#Joint Care

[trashyswitch]

Luigi's Secret

Chapter 23: Weegee's Knee-d for Comfort

Luigi slides out of the pipe, but hurts his knees (and his pride) in the process. So Mario takes the time to tend to his physical and psychological needs.

Then Luigi gets an update that rocks his internet world...

HAPPY MAR10 DAY to my long-lost childhood imaginary friend. Mario will always have a special place in my heart.

The boys popped out of the tube and landed in the long grass. Mario naturally popped out first, flying through the air with pure joy on his face and making sure he had his feet ready for the landing. He touched down perfectly onto the grass and slid in an almost heroic fashion before standing up with a proud look on his face. He was finally getting the hang of how to create a good landing! 

“Luigi, did you-” Mario turned around and snickered as he widened his eyes. 

Luigi looked like he had eaten dirt upon landing. His legs flopped onto the ground as he slowly got himself up, covered in a mix of grass stains and dirt. But despite all that, Luigi threw his thumb up in the air and mumbled something like “I’m okay!”.  

Mario couldn’t stop himself from laughing at his brother. He always was, and always will be, the more clumsy out of the two of them. Mario walked up to him and patted his back. “You’ll get there eventually.” Mario told him. 

Luigi sighed as he got up onto his feet. “Ow…” Luigi grumbled as he got up and dusted himself off. 

Mario bit his lip. “Knees?” He asked. 

“Mhm.” He replied. “Imagine being 25 and having bad knees already.” Luigi said with a chuckle, before dropping his smile. “Couldn’t be me…” He started to mumble with slight annoyance. 

Mario tensed his lips, feeling remorse for Luigi. The bad knees were the reason they had decided to strike out on their own. Luigi began to really struggle with catching up, and Spike never bothered to wait for him despite Mario’s protests. Things hit a head when Mario watched Luigi attempt to get up onto his feet after kneeling to fix a sink…and then he fell back down and further damaged his knees. 

Mario readied his hands. “Fall into my arms, Lu.” Mario told him. 

Luigi tilted his head. “Like a trust fall?” He asked. 

“Yeah! Backwards this time. Not forward like last time.” Mario reminded him. 

Luigi nodded and threw his arms out, before falling with his back towards Mario’s hands. Mario caught Luigi perfectly, and picked up his brother bridal-style almost effortlessly. “There.” Mario said. “Reach for the toolkit.” Mario told him. Luigi nodded and picked up the toolkit, carrying it on his lap in Mario’s grip. “Ready!” Luigi cheered. 

“Alright!” Mario carried his brother towards the house. “Off to Neverland!” Mario sang as he jokingly started spinning Luigi in a circle. “OHGOD MARIO!” Luigi yelped and held onto Mario for dear life, terrified of being dropped. “S-STOP!” Luigi begged. “You really think I would drop you?” Mario asked, stopping his spinning.  

“Y-You did once.” Luigi reminded him, resting his head on Mario’s shoulder. 

“Yeah…when I was 9 and an idiot.” Mario told him. “I would never drop you now.” He reminded him. 

Mario started to jump across the different bricks with Luigi still in his arms. Okay…As much as he used to tease Mario about being acrobatic, he had to admit just how impressive Mario can be. Despite getting older, Mario never once lost his athletic skills. 

Mario walked to the door. “Can you open the door for me?” Mario asked. 

Luigi nodded and grabbed out the key. He put the key into the lock, twisted the key and then opened the door with another twist of the doorknob. 

Mario turned Luigi so his feet were first. “Now give it a kick!” Mario ordered. 

Luigi smiled and kicked the door open in spite of his knees. 

“Yeah! Good one, Lu!” Mario reacted, walking into the house. 

Luigi chuckled. “Thanks.” He said, twirling his mustache. 

Mario let Luigi put the toolkit down, before taking his brother to the couch. Mario placed Luigi onto the couch very softly, and placed a pillow behind Luigi’s back and head. “There.” Mario grabbed a blanket from the chair nearby. “Blanket?” Mario asked. 

“Nah, I’m good.” Luigi replied. 

Mario nodded and put the blanket back. He headed to their bedroom, and grabbed a squeeze bottle of ointment specifically for aching joints. He headed back to the kitchen and put a heating pad into the microwave. While it heated up, Mario walked out to the living room with the bottle. “Roll up your pants, Luigi.” Mario told him. Luigi nodded in response and rolled up the right one first. Mario started to open the bottle, but heard his brother clear his throat. Mario looked at Luigi, and saw his arm out. “I can do it.” Luigi told him. 

