Body and Muscle Stiffness, by Dr. Saunders
A reader asked this question:
Q: I am 59 yrs. old and would like to get rid of the stiffness in my body. I am active and go to a fitness place and workout twice a week. I eat and drink good stuff.
Answer:
This is an excellent question. It’s a very common problem which can have multiple causes so the treatment changes with each individual. Stiffness is caused by neurological disorders, a lack of available energy in the muscles, or too much inflammation in the body.
Lack of energy can have multiple causes. If you’re taking a cholesterol drug you may not have enough CoQ10. If you have stomach problems you may be lacking in vitamin B-12. There are many different nutrient deficiencies that can limit energy. Sometimes the lack of available energy is because there is too much energy in the body.
This paradox is seen in those who have excess body fat, especially in the abdominal area. The abdominal fat prevents the production of hormones such as ADIPONECTIN which affect every cell in your body. Also, a lack of exercise (not your specific problem) will decrease your available energy.
Inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is a common cause of stiffness, especially in the morning. If you wake up and have to work out the stiffness (grease your joints) before you can function, this may be your problem. Other inflammatory conditions also may cause stiffness. Sometimes there isn’t a specific condition such as scleroderma, SLE (lupus), psoriasis, or RA that brings on the stiffness, but rather it is simply having an imbalance of pro-inflammatory mediators. These are the natural hormones in your body that cause or suppress inflammation. They are prostaglandins, histamines, and leukotrienes, primarily.
You’ve heard of omega 3-oil . The reason this is recommended is because we (Americans) eat too much omega-6 oil (vegetable oils and animal fats). The omega-6 is made into the prostaglandins that increase inflammation, while the omega-3 oils are made into the ones that suppress it. There are, then, two ways to decrease inflammation: 1) increase your omega-3 oils and/or 2) decrease your omega-6. I recommend both.
Stiffness in a 59-year-old raises the question of Parkinson’s Disease. It’s important that you find this early because there are some good natural treatments to stop or reverse it. Moreover, the drug treatments (Dopamine agonists such as L-dopa and Sinemet) cause the disease to progress more quickly, making it worse.
My advice is to get a proper diagnosis of why the stiffness exists, then the way to treat it will be clear.
Dr. S
Comments
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I fine this interesting because I also have very bad stiffness in my joints.Thank you for the information.
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Hi,
You wrote: “Stiffness in a 59-year-old raises the question of Parkinson’s Disease. It’s important that you find this early because there are some good natural treatments to stop or reverse it.”
My husband has Parkinson’s, and I would love to know which natural treatment is available to stop or reverse the disease.
Thank You for your time and have a nice day.
Evamaria -
Interesting! Maybe I should try vitamin B 12!! I have a time with muscle spasms due to a worn thin last disk in my lower back and this presses n my nerves!! If I don’t exercise – it would be worse!!!
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i have a big abdomen and i get stiffness as well.iam 39
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Parkinson’s Disease. It’s important that you find this early because there are some good natural treatments to stop or reverse it.
Your above statement.
Please name the “natural” treatments.
I have recently developed muscle pains in the upper leg muscles,forearms, calfes and shoulders.
Tks,
Gary -
HI JOE, MY DAUGHTER IS TIRED, DEPRESSED AND SUFFERING FROM ACHES AND PAINS. SHE WAS JUST DIAGNOSED WITH LYMES AND IS ON AMOXCILLAN FOR 3 WEEKS. I ORDERED YOUR LYME REPORT MONTHS AGO, NEVER PRINTED IT. CAN YOU RESEND IT OR GIVE ME AN UPDATE OF SUGGESTIONS TO HELP HER GET THROUGH IT THE BEST WAY.
