Posts Tagged ‘osteoarthritis’
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
A 24 month unblinded, random intervention study to compare the effects of strength training programs, self-management programs, and a combination of both carried out at the University of Arizona Arthritis Center found that physically inactive, middle aged people with symptomatic osteoarthritis benefited equally from strength training regimes, self-management programs, or a combination of the two. In this study, known as the Knee Study the researchers hypothesized that combining the two treatments might enhance the outcome.
Two hundred seventy three study participants between the ages of 35 and 65 who had reported pain and disability due to knee pain on most days in one or both knees for a period of not more than five years, and had a Kellgren/Lawrence classification grade 2 radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis in one or both knees were included.
Study participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups-strength training, self management program, and the combination group. The strength training group spent the first 9 months improving the core areas of stretching and balance, range of motion and flexibility, and isotonic muscle strength. This was followed by 15 months of developing independent, long-term exercise habits. The second group participated in a 2-phase self-management program to educate participants and provide one on one treatment advice. The combined group participated in both the complete training and self-management program. Two hundred one of the original 273 participants completed the two year program with the self management group having the highest compliance rate.
Despite the lack of differences in finding in the three groups, all groups demonstrated improvements in physical function tests and decreased self-reported pain and disability. The researchers stated that because the self management group demonstrated higher compliance and there was no differences found in the outcome of the three groups, self-management might be a less intrusive and equally effective early treatment for knee osteoarthritis. More information is available in the January 2010 issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
Tags: arthritis, exercise, Knee-Study, osteoarthritis, research, self-management
Posted in arthritis, exercise, osteoarthritis | No Comments »
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
Last night Dr Carl O Helvie, Host, Holistic Health Show interviewed Dr Ross Hauser (left) and Dr Thom Lobe (right).
Dr Hauser talked about prolotherapy a medical procedure of injecting natural substances into a site such as the knee to regenerate cartilage. He has been performing this procedure sucessfully for 12 years and studied with the physician who invented the procedure., He has also written books on the procedure. More of his biography was presented on this site earlier and can be found at http://www.caringmedical.com
My second guest was Dr Thom Lobe who is the founder and medical director of Beneveda Medical Group in Beverly Hills, California. He has been first many times such as successful separation of siamese twins, establishment of first pediatric surgery training program in the south, first textbook on pediatric surgery, first medical journal devoted to advanced surgical treatments in children and others. He is also a long time host and moderator of a medical talk show on GHS television in Germantown, Tennessee called “Whats Up Doc?”. Others aspects of his biography were identified earlier on this site and can be found at www.beneveda.com Dr Lobe talks about natural ways to deal with arthritis.
The interview follows. I hope you enjoy it.
Tags: acupuncture, alkaline producing diet, alvocado, analgesics, bing cherry, borage, degenerative arthritis, Dr Carl O Helvie, Dr Ross Hauser, Dr Thom Lobe, eastern medicine, exercise, fibromyalgia, fish, glucosamine, herbs, human growth hormone, inflammation, joint arthritis, joint instability, lemons, ligament injury, motion, non-steroidal drugs, nutrition, omega 3. energy medicine, osteoarthritis, physical therapy, platelet rich plasma, regenerate cartilage, weight bearing joint, western medicine, willow bark
Posted in Podcast, arthritis, body alkalinity, body-mind-spirit | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
A study was carried out and reported in the Journal of Hand Therapy in 2007 on the effects of strength training among people with hand osteoarthritis. In this 2 year study whole body strength training and gripper exercise were evaluated in terms of hand strength, pain and functioning in adults with radiographic evidence of hand osteoarthritis. Fifty five adults age 65 to 78 and 80% women participated in two years of strength training three times a week. Bilateral gripper exercises (isotonic grip strength) isometric grip strength, pain, and self reported hand and finger functioning were reported at the beginning and the end of the 2 year period. Isotonic grip strength increased by 1.94 kg over the two year period which was significant at the p<0.0003 level; the right and left isometric grip increased 3.62 kg that was significant at the p<0.002 level and p<0.0005 level respectively, and hand pain decreased from 4.77 to 2.62 significant at the p<0.006 level. Hand and finger function scores showed minimal dysfunction at the beginning and at the end.
