Aching Joints

So you feel fine one day, then complain of problems like aching joints the next day. It happens to everyone, but the responses vary per person. Some people laugh it off and attribute it to ageing, while others see aching joints as a big concern to be tackled – and promptly seek help. While it can definitely be because of ageing, aching joints could also be a symptom of a more serious health issue.

Before we go into what some of the health issues can be let’s take a deeper look into the purpose of joints. Adults have 206 bones in their body, give or take. These 206 bones are all connected to each other via joints, muscles, ligaments, tissues and tendons; and classified according to purpose, position and structure. Joints have two primary purposes: to provide mechanical and structural support, and to enable movement. If anything hampers these two purposes, aching joints would be the first symptom you'll have.

Since people have varying tolerance levels for aches and pains, the very first (and logical) step is to truthfully evaluate if you're having mild to severe aches, then determine if your aching joints are the result of daily life (e.g., exercise, fractures, dislocations, strain, fatigue, or even emotions) or triggered by out-of-the-ordinary causes. Take note of other discomforts and symptoms, too. Aching joints may sometimes be accompanied by fever, flu and allergies, and be the outcome of adverse reactions to prior medications.

All these things will help your doctor or physician make a proper diagnosis and spend less time checking out all of the other possibilities. Also, don't postpone that appointment if your joints have been giving you hell for quite some time!

Here's a sampling of more serious conditions that could cause aching joints – rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, sickle cell anaemia, bone cancer, bursitis, osteomyelitis, and lupus. Other possible health problems are gout, hepatitis, influenza, chicken pox, German measles, and tendinitis. There's no better way of putting it; once you start having aching joints, seek professional help.

The Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre has a not-so-secret weapon for aching joints: osteopathy. Peter can help to relieve your aching joints so you can go about your daily business again!

We can go on extolling osteopathy and its amazing ability to get rid of your aching joints, but it's much better for you to experience it for yourself. The Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre is at Suite 208, 3 Bruce St. corner Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, Sydney. Simply e-mail Reception or call 02 9964 9722 to set an appointment with Peter.