Knee Arthritis can be a real PAIN!

How do we know we have it OsteoArthrtis of the knee?

Stiffness- Getting out of bed in the morning is often the most difficult period of the day for man who suffer from knee arthritis. After giving the knees a nice long rest, taking that first step in the morning can be a chore. Stiffness is common complaint. The knee feels like it just doesn't want to bend.

Cracking/Clicking- In the medical world, terms that we often hear when talking about knee arthritis are "bone on bone". This is a catch phrase for grades 3 and 4 arthritis. Why? Well, it's because the joint is literally bone on bone. The upper and lower parts of the knee have come together because you know longer have that buffer of synovial fluid to hold them apart. Hearing the bones rub together is common.

Thunderstorm Blues- Have you ever felt a bit more pain in the joint when a storm is on the way? This is very common. When a thunderstorm is immanent, the atmospheric barometer drops. We naturally have joint pressure. In an unhealthy knee, the joint pressure cannot match and drop in the atmospheric pressure, out side of the knee. Therefore, the knee literally feels like it's going to explode. This obviously generates enhanced pain for many people who struggle with arthritis.

Trouble with stairs- One of the major complains of those who struggle with knee arthritis is going up and down stairs. When we go down stairs, we are shooting all of our weight onto the joint. We we go up stairs, we are using more strength. Either way, taking stairs can be a real challenge.



What causes knee arthritis?
Because we don't yet fully understand why we get arthritis, we do have some interesting theories as to why we get it.


Age- In today's society, when health issues arise, we have a tendency to to the easy road at times and just blame it on old age. The only thing age means is, we have had enough years go by for things to go wrong. If you hurt your knee when you are a teenager, the odds of you getting arthritis in that joint as you get older are very good. However, we have had knee arthritis patients in their mid 20's. So, is it really old age?

Trauma- This pertains to any joint. If you have a bad twist, sprain or even a ligament tear. The likelihood of getting arthritis in that joint as time goes on is great.

Weight- We do know that weight plays a roll. The weight that you carry from the head down, all shoots straight down, though your knees. The heavier you are, the more weight is put on the joint. After time, the joint simply wears out.

Heredity- Of the theories that we have, this one may be the most difficult to understand. We often times see arthritis run through families. Are they families full of athletes that are extra hard on their joints? Are the families who carry a little extra weight or are they families that are just accident prone? It really does make for interesting debate. We can simply state that we do believe that heredity does in fact play a roll in arthritis.


What can we do to treat knee arthritis?


In today's age, there are 2 words that we frequently hear.....Knee Replacement. Although having a replacement is inevitable for many patients, surgery is always the last option. Once you go down that road, there is no turning back
When a knee goes arthritic, it stops producing synovial fluid. This fluid is what gives us that cushion between the upper and lower parts of the knee. Getting some of that fluid back is key.
Through medical preparations, ultrasound and therapy, we have been able to achieve that with thousands of patients, giving them back the range of motion they have been lacking and freeing them from that excruciating pain.
If you have been diagnosed with OsteoArthritis of the knee, remember that you want to exhaust all alternatives before you go down the path of knee replacement.

Bug Off? Naturally!

Did you know that most bug repellents on the shelf contain toxic chemicals, like DEET, which can be harmful? Instead, try using herbs and pure essential oils for a far safer protection.

The herbs thyme, lemongrass and basil oils are often used for repellents and smell really good also! When using essential oils, be sure to dilute them with a carrier oil or a lotion.

Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and is also antibacterial and anti-fungal. The natural solvent proprieties in Tea tree oil actually help dissolve insect toxins in existing bites, stop itching and heal the bitten area. In fact, making Tea tree oil a part of your home first aid kit would be ideal.

Citronella candles can help keep away ticks, flies and misquotes. The ingredients in these often contain these same essential oils and have a pleasant smell.

If you like the convenience of just buying a bug repellent off the shelf, go for an all natural, organic brand from the health food store. Chances are, these will contain most of the ingredients above.
(I like Badger Anti-Bug Balm)
If your home is being invaded with ants this summer, try peppermint oil. Add two teaspoons to a cup of water and spray it anywhere you see ants. You can also use peppermint oil on your skin.

Enjoy a bug-free summer in the back yard or at the park, without bugs and without harmful toxins!

Wine and Chocolate: A Happy Easter Indeed!

The festive holidays that mark the beginning of spring come with many temptations. Choosing to live well is to take these temptations and turn them into healthy treats that celebrate the season. Wine and chocolate can be good for you- or evil.

A glass of red wine is packed with powerful antioxidants that have been found to reduce the risk or heart attack and stroke, all while improving brain function, increasing lifespan, fighting cancer and decreasing the effects of aging. Phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and resveratrol, act as antioxidants and prevent “free radicals” from causing cellular damage in the body.

