Posts Tagged ‘foot pain’
Will You Miss This? Finally Joint Pain Exposed!
JOINT INFLAMMATION is a very painful, with multiple sets of conditions (100), progressively leading to joint damage, deformity and loss of mobility. Extremity joint swelling is standard for this condition. Chronic pain, disability and death are unfortunate results.
Joint problems have a estimated probability of 1 - 2%. Prevalence increases with age, approaching 5% in women over age 55. The average annual incidence in the United States is about 70 per 100,000 annually. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs two to three times more in women than in men. Although rheumatoid arthritis may present at any age, patients most commonly are first affected in the third to sixth decades.
Joint inflammation, collectively affect nearly 46 million adults and 300,000 children in the U.S. It is not selective. The condition can happen to anyone. All arthritic conditions impact the musculoskeletal system and specifically the joints - where two or more bones meet.
Joint inflammation problems include:
- pain
- stiffness
- damage to joint cartilage (the tough, smooth tissue that covers the ends of the bones, enabling them to glide against one another) and surrounding structures.
HOW DO WE GET JOINT INFLAMMATION?
This condition involves obstruction of the blood due to hot-damp, drying and/or drying characteristics. The condition includes:
- cold or hot and painful joints
- difficulty in flexing and extending the joints
- aversion to cold or hot with attraction to the opposite condition
- In some cases the limbs and joints will be aching, numb, painful
- overall physical body feels heavy.
- tongue is pale or the opposite
There are graduating arthritic conditions where the site of pain and deformity are more intense, with heat or cold predominating, however, the primary appraoch is to get the obstruction to move. Health is re-established by countering imbalanced internal srtates of wind-cold/hot-damp/dry and altering external situations contributing to obstruction. Additional attention needs to be given to the general emotional state that may indirectly support the blockage.
HOW DO WE GET BETTER?
JOINT INFLAMMATION: FOOD THERAPY & HERBAL HERBS
“We are what we eat.” Most of us would agree that most conditions of imbalance are determined by what we put in our mouth. We unkowingly create imbalances by not being aware of how critical this area is, especially in the latter years.When we find out the supplements and foods weakens our essence and immunity then it would behove us to learn our constitution and which food that nourish balance. Below, you can begin to choose foods that deliver balance for this obstructive condition:
Foods That Benefit & Foods To Avoid
Foods to Counter Joint Pain: Asparagus, Cabbage (poultice & ingestion), Celery, Cod, Cherry, Chives, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic, Ginger, Goats milk, Grape, Kelp, Oranges, Papaya, Pineapple (Bromelain), Pumpkin Seeds, Royal Jelly, Scallions, Sesame oll, Spelt, Spirulina, Soy products, Strawberry, Sprouts (mung, red clover, radish, mustard, lentil, adzuki, garbanzo, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds), Tumeric, Water melon, Barley products, Wheat grass products, Alfalfa products (tablets, tea), Chlorophyll foods, Almonds (5-6 dy.),
Foods to Avoid: Excess meat (some fish is best), Excess protein, Intoxicants (alcohol, coffee, tobacco, marijuana, etc.), refined sugar and other sweets, Oxalic acid foods (rhubarb, cranberry, plum, chard, beet greens, spinach), Solanine foods (Nightshade family veggies: tomato, eggplant, bell pepper, potato, if sensitive), Dairy (cow’s milk & bi-products), Nuts, Nut butters, oil-rich seeds,
“When the heart is calm, pain seems negligible.” — Inner Classic
HERB FORMULAS FOR PAIN Formulas are created and rendered, taking into consideration, a person’s constitution, environment, life energy (qi), lifestyle and emotional status to name a few concerns. Traditional Chinese Herbs and medicine focuses on bringing all these areas into balance. The primary element is to make an herbal composition with specific emphasis on painful joints while correcting the underlying condition in the body without creating more physical problems.
Additionally, the quality of the herbs are not the same. If lesser quality is contained in a formula then the results will not hold up as indicated in research findings. While it may sound impressive to make marketing statements that a formula containing an herb is beneficial it is not enough. The quality of herbs are very important. Ginseng alone has more than 6 grades and each level provides a different result. Quality, alone, can determine whether the formula works or not. A seasoned herbologist does not skimp in this area, while many commercial manufacturing operations prefer profit when dealing with innocent distributers, who sell to wholesalers, retailers and then to you the consumer. This practice in America gives herbology and products a bad name. Employing herbal deficiency practices will gradually wear away customer trust so when true herbologists offer their services the challenge for customers to believe in our craft is hard.
