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What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is probably the most commonly encountered types of arthritis and affects nearly 27 million Americans and 151 million individuals worldwide. Osteoarthritis is also referred to as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disorder, and is primarily a condition that is the result of the breakdown and reduction of cartilage in joints.  It most commonly occurs in the weight-bearing joints of the hips, knees and lower back and is connected with intense joint pain which may keep individuals from enjoying things they love doing. Its most commonly encountered in people over the age of 65 however it can  occur at all ages.

What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

Symptoms of osteoarthritis include things like pain, inflammation, stiffness within the joints and constant aches in joints.  Symptoms of this condition range from moderate to extreme and frequently get worse as time passes.  They can overlap with autoimmune diseases along with other musculoskeletal ailments which makes it challenging to diagnose.  Osteoarthritis normally includes strong pain within the joints, particularly in the morning hours, following a period of resting as well as after excessive movement. Symptoms of osteoarthritis may also include stiffness in the hands, inflammation, persistent pain and difficulties with gripping physical objects.

Some factors that cause Osteoarthritis.

Unfortunately like a great many other chronic conditions it’s difficult to pin down a single cause for osteoarthritis, often it can come down to such things as chosen lifestyle, genetics, being overweight, injuries just to name a few. Family genetics can possibly be a key role in this disease. If your family has a medical history of arthritis it could be very possible you could develop this condition as well. If you have excess weight it could be a significant factor with regards to your joints that support your weight such as your lower back, hips, knees and feet. If these joints are impacted you’ll certainly have difficulties with activities such as walking, lifting weights, and stair climbing.

What has research discovered about Osteoarthritis?

Research shows that being overweight places individuals at high risk for developing osteoarthritis therefore it is recommended that if you have a family history with arthritis you are at increased risk for this disease. In turn you need to establish a healthy diet and utilize an appropriate exercise regime to reduce your chances of developing osteoarthritis. By doing this, should you become afflicted with this disease your symptoms should be significantly reduced.

An additional discovery implies that a diet high in omega-3 essential acids might help to slow down the functioning of enzymes that play a role in destroying cartilage inside your joints.

Research has revealed that shedding excess weight will help individuals who currently have osteoarthritis.

What are some treatment options for Osteoarthritis?

Researchers have been working hard developing new cutting edge treatment for osteoarthritis. One researcher suggests that osteoarthritis really should be regarded as more of an inflammatory disease, much like other types of arthritis as opposed to a condition caused by the breaking down of the joints from excessive use. Vitamin D has been cited for being beneficial in treatments and prevention of this condition including preventing structural damage and aiding with reduction of pain. Some individuals have reported benefit with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucosamine and chondroitin.

How massage therapy can help Osteoarthritis sufferers.

Osteoarthritis Pain can be frequently treated with physical rehabilitation, therapeutic massage, as well as biofeedback. Therapeutic massage for osteoarthritis is designed to relax the muscular tissues that surround the joints; Swedish massage for osteoarthritis of the knee may promote increased flexibility and reduction of pain. Some alternative techniques like therapeutic massage for osteoarthritis have been found to be helpful for many sufferers.

The author of this article is always looking for way to help improve people’s lives, so he is always looking to educating himself in methods that help relieve individual’s pain and discomfort. His expertise is related to massage chairs and how they benefit sufferers of many chronic conditions. He himself suffers from chronic back pain and he has found great relief by using his Osaki OS-4000 massage chair.