Joint pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain and one of the leading causes of disability. About 90% of the adult population suffers from joint pain every year. Despite the fact that age and genetic predisposition in most cases are the determining factors for the occurrence of changes in the joints, there are ways to prevent the development of diseases. These are weight loss, physical activity, injury avoidance, and proper nutrition. Read this article for more information on joint pain relief.
What is Joint Pain
Joint pain is usually described as discomfort in the joint area. It may be accompanied by joint swelling and a feeling of warmth. The symptom occurs due to the pathology of the joint itself, the structures surrounding it, and sometimes due to other causes not directly related to the joint.
Causes of Joint Pain
The causes of joint pain are varied and can be related to injury, disease, excessive stress on the joint, lack of physical activity, poor posture, etc. Knowing the cause of the problem allows a person to choose an effective joint pain relief treatment and get rid of discomfort in the shortest possible time.
Injury-related
Joint pain often results from mechanical traumas such as sprains and strains, fractures, or ligament injuries. Treatment is aimed at removing inflammation in the affected area, normalizing metabolism in the joint, and restoring the regeneration process of damaged tissues.
Disease-related
Joint pain can be a symptom of various diseases. The table below describes the most common ones.
Disease Description
Rheumatoid arthritis It is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints. It is accompanied by inflammation, pain, swelling, and subsequent destruction of the joint.
Gout The disorder leads to the accumulation of uric acid in the body. The characteristic symptoms of the pathology are soreness and swelling of the joints.
Arthrosis This is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the joints. Symptoms: joint pain, stiffness, and crepitus.
Lyme disease Symptoms of the disease include severe joint pain and swelling. The knee joints are the most vulnerable, although the pain may migrate.
Lupus It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the connective tissues. Severe pain may appear in one or several joints.
Bursitis This is an acute or chronic inflammation of the synovial bag. It is characterized by pain, swelling, and soreness.
Flatfeet This is one of the most common foot deformities affecting the articular cartilage and ligaments. Foot pain can be severe and spread to the knee and hip joints.
Cures for joint pain caused by the disease should only be prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, do not hesitate to visit a medical center and relieve pain without harm to health.
Age-related
Painful discomfort may be related to age. This should be considered when choosing a joint pain cure. Unpleasant symptoms are often experienced by adolescents due to the intensive growth of the body, women during menopause, and the elderly due to age-related changes in the body. Elderly people are prone to crystal arthritis caused by salt deposits. The risk of osteoarthritis also increases with age, as the joints become less mobile and flexible, the cartilage wears out.
Other causes
Other causes of pain are overuse of the joint, lack of physical activity, and poor posture.
Overuse of the joint
Excessive stress on the joints provokes accelerated wear of cartilage tissue. The processes of cartilage destruction begin to prevail over the processes of its restoration and, as a result, pain occurs.
Lack of physical activity
Insufficient physical activity (hypodynamia) is the fourth leading cause of death after hypertension, smoking, and high blood glucose. According to WHO research, 3.2 million people die each year from lack of physical activity.
Symptoms of hypodynamia include increased fatigue, decreased performance, sleep disturbance, causeless nervousness, regular headaches, overweight, shortness of breath, and joint pain.
Poor posture
Violation of posture is the first step towards the development of severe diseases of the spine and joints (osteochondrosis, herniated discs, scoliosis, arthrosis, etc.). People with poor posture often seek joint pain treatments, but it’s important to address posture first. Natural curves of the spine create good conditions for the proper functioning of the joints.
Prevention of Joint Pain
There are several preventative measures that eliminate the need for joint stiffness medicine. Find the details below.
Regular exercise
Moderate-intensity activity stimulates the formation of synovial fluid, which is necessary for maintaining a good condition of cartilage tissue. It helps strengthen muscles, bones, and ligaments. Therefore, those who exercise regularly do not need to use CBD for joint pain relief.
Maintaining a healthy weight
Joint diseases and excess weight are interrelated. This is because the stress on the knee joints increases with each extra kilogram and provokes the development of osteoarthritis. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight is an important rule for people trying to get knee joint pain relief.
Eating a joint-friendly diet
Eating a joint-friendly diet is unlikely to help you relieve pain quickly, but it will prevent discomfort. The diet should include eggs, dairy products, and plant foods. Gelatin products restore articular surfaces and cartilage well. Orange, grapefruit, and tangerine help in collagen synthesis. Fatty meat, pastries, chocolate, fried and smoked foods must be executed from the daily menu.
