Everyone wants to remain active despite aging and achy joints Consult Dynamic Osteopaths for advice on conservative interventions – there are many good options available.
Below are a list of Conservative Tretment options to treat your aching joints and how to remain active 1. Weight Management Gradually losing weight will have a most significant effect in reducing the stress on the painful weight-bearing joint. This is achieved by implementing a healthy diet and using exercise that impacts the affected joints less (swimming, cycling, rowing, etc). 2. Activity Modification Worn hips, knees and ankles don’t take kindly to excessive impact. Suttle modifications will help for individuals that enjoy running In addition, a strengthening program targeting muscles around the area will help to support the joint and keep stable. 3. Topical Creams Anti-inflammatories in gel form are available and may provide relief when massaged over the affected joint, as may anti-inflammatory patches, which slowly release the agent through the skin. 4. Inserts And Wedges Altering the alignment of your legs by inserting a simple wedge or arch support in a shoe may remove pressure from the injured side of an arthritic knee.
5. Injection Techniques Acute flare-ups of joints respond well to corticosteroid (cortisone) injections. Settling the pain will help mobility and facilitate strengthening, but repeat cortisone injections are not an ideal way to manage osteoarthritis on an ongoing basis, as the risks of infection and aggravating cartilage degeneration are too high. Other more physiological means to preserve joints include using gel-like injectable viscosupplements, such as hyaluronic acid, which can be injected twice a year, and platelet-rich plasma injections (platelet cells drawn from the patient’s own blood), which are showing good promise as a biological intervention. 6. Anti-Inflammatories commonly used and prescribed agents for joint pain, and are also effective in settling inflammation, but may have side-effects on the stomach, kidneys and heart, and should be avoided long-term. 7. Supplements Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) and omega-3 have all staked a claim to help in osteoarthritis. Glucosamine sulphate at a dose of 1 500mg a day has been shown to be of benefit, as have avocado and soy extracts. Evidence is however limited.
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