You Can’t Afford to Injure Your Joints
Posted on 25. Apr, 2010 by Oxnard Chiropractor in chiropractic
I just read an interesting article in the health section of newyorktimes.com about the “financial” benefits of protecting your joints. As a chiropractor, when it comes to the health of the joints of the musculoskeletal system, protecting the joints from injury and unnecessary wear and tear are key to preventing painful and often debilitating problems as our body ages. As I mentioned in past articles, degenerative arthritis can be appreciably decreased and even avoided with proper education, exercise, and treatment. However, I have found that, unfortunately, it’s hard for people to “get motivated” now to do something about potential problems. But, adding a financial incentive may just do the trick!
Did you know that more than 400,000 people a year have one or more hips or knees replaced? And, did you know that the cost for a new hip or knee is $30,000 to $40,000? Even if you have insurance, your out-of-pocket expenses can still be quite substantial, especially when you include the cost of days off from work. The article offered several “preventative measures” that might help your joints to stay healthy longer. And, with the exception of its suggestion that glucosamine and chondroitin “probably are of limited benefit,” I am in agreement with the article’s joint protection suggestions.- control your weight
- stay active in “low impact” exercise and sports
- try to avoid injury
- get fit
- be skeptical*
The article in its entirety is well worth the read (and implementation), even if your current motivation is a only financial one. Click on the link for more information.
* I have witnessed the highly beneficial results of glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation.
Your Oxnard Chiropractor Explains Why Proper Posture Can Help Reduce Knee Pain
Posted on 27. Jul, 2009 by admin in knee pain
From his years of experience, Dr. Donald Bolt, your Oxnard Chiropractor, knows that second only to spinal problems, knee pain and disability is one of the most frequent ailments of the musculoskeletal system. What causes this common problem? Often, insufficient mechanics of the knee, as well as impaired foot mechanics as the result of foot pain frequently cause painful knee conditions. Additional causes generally include overuse of the knee joint, ailments as the result of arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from sports and falls.
Non-trauma knee problems: Deficient mechanics of the knee joint and the corresponding stress on the soft tissues of the knee are, by far, the most common cause of non-traumatic pain. The patella or knee-cap is generally the area affected because many times the patella does not move sufficiently on the femur during bending of the knee generating abnormal stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This specific condition is normally called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). This dysfunction is due to imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that join to and move the patella. Imbalances in the muscles having to do with knee movement commonly originate from lower back ailments, particularly in the sacroiliac joint. Pain and dysfunction can also be caused by imbalances in the muscle groups that attach to the knee. For example, the muscles on the inside of the thigh, when strained and tight, can produce pain on the medial or inside of the knee. Mechanical knee pain is also produced by gait deviations such as pronation.
The correspondent pain from overuse is most often experienced during activity, particularly stair climbing, running, jumping, and after rising after prolonged sitting. Many women appear to be predisposed to painful overuse conditions for anatomical reasons, however such conditions are many times due to wearing high heels on a regular basis.
The main treatment for mechanical or overuse injuries to the knee is to re-establish proper balance of the muscles, restore proper movement to the patella and other joints of the knee, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot. In specific cases, a brace is adopted to assist with the adjustment of the patella or to secure the joint. Chiropractors, such as Dr. Bolt, are ideally trained to administer the correct diagnosis and care of these ailments.
Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries frequently occur during activities that involve running and jumping, such as football, basketball, and skiing. When the knee is extended or contorted beyond the capability of the ligaments that hold the joint together, tearing of these tissues can take place creating a sprain. Strains to muscles that give motion to the knee can arise when the muscles are torn during injury. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can range from a minor injury that requires little attention to a extreme injury necessitating surgery. Furthermore the two special knee “cartilages” located between the tibia and femur (called the menisci), which provide for fluid motion and cushioning, may also be torn during traumatic injury. This serious injury commonly requires surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.
Traumatic knee injuries can create serious pain and swelling and need prompt diagnosis and care. In most instances a competent chiropractor, such as Dr. Bolt, your Chiropractor in Oxnard, can manage these conditions, although there are some injuries that may necessitate the skills of an orthopedic surgeon. Nevertheless, it is crucial to stabilize the injured joint as soon as possible and to use ice on the injured area, if possible, until the injury can be examined.
Conditions such as poor mechanics and problems due to overuse, as well as traumatic injuries, need to be corrected at an early stage. Otherwise, the tissues of the knee joint, especially the cartilage, will start to erode. If tissue and cartilage erode, the bones will rub together unprotected and changes such as bone spurs can occur. This painful condition, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, is frequently progressive with age. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely helpful in relieving the pain. Many individuals can additionally help themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.