Proper ergonomics at work and home
Incorrect ergonomics can cause the development of musculoskeletal conditions, while properly selected ergonomics at work and home significantly minimizes this risk.
Avoiding repetitive strain and overuse
An important preventive measure for joint pain is avoiding repetitive strain and overuse, as this accelerates cartilage wear.
How to Treat Joint Pain
Therapy of joint pain requires an integrated approach. Treatment tactics include the removal of inflammation and the prevention of underlying disease progression. It is an effective way to stop cartilage destruction, preserve its function, and improve the quality of life.
Home remedies
Home remedies are most commonly used for shoulder joint pain relief. The list is quite wide. But if you plan to use one, it’s advisable to consult a therapist first.
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.)
R.I.C.E. stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Let’s consider how this treatment method works on the example of an injured ankle joint:
- Rest: stop stepping on the foot as quickly as possible;
- Ice: cool the affected area to prevent swelling and inflammation of the joint;
- Compression: put on a compression bandage;
- Elevation: keep your leg elevated.
Over-the-counter pain relievers and NSAIDs
Over-the-counter pain relievers and NSAIDs can quickly eliminate discomfort. Many combination drugs not only provide good thumb joint pain relief, but also affect the cause (inflammation, swelling, or spasm), as well as the perception of pain in the brain.
The most popular muscle and joint pain relief medications include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Topical pain relievers
Gels, creams, and ointments are effective remedies for pain of any origin. They have a variety of actions, including:
- Anesthetic;
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Antipyretic.
The main active ingredients of topical pain relievers are diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, indomethacin, phenylbutazone, etc.
CBD
Many people with joint pain give preference to cannabidiol (CBD) rather than NSAIDs. It has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect and is one of the most interesting natural alternatives used to treat a wide range of health conditions, including joint diseases.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps strengthen muscles and improve joint mobility. Most often, physical therapists use various exercises and techniques to reduce pain and improve joint function.
Alternative treatments
Alternative treatments for joint pain include acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy. Acupuncture allows to quickly reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and force the body to produce more chondrocytes. Chiropractic care has a positive effect on the musculoskeletal conditions caused by microtrauma, stress, and poor lifestyle. Massage helps to eliminate joint pain, reduces tissue swelling, and improves microcirculation.
Joint injections
Joint injections are also a fairly effective treatment option in dealing with discomfort. Doctors may prescribe injections based on steroids or hyaluronic acid.
Steroids
Steroid injections can help manage swelling, stiffness, and pain. They are commonly prescribed to treat arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid injections are considered one of the most effective and promising treatments for osteoarthritis today. They significantly reduce dependence on analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, have a long-term therapeutic effect, and slow down the rate of disease progression.
Natural Supplements and Herbs for Joint Pain
Joint pain relief supplements and herbs also deserve attention. They can significantly relieve pain in the joints in just one treatment cycle. But the dose should still be chosen by a specialist.
Glucosamine and chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are important building materials for the human body. They help restore joints, cartilage, and ligaments.
Turmeric and curcumin
Turmeric has long been used to treat pain and swelling. It contains a substance called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and is therefore effective in reducing joint pain.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
Methylsulfonylmethane is an organic sulfur compound. It can be found in some food products but in small amounts. MSM for dietary supplements is in most cases derived from seawater through a complex technological process. It relieves inflammation, reduces tissue swelling, muscle spasms, and the intensity of pain impulses.
Omega-3 supplements
Omega-3 acids are useful for people with knee arthrosis. They stop the destructive processes in the articular cartilage, reduce pain in the joints, and increase mobility.
Living with Chronic Joint Pain
Living with chronic joint pain is not easy, but it is possible, even without a significant negative impact on the quality of life. The main thing is to take care of yourself every day, build a support system, set realistic goals, and celebrate small victories.
Summary
Many people face such a problem as joint pain. The symptom is very unpleasant, especially if it becomes chronic. The doctor’s prescription may include various treatment methods: joint pain relief pills, physiotherapy based on the use of various devices (electrotherapy, ultrasound, magnetotherapy), physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, etc. But the main thing is to determine the cause.
FAQ
What vitamin is good for joint pain?
A, B, D, E, and K are important vitamins for joints and ligaments.
What helps reduce inflammation in joints?
NSAIDs and topical pain relievers help reduce joint inflammation.
What is the best treatment for joint pain?
Combination treatment is considered the best for joint pain. NSAIDs, topical ointments, joint injections, natural supplements, and physical therapy can help you manage the problem successfully.