Knee X-ray

New research coming out of Tufts University School of Medicine has found that individuals 65 years of age and over who’ve been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and who practice Tai Chi, enhanced their physical capability and experienced less pain. Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that produces an erosion of joint cartilage. Chiropractors treat quite a few individuals who suffer with OA in a number of areas of the body, including the joints of the knee. Knee pain and disability is one of the most prevalent problems of the musculoskeletal system, second only to spinal complaints. In fact, an astounding 4.3 million men and women in the US over 60 years of age have been diagnosed with knee OA, according to the CDC, and it predicts that half of the people in America may develop symptoms of OA in at least one knee by age 85. The consequences of knee osteoarthritis are pain, mobility limitations, dysfunction and disability, and a diminished quality of life.

You may be questioning why so many adults develop OA. Excessive stress over the years is a major element in the majority of musculoskeletal conditions that develop as we get older. It follows that as people age they are more likely to develop OA in their knees, as well as other joints. Abnormal function of the knee, poor gait, compensatory foot mechanics as an offset of foot pain, and repetitive use of the knee joint all create excessive stress on the knees. Eventually arthritic changes in the knee joint develop. In combination with chiropractic care, chiropractors wholeheartedly support natural, drug-free practices, such as Tai Chi (Chuan), that can decrease knee pain. A traditional style of Chinese martial arts,Tai Chi features slow, rhythmic movements that produce mental relaxation, as well as improved balance, an augmentation of strength, and enhanced flexibility.

Though in good health otherwise, the 40 men and women with confirmed OA that were selected for the Tufts study were on an average 65 years of age and overweight. Patients were randomly selected to take part in 60-minute “Yang style” Tai Chi sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Each session included a 10-minute self-massage and a review of Tai Chi principles, 30 minutes of Tai Chi movement, 10 minutes of breathing technique, and 10 minutes of relaxation.

Tai Chi includes many of the prevailing exercise protocols for OA, such as range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout. In addition, researchers observed that the “mental component” of Tai Chi promoted a sense of well-being, life enjoyments, and personal concepts of health that assisted the participants in dealing differently with chronic pain. Significantly, the group practicing Tai Chi experienced a substantial decrease in knee pain compared with those in the control group.

Full findings of the study are published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, knee OA, knee pain, osteoarthritis, Tai Chi, Tufts University School of Medicine

Though hip pain and related problems are ordinarily signs of age-related degenerative conditions, especially osteoarthritis of the hip joint, osteoarthritis isn’t always the “bad guy”. In fact, rather than being the original source of the problem, osteoarthritis of the hip joint can be the end result of injury to your hips earlier.

Harm incurred as the result of biomechanical issues, such as an ankle sprain or knee strain, can cause changes in your gait that create hip pain. Also, if you change jobs, alter the way you sit, take on a new sport or activity, or start driving for long periods of a regular basis, your gait may alter to compensate for these new changes.

In addition, gait imbalances can be caused by carrying a baby or small child on your hip, leg length discrepancies, or foot pronation problems. The point is, anything that creates an asymmetry or imbalance when you are in motion can bring about painful hip problems.

As part of the chiropractic management of your hip problem, along with adjustments, your chiropractor may prescribe orthotics. Your chiropractor will also offer appropriate progressive rehabilitative exercises that include muscle stretching and strengthening.

Hip pain won’t vanish on its own. Hip pain is a sign that something needs to be corrected. Your chiropractor can help to get you out of pain, get back into balance, and get your life back!

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, hip pain, osteoarthritis