Joint Pain Causes, Remedies & Treatments for Relief
In our busy lives and daily schedules, we seldom find the time to think, plan, and act for our wellness and wellbeing. This often results in our health and physical fitness being neglected, resulting in us feeling disdained and sorry later on when problems start to arise. This neglect often leads to problems in our joints, along with their pain management. Regardless of age and wellbeing, our body's joints serve a critical role in our body movement and a vital part of our musculoskeletal system.
According to the findings of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), around 15 million people report experiencing severe joint pain related to arthritis, with half of these adults reporting persistent pain. According to a separate 2016 study by Joint Pain Epidemiology, symptomatic osteoarthritis affects from 10% to 15% of the global population, with over 27 million people in the US and 8.5 million in the UK. Furthermore, data from the European Health Interview Surveys showed that the knee, hand, and hip as the most affected regions in the human body. In this article, we'll break down the causes of acute and chronic joint pain as well as the most recommended joint pain treatments.
Common Causes of Joint Pain
The medical experts and professional staff at Mayo Clinic, ranked amongst the top medical institutes in the US, have identified various joint pain causes in patients. Some of the major ones include:
- Arthritis – the most common cause of joint paint with two primary forms, namely OA (osteoarthritis) and RA (rheumatoid arthritis).
- Bursitis – the inflammation of the cushioning pads around joints caused by damage or injuries to bursae due to sports-related activities, infections, and unhealthy physical excursions.
- Hypothyroidism – occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones, leading to the imbalance of chemical reactions in the body.
- Rickets – results from a prolonged deficiency of vitamin D, which leads to a lack of calcium and phosphorus absorption from food.
- Sarcoidosis – triggered by bacteria, viruses, dust, and chemicals due to genetic predispositions resulting in the overreaction of the immune system causing collection of inflammation known as granulomas.
- Tendinitis – due to sudden injury or repetition of a particular movement over time, such as occupation or hobbies that put lots of stress on muscle tendons leading to inflammation and irritations.
Learn More About Arthritis
Our arthritis guide breaks down everything you need to know about arthritis including what it is, they various types, causes, and more.
READ THE FULL ARTHRITIS GUIDEHome Remedies for Joint Pain
How to Relieve Joint Pain
While it is recommended that you visit an orthopedic clinic as soon as you notice discomfort in your joints, there are some home remedies that you can apply to find relief. We've chosen a few natural remedies for joint pain as they have few side effects and are safe.
Hot & Cold Therapy
This is relatively common amongst athletes and those who play a lot of contact sports. Hot and cold therapy is not a long term treatment. It offers only temporary relief, and the sensible approach is to immediately contact or visit your doctor or physician for professional support. Hot treatments usually involve a warm shower, bath, and using an electric blanket to reduce discomfort. Cold treatments involve applying gel ice packs or a bag of ice cubes in a towel for painful joints and quick relief.
Learn More About Pain Relief
Our pain management guide breaks down each type of pain relief method, what they're good for, and how to select which is right for you.
READ THE FULL PAIN GUIDE
Herbal Treatments
Mother Nature offers you natural remedies that can help you manage mild symptoms. Again the emphasis is on finding a professional approach to deal with your pain and its management. However, the following herbs in your daily use can significantly help you benefit from their potent abilities to heal your body parts as well as making them stronger.
- Aloe Vera – known for its healing properties, it is a popular herb for treating small skin abrasions and can also help with joint pain. Available in a gel form that can be applied directly on swollen and painful joints.
- Boswellia – the herbal extract taken from the Boswellia tree that is also known as Indian frankincense. Asians and Africans have used its fragrant resins for over centuries due to their medicinal properties. It can be applied in the form of topical creams.
- Cat's claw – a tropical and woody vine where the plant roots bark is used in herbalism for various ailments. Studies proclaim that 60 mg of cat's claw extract per day alongside regular medication resulted in a 29% reduction in the number of painful joints[MC5]. Joint pain cream infused with Cat's Claw offers a convenient and effective method.
Regular Exercise and Weight Management
Our bodies need upkeep and proper maintenance. This is why if a person is overweight, they should consider a weight loss program or diet to reduce the stress of their body's weight that is applied to their joints every day. This is because increased pressure on the joints and the cartilage between them causes it to break down more quickly. Additionally, some exercises can also help make your joints stronger, including:
- Aquatic Exercises – water supports body weight, thus relieving pressure on joints while the resistance by water increases the intensity of the exercise. Together, this can reduce body fat, improve muscle movement, and make your body stronger and more physically fit.
- Tai Chi – low impact exercise that incorporates slow and gentle movements. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art practiced by over 85 million people globally. It has a history of over 700 years.
- Yoga – Perhaps one of the oldest disciplines globally, yoga has many forms, and the Iyengar yoga has been studied to provide the correct anatomical alignment of the human body. Yoga is over 5,000 years old and has over 300 million daily practitioners.
They're also quite a few indoor exercise equipment that you can also find that can help you relieve muscle and joint pain relief.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is relatively straightforward when it comes to the treatment of joint pain. Professional chiropractors can often help you treat soft tissue injuries and the improper use of joints in your body. These methods of therapy can help you find relief and regain motion in your body. There are over 70,000 state-licensed chiropractors in the US.
Experience Joint Pain Relief Today
In order to make sure that muscles and joints in your body are kept healthy, it's essential to follow these guidelines for maintaining healthy, strong joints. You don't have to live with joint pain! Manage it today by taking care of your health and watch how your joints respond to the positive decisions you start making for your body today! These joint pain remedies are simple to add to your daily routine and can aid in improving your quality of life.
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About the Author
Isaiah Ram is a writer, marketer, musician, and health guru from Atlanta, Georgia. He works alongside a set of car accident clinics and exists to unleash potential in people and businesses. You can follow him on Instagram at @isa.rammy.
About Carex Health Brands
Carex is your one-stop shop for home medical equipment and for products that assist caregivers with providing the best possible support and care for their loved ones. Carex Health Brands has been the branded leader in in-home, self-care medical products for over 35 years. Our goal is to improve the lives of our customers by bring them quality products that bring dignity back to their lives. With our three nationally distributed brands, Carex Health Brands serves national, regional and independent food, drug and mass retailers along with wholesalers, distributors and medical dealers.
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