The material is injected into the damaged joint and stimulates bone marrow stem cells to produce natural cartilage.

The nanofibers allow stem cells from [...]]]>

Recent research efforts from both Northwestern University in Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have described work on the use of a new nanofiber gel that promotes cartilage growth in joints.

The material is injected into the damaged joint and stimulates bone marrow stem cells to produce natural cartilage.

The nanofibers allow stem cells from bone marrow to produce cartilage containing type II collagen and repair a damaged joint.

Type II collagen is the major protein component in articular cartilage, the gristle that caps the ends of long bones within a joint.

This is distinctly different from the Type I collagen produced as a result of another procedure used to heal cartilage damage called microfracture. Microfracture is a surgical procedure where small holes are drilled into the bone beneath the area of cartilage damage. This leads to bleeding from the bone marrow.

Ostensibly, stem cells from the marrow create new cartilage.

Microfracture causes the production of cartilage having predominately type I collagen. Type I collagen is the type found most commonly in scar tissue.

Type II collagen is weaker than Type I collagen and probably does not hold up as well. This may be one explanation why microfracture surgery has not been as successful as first thought.

Another type of procedure called autologous chondrocyte transplantation has also been used. In this procedure, cartilage is harvested from a non-weight-bearing part of the joint. The cartilage is then specially treated in a laboratory so that individual cartilage cells multiply. The cartilage cells are then put back into the joint under a small flap of tissue that is sewn into place. Recovery is long and the cartilage produced also appears to contain mostly Type I collagen.

Mosaicplasty where multiple cartilage plugs are fitted into the cartilage defect has also been used. Results are mixed.

Stem cell treatment has the appeal of being less invasive and requiring less recovery time. However, controlled data is nonexistent. Supportive evidence consists of case studies and small numbers.

One issue that has plagued researchers and clinicians alike is the mechanical forces present within weight-bearing joints such as the hip and knee.

When asked his opinion regarding the nanofiber issue, Dr. William Arnold, a Chicago-based rheumatologist stated, “This isn’t the first ‘cartilage growth stimulator’…and it won’t be the last. There’s no way that cartilage regrows on the surface of the medial femoral condyle (of the knee) without a mechanical correction accompanying the “regrowth”. The shear compression forces in the medial compartment are formidable… and would quickly chew up any flimsy cartilage surface beginning to grow on the surface of the condyle.”

Dr. Nathan Wei, a rheumatologist specializing in stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis, concurs with Dr. Arnold to a point. He states, “The impact loading forces on weight-bearing joints such as the knee and hip are one thing to contend with but with the hip there is the added stress of rotational movement and in the knee there are gliding and rotational forces to deal with as well.”

He argues though, “Animal models have demonstrated that stem cell procedures are effective. And while human data is sparse, early evidence supports further investigation… I do agree that mechanical forces need to be dealt with through various means in order to allow stem cells to ‘take’. We are currently attempting to address this issue. Our results so far are very encouraging.”

The three primary symptoms that are common to [...]]]>

Fibromyalgia was originally thought to be a musculoskeletal disorder since most of the pain was felt in the muscles and other soft tissue. However, recent studies and research have shown that fibromyalgia is a central nervous system disorder which causes abnormal Pain processing and results in pain amplification.

The three primary symptoms that are common to almost everyone who suffers from fibromyalgia are pain, fatigue and sleep disorders.

PAIN

Pain is usually the most prominent symptom of fibromyalgia. FM pain is chronic and widespread affecting all four quadrants of the body, although not necessarily at the same time. Its intensity may range from mild to profound. Fm pain tends to migrate sometimes affecting one part of the body and sometimes another. Patients also report that their bodies ache all over much like having flu. In addition to the aching, FM pain has been described by different people like burning, throbbing, sharp, stabbing or shooting pain. Most people who suffer also said they are stiff and achy when they wake up

FATIGUE

While everyone knows what its like to be tired the fatigue experienced by FM sufferers is so much more. Its a pervasive, all-encompassing exhaustion that can interfere with even the the most basic of daily activities. Another thing to note fatigue suffered by FM patients is not relieved by rest.

SLEEP DISORDERS

Most people with FM have problems with sleep. They report having difficulty getting to sleep and waking up frequently through the night. Studies have shown that FM sufferers spend little time in deep sleep. Deep sleep is our bodies way of dealing with and compartmentalizing the days events and people who suffer from FM are not able to get the restorative sleep which their bodies need. This lack of deep sleep also has a knock on effect making the pain sometimes worse and making the patient groggy or feeling like they have a hangover the next day.

