Herbal Vinegars to Prevent and Reverse Osteoporosis

Herbal vinegars are packed full of vitamins and minerals that can improve bone health. Many women in this country suffer from bone loss and osteoporosis. Good nutrition makes healthy bones and herbal vinegars can be a part of your osteoporosis diet. Herbal vinegars can be a part of your support system for preventing or reversing bone loss, especially during the premenopausal and postmenopausal years.

These are not your culinary vinegars with a few sprigs of herb placed in the bottle. These are nutrient dense herbal vinegars that are full of vitamins and minerals that improve bone health. Apple cider vinegar just by itself has the same amount of calcium as a glass of milk in just 1 tablespoon. So you could just take a spoon full mixed in a cup of water every day. But when you add herbs that are mineral rich to the vinegar you get a delicious supplement that is better than any pill.

Herbs to use for good bone health are cabbage, comfrey, dandelion, mint, nettle and raspberry leaves. To make your bone building herbal vinegar, just chop the leaves of the herb in small bits and fill a glass jar. Fill with apple cider vinegar and stir to saturate the herb. Top off with more vinegar and cap tightly with a plastic lid. If you only have metal lids, then place a layer of plastic between the lid and the jar. Vinegar will corrode and rust metal lids and you don't want this to ruin your beautiful vinegar.

After infusing for about 6 weeks, your herbal vinegar will be ready to use. You can use it on any dish you use regular vinegar on like grains, beans, greens or even soups. Take about 2-4 tablespoons a day to prevent or even reverse osteoporosis and maintain good healthy bones.

©Shanna Ohmes

Precautions of Joint Mobilization Therapy

Massage therapy has always been a part of health recovery due to its effectiveness and its lesser risks and contraindications to the treatment. Joint mobilization is one of the forms of massage therapy that is used in the treatment of pain relief in the joints and tissue of an injured area of the body. It is effective in treating arthritis which is a common musculoskeletal dysfunction among the elders. It is also used for treating headaches and other minor ailments outside the region of the joints.

Joint mobilization helps in utilizing joint play which allows mobility and flexibility of the moving parts of the body. Success and benefits are achieved through the careful and proper manipulation of the therapist during the therapy session.

Prior to the therapy, the therapist should study the condition of the patient and should be comfortable working with the patient and not on the patient. Blood and lymph flow should be taken into consideration in this type of therapeutic massage technique as they are important gauge of the effectiveness of the result of joint mobilization therapy. When the affected joint decompresses, blood and lymph flows without restriction which is a good thing as it means that the condition is being treated properly.

During the session, the therapist works by mimicking the gliding in the bones by applying pressure in order to promote health on the joints. Passive movement in small slow motion is also conducted to increase the mobility and remove the fixation in the joints. This technique along with the massage allows the tissues surrounding the affected limbs to release tension which causes pain.

However, just like all types of alternative medical care, the client should be careful and well aware of what he is into. He must know the purpose and goal of the therapy in order to know what benefits and effects to the health he will be receiving from the therapy. The risks and contraindications of the same therapy should also be researched as well as the preparations and precautions needed to prevent anything bad from happening.

The precautions in joint mobilization therapy are important and should be followed by both the client and the massage therapist in order to avoid inflicting more damage to the injury or condition. The precautions includes that there should be given no treatment to the spine in case the patient is at the same time suffering from osteoporosis. Any bleeding in the affected joint area should be discontinued immediately to prevent further problems such as inflicting more damage in that area. If the medical history shows any sign or presence of tumors or malignancy, the natural therapy should be put in a halt to prevent further damages to the body of the patient. If there are symptoms of loose body in the joint, it would be better to seek the expert opinion and advice of a doctor to reduce the risks of doing more harm than good to your body. In general, although this therapy and the other types of natural treatment are regarded as safe, it would be best if you consult with a doctor first.

Reflexology for Osteoarthritis

Reflexology was performed in the ancient times by the Egyptians, Chinese and Indians. An American ENT specialist, Dr. William Fitzgerald took this theory to the west. This therapy is based on the fact that the reflex points on the hands and feet are directly connected to all the other organs of the body. Therefore, to provide healing effect to the head, the big toe is treated. Similarly, if one wants to feel the healing effect on the entire body, the entire foot needs to be treated.

The most common treatments of osteoarthritis are medication, surgery, pain relievers, educating the patient and physical exercise. However, in recent times, reflexology is also being increasingly used for treating this disease.

