Updated: 02/01/2024
All over the world millions of people are suffering from joint pains
Joint pain can be slight or debilitating, depending on the area of pain, type of pain, and tolerance. Whatever the case may be, we can all agree that joint pain is irritating and limits our physical and mental productivity.
5 Signs & Symptoms Of Joint Pain
- Pain that intensifies with movement.
- Joint stiffness during activity can even occur during rest.
- Redness, warmth, and tenderness in the joint and surrounding area.
- Joint inflammation and occasional flare-ups, ending in severe pain.
- Inability to carry out daily activities.
What Are the Causes of Stiff Joints and Joint Pain?
- Diseases or conditions directly affecting joints and adjoining structures: Osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, and many more conditions.
- Diseases or conditions that cause joint pain as a secondary symptom: Bone cancer, depression, lupus, hepatitis, Lyme disease, sarcoidosis, and Vitamin D and calcium deficiency.
- Certain medications can contribute to joint pain: Levofloxacin, Statins, Fluticasone, breast cancer drugs, various antidepressants, and blood pressure medications.
- Inactivity or excess weight, which leads to obesity. Obesity is believed to be one of the most common causes of joint pain.
- On the contrary, excess physical activity and regular sports can strain the joints and muscles around them.
- Various food products, ingredients, and diet contribute to joint pain. Sugar and sugary drinks are noted as joint pain aggravators.
Top Tips To Reduce Joint Pain
1. Hot & Cold Therapy
Yes, we know it is one of the most advised remedies for joint pain - and it is, for the right reasons. Joint pain is defined by inflammation, swelling, warmth, and decreased movement.
Heat treatment helps in boosting blood circulation to the stiff joints and surrounding areas. This promotes healing, relaxes muscles, and improves movement.
On the other hand, ice pack treatment helps in reducing swelling, warmth, and inflammation. It blocks nerve impulses and numbs pain - thermotherapy is widely researched for its benefits.
The best part is thermotherapy has no side effects. As per your convenience, utilize electric blankets, heating pads, ice wrapped in a handkerchief, or gel ice packs.
2. Physical Activity
It doesn't matter if your joint pain results from excessive physical activity - cutting down on physical activity can contribute to so many more problems.
Physical activity is beneficial for individuals with arthritis, osteoporosis, low muscle strength, and obesity. You can start with low-intensity exercises that will gradually build your strength, joint, and bone immunity. Some good options are walking, yoga, kegel exercise, squats, and low-intensity cycling.
The CDC advises that joint-friendly exercises are crucial for people with arthritis. It improves muscle flexibility, reduces joint stiffness, and boosts mood and quality of life.
3. Supplements
Sometimes a diet rich in nutrients is just not enough. We need that extra edge to relieve joint pain and related symptoms. There are various supplements like Vitamin D supplements, Calcium supplements, and anti-inflammatory supplements on the market.
Arthrozene could be one of the best joint pain supplements on the market. It claims to act at the source and mitigates painful symptoms. The supplement contains a proprietary extract containing standardized hyaluronic acid, native collagen, and glycosaminoglycans.
Some clinical evidence suggests that oral supplementation of hyaluronic acid reduces inflammation in the joints. It lubricates joint movement and reduces pain.
4. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is one of the most popular alternative therapies for treating joint pain and conditions like osteoarthritis. The American Arthritis Foundation states that massage lowers stress hormone levels, helps manage high blood pressure, and reduces some inflammatory cytokines.
A clinical study suggests that massage therapy may decrease anxiety and depression symptoms by elevating serotonin levels. When it comes to joint pain, massage reduces swelling and inflammation, improves blood flow to the affected area, and promotes healing.
Various types of massage that reduce joint pain are Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, myofascial massage, shiatsu, trigger-point massage, and self-massage.
5. Diet
When it comes to diet, make a habit of consuming foods rich in nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that boost bone health and structure, joint and musculoskeletal health, and overall immunity.
Some foods that you can add to your diet to boost joint health and bone immunity are:
- Nuts, seafood, and flaxseeds. These contain omega-3 fatty acids that act as an anti-inflammatory for your joints.
- Leafy greens like kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts contain compounds that block inflammatory enzymes.
- Calcium and Vitamin D go hand in hand. They improve bone density and reduce the risks of osteoporosis. A calcium-rich diet, including dairy products and a natural source of Vitamin D, works best.
- At the same time, avoid foods harmful to joint and bone health like sugary drinks, processed red meat, alcohol, and excess salt in the diet.
6. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative therapy utilized in Chinese traditional medicine for centuries. It has been used in modern alternative medicine to treat pain, lower back pain, headache, osteoarthritis, post-operative pain, and several more conditions.
Acupuncture therapy is an exciting and effective alternative treatment for a variety of conditions. This form of therapy uses thin needles that are inserted into specific points on the body to relieve pain or improve function.
Acupuncture has been used for centuries in Asia and is now gaining popularity in the Western world as more people seek out alternative forms of healthcare.
There are a growing number of studies that show the efficacy of acupuncture for conditions such as headaches, arthritis, and chronic pain.
This therapy can be an excellent option for those who have not had success with other forms of treatment. If you are considering acupuncture therapy, be sure to consult with a licensed acupuncture clinic to ensure you are receiving safe and effective care.
Its proponents say that the technique reduces pain by rerouting energy and changing how the body responds to pain signals.
A randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 570 subjects - the control group received sham therapy, whereas the other group received true acupuncture therapy. The group receiving true acupuncture therapy reported better function and pain relief.
7. Use a Knee Brace or Joint Support
Using joint support is a suitable joint pain treatment. It elevates the pressure from inflamed and swollen joints. A knee brace is one of the most utilized joint supports because of its convenience.
The American Arthritis Foundation states that using a knee cap or joint support relaxes the muscles and allows ligaments to heal. It promotes knee alignment and reduces kneecap pain. Other than that, using joint support can help you get proper joint-friendly exercises like walking, jogging, yoga, and Kegels.
Some of the best types of braces for joint pain are prophylactic braces, functional braces, rehabilitative braces, offloader braces, hinged-knee braces, and compression braces.
8. Aromatherapy and Oil Massage
You have probably heard about various organic oils utilized for aromatherapy, like ginger, cinnamon, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, chamomile, and jasmine. These oils contain several organic compounds that have a healing effect and are beneficial for osteoarthritis treatment.
A study from Columbia University Medical Center states that aromatherapy directly affects the brain center for nerve sensation and the amygdala. The oils elevate certain neurotransmitter levels, bringing a general feeling of well-being, reducing anxiety, and improving recovery.
Experts in the field of aromatherapy recommend diluting the therapy oils with water or milk and applying it to the inflamed area. You can also add them to your bath.
Conclusion
Yes, joint pain and stiffness can be a load in your life, hampering daily routines and essential tasks, which is why we need to undergo proper treatment and take steps to prevent future occurrences.
Sure, consuming a bone-healthy diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, anti-inflammatory factors, and natural pain relievers can help, but sometimes it doesn't do the trick.
Do not ignore your pain, and switch to an effective joint pain treatment supplement. For instance, Arthrozene is blended with essential ingredients and is backed with some positive Arthrozene reviews from genuine consumers.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/physical-activity-overview.html
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15611487/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5814393/
Author Bio:
Sophia Anthony is a freelance writer and health_topicger, covering health and fitness topics through visual representation. She is very passionate about general health and beauty. Apart from work, she likes dancing and listening to music.
Add new comment