Mario hummed with a smile and handed him the bottle. “Fine.” He replied. 

“Microwave went off.” Luigi said, pointing to the kitchen. 

“On it.” Mario said, walking to the kitchen. He grabbed the heating pad from the microwave and placed it aside. Luigi put the ointment onto his right knee first. He rubbed it around the front, the side and the back of the knee joint because all of it seemed to be hurting. Luigi rolled up his left leg and put the same ointment onto that knee. On the right knee, Luigi could feel the cooling sensation that came with the ointment. It felt like someone was blowing icy cold air onto his knee. It honestly felt really good and it always did the trick for him. 

After covering his other knee with the ointment, Luigi rubbed the stuff into his own hands before putting the cap on and placing it aside. With that done, Luigi put the heating pad onto both his knees. It was a long one, which meant both knees could be covered in heat at once. Luigi leaned back and closed his eyes, feeling relaxed and content. The heat felt amazing. As much as he hated the knee pain, he loved the feeling of the ointment and the heat. It’s like a massage. You hate feeling the neck and back pain, but you love the feeling of getting those massages. 

*tweak* 

“WaAH-” Luigi jumped, feeling his knee twitch. “What-” 

“This still gets you?” Mario asked, wrapping his middle finger and thumb around the outside of his knee, and tweaking it. 

“YE-Yes. Ihit does.” Luigi admitted. 

Mario chuckled. “Bad timing?” Mario asked. 

Luigi shook his head. “No.” He replied. “But…Still unsure about that tickle spot.” Luigi admitted. 

Mario made the finger movement with his index finger and thumb. “This one?” Mario asked. 

Luigi nodded. “Part of me likes the playfulness, but…” Luigi bit his lip. “The other part of me doesn’t like the feeling.” Luigi admitted awkwardly. 

“Hm…” Mario mumbled. 

“Like, I have good memories of Dad and Uncle Arthur doing it to us when we were kids.” Luigi admitted. 

“But the feeling itself…doesn't feel the same?” Mario asked. 

“Yeah…” Luigi clarified. 

Mario sat down on the other side of the couch. “I get that.” He admitted. “You know I’ve never been a fan of people touching my back.” Mario reminded him. 

Luigi nodded. “Yeah.” 

Mario cleared his throat slightly. “It’s because it’s really sensitive. And not ticklish…just sensitive.” Mario replied. 

“Like…itchy?” Luigi clarified. Mario scrunched up his face, unsure. “...Kkkindaaa?” He thought for a moment. “It doesn’t tickle enough to make me laugh.” Mario explained. “It just tickles enough to make me jump.” 

Luigi nodded and thought for a moment. “So…Yeah. Sensitive should be the right word for that.” Luigi replied. 

Mario nodded. “I know.” 

Luigi scratched the back of his head. “The community sorta uses the words ‘sensitive’ and ‘ticklish’ interchangeably.” Luigi explained. 

“Because the word ‘ticklish’ is too hard to say?” Mario asked with a laugh. Luigi shrugged his shoulders. “P-Pretty much, yeah.” 

Mario giggled. “What mood are you in right now?” Mario asked. 

Luigi began to think for a moment. That’s a…good question. What kind of mood WAS he in right now?! Luigi had no idea! “Uhhhh…” He said to give himself a bit more time. Cause…he was talking about tickle game almost like he was in a switch mood, but…Talking about it honestly made him lean in towards a lee mood. But not a strong enough lee mood that he’ll go insane if he’s not wrecked…but kind of a casual lee mood that he can cover up in a moment’s notice. So… “I think…I’m mostly in a lee mood, but…” He looked at Mario. “But it’s not overwhelming.” He admitted, looking back down. 

“So you want more playfulness than tickles right now?” Mario asked. 

Luigi looked up at Mario with a bright smile. “Y-Yeah, actually!” Luigi admitted. 

Mario giggled and laughed at his brother’s sudden excitement. “Well then! Okay!” He replied. “But I think we should focus on looking after your knees first.” Mario told him. 

Luigi threw the heating pad off and stood up. “I’m fine!” Luigi declared. 

