Zax's Original Aches & Pain Cream - 120ml

ACHES & PAIN CREAM FROM ZAX'S ORIGINAL

Cautions / Warnings & Known adverse Reactions: Call a Poison Control centre immediately if overdose or accidental ingestion occurs. Consult a health care professional prior to use if pregnant, breastfeeding or if you are taking anticoagulant medications. Keep out of the reach of children. Stop use and consult a health care professional if symptoms worsen, or re-occur after a few days. Stop use and get medical help right away if you experience pain, swelling or blistering. Stop use if headache and/or redness occur. Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy, rashes and/or burning discomfort occur.

Muscle/ Joint Injury
By: Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.)

Recovery from joint and muscle injury can be a long process. But with the correct supplements & massage or chiropractic treatment, you can be back on track in no time flat...

Your cartilage acts as a living shock absorber that cushions and protects your bones from damage during the daily stresses of living, working, and playing. But, unfortunately due to age or even injury, the human body is sometimes unable to regenerate damaged soft tissue fast enough to keep your cartilage, ligaments, and tendons supple and flexible.

The result can be pain and swelling. The pain and swelling we know as arthritis occurs when these supporting tissues degenerate, allowing bone to rub against bone, which as anyone who has osteoarthritis will tell you, causes pain.

Muscles and joints can become injured whenever the body is in motion. It often occurs when doing strenuous or repetitive activities, like sports or working on an assembly line. Sprains refer to damage to a tendon or ligament. Tendons hold bone and muscle together. Ligaments hold bones together. Sprains cause sharp pain and rapid swelling of the area. Strains refer to overworking a muscle. It causes muscle cramps, localized pain during movement, swelling and loss of mobility. Another joint injury is bursitis, a swelling of the fluid-filled sac inside the joint. It usually causes localized pain on movement of the joint and swelling.

MAINTAINING JOINT HEALTH WITH GLUCOSAMINE
When scientists first began studying glucosamine and chondroitin in the 1970s, they were amazed that no only did the subjects experience less pain, but also - and more importantly- their formerly degenerating cartilage had begun to repair itself. When they took a closer look at the way glucosamine and chondroitin were actually working to reduce pain and repair cartilage, they found that both of them were extremely important for normal joint health.

They found that glucosamine and chondroitin are both building blocks for the molecules that make up tendons, ligaments, bones, and synovial fluid. They also supply a very important molecule called "proteo-glycans", a substance in joint cartilage. The problem they found was that with age, the ability to regenerate and restore joint structure begins to fail, often due to a decrease in the natural production of glucosamine sulfate in the body. This deficiency causes the production of new joint and connective tissue to slow, causing it to both weaken. The result is pain and stiffness.

A deficiency in either glucosamine or chondroitin may lead to osteoarthritis, which is a break down of joint structure that manifests itself as stiffness (especially after periods of rest), creaking and cracking joints, as well as pain.

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage that covers the surfaces of bones in the joints becomes damaged, which allows bone to rub directly against bone. The synovial fluid eventually becomes thinner, which reduces its ability to cushion impact. Glucosamine makes healthy synovial fluid thick and gelatinous. Without it, your ligaments and tendons would fray, and your cartilage would degenerate.

Though glucosamine may take several months to bring relief from pain, some may have results in as little as a month. In any case, the results are worth the wait. When studies show that prescription arthritis drugs and antinflammatories can actually contribute to the further degeneration of connective tissue, glucosamine and chondroitin offer a safe and effective natural alternative.

Conventional treatment of muscle and joint injury involves the use of anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. They take away the acute symptoms but do not help to heal the injured tissue. The use of such medications may make an individual return to activity too quickly, predisposing the area to re-injury.

First aid for muscle and joint injuries is easily remembered by the acronym RICE, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Immediately after the injury raise the area above the heart and apply ice for up to 20 minutes. Apply ice every 4 hours for 2 days. Only use heat after the initial swelling has subsided. Use a splint or sling to immobilize the area. Go to the hospital if there is significant swelling or if joint activity is compromised.

To prevent injuries include stretching in your warm up and cool down activities. Poultices made of goldenseal, fenugreek, flaxseed powder, turmeric or mustard can be used. They help to decrease swelling, decrease bruising and relax tense muscles. Horse chestnut seed gel can be applied topically for the same purpose.

To provide the body with the raw materials for tissue repair eat sufficient amounts of protein or use a protein supplement. Eat, or drink the juices of, raw fruits and vegetables including beets, garlic and radishes. They are packed with vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Drink at least 2L of filtered water to flush waste products from the damaged area.

To prevent muscle and joint injury eat chromium rich foods such as nutritional yeast, lobster and cheese. This ensures a steady supply of blood sugar to working muscles. Eat wheat germ because it contains octacosanol, which prevents strains by increasing muscle oxygenation, and vitamin E, which heals tissue. Eat oats because they contain the connective tissue supporting nutrient, silica.

What you can do to help maintain Muscle/ Joint Injury:
- Use ice to reduce inflammation
- Get the appropriate treatment from a chiropractor, massage therapist or physiotherapist
- Continue with moderate exercise. Train "around" the injury
- Take supplements to support joint repair like glucosamine, chondroitin, or collagen
- Eat plenty of vegetables; the nutrients in them will help to speed up the healing process
- Use the homeopathic remedy arnica or traumeel; they are effective alternatives to conventional NSAIDS
- Take antioxidants to reduce the damage inflammation does to the joint
- Take MSM to control inflammation & to reduce pain; it is clinically proven