My Fitness Edge

Keeping up with the latest research on joint pain relief is important for those who suffer from joint pain.

A recent study found out that electromagnetic pulses alleviated joint pain coming from osteoarthritis. This study, which was conducted through randomized placebo control, discovered that electromagnetic waves minimized instances of joint pain and inflammation brought about by osteoarthritis. In a span of 6 weeks, the researchers strapped battery-powered electromagnetic equipment on the patients’ knees, administering low intensity pulses twice a day for 15 minutes. In the first day alone, 40% of the patients felt relieved from joint pain because of the electromagnetic device. The electromagnetic device is a development from Ivivi Health Sciences of Montvale, New Jersey.

Electromagnetic signals are able to alleviate joint pain because the signals decrease calcium in cartilage cells during tests, explains Dr. Fred Nelson, associate program director for research in the Osteoarthritis Center in Henry Ford Hospital. This results to reduced inflammation. According to Dr. Nelson, this new approach is relatively low-cost in the long run, has no side effects and offers immediate joint pain relief.

Ivivi Health Sciences, the manufacturer of the device, funded the study.

Researchers plan to conduct more trials to examine the consistency of the joint pain relief and whether electromagnetic pulses can ease other joint pains. The effectiveness of low-intensity pulsating electromagnetic therapy needs to be corroborated with more trials. Others in the research field however, still doubt its efficacy. Further trials with measurements on duration of the joint pain relief and with much larger scales will have to be done.

Knee osteoarthritis damages layers of joint cartilage overtime. Aging, injury trauma, or infection can all cause progressive damage to the cartilage. Joint pain, stiffness, tenderness and locking are common symptoms of osteoarthritis. Normal activities are difficult and painful with osteoarthritis.

For osteoarthritis sufferers, the current treatments may be anti-inflammatory and joint pain relief medication. Other kinds of treatment, such as physicial therapy, massage, joint support and replacements, can be used by the patient as well.

Joint pain relief can also be brought about with the help of exercise. It is helpful to stretch muscles and build up muscular strength in order to have stronger joints and alleviate stress on them. People with joint pain should consult their doctor on the kinds of exercises that suit their particular condition. This is important because the wrong kind of exercise will add additional stress to the joints.

Weight loss and a healthful, balanced diet provide additional support for your joint pain relief.

Broccoli was linked to joint health, in laboratory research conducted at the University of East Anglia (UEA). The studies suggests that the sulforaphane in broccoli is the magic ingredient; what it does is block the enzymes causing the damage done to the knee joints. The UEA team plans to launch a project that will further investigate the effects of broccoli in slowing down or preventing the development of osteoarthritis.

It is clear that new research and new findings on joint pain relief continue to give people with osteoarthritis hope in living a more active life. It is therefore imperative for osteoarthritic patients to get the latest scoop on new research developments in joint pain relief.