Archive for August, 2009
Hi All,
I recently started kickboxing and hurt my elbow punching the heavy bag. Well it’s been hurting for about a week and I don’t know what to do about it. Is it tennis elbow? And what should I do? Sometimes I can barely straighten it without pain. There is no swelling. I do find that taking an Epson Salt bath tends to help. Should I see a doctor?
Ibuprofin, 3 pills, 3 times a day is my cure-all for aches. Ice to dull the pain, heat to increase bloodflow and speed healing along. Don’t ever fully extend your arm when working on the bag. Also, don’t ever go all out when you wail on a heavy bag, no more than 75% of your full strength or you’re asking for trouble.
My fiance has rheumatiod arthritis in his feet and ankles and in the back. He tosses and turns almost every night to where it keeps him up and also me. We are going to look for a mattress this week. Should we look more deeply into firm or soft mattress’?
I think you should get a memory foam mattress. Most people sleep restlessly on their sides instead of sleeping soundly on their backs. Memory foam mattresses will solve this problem because the memory foam supports the whole body weight distribution that sleeping on your back is meant to provide.
See memoryfoammattress101.com for more info
I’m 27 weeks pregnant, and feeling good, other than the pain on the left side of my sacrum which won’t go away. I know that chiropractic has helped me before, but am wondering if it’s safe for the baby during pregnancy? Thanks!
As long as you go to one who’s trained in adjusting pregnant women, it’s perfectly safe. I’ve referred several mothers, including my wife, to chiropractors who specializes in pediatrics and obstetrics with great success. Here’s their main website to locate a certified chiropractor trained in peds and OB.
http://www.icpa4kids.org/
I have inflamatory oesteo arthritis and it is very painful. Any suggestions for some natural remedies?
I’m not sure where you are from, but here in Canada they have an all natural medicine called "Lakota." It has been a best-seller for years and years here. I tried Glucosamine but it did nothing for myself, personally. Within 2 days of going on Lakota "Rheumatoid Formula" I was virtually pain-free, it was unbelievable. I stopped taking it the past few weeks to see if it really was the Lakota that was making a difference, and the pain has returned so I am going back out to purchase some more at the local drugstore. If you are a non-Canadian resident, I would still ask your local Pharmacist and check out their website. I know how terrible it is to have an auto-immune disease, especially on a bad flare-up day, and I wish you nothing but the best of luck and best of health.
My right hand and wrist are getting sore (have been having problems for weeks now) and today the top of my hand is swollen. Do you think it could be carpal tunnel?
I don’t use any wrist protector thingies, if I got one do you think it would improve?
It could be Tendinitis..but here’s a link for Carpal Tunnel symptoms…
My mom has really bad arthritis in her legs and is making her life miserable. Does anyone know of any kind of medication, natural remedies or exercises that could help?
Arthritis: How to Stay Active and Independent
What is arthritis?
Arthritis means inflammation of the joints. It causes pain and usually also limits movement of the joints that are affected. There are many kinds of arthritis. A type called osteoarthritis (also called degenerative joint disease) is the most common.
What causes osteoarthritis?
The exact cause isn’t known. A person may be at increased risk of osteoarthritis because it runs in the family. Osteoarthritis seems to be related to the wear and tear put on joints over the years in most people. But wear and tear alone don’t cause osteoarthritis.
What happens when a joint is affected?
Normally, a smooth layer of cartilage acts as a pad between the bones of a joint. Cartilage helps the joint move easily and comfortably. In some people, the cartilage thins as the joints are used. This is the start of osteoarthritis. Over time, the cartilage wears away and the bones may rub against one another.
Bones may even start to grow too thick on the ends where they meet to make a joint, and bits of cartilage and bone may loosen and get in the way of movement. This can cause pain, joint swelling and stiffness.
Who gets osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is more common in older people because they have been using their joints longer. Using the joints to do the same task over and over or simply using them over time can make osteoarthritis worse.
Younger people can also get osteoarthritis. Athletes are at risk because they use their joints so much. People who have jobs that require the same movement over and over are also at risk. Injuries to a joint can increase the risk of arthritis in the joint later on. Excess weight also can accelerate arthritis in the knees, hips and spine.
Is there a treatment?
No cure for osteoarthritis has been found. But the right plan can help you stay active, protect your joints from damage, limit injury and control pain. Your doctor will help you create the right plan for you.
Tips on staying active
Lose weight if you’re overweight.
Exercise regularly for short periods.
Go to a physical therapist if you can.
Use canes and other special devices to protect your joints.
Avoid lifting heavy things.
Avoid overusing your joints.
Don’t pull on objects to move them–push them instead.
Take your medicine the way your doctor suggests.
Use heat and/or cold to reduce pain or stiffness.
Will my arthritis get worse?
Osteoarthritis does tend to get worse over time. But you can do many things to help yourself.
It’s important to stay as active as possible. When joints hurt, people tend not to use them and the muscles get weak. This can cause contractures (stiff muscles), and it can make it harder to get around. This causes more pain and the cycle begins again. Ask your doctor to discuss pain control with you so that you can stay active and avoid this problem.
Will medicine help?
Medicines you can buy without a prescription that reduce inflammation, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (one brand name: Motrin), ketoprofen (brand name: Orudis) or naproxen (brand name: Aleve), or pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol), can help you feel better. Your doctor can also prescribe medicine for you, such as prescription pain relievers or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat certain types of arthritis. NSAIDs can help by reducing inflammation, swelling and pain in the joints, but not everyone can take them.
