General characteristics

The joints are the structures that join two or more bones together and allow them to either move smoothly and effectively or to hold the structures securely in place.

There is a surprisingly wide variation in the physical shape, structure, function and motion of joints. Some are fixed with little or no motion; some facilitate large amounts of movement; some have a hinge like movement whilst others have rotational movement; some (such as the joints between the plates of the skull) allow almost no movement but all have the same fundamental purpose, to maintain the structural integrity of the skeleton and to enable the body to move freely.

The three main types of joints are the fibrous joint, the synovial joint and the cartilaginous joint. Fibrous joints are held together with dense connective tissue and are effectively fixed joints and allow only a small amount of movement. Examples include the joints between the plates of the skull, the join between the two halves of the pelvis, the joining of the radius and ulna in the lower arm and the teeth. The synovial joints are enclosed within a joint capsule and secrete synvoial fluid which lubricates, nourishes and cushions the entire joint structure and allows a large amount of movement. Examples of synovial joints include the knee, elbow, hip, wrists, ankles and shoulder joints. Cartilaginous joints are connected with cartilage and allow less movement than synovial joints but  a lot more than fibrous joints. Examples of cartilaginous joints include the vertebra of the spine and neck, the joints holding the ribs to the breastbone and the growth plates of the long bones in developing children.

Problems in the joints can arise from a chronic lack of movement (due to a decreased blood supply and reduced fluid secretion), excessive weight placed on the joint (from being overweight or carrying excessive loads), poor nutrition, tears in the supporting ligaments or tendons, general wear and tear (with increasing age for example), physical trauma, inflammation, calcification, other disease processes, hormonal changes, chronic stress, over or under flexibility of the connective tissues associated with the joint and toxin build up due to poor waste elimination from the bowel and kidneys, skin and lungs.

Healing objectives to maintain healthy joints are to ensure proper nutrition to the body and joints, reduce intake of disease promoting foods, to improve the elimination channels of the body and to keep the joints moving regularly.

Useful herbs