Alternative Solutions to Joint Pain

A few months ago, I wrote an article on arthritis. Given the great turnout at our arthritis workshop, I thought I would elaborate a bit more on the topic. Millions of Americans suffer with joint pain. It is one of the top five reasons for doctor’s visits in the U.S.

For those who suffer with joint pain, I am sure you realize that the pain can be disabling and can affect your lifestyle in many ways. From playing with the grandkids and enjoying your hobbies to just long periods of walking, joint pain can literally take years of enjoyment from your life.

There are many causes of joint pain. Many people think that arthritis is a death sentence to a life with joint pain. That is not the case. Joint pain can be a physical problem or a chemical problem. Some people experience both. From a treatment perspective, you can often limit joint pains by addressing both causes. Let me give you an understanding of both types and a few tips you can try to help with your pain.

Physical Problem

Over our lifetime, our joints take a beating. From sports and physical activity to trauma and stress, joints can easily break down if not well managed and cared for. The most common joints to break down are knees, hips and spine because they bear the most weight. The shoulders joints are a common problem too, because we use our arms so much every day.

When we experience an injury or trauma, we often forget that we must make sure that our body remains in proper balance. As I have mentioned before, joints that are out of balance tend to wear out and deteriorate faster than would otherwise be the case. When it’s one knee or one hip, ask yourself why. Age is not the answer - your other knee and hip are the same age. Body alignment and healthy joint junction are key and one of the things we focus on in our office to help alleviate joint pain and stress.

Even if you already have joint pain and arthritis, if you are out of alignment, you are stressing certain joints. Once you improve the alignment, you reduce the joint irritation and stress and much of the pain is eliminated. Arthritis is actually joint inflammation caused by stress and irritation to a joint. Don’t be fooled into thinking it is a death sentence. You can eliminate the pain caused by arthritis in many ways. I will address this topic at our upcoming workshop.

Chemical Problem

If you do not think what you eat can cause joint pain and stiffness, you are in for a rude awakening. Body pH and the acids that are produced from what we eat and drink can have an enormous impact on joint pain, arthritis and inflammation. When your body chemistry is out of balance and producing excess acids, this is eroding and irritating joint linings and causing pain and stiffness.

The first thing to focus on is limiting sugar. Sugar causes an increase in acid production, so staying away from or limiting the carbohydrates can help reduce your inflammation. Many other factors can cause joint inflammation, including food sensitivities.

Most people are not aware of the foods their body is sensitive to. There are very basic in-office tests that we use to determine this. Avoiding foods that your body is sensitive to is very important in piecing the puzzle together to free yourself from joint pain and arthritis.

Please join us on April 29 at 7:15 p.m. at Panera Bread in Rocky River as we take an in-depth look at the causes of joint pain, inflammation and arthritis and what alternatives are available to help alleviate the pain and suffering. Please call 440-331-4744 to reserve a space.