JOINT INFLAMMATION takes time to develop and when the underlying cause is acknowleged then its possible to resolve rapidly. According to Traditional Chinese herbs and medicine, the primary problem underlying arthritis is obstruction with painful results. To varying degrees, liver and kidney depletion coupled with energy deficiency will result in exhaustion.
Mark Hammer, C.M.H., Master Herbalist, Longevity Mountain
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Foot Problems Can Be A Pain In The Neck
Introduction
In general, nearly everyone takes 3,000-5,000 steps each day. In addition, many of us are engaged in activities, such as running and aerobic exercise, that add many more steps, as well as stress to our poor, overworked feet. It is no wonder that a large number of people have aches and pains in this part of the body. Determinants such as flat feet or over-pronated feet, individual walking and running style, and the type of shoe a person wears can determine if a person will experience foot and ankle pain. These determinants not only affect feet and ankles, but also the health of the back, knees and legs. Detailed below are a few of the commonplace conditions that affect the feet and ankle.
Hallux Valgus and Bunions
Hallux Valgus is a condition that takes place when the big toe or hallux angles off towards the outside of the foot, many times nearly overlapping or bumping into the adjacent toe. It is a slow-developing affliction that generally develops a bump on the inside of the big toe, called a bunion. The pain associated with Hallux Valgus is usually felt during weight-bearing activities such as walking or prolonged standing.However, if someone has developed a bunion, the pain can be felt at rest and is often described as a “numbing” or “burning” sensation in the big toes.
To be exact, the actual problem is not in the bone, itself, but in the joint between the big toe and the first metatarsal bone, i.e., the first metatarsal-phalangeal. It is the damage to this joint that creates the pain and deformity associated with Hallux Valgus. The challenge is usually the aftereffect of wear and tear over a long period of time from factors such as over-pronation that causes abnormal pressure on the big toe and first metatarsal during walking. An additional cause of Hallux Valgus is inflammatory arthritis that can damage the joint and produce degenerative changes. A broken toe that does not heal effectively can also predispose a person to Hallux Valgus. However, one of the most recognizable causes of the problem is the high-heeled and pointed shoes that women frequently wear. These shoes not only put added stress on the joint, but also help in pushing the big toe to the outside.
If you are experiencing Hallux Valgus, your chiropractor can examine your foot to determine which factors are contributing to your challenge, and then use a variety of chiropractic techniques and modalities to relieve pain and improve the function of your foot.
Plantar Fascitis ( Heel Pain )
One of the most prevalent foot problems is heel pain, and the cause is usually irritation of the plantar fascia or Plantar Fascitis. The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue that encases the muscles on the bottom of the foot . It attaches the heel bone to the ball of the foot, supporting the arch, protecting the foot, and absorbing shock.
Patients with Plantar Fascitis often complain of pain in the morning after first standing when they get out of bed and also when they stand up after having sat for a while. The pain originates just in front of the heel bone, but can advance over the entire bottom of the foot.
Over time, inflammation associated with the condition can lead to the development of scar tissue, calcium deposits and eventually heel spurs. Heel spurs, a bony growth on the front part of the calcaneus of the heel bone where the plantar fascia adheres, can cause a severe stabbing pain with walking.
There are many factors that are instrumental in the development of Plantar Fascitis but people who have other foot conditions, especially Pes Planus (flat feet) and over-pronation are most susceptible. Muscle imbalances between the calf muscles and the muscles on the bottom of the foot are a crucial contributing factor. Often the calf muscles get short and tight exerting a strong pull upon the back of the calcaneus. Such a problem creates unnatural stress on the smaller, weaker plantar muscles and its fascia that are connected to the other side of the calcaneus. Wearing high heels will create a shorting and tightening of the calf muscles, as will running and jumping activities. Other factors that stress the plantar fascia include: sudden strenuous activity after a period of long-term inactivity, abnormal walking patterns, unsuitable footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces especially barefooted, and obesity.
People who are steadily on their feet, such as nurses, teachers and waiters, are more disposed to Plantar Fascitis, as are athletes who participate in foot-stressing activities such as aerobics, volleyball, running, basketball, and tennis.
Once an individual develops plantar fascitis, it is often hard to manage and can become intensely painful and persistent. Chiropractors are experts in not only determining the cause of your pain, but in recommending appropriate therapy, such as joint manipulation, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, special taping, ultrasound therapy and, in some cases, orthotics.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis is a painful, and often, debilitating inflammation of the Achilles tendon, also called the “heel cord.” This large tendon is a continuance of the two biggest calf muscles and runs down the back of the lower leg connecting to the heel bone or calcaneus. Injury to this important tendon can make it difficult or even impossible to walk. The condition may be caused by a sudden single incident, such as jumping, but more frequently it results from an accumulation of smaller stresses that produce small tears in the tendon over time. Because the symptoms appear gradually, in the beginning many Achilles Tendonitis sufferers may associate the initial annoyance to the aches and pains that have to do with age or fatigue. Nevertheless, the condition will gradually worsen, especially if the person makes an effort to “work through” the pain. In severe cases, a total rupture of the tendon can occur, resulting in traumatic harm and severe pain that makes walking virtually impossible and may even require corrective surgery.
