Knee Replacement Surgery

This past weekend I was at an event with my mother (double knee replacement 10 months ago) and my cousin (single knee replacement 6 weeks ago). I was amazed at how well my cousin was getting around after just six weeks. My mother, who could barely walk prior to her double knee replacement, is bemoaning the fact that she isn't back to her 40-year-old knees (do you think she is expecting too much?!) but she is getting along quite well. I expect her to be back on a pair of skies this winter. Prevention is the best medicine but if your knees have gotten to a point where recovery without surgical intervention is not possible, look into knee replacement.

Decreased Weight and Increased Activity to Help with Arthritis

If you wish to minimize joint disease, activity and weight reduction are key. A new survey discovered that Canadians have less joint disease and a lesser amount of arthritis-related disability than Americans. Analysts state the higher amount of obesity and lack of exercise in America is to blame for the variance.

This study was printed in the March 2010 issue of Arthritis Care & Research. The data came from from the Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health, and uncovered that the rates for arthritis for people in the US are about two percent higher than Canadians.

The most significant difference between the US and Canada had to do with physical inactivity. People in the US with arthritis were nearly three times as likely to report being sedentary when compared to Canadians with arthritis. The Canadian and American males were about the same in levels of weight and physcial exercise. The significant difference was noticed between the women. American females tend to be more obese and more physically inactive than Canadian females.

This study is no surprise, given that weight problems are a known arthritis risk factor associated. The good news is that, in contrast to genetic makeup, obesity can be changed. There is a large amount of research that backs the advantages of physical exercise for those with joint disease and most specialists state that people with arthritis can and should exercise. Low impact aerobic exercise are best. Talk to your medical professional regarding which types of exercises are ideal for you.

Thyme Oil to Decrease Inflammation

New analysis shows that thyme oil may assist in decreasing inflammation, a condition thought to participate in the development of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and other health conditions. In a recently released analysis, researchers discovered that compounds in thyme oil may restrain COX-2, an enzyme known to encourage inflammation.
In lab assessments, researchers discovered that mant essential oils (including rose and eucalyptus) lessened COX-2 expression in cells by at least 25 percent. Thyme oil proved far more efficient, lowering COX-2 amounts by nearly 75 percent. Utilized in aromatherapy as well as numerous other forms of alternative treatments, essential oils are powerful components extracted from plants and herbs and have been used in the treatment of many health ailments.

Lemon is Incredible for Wrist, Knee, or Any Joint Arthritis.

The incredible, amazing lemon may help with wrist arthritis, knee arthritis, or arthritis in any joint. Lemon is a popular fruit when it comes to therapeutic properties. We never fail to start our mornings with lemon juice in warm water the first thing to hit our stomachs.

All fruits are cleansing, but lemons in particular, help flush toxins out of your system. This is especially important for people with wrist arthritis, knee arthritis, or arthritis in any joint. It also is important for people suffering from cancer as it cleanses toxins from the liver and kidneys taking a load off the immune system.

Other than being an amazing detoxifier, lemon water also has the following health benefits.

• Lemon water is an alkalizer and helps the body balance pH.
• Lemon water gives relief from cold and flu symptoms.
• Lemon water cleanses and stimulates the kidneys and liver.
• Lemon water has a high Vitamin C content so it helps prevent infection and hastens wound healing.
• Lemon water has excellent digestive properties and can ease digestion problems like heartburn and bloating.
• Lemon water promotes a strong immune system and also acts as a blood purifier.
  
  Kick your lemon water up to the next level with this healthful, quick and easy health drink to combat arthritis pain.
  
  Lemon MSM Health Drink.
  
  1 to 2 teaspoons MSM
  ½ to 1 teaspoon Vitamin C
  Juice of half a lemon
  1/8 teaspoon sea salt.
  
  Combine all the ingredients in a glass. Add filtered or distilled water and stir well.

Scented Heating Pad for Topical Arthritis Pain Relief

Does that knee arthritis make it painful to get out of bed in the morning? Try applying a little heat for topical arthritis pain relief and to increase joint flexibility.

Heat can decrease joint stiffness, relax tight muscles and temporarily relieve arthritis pain. Heat works by stimulating your body’s own healing mechanism, because it stimulates blood circulation, dilates the blood vessels, and reduces muscle spasms. It also decreases the sensation of pain and is wonderful for topical arthritis pain relief.

However, be careful of electric heating pads and electric blankets. Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. says that the electromagnetic fields (EMFs), invisible lines of force that surround electrical equipment, may disrupt internal body control systems, weaken the immune system, and increase the risk of cancer.

To be safe, use this Scented Heating Pad Recipe. Not only is it safe, it is really an inexpensive to make your own topical arthritis pain relief and smells great. This is a fantastically aromatic way to unknot tight muscles, reduce inflammation, and relieve wrist arthritis, knee arthritis, or arthritis in any joint.

Scented Heating Pad Recipe.

4 cups uncooked rice
½ cup dried lavender
1 pair clean, long socks.

Mix the uncooked rice and dried lavender and pour into a clean, long sock. Knot the ends, place inside the other sock and knot that end. Heat for 90 seconds in a microwave before each use.

Laughter Relieves Stress and Pain.

Laugh and the world laughs with you. We all know how infectious laughter is, but did you know that it can be a natural remedy for stress relief?

I worried for years about my young niece and nephew who were left fatherless when my brother died of lymphoma. The kids had grown up to be smart and good students. It bothered me that they were not interested in any thought provoking or serious movies. All they wanted to watch were comedies.

With the current medical research about laughter, I know now that without even realizing it, they were using laughter as a natural remedy for stress relief from a life of being different than the other kids – a life without a Dad.

Now, people have taken laughter to new heights. Did you know there are laughter yoga clubs springing up everywhere around the country and the world? Many of those clubs are in a business environment where a quick fix for stress relief is at a premium. The best part is that this natural remedy is not only quick, it’s free.

This natural remedy for stress relief is so important, because high levels of stress can lead to depression. Research shows that laughter quickly brings down the levels of stress-related hormones and brings balance back to the bloodstream.

It is believed the stress hormones are replaced with endorphins when you laugh whether it is real or faked. Endorphins, in turn, are believed to produce euphoric feelings, sex hormones, and decrease the appetite. Endorphins, which are released during exercise, create a phenomenon called the “runners high.”

So, laugh, shed your stress, loose weight, and have more intimacy.

Behind-the-Back Stretch

This exercise stretches the triceps at the back of the upper arm, shoulders and chest. You can do this stretch while standing or sitting in an upright position. Either way, it feels great.

• Bend your right arm behind your head so your right hand is pointed toward the middle of your upper back and your right elbow is pointed upward.
• Keeping your back straight, grasp your right elbow with your left hand. Pull gently back and down until you feel a slight stretch along the back of your upper arm.
• Hold for 5-10 seconds.
• Repeat with the other arm.

Find out how you can get fast and effective back pain relief.