OTHER SYMPTOMS

The most frequent symptoms are:

FATIGUE

IIRRITABILITY

BRAIN FOG

RESTLESS LEGS

OVERLAPPING SYNDROMES

MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN

YOU NEVER FEEL GOOD

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

LOSS OF CONTROL

IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION

A LIFE TIME FIGHT

Usually the first point of call would be a general practitioner who would more than likely refer you to a pain management specialist who will prescribe a couple of courses of treatment which may include physiotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids). These nsaids are know to help with pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is talking therapy based on the assumption that a persons thought patterns and his emotional and behavioural reactons are learned and therefore can be changed. This kind of therapy deals with what is happening right now and how the patient is dealing with it. The therapist will give you tools to help you change your thought process and in turn your outlook. It will occasionally deal with past issues but CBT tends to deal with what is affecting you today.

The two mechanisms include:

Form closure

Form closure [...]]]>

The sacroiliac joints are a common area of instability, particularly when back pain has existed for a long period of time. The reason for this is that there are two primary mechanisms involved in the stability of these joints. When both are addressed appropriately, pain relief can be brought about.

The two mechanisms include:

Form closure

Form closure refers to the stability that is created in the joints simply due to their structural design.

Force closure

Force closure refers to the stability that is created to the joints by the muscular system and the ligaments which surround them.

Most top expert agree that only 1-3 millimeters of movement actually occurs in the sacroiliac joints, however, this small amount of movement is critical to normal function. When the movement is compromised, as it is during fixations, or through degeneration of the joints during the aging process, pain can develop. This pain is not likely to be influenced greatly with general therapeutic approaches. Specific interventions to the dysfunctional sacroiliac joint must be utilized. This may include manual or self mobilizations, or even chiropractic adjustments.

The muscular components of SI joint problems cannot be overlooked. No direct muscles act to move the joints alone, however, the function of the muscles surrounding the joints are critical to the health of them. Faulty movement patterns and muscle imbalances contribute to allowing excess forces to stress the SI joints, rather than effectively transferring forces to the lower body.

Dealing with these two areas thoroughly will allow normalization of sacroiliac joint function and give you freedom from pain.

Avoid Purine-Rich Food: [...]]]>

Natural gout remedies are much sought after by gout sufferers who aren’t happy with their mainstream drug-based gout remedies and recurring gout attacks. Natural gout remedies are safe and easy to use because these natural gout cures use every-day things you find at your grocery store. Listed here are 7 widely used natural gout cures…  

Avoid Purine-Rich Food: You must avoid foods with high levels of purines. Purines are chemical compounds that we have in our bodies and some foods. Uric acid is formed when these naturally-occurring purines break-down. So you see that in order to help reduce uric acid, gout sufferers need to reduce purines. You need to avoid foods like; red meat, offal, poultry, shellfish, gravy, peas, beans, lentils, yeast, yeast extract, etc. Also, avoid all alcohol, especially beer. A key issue in the natural gout remedies list.  

Exercise: Strengthening exercises to improve muscles around joint. Rotational movements to lubricate joint. Exercise to help reduce weight and improve overall health. A surprising addition to a natural gout cures list.  

Charcoal Poultice: Make a poultice using 1/2 cup of activated charcoal, 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed and warm water. This will help draw out the toxins. Also take 1/2 -1 teaspoon of activated charcoal daily.  

Hot / Cold Compresses: The application of alternate hot and cold compresses helps dissolve the uric acid crystals that are causing you gout pain in your joint(s). For hot use a hot towel, or, a bucket or basin filled with hot water (90 deg F). For a cold compress use ice cubes in a plastic bag. Apply hot for 3 minutes then cold for 30 seconds. Do this for 20 minutes and always finish with a cold compress.  

Fruit and Vegetables: Eat 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables daily. Their water soluble dietary fiber content helps to naturally flush uric acid out of your system. But do not eat cauliflower, asparagus or mushrooms, they are known to encourage your gout.  

Cherries: Cherry juice is a very popular natural treatment for gout. Not only cherry juice, but fresh and dried cherries. Anthocyanins in cherries have anti-inflammatory properties. One of the most popular and effective natural gout remedies.  

Water: Drink at least 2 litres of water everyday. Water helps to flush excess uric acid out of your system. Excess uric acid is the cause of your gout and you need to work at reducing the uric acid levels in your bloodstream. Water is great for this, and your health in general. Again, a very important natural gout remedy.  

These 7 natural gout remedies are a great start in your search for natural gout cures. But they can only ever be a ’start’. These will relieve the gout symptoms you may be suffering right now, but, on their own they can’t prevent your gout returning.  

You do need to investigate a whole bunch of other issues that help determine a permanent gout remedy that suits your individual circumstances, e.g. weight, medical conditions, diet, body pH, family history and much more. If left untreated, recurring gout can lead to severely damaged joints and kidney problems in the future.

