Looking after your joints is very important to ensure good health and avoid diseases that can occur due to lack of care. Joints connect your skeletal structure and give it the flexibility enabling muscles to direct movement. Joints are classified according to their structures and functions. Classification according to their structures is determined by how bones connect to each other while structural classification is determined by the length of movement between the articular bones. There are three types of classification of joint by structures. These include:

i. Cartilaginous joints – These are joined by the cartilage.
ii. Synovial joints – These joints are connected by synovial cavity and connective tissues.
iii. Fibrous joints – These joints are connected by connective tissues that have collagen fibers.

Joints can also be classified according to their functions. Examples of the joints include:

i. Ampiathrosis – These joints allow slow movement
ii. Synarthrosis – These joints allow little movement or no movement at all. Example of these joints is the skull suture.
iii. Diarthrosis – These joints allow free movement. Examples of these joints include elbow, hip, knee, and shoulder.

If you don’t take care of these joints they can develop chronic disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gouty arthritis, and septic arthritis. While some of these diseases have no cure, treating the diseases can cost you a lot of money.

There are joint pain products that can help you reduce the pains associated with the joint diseases.

Glucosamine/Chondroitin for Joint Pain: What you need to know?

Glucosamine is found naturally in the bones, joints cartilage, and connective tissue. Glucosamine lubricates the joints, reduces inflammation and also relieves joint pains. Glucosamine provides building blocks for glycosaminoglycan which lubricates the cartilage. Glucosamine is a chondroprotective agent which nourishes the joints to ensure comfortable movement. Some studies have shown that glucosamine also promotes proteoglycans production.

Chondroitin also known as glycosaminoglycan is naturally found in the cartilage and bone. Chondroitin stops the production of inflammatory enzymes, improves joint function, and slows the progress of osteoarthritis. Combination of glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate can help in relieving inflammation, joint pains, and nourishment of cartilage and connective tissue.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin have fewer side effects compared to other drugs. Some experts say taking glucosamine and Chondroitin routinely can help in addressing the need of healthy joints, maintenance, and development.

The good, the bad in joint pain products!

There are many drugs in the market that claim to treat joint pain, while some of the products can help you to relieve the symptoms of joint diseases other can worsen the situation. Before choosing a joint pain product, you have to know if you want a product that makes the joints feel better temporarily or you want a product that diminishes the symptoms permanently. Most of the products in the market help in relieving the pain, inflammation and solve the cause of pain.

Some joints pain products like steroids and non-steroidal and inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce the joint pains but have side effects. The commonly used steroids such as phanylbutazone, ibuprofen, ketofen, aspirin, and banamine contain chemicals that interfere with tissues which can slow the process of healing and also put the user at risk of injury.

Don’t be fooled while choosing the right supplements

Most of the products will advertise themselves as being natural or organic to have an implication that they are safe. Some claims may be true but not all of these products are safe. Nature contains poisons that are not safe to your body. Most of these products cannot help in formation of joint tissues. Some of them can cause side effects such as seizures, and can also affect the nervous system.

Most common herbs used in joint products.

i. Bromelain
This protein enzyme is found in pineapple and can cause allergic reactions.

ii. Yucca
Some products contain yucca which can decrease pain and inflammation. Yucca contains saponins which can weaken the immune system and decrease the production of glycosaminoglycan which are building blocks of the joint tissue.

iii. Devil’s clan
This herb is added to joints pain products because it helps in decreasing pain. Devil’s clan is similar to steroids structurally and can cause abortion to pregnant women users.

iv. Bromelain, snake root, and Cat’s Claw Bark Powder

These herbs are added to joint pain products because they help in relieving pain and decrease inflammation. These herbs can cause ulcers. People who have gastrointestinal problems should not use these drugs.

What experts suggest on choosing joint pain products

You should ensure:

i. The products are from professionals and they can solve structural problems.
ii. The products give you building blocks for the joints.
iii. The ingredients of the product are of quality.
iv. To avoid products that don’t have prescription based on age, weight, and condition of the problem they claim to solve.
v. The joint pain products have no or little side effects.

If you are not sure on what product to use, it is advisable to discuss with your doctor about your condition to help you know what product is well suited for you.