Arthritis Relief

Joints in the Human Body and Their Issues

What exactly is a joint?

• Joints, also known as articulations, are strong connections that join the bones and cartilage of the body to one another. Each joint is specialized in its shape and structural components to control the range of motion between the parts that it connects.

What are the different types of joints in the human body?

• Ball and Socket Joints
  • This type of joint allows for a wide range of rotation and movement, including rotation. Your shoulder and hip are examples of ball and socket joints.
• Condyloid Joints
  • The jaw and fingers both have condyloid joints. These joints don't allow rotation, but are versatile and hard working joints.
• Gliding Joints
  • The spine ankle and wrist are these kind of joints. They allow bones to glide around and past each other.
• Hinge Joints
  • Just like the name suggests, these joints work like hinges. Think of your knee and the part of your elbow that bends like a hinge.
• Pivot Joints
  • Your neck and elbow both have pivot joints, which allow bones to pivot or twist around other bones.
• Saddle Joint
  • The best example of a saddle joint and what it does is found in the base of the thumb. Saddle joints allow side to side and back and forth motion, but don't fully rotate.

There are some terms that are commonly used to describe the motion of the bones at either end of the joint.

• Range of Motion
  • A majority of the human body’s joints allow for movement. A few, like joints in the skull, do not. Joints that do allow for motion, such as the knee or ankle, have a predetermined range of motion, which is basically how far is each direction that joint can move or bend comfortably.
  • The range of motion of a joint is usually measured in degrees. Typically, the extension of a joint is limited to 180 degrees or less. In other words, that joint can be opened until it is straight. Think of your arm or leg as an example: they can be bent until they're just about straight, but can't be pushed beyond 180 degrees without pain or damage.
• Extension
  • Extension is the bending of a joint so that the bones forming the joint are moved farther apart, or straightened. This is a physical position that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at a joint. It occurs when muscles contract and bones move the joint into a bent position.
• Flexion
  • Flexion is the bending of a particular joint so that the bones that form that joint are pulled closer together. During flexion, the angle between the bones of a limb at a joint is decreased. Flexion typically occurs when muscles contract and the bones thus move the nearby joint into a curved position. Flexion is a physical position that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at a joint. It occurs when muscles contract and bones move the joint into a bent position.

How many joints does the human body have?

• There are 360 joints in the human body. All of them are subject to wear and tear. AND all of them subject to joint pain and inflammation.
  • There are 66 thorax (chest) joints.
  • 76 joints in your spine and pelvis.
  • Your hands have 27 joints each to total 54 well used joints.
  • Your feet and ankles have 33 joints each which totals 66 joints that get walked on every day.
  • That still leaces hips, knees, shoulders, elbows and wrists.

Issues with Joints:

• Joint Pain
  • Most joint pain is suffered in hands, feet, legs, arms and back. These are the joints used to perform the "heavy lifting" in life's daily tasks.
• Another issue with aging joints is arthritis. There are two basic types of arthritis
  • Inflammatory (such as rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Mechanical (such as osteoarthritis)
  • Both are characterized by joint pain possibly accompanied with inflammation.
• Arthritis and other types of joint pain can be debilitating. The lives of anyone with joint pain may be severely altered in lieu of the pain and loss of "range of motion".
• Exercise is very beneficial for people who have joint pain.
  • Some of the exercises most beneficial are in the Tai Chi and Yoga disiplines. Although one should be sure to consult a health care professional before starting an exercise regimin.
• Proper diet is also very important when it come to joint health and longevity. There are hundreds of reasons why plus thousands of foods that could be placed on either the avoid list or the consume list below. It might be best to list just a few things to give you the idea.
  • Foods to avoid:
    • Sugars and refined carbs
    • Alcohol and tobacco
    • Salt and preservatives
    • An Advanced Glycation End product (AGE) is a toxin that appears when foods are heated, grilled, fried, or pasteurized. So AGE is something to avoid when talking about joint health... (hahaha)
  • Foods to consume:
    • Super fruits like cherries, blue berries, raspberries, black berries and pomegranites.
      • All have antioxidants and a chemical compound called anthocyanins to assist in joint health.
    • Peppers like red peppers and cayenne.
      • Peppers are known to assist with circulation. Most peppers have an abundance of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps your body make collagen. Collagen is a part of your cartilage, tendons and ligaments that cushion your joints and hold them together.
      • Other similar foods are citrus fruits, pineapple and tomatoes.
    • Dark Green Leafy Vegatables
      • Kale, broccoli, bok choy, collard greens and other dark, leafy greens are rich in nutrients that are linked to joint health, including the antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin C. They are also an excellent source of calcium and other minerals which help to keep your bones strong.
    • Raw Nuts like Walnuts, Almonds, Peanuts and Pecans.
      • There are a lot of nuts that have healthy amounts of antioxidants in them which we know are good for our joints. The also comtain a form of Omega 3 fatty acid that is good for the joints.