“LuigiWAI-” 

But Luigi gasped and squeezed his eyes shut the moment he felt the achy, weak pain filling his knees again. Too much movement, way too fast. He grunted and slowly brought himself down onto the couch again, grunting and whining as he laid himself down again. “Stupid knees…” Luigi mumbled, clearly ticked off. 

Mario put the heating pad back onto Luigi’s knees again. “Alright. Move over.”  Mario said, scooting Luigi over a little bit. “Hm? Why?” Luigi asked. 

“I’m getting in beside you.” Mario told him, sitting down on the couch super close to his brother. “Duhude. There’s barely any room!” Luigi tried to tell him. “Then move your butt!” Mario reacted, forcing himself in. 

“Ihi literally CAN’T!” Luigi reacted, showing Mario the back of the couch and how much he was currently squished against it. 

Mario stopped moving and wrapped his arm around his brother’s side. “Come here.” He said, before squeezing both of Luigi’s sides. 

“NahAHA! MARIOHOHOhoho!” Luigi laughed, leaning against Mario. 

“Whaaat? I’m right here.” Mario teased, moving to his lower ribs. 

“Ihihi cahahan’t gohohoho anywhehehere!” Luigi told him. 

“But isn’t that what you want? To be stuck in one place, only able to laugh and maybe squirm as you’re destroyed almost mercilessly?” Mario asked. 

“Ihihihihi-”

“You can’t lie to me now, Lu. You made the dreadful mistake of telling me about it earlier.” Mario told him. 

Luigi shook his head. “Ihihi dihihid nohot!” Luigi argued. 

Mario smiled and blew some gentle air onto Luigi’s right ear. 

“Mario-MariodohohOHOHON’T!”  Luigi yelled.

“Who needs fingers when you can use the air?” Mario teased before blowing more air onto his right ear. 

Luigi curled his neck in, attempting to cover up his right ear but to no avail. Plus: when Luigi covered up his right ear, then his left ear became super vulnerable! So naturally, Mario blew some air onto his left ear. This made Luigi burst out laughing and lean his head back against Mario’s right shoulder. “HAHAHAHA- WHYHY THEHEHERE?” Luigi asked. 

“Because if it wasn’t obvious already, your ears are one of my favorite spots to tickle.” Mario told him, tickling his left ear lightly. 

“Hehehehe- Ihihi dihidn’t knohohow.” Luigi admitted. 

“You didn’t?!” Mario stopped. “A reminder that everytime I tickled you, I would target one specific tickle spot.” Mario told him. 

“T-Truhue…” Luigi mumbled. He had to admit…he had a really good point.  

“And let’s not forget your belly button.” Mario teased as he brought his fingers down and poked Luigi’s belly button. “That’s another one of my favorite tickle spots on you.” Mario told him. 

Luigi threw his head back and cackled his heart out, bringing his belly in slightly to try and get his finger away. But Mario’s finger only followed his belly. And with nowhere to go, Luigi just HAD to let it happen! “eeEEHEHEHEHEHEEE! NAAAHAHAHAHAHA! IHIHI- IHIHI’M GOHOHONNA DIHIHIHIEEHEHEHEHEHE!” Luigi shouted. 

Mario quickly stopped his fingers, a worried expression on his face. “Do you need me to stop?” he asked. “Cause this spot tends to kill you.” Mario admitted. 

Luigi’s hysterical laughter quickly began to calm down. “HEHEhehehe…Yeheheah…” He muttered. The man was growing steadily tired from all the tickles…not to mention the long work day they had just worked. But boy…Luigi felt so much better. Even his knees felt like they were getting a lot better! Luigi pulled out his phone and noticed that there was a reply to his message! Wait…was this the message from the other night?! 

[I've been in a ler mood lately, yet my brothers asleep, and I don't want to wake him, so I need an awake person, guess you'll a have to do. -🧢] 

[Aww...that sucks...Well, good thing I normally stay up late! 

*opens arms* Go for it! Destroy me!

~Pocket]

“Did you send that Pocket person another message?” Mario asked beside him. 

Luigi widened his eyes and looked towards Mario. “U-Uh…” He looked at his phone, and back at Mario. “Y…Yeah…” Luigi muttered awkwardly. 

“Let me see.” Mario told him. 

Luigi handed Mario his phone, and watched as Mario read the message and the person’s response. Luigi felt a little bit bad for sending this message late that night. He was desperate at the time, and needed an outlet. But…Now Mario knows about it.  

Mario looked at Luigi. “Was it really that bad that you had to tell them about it?” Mario asked. 