A reflexologist uses only his hands to administer this treatment. He gently massages the strategic points of the foot, applying pressure to these areas. The process is highly individualized. Every patient requires a unique approach. The imbalances in the body are rectified through this method. An expert reflexologist usually finds tiny spots on the feet that can heal the patient.

Through this method, the body is allowed to heal at its own pace. Unlike the other methods of treatment, reflexology is suitable for all age groups of patients. A regular treatment is required to maintain proper balance of the body. The best part about this unconventional mode of treatment is that it is extremely safe and entirely natural.

A good practitioner of reflexology usually begins with a preliminary talk with his or her patient and then tries to find out the problematic areas by pressing parts of the hands or feet. The experience might be a little painful at times but the pain is temporary and aids in identifying the imbalances. The experience on the whole is quite relaxing and soothing.

Bone Fractures - The 3 Most Common Causes for Bone Fractures

Bone fractures are often thought of being related to car accidents, falls or any other type of hit. Even an unfortunate slip can lead to serious bone fractures and even worse. Because of the different types of bone fractures, you should always see a doctor for proper treatment and rehabilitation.

The doctor is the only person that can determine the severity of your bone fracture and by using proper technology as X-rays and other medical methods, can determine the exact location of the wound and treat it accordingly.

Even though bone fractures can happen from numerous causes, the most common causes for bone fractures can be divided in 3 categories:

1. The first, and probably the most known cause for bone fractures is known as bone thinning or osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can lead to bone fractures because in time it makes the bones less dense by altering bone protein and other minerals. This increases the risk of bone fractures, because the bones become a lot more porous.

2. A special category of bone fractures is related to sports and sport athletes. Sport athletes are prone to bone fractures because of the higher level of stress and force applied often on the bones. This 2-nd bone fractures category is also known as bone overuse.

3. The third and probably the most common cause of bone fractures is due to falls, hits, different types of accidents (car, bike, mountain climbing accidents, or other accidents related to hobbies). All of these accidents of falls are very likely to bring traumas to one or more of the bones, leading to bone fractures.

Women Over 40 - Fight Osteoporosis, Avoid Calcium Reducing Drinks

Osteoporosis is a looming threat for women over 40. Osteoporosis means: The bone mineral density is reduced- especially for calcium. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and essential for strong bones. You're risking severe fractures in bones that wouldn't break in healthy people, like rib, hip and wrist bones.

Calcium is important for the heart, nerves, muscles and many other body parts too. It can impact premenstrual syndrome, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Unfortunately, it is very common to consume not enough calcium. And, what many women over 40 do not know: There are calcium reducing beverages out there you want to avoid:

• Too much caffeine affects your calcium- reduce coffee, stay away from energy drinks


• Sodium Phosphate is often found in carbonated drinks. Check the labels; better go for tea or water. they will help you controlling your weight too


• Too much alcohol will reduce the calcium level too

As with most minerals, to be effective it needs to be consumed with other vitamins and minerals in small portions over the day. Dairy products are a good source of calcium, or seaweeds, nuts (almonds, sesame), beans, broccoli and many fruits. As always, the best way to avoid any deficiencies is to eat lots of vegetables and fruits.

You need enough vitamin D to to be able to absorb calcium properly. So: Get some sun, it will brighten your mood and get the vitamin D production going. Fatty fish (herring, catfish, salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna) is a good source of vitamin D too.

Osteoporosis Medication Put On Alert No Brittle Bones About It

Do you know what is the function of your Osteoarthis Medication? Do you know what the side effects are? Please read this article before you take another pill. If you have answered yes or no to any of these questions, read on.

When you receive a new prescription from the doctor you normally get it filled and take it without a thought as to the side effects. The doctor may or may not explain them. This is wrong. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of this medication before you take it.

I have learned that the Osteoporosis medication is suppose to build bone but actually makes them flexible, not stronger, though it may look better on X Ray. The medicine stops bad osteoclasts (breaks down bone and makes them brittle) but also the good osteoblasts (which build bone). Brittle bones can easily break. No matter which of the several medications you take for Osteoporosis, you must be aware of the dreadful side effects.

This is my sister's story. She started taking Osteoporosis medication in January. It is a pill you only take once a month. This is actually a cancer medication, and since you take it only once a month, it is stronger than those you take weekly. Her whole body started to weaken. She developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

This caused depression since she could not maintain her career which she loved and had considerable respect. She also had muscle aches. After taking the medication for five months she had a slight cold and lost her voice for a short period. During that short period she did what most people do when they have a sore throat, they whisper. She took cold medication and her voice returned once again.