The benefits of red wine (and dark beer like Guinness) favor the cardiovascular system by relaxing the blood vessels and inhibiting the oxidation of unhealthy cholesterol. In moderation, alcohol can raise your good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and thin your blood, preventing clotting and lowering the risk of heart disease.

When it comes to chocolate, the darker the better!

On a month where multitudes of chocolate bunnies fill the grocery store shelves, it’s easy to feel like a kid in a candy store. It’s O.K. to give in to temptation, just be smart about it.

The benefits of chocolate have been known for thousands of years and some native tribes who regularly consumed cocoa showed very low rates of cardiovascular disease. Epicatechins, the natural compound found in cocoa, may offer significant benefits to those who’ve previously suffered from a stroke by its ability to restore function to blood vessels. Chocolate even contains chemicals associated with happy emotions.

Remember that not all chocolate is created equal. The more processing, like heat and light, chocolate is subjected to, the less antioxidants it has. Added ingredients like sugar and dairy can turn the otherwise beneficial treat into something quite the opposite; the milk in milk chocolate interferes with the absorption of beneficial antioxidants. Consuming a moderate amount of an organic, unprocessed, dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa is ideal.

Limiting alcohol to one glass per day is recommended for optimal health benefits. Keep in mind that drinking heavily can lead to weight gain; one bottle of wine is about 480 calories (that’s the equivalent of two 20-ounce Cokes!) For some, sulfates and tannins in wine can even trigger migraine headaches.

So indulge on these plant phenol-rich super foods during this holy season… but keep well by indulging in moderation. Happy Easter, everyone!

Tackle Knee Arthritis!

12 milliion americans have knee arthritis and the number will rise quickly as young athletic people sustain injury at a young age. take care of your knee injury with strengthing exercise as you age you become more stiff.

yoga and activigties that keep you moving in unusual ways, not just your routine ways keep your abilities in everyday life have you seen olympic athlets with pink and blue tape on their joints??

Kenisio taping was created by a japanease chiropractor in order to relieve swelling, poor scar tissue and to keep joints stable. you are "treating"

your joint the whole time you have the tape on. learn how to tape if you have a joint concern.

Ryan

Woodward Medical Center

Get rid of knee pain for the new year!

Are your knees stiff when you get out of bed in the morning? Are you having trouble going up and down stairs? Come learn about "loaded" knee braces. This new technology shifts weight from your knee to your thigh pain, leaving you pain free!

Woodward Medical Center

Flu Season Is Here!

The time of year is here where the sniffling, sneezing, coughing, sore throat and fever creeps into our lives and we just want it to stay away, but how?

There are many preventative steps that we can take to steer clear of the flu. Here are 10 tips you can use to help keep the flu away this cold season!

1. Wash your hands frequently with liquid anti bacterial soap instead of bar soap. Bar soap can be a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria.

2. Do not share drinking glasses. Instead, use disposable drinking cups in the kitchen and bathroom. Dispose after 1 use.

3. Use disposable tissues when blowing your nose, Wash your hands thoroughly when you are done.

4. Colds and flu are often spread through hand to hand contact. Make an effort to keep your hands from touching your face and keep your fingers out of your mouth.

5. If you have young children, wash their toys frequently in warm soapy water.

6. Viruses can live on hand towels and sponges for many hours. Use disposable paper napkins and towels instead.

7. If you have to sneeze and there are no tissues available, sneeze into your shoulder and not your hands to avoid spreading germs.

8. Frequently clean surfaces such as counter tops, railings, door knobs to avoid spreading hand to hand viruses.

9. Germs remain in stagnant air. When weather permits, open the windows or door to circulate fresh air.

10. Avoid smoking at all costs. It is a respiratory irritant that increases susceptibility to viruses that cause cold and flu.

If you feel a cold/flu coming on, here are a couple of tip you can take try and stop in in it's tracks or prevent it from coming full swing.

1. Take 2000mg of vitamin C, one garlic tablet, one echinacea tablet. If you don't feel better after 30min, take another 1000mg of vitamin C and continue to do so until you feel better.

2. Drink lot's of water. Viruses breed well in warm/dry environments. Keeping your body irrigated will help you fight the fight.

3. Sleep Sleep Sleep

Best of health to you this fall season!

Woodward Medical Center

2007 W. 75th Street

Woodridge Il 60517

630-985-4700

Knee Arthritis

If your knees hurt and you cannot do stairs, you should lead with your strong leg, either going up or down. If you think you might have arthritis, you can sit with the leg outstretched with a small pillow under the knee and tighten the front of the thigh. Once you do this, hold for a count of 3 and repeat 5 times. When you do it, you should not have any pain. This technique may strengthen the knee and help you going up and down stairs.