Spinal arthritis is also known as Spondylosis. It is generally caused by degeneration and wear and tear, although can also be triggered by injury or spinal surgery. It is thought that there may also be a genetic link. Spinal arthritis can affect any area of the spine, and due to the high number of nerves present within the spinal structure can be very painful.

Symptoms; You may notice increased stiffness in the spine, which can be worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity. There will also be pain, which may be exacerbated by movement and which may come and go. There may be additional pain or numbness in the neck, shoulders, arms or legs, including the Sciatic nerve.

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It is possible to identify Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in its early stages if you learn how to recognise the common symptoms of this condition. RA usually starts with one or more symptoms which can change over time with its progression.

RA often starts in middle age, but can also develop in younger people and even children. It causes inflammation of the joint linings (synovium), which results in excessive joint fluid being produced, causing stiffness, pain, characteristic swelling and loss of joint function. In worse cases, it can cause inflammation of the lining of the lungs, heart and surrounding blood vessels. RA can also cause the glands around the mouth and eyes to become inflamed, causing dryness- this is known as Sjogren’s syndrome.

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Many arthritis sufferers have found some relief from their symptoms by using arthritis cream. These products are applied to the skin, and can mostly be obtained over the counter. Some of the creams contain the pain relievers Menthol and Capsaicin, whilst others contain an active ingredient such as Salicylate.

Arthritis creams have very few side effects and are generally safe to use, but if you are planning on using them you should consult your doctor as there is a chance that they could affect other medication you may be taking. If you have sore or broken skin, you should also be wary of using them.

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Sometimes in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, subcutaneous nodules can develop. These tend to be firm and are not tender to touch, and develop on around a quarter of rheumatoid arthritis patients. They can vary in size and usually develop at pressure points such as the back of the forearm, the elbow, metacarpophalangeal joint and pressure points on the knees and feet. The nodules mainly occur in chronic cases of rheumatoid arthritis, and can be associated with joint deformity and extra- articular menifestations of the condition, where organs such as the lungs and eyes are affected.

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Arthritis in the knee is also known as ‘wear and tear’ arthritis. It is caused by the cartilage around the knee joint gradually wearing away, exposing the bone beneath. The joint cushions, or Meniscus, may also become damaged or wear away. Arthritis in the knee is most often found in the over 50’s. Other risk factors include genetic tendencies and carrying excess weight, putting a greater strain on the knee joints. Other causes can include damage or trauma to the knee causing damage to the bones or ligaments, ie accidents or certain sports related injuries.

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The two most common types of shoulder arthritis are Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms The most common signs of shoulder arthritis are a  stiffness of the shoulder, limited range of motion of the shoulder joint, swelling around the joint area, and pain on moving the shoulder. There may also be a grinding feeling within the joint, or a feeling that something’s ‘catching’. These symptoms can vary in severity and tend to progress as the arthritis become worse. Interestingly though, the symptoms of shoulder arthritis do not always follow a logical progression; they can come and go from one month to another and often appear to be influenced by weather cycles.

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Neck arthritis is more commonly known as Cervical Spondylosis. It is a degenerative arthritis of the upper (cervical) part of the spine. The cause is generally age related wear and tear of the vertebrae and discs in the neck, although it can also be brought on by excessive and prolonged strain on the area, such as in jobs requiring much manual handling or certain sports. The discs in the neck become thinner as we age, and the vertebrae can develop rough areas of bone on the edges. These can cause irritation to the nearby nerves and ligaments.

We all undergo these changes to some extent, but Cervical Spondylosis is diagnosed when the degeneration is severe or having a greater impact than expected for an individual’s age.

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Many arthritis sufferers have found that taking supplements such as Glucosamine can relieve the symptoms of arthritis, sometimes effectively as other pain killing medication such as Ibuprofen.

Arthritis is caused by the degeneration and deterioration of the cartilage layer surrounding the joints. This causes the bones to rub against each other, causing discomfort, pain and deformity of the bones. Glucosamine works by stimulating the body’s natural production of the proteins which rebuild and replenish the damaged cartilage. This means that the Glucosamine is treating the cause of arthritis rather than just the symptoms.

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The treatment of arthritis by holistic medicine is becoming increasingly  popular. Once dismissed as mere fantasy or even dangerous, even doctors are now being forced to accept that holistic medicine has been shown to have many benefits in the treatment of chronic conditions such as arthritis.

Holistic medicine approaches are that diseases tend to develop from several different causes, varying from person to person. Contributory factors for disease development also include imbalances caused by environmental, mental and other physical factors.

Physicians practicing holistic medicine always try to find the root cause of any disease, and patients will usually undergo a variety of diagnostic tests, including examination of diet, digestive function, immune system, stress levels and emotional/ mental condition.The idea is to treat the body and mind as a whole- hence ‘holistic’.

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Once a person is affected by Arthritis, it can continue to affect them for life. There is unfortunately no cure for Arthritis, but there are several medicines available which can help to alleviate symptoms. Some work as pain relievers, others reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis, and yet others control the disease itself. Arthritis sufferers may be prescribed just one or a combination of drugs.

Painkillers or Analgesics
Painkillers come in different strengths, from those that can be bought over the counter to the strongest ones which must be prescribed by a doctor. They may also contain anti-inflammatory medication.

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