Joint Pain關節痛知多少

What should you do about joint pain? by Simon Stopps

關節疼痛你該怎麼辦?

SC: How common are joint problems? Who is most affected?
關節問題有多普遍呢? 誰最容易受影響?

DH: Everyone from young people to the elderly has joint problems. Injuries to joints compound, eventually leading to the more serious problem of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis – the destruction of cartilage – affects 50 percent of people over the age of 55 and almost 100 percent of those over 75.

從年輕到上了年紀，每個人都有關節方面的問題。傷到了關節組織，最後更加導致嚴重的關節炎. 50%55歲以上的人和100%75歲以上的人都受到關節炎(軟骨組織遭迫害)的影響

SC: Which joints cause the most trouble?
那一個關節產生的問題最嚴重.

DH: Osteoarthritis develops very slowly and can occur in any joint. The joints most commonly affected are the knee, hip, hand and spine. Usually joints in the lower part of the body are the most troublesome because we use these joints to walk and bear weight.
關節炎的發生是非常緩慢的，而且它可以發生在任何關節。最常受影響的關節是：膝關節、髋關節、手腕關節和脊椎。通常關節位在人體的較底層部位，所以是最棘手的，因為我們使用這些關節去走路和負重。
Sc: How can one prevent joint problems?

一個人要如何預防關節問題?
DH: Daily stretching and strengthening exercises lead to stronger and more flexible joints that have more resistance to injury. It is also important to get plenty of rest and do a good warm-up and cooldown before and after exercising. Using protective equipment and avoiding unsafe situations can help prevent jnjuries from occurring in the first place.
每日例行的伸展肢體和強化運動可讓關節強化和更有彈性，這樣更能扺抗傷害。充分的休息和運動前後做好暖身和放鬆也是很重要的。使用防護設備和避免不安全的情境，可以幫助預防來自第一現場產生的傷害。(待續)

SC: what causes the joint pain?什麼會引起關節疼痛
DH: Obviously, injuries from muscle damage can lead to joint pain, but the most common cause is swelling or destruction of the cartilage. Though most people eventually recover from joint injuries, damage to the cartilage can’t be reversed and can only get worse. The pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis will persist and increase with activity.

最明顯的是，來自肌肉損傷的傷害可能導致關節疼痛，但是最常見的發生原因是軟骨的過份腫脹或破壞。雖然大多數的人最後都能從受傷中恢復，而軟骨的受損卻是無法修復，而且只會更糟。關節炎引起的疼痛和僵硬也會因為活動而持續和增加。
SC: What should you do if you already have joint pain?

如果關節已經疼痛，你該怎麼辦?
DH: If you are already suffering from joint pain, there are things you can do to improve your situation:
如果你已經為關節疼痛所苦，你可以做一些事來改善你的狀況。
The R.I.C.E.(Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) principle is a simple treatment that can be used with all injuries. Physical therapy treatments, such as massage, are also proven to provide long-term relief of joint pain. Be careful when selecting a treatment, though. Avoid traditional remedies that manipulate the joint as they may lead to further injury. If the problem persists, see your doctor. He or she may be able to offer medication that relieves symptoms. A new treatment call Orthokine may also be useful. Orthokine offers hope to osteoarthritis sufferers by actually halting the progress of osteoarthritis and providing long-term relief.

休息、冰敷、固定和抬高四個原則，是當受到任何傷害時常被拿來使用的簡單處治。物理治療法，比如按摩，也被用來長期舒緩關節疼痛。要小心的是，當你選擇一項治療方式，還是要避免傳統療法(民俗療法)，因為不當的推拿按摩關節，可能導致長遠的傷害。如果問題沒有改善，就應該去看醫生。他們可以提供你一些藥物，舒解疼痛的症狀。還有一種新的治療方法稱為orthokine，可能會有用處。它確實可以停止關節炎的惡化，長期舒解症狀，它帶給關節炎患者希望。

Orthokine Therapy

關節炎療法

A new treatment offers hope for sufferers of joint pain by Dr. David W. Hang
一種新旳治療法為關疼痛者帶來福音

Osteoarthritis causes pain and makes movement difficult for as much as 10 percent of the population. Unfortunately, the cartilage destruction that characterizes osteoarthritis is a continuous process, and conventional treatments may encourage patients to use the joint more – leading to further damage.

關節炎引起的疼痛造成活動上的困難高達人口數的百分之十。很不幸的，軟骨的破壞是關節炎持續性發展的持質。而且一般鼓勵病人多運動關節的治療方式，將導至更深的損壞。

In the early 1980s, scientists discovered that patients with osteoarthritis produce abnormally high levels of a protein called Interleukin-1 (IL-1) which destroys cartilage, causing the disease. Further research led to the discovery of IL-1 Ra, a protein that counters the destructive effects of IL-1.
在1980年早期，科學家發現患有關節炎的病人會異常的製造大量的稱為白細胞介素-1的蛋白質，它會破害軟骨引起疾病。更進一步的研究發現了IL-1Ra，這是一種蛋白質，可以對抗白細胞介素-1產生的破壞。

Then, in 1996, a team of doctors invented Orthokine® therapy. This innovative process uses cells from the patient’s body to produce high concentrations of IL-1 Ra that are then injected into affected joints.
然後在1996年，一個醫師團隊發明了Orthokine®治療法。這種創新的治療過程是使用來自病人身上的細胞去產生高量集中的IL-1Ra，然後再注射進入受偒的關節。

Orthokine® therapy is revolutionary in that it actually halts the progression of osteoarthritis rather than simply alleviating the symptoms. Clinical trials have also shown that the therapy is more effective than other treatments. A recent study even suggests the treatment may result in cartilage regeneration.
Orthokine®療法是革命性的，因為它真的停止了關節炎的持續惡化，而不僅只是舒解症狀。臨床試驗也顥示這個療法比其它治療方法更有效果。一份最新的研究甚至提出這個治療法可能導引軟骨的再生。

Orthokin® therapy has been used successfully in Europe and Australia for the past decade, and its safety and effectiveness are well proven. This exciting treatment offers hope to osteoarthritis sufferers everywhere.
Orthokine®療法，過去十年在歐洲和澳洲己經很成功的被使用。它的安全性和有效性也被證實。這個另人興奮療法在任何地方都為關節炎患者帶來希望。(全文完)