ALSO, I CONTINUE TO BE ACH AND SORE (FIVE YEARS NOW) AND ALL BLOOD TESTS ARE OK. POSSIBLE ARTHRITIS AND HAVE HAD BURSITIS IN KNEE AND HIP THIS YEAR. I’M ONLY 45, EXERISE AND EAT WELL. MY ONLY VICE IS COFFEE EVERY MORNING AND A COUPLE OF GLASSES OF WINE A FEW DAYS A WEEK. PLEASE SEND YOUR SUGGESTIONS…THANKS CHERIE
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I have degenerative disk disease. As I understand it, everyone does to some degree. I am experiencing back pain (which I have had forever), but now I am also having muscle spasms in my abdomen, pain of all sorts, mostly on each side, near my legs and above my pubic bone. Has anyone ever had such a thing?? I have had many tests on abdomenal parts and none have shown anything abnormal. Any excercise causes the pain to begin, as well as wearing bluejeans, reaching over my head to work or bending to the ground. Thanks for any comments.
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Dear Mr. Barton, something else we have recently found to be a cure for Arthritis stiffness is Curcumin. The Indian Curry spice, Turmeric has a property called Curcumin in it which UCLA just finished a promising study of. My husband suffers from Psoriasis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. I read about Curcumin in the People’s Pharmacy article of my local newspaper a couple weeks ago and did some internet research on it. It has been found to help some sufferers of Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other inflammation. It is also being looked into as a possible help for people with Alzeimers, and stopping the progress of Cancer and HIV. My husband has taken it for a week now, and it has stopped his pain and stiffness with the RA and the Psoriasis is healing (and it wasn’t before with a Dr.’s prescription). From popping around the internet the recommended dose is about 1500 mg./day. We found the Curcumin in capsule form at the local Health food/Supplement store.
Sincerely,
Pam Gray
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I have stiffness in body when a sit for more than 1/2 hour in one place and then get up and try walking. Its specially my legs. Even in the night when I go to bed, my leg muscles ache and i have burbing sensation feelings in my legs through out the night.
I do take some neuromedic medicines, but no relief. -
I would love to know which natural treatment is available to stop or reverse Parkinson’s disease.
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I have been suffering with osteoarthritis for a long time in my thumbs. Also I have been told that I have it in my neck and lower back and at least one knee. I also have been diagnosed with carpel tunnel in both wrists. I have been taking supplements for more than 10 years and always looking for a cure. I do take tumeic and bromelain as well as hyaluronic acid green foods B6 B12 calcium lpus vitamin D and vitamin C chondroitin glucosamine a few others. Not a day goes by without pain. Somedays it is not as bad as others. If anyone has any recommendations I would appreciate it.
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I AM STIFF ALL DAY LONG NOW. I AM 270LBS AND I AM 38 YRS OF AGE. I CAN’T GET THIS PROBLEM UNDER CONTROL.MY DOCTOR HAS ME ON EVER MEDICINE THERE IS.AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK.PLEASE GIVE ME ENOUGH ADVICE TO REVERSE THIS PROBLEM.I KNOW I MUST LOSE THE WEIGHT
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I drive a forklift. when i start my day im fine but buy morning or the end of my shift my legs are so tight i cant hardly stand up. This only seems to bother me in the summer time. we work in the climate if its hot outside, its hot inside sameway with the cold. when I go home gets some sleep, the stiffness is gone.
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For about a month, have been getting stiff whenever I sit for a short period, like a VERY old person. Though I am 65, I’m not THAT old. I am 40 lbs overweight but quite active. Will talk to my dr about your comments. Thanks. For the person with psoriasis, my sister has a history of this. She recently had a colon infection and subsequently became very constipated. Dr had her do a colon cleanse and the psoriasis (very bad) cleared up! He said it was because of the detox. She has changed her diet and has minimal to no symptoms anymore
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I am 57 years old.I have some problems from last 5 days that includes body stiffness and not able to move my hands while writing .Sometimes my organs become senseless.kindlysuggest me,What could be region behind this.i am very much worried .Thanking you. I
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i am very stiff all day long.i have been told by my doctor that i have arthritis.they gave me colchine and indomethcine but i still be stiff.i’m 280 ilbs about 5’6 and i am 38 yrs old. i use to walk fine but now i can’t hardly move. something just changed in the last 8 months.please give me some suggestion. to get the energy back in my legs. so i can lose weight. mostly in my stomach
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having severe stiffness in my thighs, back of thighs, biceps especially painful when i sit up from sitting 20 min to 1 hr. my doctor said he doesn’t know what is causing the pain even though my cervical x-ray shows a degenerating disk and recommends physical therapy. if the physical therapy does no good then an MRI. He seems not to be very knowledgeable or is not concerned about my well being. i eat a balanced diet, do not smoke and take belly dancing classes when i am not in too much pain usually 2 days a wk. any suggestions would be great. thank you, Mary
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hi! great blog.