Medicine should be used wisely. You only need the amount that makes you feel good enough to keep moving. Using too much medicine may increase the risk of side effects.
Can special devices really help?
Yes. Special devices (see box below) and different ways of doing things can help people with arthritis stay independent for as long as possible. These devices help protect your joints and keep you moving. For example, if you learn to use a cane the right way, you can help reduce the amount of pressure your weight puts on your hip joint when you walk by up to 60%. Talk to your doctor if you think a special device may help your arthritis.
Special devices for people with arthritis
Canes, walkers and splints
Shoe inserts, wedges or pads
Special fasteners (such as Velcro) on clothing
Large grips for tools and utensils (wrap foam or fabric around items with narrow handles, like pens)
Wall-mounted jar openers
Electric appliances, such as can openers and knives
Mobile shower heads
Bath seats and grab bars for the bathtub
Will special exercises really help?
Yes. Exercise keeps your muscles strong and helps you stay flexible. Exercises that don’t strain your joints are best. To avoid pain and injury, choose exercises that can be done in small amounts with rest time in between. Dancing, weight lifting and bike riding are good exercises for people with arthritis.
Try tightening your muscles and then relaxing them a number of times. You can do this with all of your major muscle groups. You could also try an "aquacise" program available through your local swimming pool or community center. These programs involve special movements in the pool, with much of your body’s weight held up by water.
Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Should I use heat to ease pain?
Using heat may reduce your pain and stiffness. Heat can be applied through warm baths, hot towels, hot water bottles or heating pads. Try alternating heat with ice packs.
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
Source
American Academy of Family Physicians
Having trouble getting to my family doctor for carpal tunnel. Has any one used a chiropractor for treatment?
The only thing that the family doctor will do for you is recommend surgery, which is the last thing that you want. A chiropractor is less expensive than a pain management specialist and will address the bio mechanical issues that you are having. There are many peer reviewed studies that address this issue and it doesn’t have to come from your wrist (believe it or not, it can come from your neck or your elbow). I would greatly suggest that you see a chiropractor that specializes in extremities, as this could benefit you immensely. In the meantime, take a rubber band and put it over your fingers and thumb down to your second knuckle. In a slow and controlled motion, without letting it spring off of your hand, spread your fingers and thumb apart from each other. This will work the extensors of your wrist and hand, and will provide counter support in the carpal tunnel area. Do this 3 times per day for about 3 minutes each. Make sure you start with conservative treatment first and then if nothing is working, consider more liberal approaches. I hope this helps and good luck!
so for the past years i have been suffering with lots of foot pain/arch pain… but i love running… is it a good idea to go running when my foot/arch are in pain?
I would say it just depends. I’ve run on many nagging injuries myself. I used to believe if I did not run everyday, then I would lose some of my endurance.
As I’ve gotten older and more experienced then I have learned that sometimes your body just needs the rest. Try walking or cross training (swimming, cycling, etc…) I believe doing things like this will keep your body fresher and hopefully injury free. Hope this helps.
Also you might have planter fasciitis if its the bottom of your foot. You would have to look into that though
I’ve been hearing a grinding in both elbows for a long time now. It’s because I use them very frequently, I understand, but the mild pain is beginning to bother me and I hope someone could please tell me a good way to ease this before it becomes a much bigger problem later in life. Thank you!
Sounds like tennis elbow from being overused. Try some ice packs on it, ibuprofen, cortisoid shots if it gets really bad, get it checked your dr. can run tests and see how bad it is and then he/she will take it from there.
I’m pretty sure I have carpal tunnel as I have all the symptoms, and the doctor said that’s most likely what it is. I’m doing all the necessary treatment, so how long until it goes away?
Carpal Tunnel is a lifetime condition.
It is caused by a swelling of tendons inside the 8 bones of the wrist; the swelling is created by a narrowing of those bones. This could be a genetic condition or some other problem. The only way to reverse the condition is to have surgery to shave off part of the interior of those bones. This is delicate surgery and risky at that since it has to be done so near the nerves of the hand. You should only resort to surgery after exhausting ALL other alternatives.
The swelling can be treated with medications like Motrin, Aleve or other NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). Once the swelling goes down then you can return to your normal activates. Any program that claims to treat Carpal Tunnel, and there are a lot of them, is a phony unless they handle the swelling. Those programs that claim to cure Carpal Tunnel are phony as well. The might bring temporary relief and the power of positive thinking is pretty potent, but on average they don’t work.
Of course you will have to change the behavior that aggravated the condition. Use a wrist rest and buy an ergonomic keyboard. The doctor can supply a splint that prevents your hand moving in a fashion that would aggravate the condition.
I had a pain in one of my fingers in my right hand. I was diagnosed, at one time, with Carpal Tunnel. It wasn’t until almost 3 years later that I was diagnosed with a worse condition; Fibromyalgia. If you suspect you have Carpal Tunnel then you need to be diagnosed by a doctor. The pain you are having could be one of several things from, just overuse to nerve damage. It will be difficult to exam the inside of the bones with a normal x-ray machine, a CAT scan or even a MRI might be required. These are expensive machines and in high demand so your doctor may not want to commit to using these machines until they are sure that you do have a continuing problem, and there is a strong chance that it might be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.