Results suggest that strength train may safely increase grip strength and reduce the pain in older people with hand osteoarthritis.
Tags: gripper exercises, hand and finger fuctioning, hand osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis, pain
Posted in arthritis, exercise | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
Magnetic straps and magnetic and copper bracelets to relieve the pain of arthritis have become popular. They are advertised to increase the blood flow to tissues and stimulate the release of the body’s natural painkillers. In 2004 the results of studies on the effect of magnets on arthritis were contradictory. One study with 194 patients with osteoarthritis who wore the bracelet for 12 weeks concluded that those wearing the bracelet showed more improvement than those wearing a dummy bracelet. But several other studies that same year concluded that there was no evidence for magnetic bracelets helping arthritis patients.
This year a well designed study published by British scientists on ScienceDirect.com (August 28, 2009) concluded that magnetic and copper bracelets are generally ineffective for managing pain, stiffness, and physical functions in osteoarthritis although they have no adverse effect and may provide hope for the sufferer.
In their study the researchers compared the effects of a popular magnetic device, a weak magnetic wrist strap, a demagnetized device and a copper bracelet in people with arthritis and reached the above conclusions. More information is available in the original article. .
Tags: copper bracelets, Dr Carl O Helvie, magnetic bracelets, osteoarthritis, research
Posted in arthritis | 2 Comments »
Friday, October 30th, 2009
A study in the October 7 issue of the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews reported that even when the pain is severe. nontramadol Opioids should not routinely be used for osteoarthritis. The researchers compared oral and transdermal opioids with placebo in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee to determine its effect on pain, function, and safety. They reviewed studies from Central Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL and conference proceedings and contacted authors for additional data when needed.
Of the 10 trials included that comprised 2268 subjects, 4 trials had studied oral oxycodone, 3 studied oral codeine, 1 studied transdermal fentanyl, 1 studied oral morphine, and 2 studied oral oxomorphone. Compared with the control subjects (placebo) those receiving opioids had better pain relief, and improved function. Efficacy did not vary much based upon opioid type, analgesic potency, daily dose, duration of treatment or of follow up, methodological quality of study, or type of funding.
Those in the study group were more likely than the control group to have adverse reactions. The researchers concluded that the small to moderate benefits of the Nontramadol Opioids were outweighed by large increases in the risks of adverse reactions and should not be routinely used even if the osteoarthritis pain is severe.
Limitations of the study were noted as funding for most of the studies had been provided by pharmacetical companies.
Tags: adverse reactions, Dr Carl O Helvie, nontramadol opioids, osteoarthritis, pain relief, research
Posted in arthritis | No Comments »
Sunday, October 11th, 2009
My first guest last night on the Holistic Health Show hosted by Dr Carl O Helvie was Dr Nathan Wei, CEO of the Arthritis and Osteoporesis Center of Maryland who has helped more than 7,000 patients with arthritis. He is author of more than 60 peer-reviewed literatures, 500 published articles, has produced 12 videotaped presentations, presented over 120 lectures worldwide, and taught advanced courses in rheumatology. More information is available on an earlier blog or at: www.aocm.org
My second guest, Kelly Rouba, is an author, writer, emergency management professional, and spokesperson for the Arthritis National Research Foundation who was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at age 2. More information is available on an earlier blog here or at: www.eadassociates.com
My last guest was Kirsten Mahoney who is a certified Life Balance Coach and founder of Insight Out Life Coaching who has arthritis and talks about her treatment. More information is available on an earlier blog or at: www.insightoutlifecoaching.com
This interview follows. You can also listen to it on itunes, podcast alley, or podcast pickle.
Tags: acupuncture, anti inflamatory medications, chiropractor, Dr Carl O Helvie, Dr Nathan Wei, herbs, Kelly Rouba, Kirsten Mahoney, life style modification, massage, music therapy, natural supplements, occupational therapy juvenile arthritis, osteoarthritis, physical therapy, rheumatoid arthritis, stem cell, Yoga
Posted in Podcast, alternative health, arthritis, exercise, herbs, meditation, nutrition, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatology, stress | 1 Comment »