Luigi looked down a little bit and nodded his head. “Y-Yeah…It was.” Luigi admitted. 

Mario chuckled and crossed his arms. “I wanna see how this one goes down.” Mario told him. 

Luigi widened his eyes. “Wait, really?!” He reacted. 

Mario shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah! Show me how you do ler moods online.” Mario told him. 

Luigi nodded. “Okay.” He opened the person’s profile, and clicked the button [Prompts OPEN! & No FNAF plz!!]. It brought up the profile name above the message area, with the words [Ask Anonymously] on the bottom of the message board with a switch to turn it on or off. Luigi turned it on, and clicked off the pop-up that showed up. Then, Luigi thought for a moment. Now what to write…He fiddled with a few things, before slowly coming up with a proper new message. 

[ (Weeg) 

Oh Pocket~

Heheh. *Looks at you evilly*] 

He clicked the [Ask] button before closing his phone. “Then I wait for Pocket to reply.” Luigi told him. “Why did you write that specific sentence in star keys?” Mario asked. 

“Words surrounded by a star key are supposed to be actions.” Luigi pulled up his brother’s contact on his phone. “For example: *hugs you*. *makes you a cup of tea*.” Luigi wrote out.

Mario pulled out his phone and chuckled. “Really?” He asked. 

“I needed a visual explanation.” Luigi admitted. 

Mario thought for a moment. “...*puts a bagel in the toaster*. *hits you with a cardboard roll*.” Mario said out loud. 

Luigi laughed as the messages came in. Luigi sent him something back. 

L: [*dropkicks you to the moon*] 

Mario wheezed and laughed at that one. “Dropkicks me- Luigi!” Mario reacted. 

“Whahat?! It’s funny!” Luigi reacted. 

Mario smirked and quickly typed something back. M: [*Tickles you*]

Luigi widened his eyes and blushed a bit. “Mario whyyyy…” Luigi whined. 

Mario bursted out laughing and elbowed his brother. “You started it.” Mario teased. 

“No I didn’t! You hit me with the cardboard roll first!” Luigi reacted. 

“So that means you’re allowed to dropkick me to the freaking moon?!” Mario asked. 

“Yes!” Luigi replied. 

Mario laughed. “You’re such a dork.” he teased. 

“I know, I know…” Luigi replied. “Oh! You know what’s another great one?” He asked suddenly. 

“What?” Mario asked. 

Luigi typed into his phone, while Mario pulled up his phone to read it. 

L: [*slaps you with a dictionary*]

Mario laughed and sent one back to him. 

M: [*whacks you with a bible*] 

Luigi bursted out in a long fit of cackles with a couple snorts mixed in. “Gohoho- Gohohood one, Mario.” Luigi reacted. 

Mario laughed as well before coming up with another. 

M: [*Turns you into Flat Stanley*] 

Luigi laughed and sent one back. 

L: [*slaps you with a plate of whipped cream*] 

Mario widened his eyes and giggled. “Wow…Pulling out the whipped cream now, are we?” Mario teased. 

Luigi nodded. “You bet.” 

Mario smiled and sent Luigi another action. 

M: [*Whacks you with a frying pan Rapunzel-style*] 

Luigi laughed. “Wooow!” Luigi reacted. 

“And a small reminder: That thing was a cast-iron skillet! Not only is she ridiculously strong, but Flynn Rider should be DEAD!” Mario reminded him. 

Luigi gasped. “I forgot about that…” Luigi muttered. “Okay, okay. One more.” He typed something into the messages, and sent it. 

L: [*Blows up a hospital Joker-style*] 

Mario laughed. “Have it fail for a moment? Then you turn around and wave your arms in confusion, only for it to explode and make you turn around again?” Mario joked. “Yes. Exactly that.” Luigi replied. 

Mario put on his beat joker impression. “Ya wanna know how I got these scars~?” Mario teased. 

Luigi laughed. “Yehehes!” He cheered. 

Mario continued to say every word of dialogue from that movie with almost perfect accuracy. Luigi listened to all of it, loving every second of it. By the end, Luigi was thoroughly impressed that Mario remembered that whole dialogue moment! It was…really cool, actually. It was one of the very things that made Mario an awesome brother. And no matter what happened, nothing would ever be able to change how cool he was. 

