Joint Pain: Gout

In most cases gout pain first originates in the joints of the big toe and therefore in the feet. That hardly means that with the development of gout, greater amounts of uric acid accumulates in the system, and therefore travels to other joints of the body. This literally implies that gout pain travels to other parts of the body and carries the pain along with it. Thus the gout pain and the pain in your hip joint are connected. 

Of course, taking care of your gout can help cut down the degree of pain you experience in the hips. But this usually takes additional time. Immediate relief is often a clear necessity of these painful instances.  

The hip joint is the location of the connection between the pelvis and the leg. Thus it is natural that any kind of disorder there usually leads to great trouble. The very acts of walking and sitting are heavily impeded. Changing postures become extremely difficult according to the degree of pain felt.

Take NSAIDS in order to control gout and hip joint pains. These are necessarily pain killers which also contribute to the suppression of swellings. The joints are thus relatively relaxed. A greater degree of flexibility can be achieved in replacing the stiffness.

In case of specific and severe pain resulting from hip joints and gout can be helped by putting to use a treatment of heat and ice. Yet again the physician’s opinion should be south for this. The alternative application of heat and ice treatment can serve to be extremely useful in helping to reduce the swelling and can generate effective control in the case of the swelling trying to make its way back. Along with this, the usage of walking stick and restricted movement can be practiced to prevent the accumulation of fat in the course of limited mobility. Fast movements should be controlled. The postures in which one goes to sleep or sitting postures in general should be chosen with care.

In the longer time frame gout and joint pain should be treated with care and measures like exercise, etc. should be adopted albeit in consultation with the doctor. Other factors apart from gout can be explored to locate the cause of hip joint ailment. Such a diagnosis narrows down the cause and effects of the pain. Such diagnosis might help in the long run to fix or even reduce the pain resulting from such disorders. Correct measures regarding diet, medicine or a lifestyle as such can do wonders to such problems.

The History and Development of Massage

The history of massage started during the 3000 BC when the Chinese wrote Cong-Fu of the Tao-Tse, the oldest book written about massage which was later translated to French in the 1700s. In 2760 BC, Nei Ching or the Yellow Emperor’s Esoteric Classic discussed therapeutic touch. 

The Egyptians made their contribution in massage when they created reflexology in 2500 BC. Even the Indians participated in the development of massage when they established Ayurvedic massage.

During 500 BC-50 AD, the Greek and Romans used massage on Olympic athletes and to relieve neuralgia and epileptic seizures. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, incorporated massage in medicine. In 130 AD-201 AD, Galen, a Greek physician from the school of gladiators who were rubbed before fighting wrote a book on manual medicine.

In 100s AD, schools for massage therapy were created in China. Then in 600s AD the Japanese developed shiatsu, which uses the fingers to apply pressure on acupuncture points to regenerate energy. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), pediatric massage therapy or tuina evolved into a higher form of therapy which is still used today. 

During 1776-1813, Per Henrik Ling, a fencing master and gymnast cured himself of rheumatism through massage and created Medical Gymnastics and later formed the Royal Gymnastic Central Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Then in 1839-1909, Johann Mezger introduced medical massage to the scientific community and the terms effleurage, petrissage and tapotement became familiar.

The effects of massage on anemia were researched by medical doctors and professors in New York City in 1880. Four years later, Professor Charcot, a French physician who taught Sigmund Freud recommended massage therapy in French medicine.

The Society of Trained Masseuses was formed in Britain which offered massage education recognized by schools in 1894. A year after, Sigmund Freud used massage therapy to treat hysteria. During the same year, Harvey Kellog wrote The Art of Massage.

The 1900’s gave birth to different massage therapy methods like Jin shin jyutsu or the art of circulation awakening developed in Japan by Jiro Murai, The Alexander Technique created by F.M. Alexander, an Australian actor, Naprapathy (1907) which originated in Chicago, Bindgewebs massage (1929), created by German Physical therapist, Elizabeth Dicke and Neuromuscular therapy (1930) created by Stanley Leif.

In 1937, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, discovered the healing powers of essential oils accidentally during a laboratory experiment where he burned his hand and used lavender oil to soothe it. He coined the word Aromatherapy. Two years after, The Florida State Massage Therapy Association Inc. (FSTMA) was organized. Today, it is one f the oldest massage organizations with 85 charter members.

