March 2014

A flexible, mobile knee joint is a wonderful thing because it allows you to live an active life – play sports, walk and run, sit and stand, and enjoy the full range of movement that a complex joint like the knee allows. However, the flexibility of the joint also causes problems – you are more likely to damage the joint or cause problems through overuse. You are on your feet for large portions of the day and the pressure bearing down on the knee often results in pain. Knee pain could come in the form of a dull ache. You may also experience swelling and redness, and there may be stiffness and weakness. You may not be able to bend the knee as normal, or put weight on it.

If your knee is painful there are many possible reasons for the discomfort. Here are the most common causes of knee pain and discomfort.

Ligaments, Cartilage and Tendons

• Torn Ligaments. The ligaments are bands of tissue that connect your bones and muscles. A common cause of knee pain is a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which connects the shin and thigh. This injury is commonly caused by sudden changes in direction while pressure is put on the knee.
• Torn Cartilage. Cartilage connects bones and muscle and you can cause inflammation and damage to the cartilage in the knee through overuse of the joint or injury.
• Tendonitis. An injury may also cause swelling and irritation to the tendons, which are tissues linking muscles and bones in the knee joint.
• Ligament Pain. Ligaments that are too tight and not flexible cause pain in the knee.

Bone and Other Joint Components

• Bursitis. A knee injury inflames the fluid-filled sacs called bursae that cushion the knee joint. This results in pain and discomfort as well as swelling.
• Bone Chips or Loose Cartilage. A tiny piece of bone may break loose from the joint or cartilage can be separated from the joint. The chips stay in the joint cavity and cause problems with knee mobility.
• Dislocated Kneecap.

Arthritis

• Osteoarthritis. One of the most common types of arthritis that affects the knee joint
• Gout. Another form of arthritis that is caused by a development of uric crystals in the knee joint.

If knee pain is affecting your everyday life, seek help from a pain management specialist. There are many different ways to treat knee pain – see the following article for more details.

Millions of people suffer from shoulder and neck pain but many are under the impression that waiting it out and suffering in silence is best. Others believe there is nothing a doctor can do to treat neck or shoulder pain that is not linked to another underlying health condition. But leaving shoulder or neck pain untreated is not a good idea. Not only does the pain and discomfort cause problems in your everyday life, including difficulties walking, working, and relaxing, but an untreated injury can lead to more problems further down the line. Arm yourself with the facts about neck and shoulder injury so you can resolve the problem in the best possible way.

Why Do I Suffer from Pain in my Neck and Shoulders?

While the benefits of having a flexible, mobile neck and shoulder joint are clear, the disadvantages are also obvious – the lack of stability in the neck, the weight it supports, and the reliance on the shoulder muscles all make it relatively easy to damage the neck or the shoulders and cause pain. Often a small movement made at the wrong time, or a sudden movement that forces the neck forwards or backwards, can have strong repercussions in terms of pain.

What are the Common Causes of Pain in the Shoulders or Neck?

Poor posture is one of the most common causes of neck and shoulder pain. Sitting in the same position for a long time, when your weight is not properly distributed over your chest, causes pressure in the shoulders and the top of the spine. Standing and walking in a way that puts strain on the shoulder muscles and ligaments is also a problem – poor posture is a major contributing factor to neck and shoulder pain.

You may be able to identify the moment when the pain struck – an auto accident that caused whiplash, for example, or a heavy football tackle. Sometimes pain is due to a dislocated shoulder.

If you are struggling to find a reason for your pain, it could be a condition called wry neck. Wry neck describes when the neck is suddenly painful, stiff or uncomfortable. Wry neck is not usually caused by an accident or an injury, but it could be the result of a viral infection. There may be spasms of pain that spread across the upper back.

Headaches are a common problem, with up to 90 percent of Americans suffering from the uncomfortable condition. If you frequently experience headaches it can be difficult to lead a normal life. Often, headaches interfere with work and with family time – you don’t want to socialize with a pounding headache, or finish that spreadsheet at the office. Headaches may sometimes be the sign of another illness or health condition but they are much more likely to be triggered by environmental stimuli or by bodily processes like stress, tension, or blood sugar levels. Fortunately there are remedies and techniques proven to help relieve the discomfort of headaches and migraines. Here are seven of the best ways to reduce the pain and live a normal life again.

1. Visit a Chiropractor.

You may not realize it, but many headaches are caused by tension in the neck and the upper back. In order to relieve this tension and stress and properly align the spine, it is beneficial to see a chiropractor. You will also be able to receive advice about proper posture and sitting positions in order to minimize the impact of stress on the joints in your head, neck and back.

2. Exercise Regularly.

Exercise can also relieve stress and release tension. Try a low-impact form of exercise so you don’t cause extra pain, such as yoga, a stretching class, walking, or swimming.

3. Drink Plenty of Water.

Dehydration can cause headaches. If you regularly suffer from headaches, check how much you are drinking. You need at least eight glasses a day.

4. Avoid Foods That Trigger Headaches.

Common culprits include cheese, foods with nitrates or artificial sweeteners, wine, smoked meats, pickles, and cold foods like ice cream or other cold desserts.

5. Improve Your Diet.

Include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and other whole foods and avoid processed foods in order to increase your vitamin levels and also avoid artificial additives. Avoid too much caffeine (and too much alcohol) and don’t smoke.

6. Practice Stress-Reducing Techniques.

Try meditation, yoga, or other deep breathing practices to regularly inject a little calm into your busy life. Simply sitting for a few minutes in a darkened room or listening to some calming music can make a difference to the severity of your headache.

7. Use a Moist Heat Pad.

If the tension in your neck is promoting a headache, sit quietly with a warm, moist towel wrapped around your neck. The heat will help remove tension.

If you are suffering from low back pain, what should you do? Stay in bed, walk it off, or take medication? How can you ease the pain of an injured lower back? Low back pain is a common complaint among all types of people in the United States. Low back pain can be acute, meaning it is brought on suddenly, usually as the result of an accident or injury, or chronic, meaning that the back condition is long-lasting. If you suffer from low back pain, here’s how to make a difference to the way you feel.

How to Treat Low Back Pain

1. See a Specialist.

Visiting a back care practitioner or a pain management expert is the first step in helping heal an injured or damaged lower back. When visiting the clinician, tell them exactly what caused the back pain – if anything – and where exactly the pain is affecting you. You will receive recommendations about how to treat the pain – treatment options include chiropractic treatment, massage, physical therapy, and more.

2. Ease into Gentle Exercise.

The sooner you can start to work your back and the surrounding muscles again, the better. Lying down for long periods of time can actually make back pain worse. Low-impact exercise activities can help bring flexibility to your spine and ease discomfort. Ask your clinician what you can do for exercise.

3. Check Your Posture.

Whether you are trying to cure a bad back or trying to prevent one, good posture is essential. Learn how to stand and sit correctly so you are balanced and your weight is kept in a straight line – too much curve can put too much pressure on the lower back.

4. Work Your Core.

Weak core muscles often mean a poorly supported back. Strengthen your abdominal muscles to provide a strong “cage” for your lower back. When your core is strong you reduce the strain you place on your back.

5. Follow a Healthy Lifestyle.

Being generally healthy and with a good mental outlook will help prevent back problems and also cut the time it takes to heal a sore back. Follow a healthy diet, don’t smoke, and keep your weight at a healthy level in order to bring benefits to your back.

6. Get Enough Rest.

While you can overdo it in terms of getting too much rest, it is important to sleep well in order to maximize the chances of healing your back. Choose a supportive mattress and try to sleep on your side so you take away stress from the lower back area.