[10:46pm] 

“Hello, Super Mario Brothers? Oh, hello! Oh, that’s alright. Would you like to reschedule? Okay. We are free…”

[12:01am]

Luigi pulled the covers off himself, and walked up to Mario’s bed. He was holding his phone in his hand, visibly sad for an unknown reason. He held his phone close to himself, the phone screen still on. He wanted to reach out and touch his brother, but he feared scaring him awake. 

“Mario…” Luigi softly whispered. 

He waited a moment, hoping he would say something, or shift his body slightly. But, he was met with nothing. 

“Maaarioo?” Luigi called in a soft, sing-song voice. 

Mario shifted slightly. Seeing this, Luigi widened his eyes and gently touched his brother’s shoulder. “Maaariooo?” Luigi called. 

Mario groaned softly, slowly opening his eyes. “Hm?” He hummed, confused. 

“S-Sorry to wake you, b-but…” Luigi bit his lip, too tired and awkward in the moment. 

Mario sat up a bit and turned on the lamp. “What’s up?” He asked. 

“S-So…” Luigi sat himself down and showed Mario the post TrashySwitch had put up. 

Mario blinked a few times and adjusted his eyes to the message: 

[Dear Pocket, This is Nico from a friend's account, I'm writing to let you know my old account has been deleted, and this was because I didn't want to post on tumblr anymore, please take care and you were one of the greatest friends here on the platform, goodbye.

-Nico, Tickle Goddess] 

Mario widened his eyes slightly and looked up at Luigi. “You…you mentioned the name ‘Nico’ earlier…” Mario muttered. 

Luigi nodded his head, holding his arms close to himself. “The tumblr profile is gone…” 

Mario softened his expression. “Oh Lu…” He put down the phone and opened his arms. “Come here.” 

Luigi snuggled into his brother’s arms, letting Mario hold him. “I don’t have any other way to get in contact with them…” Luigi admitted. “They’re gone…” Luigi mumbled. 

Mario tightened his hug slightly. “Oh Lu…” Mario closed his eyes. “I don’t know much about them…but…” Mario rubbed his back. “But I can safely assume it’s like you lost a friend…” Mario said. 

Luigi squeezed his eyes shut with a few nods. 

Mario sighed and closed his eyes. “you’re allowed to be upset. Be upset for as long as you need.” He told his brother. 

Luigi let out a shaky breath. “Bye Nico…Please check in soon.” 

This fanfic is dedicated to one of my dearest Tumblr friends, Nico. Thank you so much for all the support and love you've provided me. I'll miss you so much...

[severecheesecakeobservation]

Do you want to learn an easy way to maintain and improve the health of your joints? Click here - https://sites.google.com/view/biodynamixforyou/%D0%B3%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F-%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B0

[new-health-products-in]

CollaGenius Supplements

A Welcome Boost: My Experience with CollaGenius Supplement

Having always been active, I found myself struggling with joint pain in recent years. It became increasingly difficult to enjoy my daily walks and keep up with my usual exercise routine. After some research, I decided to try CollaGenius Supplements, and I'm thrilled I did!

Improved Mobility and Reduced Pain

Within a few weeks of taking CollaGenius Supplements daily, I noticed a significant improvement in my joint mobility. The stiffness I used to experience, particularly in the mornings, had subsided. More importantly, the nagging pain that had become a constant companion during exercise had significantly reduced. This allowed me to gradually increase the intensity and duration of my workouts

Easy to Take and Noticeable Results

CollaGenius Supplements are incredibly easy to incorporate into my daily routine. I simply take two capsules with a glass of water in the morning. The capsules are odourless and tasteless, making them a breeze to swallow. But the most impressive aspect is undoubtedly the results. I'm back to enjoying my active lifestyle, and for that, I'm incredibly grateful to CollaGenius Supplements.

Overall, a Positive Experience

If you're looking for a natural way to support your joint health and improve mobility, I highly recommend CollaGenius Supplements. They've been a game-changer for me, and I'm confident they can make a positive difference in your life as well.

[mhk-health-care]

https://mhkcare.com/product-category/joint-pain-treatment/

[ataleoftwopitties]

How to Enhance Your Dog's Joint Health

Arthritis refers to the inflammation of one or more joints. In a healthy joint capsule, cartilage protects bones where they meet by providing cushion, while synovial fluid acts as a lubricant to reduce friction when the bones glide against each other.