The Massage Registration Act was formulated during 1949, and in 1950 Francis Tappan and Gertrude Beard wrote books and articles concerning massage techniques. Two years later, Hoshino Therapy, which is an official medical therapy in Argentina was developed. Then during the 1960s, John Barnes created Myofascial Release Therapy.

In 1977-1978, Aston- Patterning was developed by Judith Aston and Hellerwork was created by Joseph Heller. Both methods are forms of rolfing.

During the 1980s, the Association of Bodywork and Massage Practitioners was established. Also, Watsu or water therapy was developed by Harold Dull followed by Stuart Taws creation of Taws Method or Soft Tissue Release.

In the 1990s, a protocol for fybromyalgia syndrome was defined by the American College of Rheumatology and the Touch Research Institute, which studies the effects of touch therapy was established.

Joint Pain: Causes

Is there really one such coherent cause for joint ailments? Perhaps not. In fact, definitely not. There are several possibilities which give rise to such disorder. These range from arthritis to gout to old age.

Excess weight carried over a lifetime can turn out to be one of the chief causes of such pain. The extra weight is always exerting more pressure on your joint and muscles. Remember that the skeletal system as well as the system of muscles heavily depends on the weight as there is supposed to be a proportionate distribution of the two in the human body. Thus a disproportionate rise in body weight destroys a balance which in future causes pain.

Cartilage is what cushions joints against the bones and against each other. In case of excess weight carried over a considerable time period, great friction is generated in the functioning of cartilages. Thus massive wear and tear can happen in the cartilages. They are at first won down to fibers and eventually lost in the process of wear and tear. This is also a cause for serious pain. Weight loss thus is advisable but that only in consultation with doctors.  

The root cause for joint ache is primarily arthritis. Off course a hundred things fall under this category of arthritis. The usual forms of arthritis are Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Both these varieties lead to severe joint and muscle pain. Normal functioning or work outputs are seriously compromised in the course of these ailments.  They can both effect unbearable pain and joint disorders in the hands, back, neck, knees and hips. Arthritis is incurable, yet it can be treated and there are several forms of medications which help to ease the pain associated with arthritis. Middle aged and older people are the usual victims of such diseases.

Often muscle and joint pain is not caused by something abnormal but the regular activity in life. In the course of playing a particular sport one might incur such injuries which are only a natural accompaniment to the sport. Various portions of the body especially knees can find a lifetime of sports quite taxing. These effects can be forestalled by resorting to well-cushioned shoes and other fitness equipment. 

There is hardly a single coherent answer to the question, what causes joint pain. It is thus advisable to consult a medical practitioner as soon as one starts experiencing joint pain.

Joint Pain: Arthritis Pain Relief

As a result of efforts to locate expert's advice on arthritis pain relief, a startling result originated from the research. There are over a hundred forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. There are 4 primary forms of arthritis in question-- osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and fibromyalgia. 

Arthritis, or "joint inflammation" stands out as one of the most common problems in the world today when it comes to health disorders. Muscles are heavily affected along with the site where two or more bones meet, i.e. the joint, like the hip or knee. Symptoms of this ‘popular’ disease include joint ache, inflammation, inflexibility, weakness, deformities, and restricted movement of joints, which can interfere with the most fundamental activities like walking, climbing steps, uncorking bottles, or even brushing your teeth. 

A few of the most common elements which can be connected to the development of arthritis pain are wounds (e.g from games) and problems from other states (like diabetes), genetic effects and the absence of physical activity. There is also obviously a significant correlation between obesity and arthritis. Extra body weight leads to excess stress on weight-bearing joints (back, hips, knees, ankles and feet). Thus due to this particular mechanism of joints, the stress in your knee joints is several times the body weight n question while one walks.

A miniscule weight loss could also effect significant reduction in joint pain. A great amount of corpulence might lead to greater inflammation in the body, leading to greater pain. With age a natural consequence is borne on the joints, hat of wear and tear. Thus older people are more likely to be victims of this condition. It is also common knowledge now that children, can also grow a disorder called juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This counts an inflammatory disorder of the connective tissues, brought to light by joint swelling and pain or tenderness. It can also lead to malfunctioning organs- the skin, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and eyes. 