Achilles tendonitis is many times associated with athletes and performers, such as dancers, who participate in running and jumping activities, especially those that involve sudden starts and stops. Also, women who routinely wear high-heeled shoes are also at risk, expressly if they switch to sport shoes for exercise. In these cases, the Achilles tendon and muscles gradually habituate to the shortened position created by wearing high-heels, as the heel doesn’t need to stretch all the way to the ground. When this occurs, the change to exercise or flat shoes forces the Achilles tendon to stretch further than it is accustomed to, hence causing stress and inflammation. This is why, high-heels should not be worn everyday. If they are required, stretching should be done every morning and night to keep the Achilles tendon lengthened.
Achilles tendonitis frequently appears in middle-aged people, expressly in men who are athletes, as a result of the changes that happen in the foot as a person ages. The arch tends to flatten as we grow older producing over-pronation and increased stress on the Achilles tendon as well as the calf and foot muscles. Achilles tendon conditions are also widespread in those who exercise infrequently, such as the “weekend warrior” and in those who are just beginning to exercise. In both cases, muscles and tendons have little flexility due to inactivity. Therefore, people who are just starting to exercise after a long layoff should stretch properly, start slowly, and increase gradually.
Regardless of how it happened, if you are experiencing Achilles tendonitis symptoms, it is crucial for you to see a qualified professional. Your chiropractor is a highly-skilled professional who can help you to manage the condition before it becomes severe.
Pes Planus ( Flat Feet )
It is likely that nearly one quarter of people have Pes Planus, more commonly known as flat feet. Every baby has flat feet, but somewhere between the ages 3-10 we develop an arch. Although in certain people this development never happens. There are a number of factors, along with genetic disposion that can produce flat feet, or predispose a person to the problem. A person’s job, level of activity, and lifestyle can create a previously-developed arch to collapse later in life. Age and weight also are a factor in the development of the affliction. Middle-aged persons who have been working on their feet for years often experience flat feet, as do overweight people who are placing added stress on their feet and legs.
Having flat feet does not necessarily mean you will have pain, as it is possible for people to have the problem and never feel any discomfort. For people who do develop pain, it generally takes place in the feet and knees, and infrequently in the hips and lower back. If you suspect you have flat feet and are experiencing pain, you should see your Orlando chiropractor to determine a plan of management that can relieve your pain and prevent more symptoms from developing. Chiropractic treatment includes joint adjustments to improve foot function and resolve painful symptoms. Your chiropractor may also prescribe arch-supporting insoles, called orthotics, for additional support and stability.
Metatarsalgia ( Pain in the ball of the foot )
Metatarsalgia is frequently called “ball-of-foot pain,” as it is a pain on the sole of the foot just behind the toes where the foot bends during walking. The metatarsal bones extend from halfway up the foot to the toes. A irregularity in one or more of these five bones is the cause of pain.
While many sufferers with metatarsalgia feel discomfort where their metatarsal bones join their toe bones, some also feel irritation along the entire length of the metatarsals and likely between them. Problems vary from stiffness upon movement to a burning or stinging sensation. This depends upon whether the problem is due to a dysfunction in the joints or an irritation to the nerves as they travel along the metatarsals.
The reason for the distress can be either structural or functional. When a structural problem occurs, such as when the metacarpal bones are either too long or too short, it causes aberrant mechanics in the feet and excessive on the entire area. Flat feet or excessive arch can also alter the stresses on the metatarsals causing similar symptoms.
There are other factors that can affect these bones that are many times in the control of the individual. These include excess body weight, tight or high-heeled shoes, and excessive or poor running or athletic training. Surplus weight and the wearing high-heeled shoes both augment stress upon the metatarsal, which leads to joint pain and nerve irritation. Repetitive foot activities, like running, directly stress the metatarsals by exposing them to constant trauma.
A chiropractor is able to effectively treat metatarsalgia, no matter what the cause may be. After diagnosing the underlying factors, you will be given a number of non-invasive therapies, inluding orthotics when necessary, and you will be advised on how you can avoid future pain.
See your Orlando chiropractor as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the foot problems mentioned above.
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