Joint pain a part of growing old for many people. Having said that, it must be emphasized that it is doesn't have to be so. Joints hurt chronically, largely because people ignore the early signs of pain by covering it up with pain medications. Think about it... pain is our signal that something is damaged and must be given rest and possibly some remedy to aid in full recovery. Additionally, some researchers now believe that drugs (like Ibuprofen) actually interfere with your body's ability to heal, especially in damaged cartilage. Also, as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, 16,500 people die each year in the U.S. from chronic use of Ibuprofen (and similar NSAID's). One must seriously consider looking for alternatives.
Many serious joint conditions start after motor vehicle accidents. The ligaments that support the joint and give it stability are often damaged in these accidents. This allows abnormal movement to occur, which wears down the cartilage; much like a tire is worn down prematurely when the tie rods are loose and the wheel wobbles. It is very important that a person receives adequate care after such an accident. This will insure the best possible outcome. Please see Car Accident Injuries.
There are several successful methods of preventing and reversing joint damage. I encourage my patients to try some of the better researched methods before giving up and resorting to drugs. One of the worst things I hear is: "My doctor told me it is just arthritis".
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Joint Pain |