Lubricating your joints by consuming olive oil seems at once far fetched and rational. Oils of any kind seem as though they would naturally lubricate joints. But oils are not passed through the digestive system to the joints directly. Research has...
Science has been getting on board the dietary supplement train in recent years, with many studies to determine the claimed use and effectiveness of these products. Fish oil has been the topic of many such studies, with evidence available on its...
Whether you are rehabbing a pulled hamstring or starting a new fitness regimen, resistance plays a major role. Free weights and pulley machines are frequently utilized during resistance training, but there are other options. You can substitute...
Arthritis is a growing health problem and a common cause of disability in many industrialized countries, including the United States. It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of Americans 50 years and older show some signs of joint destruction on...
Your body's joints are the key ingredients that keep the proverbial bag of bones at bay. Joints are categorized by their level of mobility -- immovable, partially movable and freely movable -- all of which support some aspect of movement. The...
The knee is one of the largest joints in our body and allows many different movements. The knee, however, can be susceptible to many types of injuries and arthritis processes. Arthritis is when the joint starts to swell, causing pain, stiffness...
If you wake up from knee surgery and feel your leg bending and straightening on its own, do not be alarmed. Your doctor prescribed, and your insurance approved, a continuous passive motion machine, also called a CPM. Orthopedists developed the...
According to MedlinePlus, arthritis--specifically osteoarthritis--is a wear-and-tear breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Cartilage breaks down in the hips, back and joints, and the bones in these joints rub together and cause significant...
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes painful joint swelling and destruction. While the disease can make physical activity difficult, exercise is vital for maintaining joint mobility, immune function and overall fitness....
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in skin tissue, some cartilage and joint fluid, as well as in the fluid that encircles the eyes. Man-made forms of hyaluronic acid were developed beginning in the 1980s for use in rheumatology--the...
If you're experiencing joint pain or are an athlete who wants to keep your joints strong and prevent injury, taking the best supplements for joint health can help. The wear and tear of rubbing, pounding, bending and moving in sports and everyday...
Osteoarthritis, while painful, is no excuse for avoiding physical activity and exercise. In fact, a mild fitness program is beneficial in offsetting the debilitating effects of the disease. You can design an easy-does-it program that reduces...
You already know that water is essential to your health, and you probably drink your eight glasses a day faithfully. If you are exercising, however, you need to increase your water intake. It is important to drink water in regular intervals...
Through the practice of yoga, you can become more aware of your emotional, mental and physical health. Yoga techniques date back to at least the 5th century, according to the American Yoga Association and its benefits for students are...
Passive range of motion is when a therapist or other assistant moves a patient's joint through the range of motion to stretch the muscles without the patient engaging any muscles or exerting any effort. Passive range of motion exercises are used...
Dark circles and sunken eyes signify a lack of hydration in your body, which may lead to organ failure or death. Knowing how to treat dehydration may save your life or the life of a loved one. Before you can treat someone who is experiencing...
Committing to a daily yoga practice is ideal and commendable. It may also be an unattainable goal and a recipe for failure. Begin by practicing yoga once a week and let the commitment grow with time. Approach the practice as a weekly gift and...
Your ankle consists of two different joints -- the true ankle joint and the subtalar joint. The true ankle joint is where the fibula and tibia converge with the talus bone of the foot, which allows the ankle to move up and down. The subtalar joint...
Vinyasa yoga focuses on sequences of poses at a faster pace than other types of yoga, and it requires proper breathing techniques. Breathing and meditation develop a mind to body connection in the workout. In addition to increased strength and...
For certain types of joint conditions, such as arthritis, oral pain medications may not be enough to control symptoms. In these cases, a doctor may suggest having an injection for pain. Knee injections are designed to decrease swelling or to...
The acetabular labrum is a fibrocartilaginous ring around the socket component of the hip joint. Functions of the labrum include shock absorption, joint lubrication, improving joint stability and helping to distribute forces. Labrum tears can...
In a perfect world, you would meet all your nutritional needs from whole foods. As you know, life gets in the way, taste preferences limit food choices and easily prepared foods are the main factors in what nutrients you eat in abundance or lack...
Physiologists and coaches have long since recognized the importance of stretching. Most students recall a gym class lecture where their teacher equated the human muscle to chewing gum, explaining that it needed to be warmed up and stretched to...
Performing active stretches, also called dynamic stretches, prior to a triathlon or training session is a good way to warm up. A proper warmup can prevent injuries and may enhance your performance by preparing your body physically and helping you...
Exercise has significant effects on the bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments of the skeletal system. Bones act as the body's levers and connect to the skeletal muscles to provide movement, whereas cartilage provides lubrication and shock...
Glucosamine is one of the most commonly used supplements marketed for arthritis pain relief. Glucosamine has the potential to reduce joint pain and to repair joint damage, making it particularly appealing for people who suffer from arthritis....
Exercise is important for all ages and fitness levels, including the elderly wheelchair-bound population. Geriatric exercises for patients in wheelchairs can help increase flexibility and joint lubrication, strengthen muscles, and stabilize the...
A band of tissue surrounds your wrist, and the carpal tunnel is sandwiched between that tissue and your wrist bone, protecting the median nerve. When you move the hands and wrists repetitively, as you do when typing or swinging a tennis racquet,...
Exercises for pain in the back of the knee help with improving the functioning of your hamstrings, the muscles located along the backside of your thigh and knee. Done on a consistent basis, exercises can be a natural way to improve your overall...
The sacroiliac joint is the joint between the sacrum, at the base of the spine, and the ilium of the pelvis, which are joined by ligaments. It is a strong, weight bearing synovial joint with irregular elevations and depressions that produce...
