthening the muscles and ligaments. Breathing exercises in yoga have been found helpful even in rheumatic arthritis conditions as they help the body in flushing the toxins out of the body.

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Joint Pain Symptoms - Information That You Need to Know

Joint pain is a symptom itself for many serious and moderate infections and diseases. But sometimes this pain is a problem in itself and does not signify any underlying medical problem. Joint pain without any underlying cause or with it, can be very troublesome and irritating as it reduces the movements and efficiency of the person. Joint pain in any weight bearing joint can even restrict the person to bed.

Sometimes pain, swelling, sprain and straining of muscles which are not attached to any joint can make one feel joint pain. Such pains are not joint pains as they are not related to joint it is just the restriction caused by the strained muscle which makes one feel the pain in the joint. Joint pain are caused by hindrance in the normal functioning of joints which can be caused by infection, muscle or ligament rupture, cartilage damage and lack of synovial fluid.

If one feels pain in any one or more joints after getting out of bed in the morning or after a period of inactivity, it is a symptom of joint pain. Such pain either subsides on its own or after some movement. If one feels lack of strength in the joints like it becomes difficult to hold a cup of coffee without keeping it down or getting up form sitting position or to squat is a symptom of joint pain. The lack of strength in the joints occur due to muscles attached to the joint and responsible for its movement get weak, this weakness in the muscles disturb the normal movement of the joint and makes ligaments lax to promote joint pain later. Other condition caused due to muscle weakness is reduced range of motion. The joint does not allow the movement in the range as it used to be in past like bending down or lifting things lying on the ground become more and more difficult. Reduced range of motion is also a symptom of arthritic joint pain.

Stiffness in the joint after even a mild physical activity like climbing few ladders or walking, is also a symptom of joint pain. This symptom can be due to weak ligaments or muscles and even due to lack of elasticity in the cartilages. These symptoms also indicate presence of serious disorder or infection in the body which will promote joint pain and inflammation in later stages.

Redness around joints can be due to some skin infection too which may not be a symptom of joint pain but if it is present at more than two or three joints than it indicates for an infection either in the synovial fluid or lining of the joint or in the tissues of the joints. This condition is also a primary symptom of joint pain due to gout arthritis, redness occurs when infection or crystals of urate are attacked by the body's immunity system. Development of tender points at the joints is also a symptom of joint pain. These tender points sometimes are not painful at the initial stage but they are sensitive and may cause pain if pressed or touched. Awkward growths at the joints which may be hard or soft in texture suggest possibility of joint pain in near future.

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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Reduce Joint Pain Stiffness with Herbal Remedies

Joint pain and stiffness look closely associated with each other in the case of joint discomfort but sometimes one is a symptom of another and sometimes both of these conditions occur almost simultaneously. Joint pain occurring either due to relatively moderate reasons like muscles sprains or due to serious medical conditions like arthritis is accompanied by stiffness immediately or later.

Join pain signifies malfunctioning of the joint due to muscle sprains, injury to ligaments, infections, inflammation and cartilage damage. These conditions promote stiffness while moving the joint as the smooth and friction free movements of bones, muscles, tendons and ligament get obstructed. In the case of osteoarthritis stiffness has been noted to appear prior to the pain, particularly in the morning when person is getting out of bed or after a period of inactivity, which goes away after sometime and with the movement. Later mild to severe pain is experienced while moving the joint. In case of rheumatic arthritis, pain is experienced prior to stiffness and stiffness signifies the progression of the disease.

Stiffness either due to arthritic conditions or due to infections and injury suggest the damage caused to the normal functioning of the joint. Ligaments hold two bones of joint at a proper place and if any trauma has caused some swelling to ligaments the position of bones may get disturbed to cause pain and stiffness. Muscles move the joints and if not contracting or expanding properly may cause pain while moving the joint. Person suffering from osteoarthritis have brittle cartilages, this condition disallow the smooth movement of bones and severe pain is caused when the joint is moved along with stiffness. Rheumatic conditions can infect the tissues of the joint, synovial fluid present between the bones and other parts of joint to cause stiffness and joint pain. With the progression of rheumatic conditions the stiffness also progresses and can lead to complete immovability of the joint.

Massages, herbs, dietary supplements and exercises can treat and cure stiffness of the joints. Though if stiffness is due to any underlying medical condition use of all of these methods or anyone shall be in accordance with the main treatment of the medical condition but in case of benign conditions any of these methods can surely alleviate the problem. Massages can improve blood flow to the affected area which oxygenates the tissues and muscles improving them in strength and endurance. Exercises keep all the related parts and the joint itself in proper shape. While herbs and dietary supplements can help the body in withering infections and controlling the damages caused to the joints, causing stiffness and pain.

Besides all of these condition old age, obesity and lethargic life style also contribute in causing and promoting joint pain and stiffness. Extra pressure exerted on the bones due to excess fat is transferred to joints which increases wear and tear of cartilage promoting pain and stiffness. Degradation of joints due to age is a natural process and cause stiffness which can be delayed or slowed down with proper and light joint exercises.

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