However, after strenuous activity and repeated motion of the joints, or any trauma to the area, the cartilage and synovial fluid tends to thin over time, allowing the bones to rub against each other and cause pain. Inflammation and swelling builds within the joint capsule, leading to stiffness and issues with mobility. As the inflammation persists, certain chemicals and enzymes may be released that begin to further eat away at the cartilage and sometimes the bone. 

A snowball effect can tend to follow as a dog becomes less active or more reluctant to move due to arthritic pain, leading to weight gain and putting even more pressure on the joints. While arthritis can’t be cured and is almost inevitable with any active aging dog, there are many ways pet owners can try to prevent its progression, including over-the-counter joint supplements and healthy weight management through nutrition. 

A recent study by NC State University reported that 40% of 123 healthy dogs between the ages of 8 months and 4 years had radiographic evidence of arthritis on at least one joint - and from that, 24% showed associated pain. More interestingly, 57% of those dogs who had exhibited any arthritis-associated pain had owners who claimed they were aware something was wrong with their pet, yet only 13% of them were receiving any form of pain management or joint support.

Perhaps this is due to a common misconception that arthritis is only a problem found in older dogs. Despite many senior pets suffering from arthritis, it is a degenerative - not age-related - disease. Other risk factors that may contribute to joint deterioration, including genetics, heavier body weight, activity level/exercise, neuter status, as well as diet. Arthritis may typically develop secondary to a musculoskeletal disorder - like hip or elbow dysplasia, or luxating patella - but may also be caused by trauma or infection.

Symptoms of Arthritis:

Lameness or limping

Decreased activity

Inability or reluctance to jump

Stiffness

Difficult climbing stairs

Changes in behavior (less social)

Compulsive licking of the joint(s)

While these symptoms might seem like an obvious indicator of pain or discomfort, recall that not every dog may exhibit these signs. An x-ray, however, may confirm arthritis by displaying the presence swelling of tissue around the joint, increased fluid within the joint, or even changes to the bone such as thickening or spurs.

More advanced imaging like CT scan or MRI may help to diagnose an underlying cause of the arthritis by assessing the bone structure and surrounding tissues. A joint tap can also be used to assess the fluid if an infection or autoimmune disease is suspected.

Today, there are many products available on the market that are geared towards supporting our dogs’ joints - many of which will claim to cure or even prevent arthritis altogether. On the contrary, most nutraceuticals will usually take several weeks to months before reaching therapeutic levels. Due to the lack of regulation on pet products, it can be easy for owners to fall for such marketing and have difficulty determining which product is best for their pets.

Here is a useful podcast that reviews tips on choosing quality pet supplements:

Vetfolio - “Advancing Gracefully with Joint Supplementation”

“Dr. Leilani Alvarez joins Vet Folio Voice to explain the importance of using a canine joint supplement at any stage of life, when needed. She offers insight into the role of evidence-based ingredients, how they can work together to support hip and joint health, and why the quality seal from the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) can signal the best products for your practice.”

Aside from having an NASC seal on its label, it would be even more credible if the pet product company has been in business for at least 10 years - assuming the company has had great success and testimonials thus far, along with the financial stability and willingness to recall products voluntarily, if and when a fault was found. 

Another important to detail to look out for in determining the efficacy of a joint supplement is to see if the product has actually been tested on live animals with naturally-occurring arthritis (i.e. not induced arthritis, or on samples in a Petri dish). It is also worth considering if experiments were done on the same species as the one it is intended for use - just because a study showed efficacy on arthritis found in humans, may not mean it will have the same efficacy with dogs.

Effective Ingredients/Nutraceuticals:

Fish oil - preferably sourced from wild-caught cold water fish - contains high concentrations of EPA/DHA, and is currently the nutraceutical with the most supporting evidence in literature towards managing canine arthritis. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are major components of the anti-inflammatory process within the joint capsule. These polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential to dogs - they cannot be synthesized in the body, so must be provided in the diet. A 2010 study suggested that OFA supplementation may allow for reduction in NSAID use for treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs.

Green lipped mussel is a shellfish from New Zealand that obtains its nutrients from phytoplankton minerals in sea water. It is another natural source for OFA - specifically eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA), which can’t be found in other common oily fish. Unlike EPA and DHA, ETA not only has anti-inflammatory properties, but has also been shown to block certain pathways for short-term pain. 

Egg shell membrane, normally a protective layer over a growing embryo, contains high levels of glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. These are utilized to support connective tissue repair, helping to improve function muscular function and diminish soft tissue pain that may be a source of overcompensating for a joint injury. 

