Tai chi, an ancient martial art from China, is going mainstream in the U.S., as a way to help people cope with osteoarthritis.
There are several types of tai chi, but all are a series of precise movements, one flowing into the next, that improve balance and strength. It is also referred to as a type of moving meditation that promotes calm and inner stillness.
Glucosamine is a popular remedy for joint pain, including aches caused by osteoarthritis. In 2008, American consumers spent a whopping $872 million on glucosamine, which is readily available over the counter as a supplement. But does it work?
New studies reveal some surprising evidence about the relationship between what we wear on our feet and how we feel in our knees and hips. It turns out that while the shoe industry has been focused on cushioning our feet, it's paid little attention to other joints. And that may influence whether we develop osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common sources of disability, causing significant joint pain in millions of Americans, especially as we age.
Many people think of arthritis as a disease of old age. But increasingly, painful symptoms of arthritis, especially of the knees, are afflicting us in middle age. And the problem is getting worse, in large part because of the excess weight we're carrying around.
Whether you've run marathons or just walked around the block, you're reaching an age where vulnerable parts of your body begin to feel the strain of years and years of use. For many of us, the knees go first – and it can be quite disheartening. One day, you're walking around normally and then, suddenly, every step is painful. Most often, the culprit is knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease in which the cartilage surrounding the joint gradually wears away.
If you've ever wished your computer could just read your thoughts and do what you wanted it to, your wish may have just come true – in a limited way. A new wireless headset and software turn a computer user's thoughts into mouse movements, keyboard strokes and commands that can control everything from word processing programs to virtual reality games.