Luckily, there is a researched and proven gout report that you can download right now that lays all this out for you so you don’t have to do any of the work. And it’s based totally on natural gout remedies, no drugs with nasty side-effects.

It has a simple step-by-step approach to a totally natural, guaranteed cure that thousands of ex-gout victims around the world have had the benefit of.

And crucially, if you’re suffering agonizing gout pain right now, it has a special 2 hour gout relief program that has worked wonders for gout sufferers like you.

To discover how this report can bring you gout pain relief in 2 hours and how it can prevent your gout returning, please visit http://gout-relief-today.blogspot.com and get started in minutes.

(ArticlesBase SC #745465)

Jon Cielo 

The author constantly researches health issues then writes reports on his findings so that you are perhaps more aware of the facts, and then, better able to make an informed decision on your choice of treatment and cure. Remember to always consult your doctor. Please visit http://gout-relief-today.blogspot.com

Sacroiliac Joint Inflammation

The Sacroiliac joint is a common cause of low back pain and often mistaken for problems in the low back such as sciatica, disc bulges or slipped discs. Radiating pain can travel into the buttock and upper thigh [...]]]>

Solihull Back Pain Clinic Osteopath reviews sacroiliac joint inflammation and its role in low back pain

Sacroiliac Joint Inflammation

The Sacroiliac joint is a common cause of low back pain and often mistaken for problems in the low back such as sciatica, disc bulges or slipped discs. Radiating pain can travel into the buttock and upper thigh and even affect the testicles on males.

The sacroiliac joint is a pelvic, not low back problem and will appear to affect the lower back. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and will affect mobility.

What is a Sacroiliac Joint?

The sacroiliac joints are located at the bottom of the back. You have one either side of the spine. The sacroiliac joints help make up the rear part of the pelvic girdle and sit between the sacrum, which is the wedge shaped bone at the bottom of your spine and the pelvic ilium bones.

There are torsional or twisting forces applied to the pelvic girdle when the lower limbs are moved.

These limbs act like long levers and without the sacroiliac joints and the pubic symphysis (at the front of the pelvis) which act like expansion joints and allow movement, the pelvis would be very likely be subject to a fracture.

These joints can often get stuck, or in some cases one half of the pelvis may glide forwards or backwards, which is often described as a twisted pelvis. When this occurs it often irritates the iliolumbar ligament which results in inflammation and pain. This is usually indicated by tenderness around the bony lumps which you can feel if you place your thumbs either side of your lower back.

Inflammation of the sacroiliac joints and associated ligaments are very common, especially following pregnancy where the hormone Relaxin is released resulting in a relaxation of ligaments in preparation for childbirth. In most cases the causes of sacroiliitis are mechanical, however there may be other medical inflammatory conditions present such as Ankylosing Spondylitis which will need attention.

Symptoms Include

Pain usually one sided, located either to the left or right of your low back. The pain may range from an ache to a sharp pain which can restrict movement.

The pain may radiate out into your buttocks and low back and will often radiate into the front of your groin. Occasionally it is responsible for testicular pain in males.

Occasionally there may be referred pain into the lower limb which can be mistaken for sciatica.

Classic symptoms include, difficulty turning over in bed and often this movement wakes you from sleep. Struggling to put on your socks and shoes and throwing your legs in and out of a vehicle when moving in and out of the car.

Stiffness in the low back when standing from sitting or getting out of bed in the morning.

Aching in low back when driving long distances

Treatment for Sacroiliac Joint Inflammation

Ice the area over the sacroiliac joint to reduce pain and inflammation. Use an ice pack wrapped in a damp teatowel and apply for 10 minutes on, 20 minutes off and then a further 10 minutes on. Do this 3 times daily.

Sleep with a pillow between your knees to ease the stress on the pelvis and sleep on your side.

Seek help from someone who understands the sacroiliac joint well. At Solihull Back Pain Clinic we see approximately 5 patients every day with this condition and have experience in diagnosing the causes, which can be many and varied. In order to resolve the complaint it is important to accurately diagnose the problem and have the correct treatment plan available.

Most cases are resolved within 6 treatments at Solihull Back Pain Clinic by our Osteopaths and Physiotherapists

Clinic Director John Alan Williams and his team are available for help and advice by contacting them on http://www.atlaspainrelief.com

By: John Alan Williams http://www.solihullbackpainclinic.co.uk

Solihull Back Pain Clinic Osteopaths are committed to helping and treating low back pain sufferers via informative articles and providing treatments for Solihull and Birmingham back pain patients. This article is simplified and written in terms designed to be understood by the general public. further details can be obtained by viewing our website www.solihullbackpainclinic.co.uk

Gout, otherwise known as gouty arthritis, is commonly accompanied by sudden and severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation. Post-menopausal women may experience an elevated risk of developing this form of the rheumatoid disease. [...]]]>

Gout is one of the over one hundred forms of arthritis, and is triggered by excessive blood levels of uric acid.