The possibility of pain relief can be sought in a correct mixture of medication, exercise, rest, weight-management, diet and nutrition. Blood tests and X-rays should help your doctor to detect the type of arthritis you have and would ask you to incur the most suitable course of medical treatment. 

Manuka honey which has higher antibacterial effect in comparison to other types honey is also fat becoming popular in dealing with arthritis pain due to its anti-inflammatory characteristics and curative capacity. It minimizes joint swellings and accounts for a natural pain killer. The recipe or formula would be 2 tablespoons Manuka Honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder mixed with 1 cup of warm green tea drink this honey cinnamon drink every morning and evening. The mixture of honey and cider vinegar is also a well founded home cure for arthritis.

Around the world, people have admitted to this cleansing mixture being extremely helpful in relieving joint pains. Nutritionists have faith in the mineral qualities of this drink. Minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, natural silicon, pectin, and tartaric acids that are counters to body toxins, control bacteria and aid the body to hold stable its vital acid-alkaline balance. To create the right concoction, mix two teaspoons of vinegar and two teaspoons of raw honey in a glass of lukewarm water, and take it thrice a day.

Joint Pain And Muscles

Medicine has traced joint and muscle pain to be rooted in a disease called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Almost everyone who is a victim of SLE feel muscle and joint pains in the course of the illness.

The swelling in joint and muscles is what causes pain. Symptoms might resemble that of viral flu; this illness is a coefficient of extreme pain in the joints and muscles. His sickness is accompanied by pain in the joints as well as the softening of joints. A lot of patients might not actually experience severe pain but their situation is not better as due to muscles and tendons becoming tender and inflammation there motor skills are hampered.

Joint and muscle pains often precede SLE. Even at rest a person can feel joint and muscle pain. The right combination of rest and exercise is often what doctors ask patients to implement when going through a phase of acute joint pain. While exercising or in the course of any activity extreme care has to be taken by patients to not further damage the already tender joints and muscles which are in an affected state.

Muscle and joint pain can attack any part of the body. But the parts of the body which are most affected by muscle and joint pain are, hip, shoulders and knees. Extra body weight contributes to the ailments of patients.

Again, SLE is might not be the only reason for muscle and joint pains. A mixture of ailments like arthritis and muscle injury can also cause such pain. Thus medical help has to be sought to diagnose and confirm the status of the disease.

Such pain is definitely amenable to treatment when found at an early stage. A permanent cure is often impossibility. Often the patient can be advised to undergo surgery to replace certain joints. The movements of a person are seriously impeded in the case of muscle and joint pain. Thus in case of such pain, a proper diet, a regular and carefully constructed exercise schedule along with adequate rest, all under medical supervision becomes necessary.

Ten of the Best Types of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy has been around for hundreds of years. If you need to relief from muscle pain or stress, you can choose from one of the ten best types of massage therapy around.

1. First is Swedish massage therapy. This happens to be the most common type to find in the US because it is very gentle and relaxing. Here, the masseuse will use long strokes, kneading and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil.

2. Next is aromatherapy and the reason why it is called such is because one or more scented plant oils are used during the session. You will just have to select the oil you want to use. In fact, the most popular one is lavender as it is well suited for stress related conditions together with an emotional component.

3. There is also hot stone massage. Here, heated smooth stones are placed on certain parts of the body to help loosen those tight muscles and balance energy centers in the body. At times, the masseuse may also apply gentle pressure especially for those who have muscle tension.

4. Then there is deep tissue massage. This type is designed to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Here, the masseuse will use slow strokes better known as friction techniques across the grain of the muscle.

The distinctive feature of deep tissue massage is that it is used on those that have chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems and recovery from injury. You will often feel sore for the next day or two.

5. Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage therapy. Here, the masseuse will use localized finger pressure in a rhythmic sequence on acupuncture meridians. Each point is held for 2 to 8 second designed to improve the flow of energy and help the body regain balance. Those who have tried it say that it is relaxing yet firm. The best part is that there is no soreness afterwards.

6. Thai massage is similar to Shiatsu because it aligns the energies of the body using gentle pressure on specific points. Part of the session also includes compressions and stretches as you are moved in a variety of postures just like yoga but in this case, you don’t do anything except go with the flow.

7. For women that are expecting, they can opt for pregnancy massage. It is designed to relieve stress, decrease swelling, relieve aches and pins as well as reduce anxiety and depression.