ya me and my dad is suffering from the same problem. i.e stiffness in body and arthritis too. Pls do suggest the natural treatment or exercise for this. We have just started taking medicine called omega-3 veg. How is it?? My dad has swelling in hands and legs. What is the cause of this? Pls suggest… -
I am 42 years old and have been battling with stiffness in my legs for about 3years but as I age it began to worsen. If I sit for more than 10 minutes my legs began to stiffen and as I began to walk they just want bend. My doctor subscibed Baclofen but I am afraid to take it because of the side affects. Is there a natural supplement out there that I can take and get good results.
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I am 41 years old and 6′ 4″ and over 300 pounds. I am having body stiffness since last year and it is getting worse mostly in the legs and hip area. I am into martial arts for over three years and the stiffness is effecting my performance. I have been exrcising so much that I had bursitis in my on both sides of my hip. I take vitiman B12 and omega 3 (FLAXSEED OIL AND FISH OIL) for the last three months, but it is not getting better. Please send me your comments that would help my situtation. Thankyou.
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i am 12-13 years old and i have stiffness. please tell me on how to stop this. should i get a massage?
please tell me. this problem has to be stopped because i am too young.
thank you. -
would like suggestions for natural treatments for stiffness in feet and hands and occaisional shudders or jerky movements and feeling of motor going in body
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Hi, I’m suffering from a lot of arthritis in my hands and other parts of my body. I have found taking MSM 1000mg 3x a day has really helped to cut the pain immensly. I no longer take celabrex which was bothering my stomach. I also take celadrin once a day and it seems to make MSM and Glucosomine work a lot better. MSM is the ingredient that really cuts the pain. I have never had any luck with Glucosomine for pain. It just seems to make my joints feel smoother.
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I am 57 and have low back ache and stiffness. Most of the times my right hip muscle has an ache in the morning.
I have been told I have Sciatica, a degenerative disk and muscle strain. Sometimes I feel like there are ants on my lower right leg (nerve involvement probably) or the tops of my feet will hurt. I don’t know where to go next? Motrin gives me relief now. I used to take 2 Aleve tablets and they were enough to get me pain free for a whole day. Now it doesn’t work. The muscle relaxers the doctor prescribed only made me fall asleep if I stopped moving for a minute. The pain remained. I do Yoga and focus on positions that help back pain. I have been active but not terribly athletic in my life. Should I expect to have this muscle and nerve pain for the rest of my life? -
Sounds iteresting. I’ve ben suffering from general stiffness for a number of years and it effects everything. I love my work and now find I just don’t have the energy to push my self sufficiently to keep up with everything and it is a real struggle to keep up with my exercise program. And of course a lot of friendships are out of the question since I have neither the energy or the time. What kind of practitioner should I see to get a diagnosis of why this is happening and what I can do about it. I’m really pretty much in a constant state of exaustion. Hope to hear from you soon.
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You should try trigger point massage for your carpel tunnel and thumb problems.
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Hi there i also suffer with bad stiffness in the back of my legs when i sit for a perod of time and is very diffulct to climb stairs withot having to stop as the stiffness would make me fall over i have had this since i was 16 and also suffer from it in my fingers and neck bot only on the odd occassion did you ever find out what your diagnosis was i i am desprate to find out what i have as i am hoping to join the armed forces i have a appointment with rhuemotolgy in october.
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Long as I workout daily there’s no stiffness. Once I miss one day. My bones and joints get stiff. Does anyone share some relaxation. Love staying fit thou.
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get stiff and sore arms and legs when still. Laying in bed is challenging. Even a day knap or sitting to long makes me stiff and sore. I am only 43…help!!
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I have stiffness in both of my legs and lower back, what should I do. It hurts to walk all the time.
I have been using CoQ10 for a year or more. I have fibromyalgia and I willsay, I still have pain, but I am able to function rather well now. I truly believe in this product. Thank you.