Does Magnesium Help Dupuytren's Contracture?

As is the case with most genetic conditions, Dupuytren's Contracture will often develop in response to certain triggers. This can also occur with other conditions such as cancer. When someone has a genetic makeup that places them at risk for a certain disorder, that condition is more likely to arise in the presence of poor lifestyle choices such as chronic stress and a poor diet.

The notion that our lifestyle can play a part in the development of certain genetic diseases is a relatively new concept. But evidence supporting this theory is mounting, which suggests there is a strong causal connection between our lifestyle and many diseases previously thought to be a matter of destiny.

As one of the most common connective tissue diseases, it’s surprising that Dupuytren's contracture is not more well-known. Perhaps this has something to do with its somewhat gradual symptoms. Dupuytren's contracture causes bumps to form in the palm of the hand. Sometimes these bumps (or nodules) will bend the fingers inward toward the palm, which makes them appear as a clenched fist. While this may not be as dramatic as something like cancer, that doesn’t mean those who suffer from Dupuytren's contracture should have to live with these symptoms.

This is especially true when you consider the fact that severe cases of Dupuytren's can result in major quality of life issues. Having a permanently clenched hand can easily make otherwise easy tasks (like brushing your teeth, picking things up, and more) quite difficult. 

How Magnesium Impacts Dupuytren’s Contracture 

Another natural, yet somewhat effective treatment for the symptoms of Dupuytren's is magnesium supplementation. While this mineral has not been proven fully effective for relieving Dupuytren's symptoms, there are plenty of testimonials that illustrate its positive impact for this purpose.

One of the characteristics of magnesium supplements is more relaxed connective tissue and muscles. So, by supplementing with magnesium, you may relax the tissue in the palm, which can temporarily reduce pain and stiffness. 

Characteristics Of Dupuytren's Contracture

The most common characteristics of Dupuytren's contracture are nodules on the palm of the hand and crooked fingers. In rare cases, the disease will also appear in the feet. In the past, many reports of symptoms similar to those of Dupuytren's described the cause as overuse. This could be why many men have commonly ignored growing nodules on their hands: "knotted up” palms are thought to come along with difficult, physical work. However, this myth has done far more harm than good because it prevents people from seeking help for their symptoms. When, in fact, it's possible to find some relief from pain, swelling, and immobility through natural methods like Dupuytren's contracture cream.

The physiological reason nodules develop on the inside of the palm is because the connective tissues there are thickening, becoming shorter, and pulling the fingers inward.

One of the worst things you can do for a reversible ailment like Dupuytren's contracture is put off seeking treatment. If you develop the disease early enough, you can likely cure it by natural means instead of needing surgery.

Dupuytren's Contracture Treatments

• Steroid shot: Steroids can temporarily help people with Dupuytren's, but they are not recommended long-term for this condition. There are certainly still many instances where your physician may suggest a steroid shot in one or more nodules. In some cases, this is a perfectly reasonable suggestion, but it is also up to the patient to ask about more long-term management solutions for Dupuytren's contracture. 
• Needle aponeurotomy: This procedure is an Eastern approach to connective tissue problems. Like many Eastern treatments, they have surged in popularity over the past thirty years, so it's accessible and can serve some benefit for Dupuytren's symptoms. If you are interested in this alternative treatment, ask your doctor if they recommend it for your case.
• Radiation: High levels of radiation are used to tackle large parts of abnormal tissue in the body, such as with cancer. Low levels of radiation can also be effective for smaller parts of the body, such as the hand. Unfortunately, radiation can also destroy many otherwise healthy cells. Modern radiation has advanced to greatly minimize second-hand radiation and its impact on other cells, but this can still be a risky treatment to expose the body to.
• Surgery: The most invasive of all approaches, surgery is sometimes necessary in advanced cases of Dupuytren's contracture. The idea behind this is that what all surgeons do best is surgery. So when you ask someone who specializes in surgery to fix your medical problem, the most likely result will be going under the knife. Thankfully, most surgeons and doctors are reasonable, so patients should not shy away from having a friendly, open conversation about alternative methods of treatment.
• Natural cream: Using a natural Dupuytren's Contracture cream should be the first line of defense for anyone who notices bumps on their hands. This, of course, should come after seeing your doctor to confirm that you have Dupuytren's and not something else. But you can do both things at once with no negative side effects, which is one of the greatest assets of all-natural products.

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