Gout, otherwise known as gouty arthritis, is commonly accompanied by sudden and severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation. Post-menopausal women may experience an elevated risk of developing this form of the rheumatoid disease. Middle-aged men, between the ages of forty and fifty feature the usual face of a gout sufferer. Nine out of ten gout patients are men over the age of forty.

The Four Stages of Gout

Gouty arthritis is marked by four stages. The four stages of gout are asymptomatic, acute, intercritical, and chronic.

The first stage of gout is the acute stage. Generally accompanied by no symptoms, this stage of gout marks the onset of the excess uric acid crystals, which is responsible for the irritation and inflammation associated with the advanced stages of the condition.

The first attack of gout occurs in the acute stage of the disorder. This second stage of gout sports both mild and severe bouts with gout. Gout attacks can last as long as one or two weeks.

The first gout attack is followed by a period of several months, or possibly years, without a single symptom of gout. This is known as the intercritical stage of gout. The majority of gout sufferers experience their second attack within two years of the first episode.

The final stage of gouty arthritis is the chronic stage. Episodes of gout attacks become more frequent during the chronic phase of the condition. Chronic gout can cause damage to other areas of the body; damage to the kidneys and the development of high blood pressure are signature features of gout’s chronic stage.

Gout is a highly treatable form of arthritis. There are a number of home remedies for gout and it’s natural treatment.

Herbal Medicine: Herbal medicine is one of the holistic home remedies for gout treatment. The pantry may be the optimum spot for snagging some of the staples of home remedies for gout. Cherries, juniper berry, bilberry, nettle root, and celery.

Nutritional Therapy: Nutritional therapy is one of the home remedies for gout. Vitamin B12, vitamin E, folate, and the B family of vitamins are a part of nutritional home remedies for gout treatment. Implementing nutritional improvements is one of the home remedies for gout used to reduce the occurrence of metabolic arthritis flare-ups. Many of the vitamins included in the therapy have been proven beneficial in preventing gout.

Regular Exercise: A buildup of uric acid plays a pivotal role in the development of gouty arthritis. Regular exercise is one of the home remedies for gout episodes that has been documented as useful in both treatment and prevention. Exercise routines that improve circulation include stretching, dancing, yoga, Tai Chai, and aerobic.

Metabolic arthritis, or gout, is one of the one hundred forms of arthritis that characteristically features severe and sudden attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and warmth afflicting the joints.

Gouty arthritis is a treatable condition that most commonly affects the joint of the big toe, but may also occur in feet, ankles, knees, hands, and wrists. The first onset of gout generally occurs at night and continues on for a week or two before the symptoms subside. Seventy-percent of first gout attacks occur in this part of the body.

Gout is one form of arthritis that made it’s debut as early as the eighteenth century. Gout was historically linked to overweight, lazy, middle to upper class, middle-aged men. This perception of gouty arthritis sufferers was born from the fact that many of the foods the influence the onset of gout were routinely reserved for the rich-earning the rheumatoid condition the nickname of “The Disease of Kings.” Queen Anne, John Hancock, and American founding father, George Mason are some of history’s most noted gout sufferers.

Gout occurs as a result of the body hosting uric acid in elevated levels. Only designed to carry trace amounts of uric acid, the human bloodstream turns excess uric acid into crystal deposits that lodge themselves into the joints of the body, sporting a chalky white-colored material. Uric acid buildup occurs during the body’s breakdown the waste product called purines. Purines is commonly found in foods like liver, brains, and kidneys, as well as sweetbreads, mushrooms, and asparagus.

Natural Cures for Gout

Since highly treatable, implementing a number of lifestyle changes can serve as one of the effective natural cures for gout. Adopting a low purine diet is one of the natural cures for gout suggested by some medical professionals. Cherries, strawberries, and blueberries have been identified as some of the staples of a diet low in uric acid. Limiting consumption of fish, poultry, and tofu is also a part of a low purine diet. Other foods to avoid to discourage a gout flare-up include:

Sardines

Sweetbread

Scallops

Alcohol Beverages

Diet Soda

Who’s At Risk For Developing Gout?

The condition is most common among middle-aged men between forty and sixty years old. Women are at an increased rate for developing gout following menopause. African-American men are twice as likely as White men to suffer the onset of gout.