Two Therapeutic Chair Yoga programs that I designed for senior citizens (for the city of Hudson and Rhinebeck, NY in 2008 & 2009) have shown significant improvements in posture and balance, along with increased bone density and stature, greater range of motion, fewer falls, and less depression for the participants (see my "Senior Yoga In and Out Of Chairs," in Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, v. 28, 2012, available here). Other studies also suggest that in addition to reduction of pain and disability, exercise improves strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, endurance, Yoga Therapy for Bones and Joints and posture. The following medications may be used in addition to lifestyle approaches (such as exercise) and alternative therapies (such as herbs and supplements) to treat OA: - Acetaminophen-reduces pain; the American Geriatrics Society recommends trying this medication first to alleviate pain. Shock-absorbing soles in shoes can help in daily activities and during exercise. Chronic pain and disability can make daily functioning difficult. Not only do they make great companions, but they also come with a wealth of insight into joint health. The natural Y-shaped configuration to the leg bones promotes uneven contraction of the quadriceps, and problems such as hyperextension of the knees make these natural imbalances even worse.

Studies indicate that NSAIDs used for extended periods may cause stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems. While it may seem like a cool party trick to be able to bend your fingers backward or contort your body in unusual ways, it can also cause pain and other health problems. 7. Arthritis- there are many types of arthritis which can cause pain in the hip joint, normally arthritis in the lower region of the body causes pain in the hips. If you feel pressure in the knee joint, you’ve probably relaxed the vastus medialis and hyperextended your knee. Among the traditional asanas, the warrior poses (and ), in which the front leg is bent and the back leg is straight, are particularly effective for strengthening the vastus medialis, if done with proper alignment and action. If the vastus medialis is not properly engaged the knee falls inward. However, in one study of 78 people with OA of the knee, magnet therapy (applied to the knee for 6 to 10 hours per day over a period of one month) significantly reduced pain as compared with placebo.

In astudy of 45 people with OA of the knee, those who received cat's claw reported a significant reduction in knee pain compared to those who received placebo. Two recent trials comparing Ayurvedic herbal remedies with placebo found that participants who consumed the Ayurvedic herbs experienced significant improvement (with only mild side effects) compared to those in the placebo group. Double jointing happens when two or more bones meet in a joint that is not fully fused together. What is Double Jointing? In some cases, a healthcare provider can diagnose double jointedness based on an x-ray. Hypermobility, on the other hand, is a medical condition characterized by excessive joint movement, which can lead to joint pain, dislocation, and other health problems. However, it is important to understand that too often aging is greatly accelerated by many factors all of which contribute to an imbalance of prana and consequently aggravate the condition of an arthritis patient.

Fusion of the bone, however, eliminates movement of that joint. Interestingly, however, an estimated 37% of Americans have low levels of manganese in their diets. Manganese is among the substances that the body needs to build cartilage. Vitamin D is essential to bone and cartilage health. Pranic movements are vital to the health of the individual and in an arthritis patient the flow of energy in the joints is depleted. According to yogic science all arthritis related illnesses, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankilosing spondilitis and septic joints are different stages of a pranic dysfunction rather than different separate diseases. Recent studies performed by this author assessing the effect of yoga therapy on rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis, and repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, showed that yoga therapy caused physiologic changes, relieved pain, and improved motion. In one clinical trial studying OA of the hand, the group practicing yoga showed significant decrease in pain and improved range of motion compared to those participating in non-yoga stretching and strengthening sessions. Ginger extract has long been used in traditional medical practices (such as Ayurvedic and Chinese) to decrease inflammation. Although there have been a few case reports of the benefit of ginger for OA in medical literature, one recent trial found that the herb was no more effective than ibuprofen or placebo in reducing symptoms of OA.