8. Reflexology is also known as foot massage because it involves applying pressure to certain points on the foot. Those who practice this believe that the foot corresponds to certain organs and systems so if you are able to work on that, you have also done it in the whole body.

9. Then there is sports massage that is designed for people involved in sports activities. This type is designed not only for professional athletes since it helps prevent and treat physical injuries.

10. Lastly is back massage which usually lasts 30 minutes. Unlike reflexology that focuses on the feet because it represents special points in the body, this one simply relieves tension in the back caused by lifting heavy objects or driving for long periods of time.

Of course there are other kinds of massage therapy aside from the top ten most popular ones mentioned. Given that these are the only ones available in spas, perhaps you should just stick with the best sellers.

The Factors Involved in a Sports Massage

What is a Sports Massage?

A sports massage is a particular type of massage technique that is primarily used before, during and after athletic events. If you have ever watched any sort of sporting event on television or in real life, you will always notice the sports massage therapists who are always close by on hand not only in case of an injury, but also to help the athletes by massaging their muscles during time outs or halftimes.

The basic purpose of a sports massage is to physically and mentally prepare the athlete for peak performance, and to help drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, and to promote flexibility and prevent injuries. A sports massage helps to breakdown minor injuries and lesions, and of which are primarily caused by overexertion and overuse of those particular areas where these problems occur.

A sports massage can also help by preventing any injuries that would otherwise get in the way of performance and achievement, in order to allow the athlete to play the absolute best that he or she can. With a sports massage, there is in fact a combination of several different types of massage techniques, such as that of the shiatsu and Swedish massage techniques, for instance.

There are many benefits to sports massages, as besides helping the athlete to feel mentally and physically good overall, they also help to reducing the heart rate and blood pressure, increasing that of blood circulation and lymph flow, reducing muscle tension, improving flexibility, as well as relieving pain.

It can basically therefore be claimed that one of the most primary and greatest benefits in regards to sports massages is that they help to prevent injury from occurring, and help to relieve existing injuries. Athletes who are looking to improve their overall performance and increase their competitive edge should absolutely consider the sports massage factor, as there is no way that anyone would not receive some sort of benefit from this type of massage, especially if they are an athlete who needs to be at their top peak performance at all times.

Massage, when applied properly and skillfully, is absolutely the most effective way and means of therapy for helping in releasing muscle tension and for restoring balance to the overall musculoskeletal system, and when received regularly, this form of massage can dramatically affect the overall state of an athlete altogether.

Massage: Relax The Body And Mind

More Than 150 Different Types Of Massages

Many people want an effective way of becoming relaxed to ease the strain and tensions that slow down the human body and one way of doing so is to get a massage, which is a way of applying structured pressure, either manually or by mechanical means to the tissues (not hard) of the body which may include the muscles, connective tissues, tendons, joints and ligaments and get some benefit from doing so. Massage is a type of therapy that can be applied either to certain parts of the body or to the entire body.

In order to relieve stress caused by psychological reasons, or to heal injuries or to take care of hurting areas or to improve the circulation of the blood, this therapy is a proven method of achieving beneficial relief and when one is given for obtaining physical and psychological relief, it is often called therapeutic massage therapy and even manipulative therapy.

Giving a massage has become a thriving business and, in its commercial avatar, the techniques of the therapy have evolved continuously and generally imply that the customer lies down on a table or on a mattress on the floor or even on a mattress chair, and except for Thai and Barefoot Deep Tissue massages, the customer is stripped off all of his clothes and draped with just a towel while getting his or her therapy done because unclothing of the customer is known to keep the body warm during the therapy.

While getting oneself a massage, there can be a certain degree of sexual arousal shown by the customer and this is due to the fact that all contact being made is on the mostly naked body, but this is mostly unintentional and not the purpose of giving this type of therapy. There are two methods of giving a massage and the first is to lie the customer on his back with his face pointing up while the second part involves the customer rolling over face down. In addition, the customer should be as relaxed as possible for this therapeutic therapy to take good effect.

One of the essential requirements to obtaining an effective massage is to communicate the type required including those for relaxation or for pain relief or a full body massage or massage specific areas of the body as well as specifying the amount of pressure to apply and even inform the masseur about any past medical conditions. All these are important to getting an effective massage and since there are more than 150 different types available, the choices are plenty.