For many people, joint pain and inflammation is a chronic condition, affecting all aspects of their life on a daily basis. It’s a condition that often worsens with age and can coincide with arthritis in many cases. Statistics from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) have also shown that here in the United States, the number of people suffering from severe joint pain has been increasing over the years. Again, this can point to arthritis since the two often can go hand-in-hand.
But simply knowing that others are suffering from joint pain just like you aren’t exactly going to fix the problem. Sure, it means you’re not alone, but what can you do about it? Rather than try to cope and manage through painful joints and inflammation, there are some effective ways you can go about lessening it, and in some cases, get rid of it all together depending on the cause and severity. So, let’s look at some of the tips you can use.
Listen to Your Body and Rest Up
For many people, there is that natural reflex to just “suck it up” and work through your pain, pushing through telling yourself it will get better with a little time. Here’s the thing, sometimes your body needs rest. Sometimes your body needs you to stop pushing it and allow it time to heal.
While it may seem like you’re giving in to the pain, that’s not the case at all as a little rest can make a huge difference. This is especially the case if you’ve injured yourself, causing pain and inflammation. A day or two of rest can make all the difference in the world.
Do You Need to Lose Weight?
In terms of risk factors for joint pain, being overweight is one of them. So, this could be a good time to speak to your doctor and determine if you need to lose some weight in order to put less stress on your joints.
Try Using Supplements and/or Herbal Remedies
Often, an effective method you can try is to embrace supplements. Supplements can be used on their own or in conjunction with other pain management techniques. Often doctors will recommend chondroitin and glucosamine as a good place to start. Each of these can help with pain but may not necessarily help with inflammation.
You could also try organic herbs such as Boswellia Serrata, which can help with reducing inflammation, aid in muscle and joint health, and help to ensure you’re getting adequate blood flowing in your inner tissue. This herb is found in India and has been used for thousands of years. It contains Boswellia acids, which many believe is what aids people. You can check out sites like Tribe Organics for more information.
Reach for the Ice
One of the most common responses, when you’re suffering from joint pain and inflammation, is to reach for ice, and for good reason. This is often a great solution when used properly. Ideally, you want to be able to ice the affected joint(s) many times a day for 15 minutes at a time. If you’re busy working, this can cause a problem and may not be very realistic.
As for why ice can be so useful, it works to bring down inflammation, which could be the source of the pain.
Give Heat a Try
And on the flip side, there is the use of heat, such as a heating pad. This can be incredibly useful too. While this won’t address the inflammation, it can help to relax your muscles that may be stuck in a spasm. Muscles spasm cause tightness and soreness, as well as eliminate your ability to move around freely. Releasing that muscle spasm can provide huge relief.
Just like with ice, you want to use heat a few times throughout the day for 15-minute intervals.
Stronger Treatment Options are Also Available
If you have tried all the above-mentioned treatment options and still aren’t getting the results you had hoped for, there are “stronger” treatments available. This can be medication prescribed by your doctor, working with a physical therapist, or even corticosteroid injections. It’s really best to speak with your doctor to figure out your best path forward.
There Are Solutions Available
The important point to hammer home here is the fact that joint pain and inflammation don’t have to be something you just learn to live with. There are a number of very effective treatment options that you can try.