Boswellia serata, also known as “Indian frankincense” is a plant native to India, Africa, and the Arabian peninsula. In 2004, a group of dogs with confirmed joint disease in Switzerland received Boswellia extracts at a dose of 40mg/kg once daily for 6 weeks. After two weeks, 71% showed significant reduction in severity of lameness and stiff gaits - dogs had less difficulty while moving, as well as when getting up after a long rest.

Astaxanthin is a red pigment that can be found in salmon and red marine algae. It is an antioxidant which protects cells from damage and inflammation, helping to boost overall immunity and energy. There have been previous studies which showed that astaxanthin contributes to restoration of bone homeostasis, showing potential for counteracting joint injuries.

Vitamin D3 is important for supporting healthy bone structure, including the subchondral bone. Dogs cannot absorb Vitamin D3 from the sun the way humans do, so is typically absorbed from dietary sources.

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, although extracted from the hemp plant, should not be confused with hemp oil. Further, it cannot legally cannot contain more than 0.3% THC, or otherwise make your dog high. Depending where you live, you may not even be able to find or purchase such products for your pet. Although it is still a very controversial ingredient in some areas, it may still work as an anti-inflammatory by interacting with pain receptors through the endocannabinoid system. A study done in 2018 showed that CBD oil administered at 2mg/kg twice daily can help reduce pain and increase activity in dogs with arthritis. However, owners should make sure to avoid purchasing CBD pet products that do not have the NASC seal - those that have not been stamped may contain heavy metals like lead or not be appropriately labeled to display its proper dose.

Dr. Sarah Wooten, veterinarian and certified canine rehabilitation and pain practitioner, reviews a few more commonly suggested ingredients for joint health in this article -

“Joint Supplements for Dogs: The Helpful vs. The Hype” https://www.dvm360.com/view/joint-supplements-dogs-helpful-vs-hype 

***For further reading on up-to-date studies on canine nutraceuticals for arthritis, visit: https://www.vin.com/apputil/project/defaultadv1.aspx?pid=22915&catid=&id=8896849&meta=&authorid=

Favorite/Recommended Products:

Virbac “Movoflex Advanced” —- contains all the ingredients listed above and what I currently offer my own dog (Blanca just turned 8 and still has the energy and mobility of a puppy)

Dechra “Phycox HA Max” —- made with hydrolyzed protein, good for dogs with IBD or sensitive stomachs; contains phycocyanin, an antioxidant found in blue spiraling, which they have patented (no other product has this ingredient)

Nordic Naturals “Omega-3 Pet” — probably the most popular fish oil for dogs; affordable, comes in either oil or gel capsules, FOS (Friend of the Sea)-certified product

VRS “Omega Benefits” —- high-quality fish oil used in two of the largest, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies for both joint and skin health; also has a hydrolyzed protein formula as well as a formula for puppies

Standard Process “Canine Musculoskeletal Support” —- popular product recommended by my holistic vet; main ingredients are boswellia and green lipped mussel, but also contains some organic beet (astaxanthin), bovine offal including trachea (collagen), and shiitake and reishi mushroom for immunity

InClover "Connectin" --- best quality joint supplement found at one of our local favorite pet stores (Pet Food Express); main ingredients are glucosamine, choindritin, and Hyaluronic Acid, along with some other interesting herbs, available in chewables/tablets and powder form; clinically proven to work (https://inclover.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Connectin-White-Paper.pdf)

Nutramax “Cosequin”—- affordable, widely available (I’ve even seen these at Walmart); also clinically proven to work (https://www.nutramaxlabs.com/downloads/Cosequin-Studies.pdf)

VetriScience “Glycoflex” —- clinically proven (http://glycoflex.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/VSD57-ClinicalResearchSt.pdf), multiple versions available for different stages of joint disease and comes in bacon, duck, or peanut butter flavors

Vetoquinol “Flexadin Advanced w/ UC-II” —- clinically proven to be 50% more effective than glucosamine-chondroitin and actually works similar to an Onsior, which is an injectable NSAID (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8956235/)

Myos “Muscle & Joint Formula” —- contains their patented Fortetropin, derived from fertilized chicken egg yolks that is packed with nutrients; some dogs might also find this smelly powder enticing and be good for those with poor appetite; clinically proven to work, and also prevent muscle wasting after a TPLO/knee surgery (https://myospet.com/pages/clinical-studies)