A week later her voice vanished and never returned. After visiting several doctors her pulmonary doctor suggested a specialist. She made her appointment with the Ears, Nose and Throat doctor

(ENT). He did a scope of her vocal cords in the office and her life changed and has never been the same since.

He found severe redness and swelling in the throat, and the muscles normally used for speaking were not being used. When she had the scratchy throat she whispered, for 2 months, and used the wrong muscles. They got stronger, but sprained from overuse or hyperfunction . Now she is in Speech Therapy relearning how to speak using the correct muscles. She has been on total voice rest for 2 months so far.

Also, he found she had Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) which is an acid reflux disease that starts in your stomach, goes up the esophagus and can spill over onto the voice box. For the first five months taking the medicine she had no heartburn or sore throat. It was a "silent" enemy. Now she is on a food restriction diet, antacid medicine, and must sleep with the head of the bed elevated, another major readjustment.

The side effects from the Osteoporosis medicine are more extensive than what I have described. Check out the different websites and talk to your Pharmacist before you take this kind of medication. If you are already taking it think long and hard before you take the next pill.

I found out the safest way to fight osteoporosis is to take Calcium with magnesium, Zinc, and vitamin D (or 15 minutes of sunshine). The bones need "loading", so walking is great for exercise. It helps to stick to a workout routine, so make it fun: use music, pets, or friends.

For some people there are not any problems. For others the problems haven't happened yet or are waiting to happen. There are many side effects from Osteoporosis Medication that are not listed in this article. Look them up. You may have side effects and do not know it.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles on many subjects.

Copyright Linda E. Meckler 2007

Ayurvedic Natural Supplements to Stop Bone Loss

Your bones are as alive as you are. Often mistaken for something hard, brittle and lifeless, bones are the building blocks of our body, without which we would be nothing but a lump of mass which does not have a support system to hold it up together. The human skeleton is made up of bones and it's these bones which provide structure and balance to our body. Significantly, bones are more than structure blocks as they are also the storehouse of essential minerals that our body needs, the most important of which is Calcium. Calcium is one such mineral which is constantly being broken down and rebuilt in our bodies through a process called resorption. New bones are thus produced through this process at different stages of life.

Bones can be kept in the optimum healthy condition by exercising regularly and following a healthy diet regime. But all the exercise and diet in the world cannot prevent the erosion of bones as we get older. Aging is a natural process and therefore with age the strength of the bones also decreases due to erosion of the bones. But under certain conditions, bone loss may be more severe for certain people than others. As a result of which the bones are severely weakened and so is the skeleton. The skeleton becomes deformed a bone density also experienced at certain places. If the condition worsens then it could lead to the bones becoming very light and frail, so much so that they become brittle enough to crack and break under the body's own weight.

This condition is known as osteoporosis. In medical terms, osteoporosis is an ailment of the bone in which the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced. This leads to a low bone mass in the body and a deteriorating bone tissue. Bone mass (bone density) is the amount of bone present in the skeletal structure. The higher the density the stronger are the bones. Genetic factors also influence bone loss and so do the environmental factors. The treatment of osteoporosis should be administered as soon as the signs of bone loss are observed or felt. If left untreated, it could become a severe problem and lead to breaking of bones. These broken bones or fractures occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist areas. Such fractures can be either in the form of cracking (as in a hip fracture), or collapsing (as in a compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine).

The following suggestions will help you treat osteoporosis effectively:

• Regular exercise to maintain good bone health

• Calcium-rich food

• Swimming

• Having a correct body posture

• The consumption of milk and milk products

The consumption of certain natural herbs may also help achieving a healthy bone structure, some of which are:

• Dandelion Tea

• Red Clover

• Chaste Berry

• Dong Quai - A Chinese herb

Ayurveda also has the optimum solution for bone loss in the form of an excellent herbal supplement called BonCare. This natural supplement is made of a recipe of herbs and minerals formulated to maintain bone health and strength. The herbal power of this health supplement improves destabilized bones by distributing nutrients between bone tissues.

BonCare naturally adjusts and balances the synthesis and utilizes various hormones to sustain bones, boosts calcium levels and reduces breaking down of bone tissue, while stimulates formation of new bone without any side effects. It naturally helps common osteoporosis symptoms such as backache and leg pain to be reduced significantly.

Trust Ayurveda to provide the best solution to all your bone related problems.