“Antinol” - contains PCSO-524, a patented lipid extract isolated from green lipped mussel; clinically proven not only to be effective in dogs, but humans as well (https://antinolstudies.com/antinol-pcso-524-executive-summary/)

ThorneVet “CurcuVET” —- more research needs to be done on curcumin’s effect on arthritis in dogs, yet this product has still been shown to work nonetheless (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8162585/)

ElleVet Hemp CBD + CBDA Chews - studies conducted by Cornell University - the first ever successful clinical trial on canines with arthritis, the first pharmacokinetic study, as well as the first safety study (https://www.ellevetsciences.com/cbd-science/); chews have a 98% acceptance rate for palatability; and also big kudos to their non-profit organization they developed to provide free veterinary care to homeless pets

Some dogs, unfortunately, may not be able to tolerate some of these supplements that add higher levels of fat to their diet (i.e. those prone to pancreatitis, or that have trouble with weight gain). Instead, they might benefit from a prescription diet that contains higher levels of OFA, yet still lower levels of fat within the complete formula.

Prescription Diets:

JustFoodForDogs Joint and Skin Support

Royal Canin Advanced Mobility

Hill’s j/d Joint Care

Hill’s j/d Mobility 

Hill’s Metabolic + Mobility

Purina JM Joint Mobility

Ask your veterinarian if any of these pet foods or supplements are appropriate for your dog. In the meantime, here’s a video of how to give proper massages to your dog to help alleviate their joint pain :)

[wellnesswayfinder]

Joint Pain? Understand and Manage Your Discomfort

Struggling with joint pain? Our blog provides insights into causes, symptoms, and management strategies. 💡

#JointPain #JointHealth #PainManagement #Wellness

Read the full blog here: Click here

or Watch the Video: Click here

Sincerely

Wellness Wayfinder

[betterlivingwithelle]

GLUZOJOINT-F CAPSULES.(BONE & JOINT CARE)

The advantages of using GluzoJoint-F are;

Reduces pain symptoms of osteoarthritis

Support the natural ability to regenerate cartilage

Helps to rebuild cartilage and lubricate joints

Alleviates the joint discomfort

Helps maintain healthy articular cartilage

Nourishes joints in athletes and active people.

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Embarking on a Deeper Exploration of Shoulder Bone Spurs

Greetings, curious minds, and welcome to a journey through the intricate realm of shoulder bone spurs. In this revitalized rendition, we will embark on an in-depth expedition into the enigmatic world of these bony growths. We shall unravel their origins, dissect the symphony of symptoms they present, illuminate the diagnostic procedures that unveil their presence, and traverse the spectrum of…

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Mrs. Rajmati Joshi from Banswara was suffering from a long term joint pain in the knee. She consulted with Dr Prateek Kumar, Senior Joint Replacement Surgeon at Shalby Hospital Naroda. He advised her to go for a Knee Replacement Surgery. After two days of the surgery, the patient says she has resumed mobility and thanks Dr. Prateek kumar & team for a new life.

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Wudang exercise for angry people on douyin

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🔮✨️ Self-Care at its highest form ✨️🔮

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I Have No Mouth and I Must Smoke Weed.

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[betterlivingwithelle]

ZAMINOCAL CAPSULES.(BONE &JOINT CARE)

Being a product with the four key elements that are needed by the human bone; calcium, zinc, magnesium, selenium,, Zaminocal has the following benefits with regards to bones, joints and cartilage:

Maintain healthy bones and teeth

Prevents and improves osteoporosis

Suitable for minor, teenage, lactating woman and elderly

Good for prostate health

Improves menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhoea)

Promotes tissue repair and growth

Slows down the aging process of bone structure

It improves the immune system

Rich in natural collagens which nourishes the skin

It prevents and treats rheumatoid arthritis

It heals and strengthens the muscular, cartilage and nerve tissues

Helps pregnant mothers to deliver quickly and without excess pain and also helps them in the healing of their production system after delivery.

[wellhealthhub]

Shoulder Bone Spurs: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Embark on an illuminating voyage through the realm of shoulder bone spurs. Delve into the origins, manifestations, and diverse treatment avenues for a life unburdened by this condition. Introduction Greetings, intrepid readers, as we embark on an insightful odyssey into the intricate world of shoulder bone spurs. Brace yourself for an expedition that will delve into the very heart of this…