What Are Some Reliable Joint Pain Treatment Solutions?

Joint pain can be a hard battle to fight. It usually involves joints that have become pain centers either due to age, injury, illness or poor self-care. Joint pain can be felt in any part of your body including your hands, hips, knees, feet, or spine. This pain can be either short-term or can persist for long periods of time, and can be treated suitably depending on the origin and part of the body that aches.

So what are some reliable joint pain treatment solutions? Depending on the severity, the treatment options for joint pain can range from a simple ice pack at home to a surgical procedure. Any treatment solution for joint pain should not aim only to relieve the pain but should also cure the accompanying symptoms and underlying cause of the pain. 

Self-Treatment Options for Joint Pain

Even though there might not be a treatment for the pain, it can be controlled to provide respite for the sufferer. A simple daily exercise routine or the use of over-the-counter medicine can sometimes make the pain go away. The pain could also be a sign of something that has to be treated with medicine or surgery. The following are some self-treatment solutions for joint pain: 

• Over-the-counter pain medication: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) are anti-inflammatory medications that can help reduce discomfort. Although both of these medications are sold without a prescription, greater doses can be required. To find out if this is a good option for you if you have a history of stomach ulcers, renal illness, or liver disease, talk to your doctor.
• Simple at-home remedies: These include using an ice pack or heating pad on the affected area for brief intervals several times a day, may be suggested. Bathing in a warm tub could also be calming. Using supportive wraps and braces can also prevent the aching joint from coming under extra stress. 
• Physical exercise: Regaining strength and function can be aided by exercise and physical activity. The optimum aerobic exercise is low-impact, such as walking or swimming. Those who engage in demanding workouts or sports activities may need to reduce their participation or start low-impact exercise routines. Exercises that gently stretch the body will be beneficial. Before continuing or starting any fitness regiment, make sure you consult your doctor.
• Topical treatments:These consist of creams or gels that can be applied to the skin over the afflicted joint area and may help reduce discomfort. Some of them may be purchased without a prescription or over-the-counter, respectively.
• Dietary supplements: Supplements like glucosamine may be able to ease joint discomfort. It’s also highly recommended to stick to an anti-inflammatory diet and adopt a healthier diet as this has proven to improve joint pain in some cases. Before using any over-the-counter supplements, consult a physician.
• Reducing weight: Weight loss can also be effective in reducing excessive strain on joints. A high body mass index (BMI) is associated with arthritis developing earlier in life. According to research, even a small amount of weight loss can significantly reduce joint pain and losing 11 pounds reduces the risk of developing knee arthritis by 50%.
• Alternative treatment: Alternative treatment solutions such as yoga, tai chi, and acupuncture can help minimize your joint pain.  

Non-invasive Medical Treatment Options for Joint Pain

The doctor may recommend the following if those drugs or treatments fail to reduce the pain:

Surgical Treatment Options for Joint Pain

If the joint pain is severe and does not go away with medication, physical therapy, or exercise, surgery might be a possibility. It’s always best to keep a surgical procedure as a last option for treating joint pain and that you consult with your doctor before opting for any surgery. The surgical treatments available for joint pain include: 

• Osteomy: Ostomy is a procedure that involves cutting into the area in which the joint is present and reshaping the bones in and around the joint to reduce pressure on it. This is not exactly a permanent fix but can delay the need for a joint replacement surgery. It’s a viable option for young, active patients who are suffering from joint pain. 
• Arthroscopy: An operation in which a doctor makes two or three tiny incisions in the skin above the joint and inserts an arthroscope—a small, flexible, fiberoptic instrument—into the joint to fix cartilage or remove bone chips there or elsewhere.
• Joint replacement: The cartilage that cushions and shields the ends of the bones eventually wears away, and if alternative therapies are unsuccessful, surgery may be required to replace the joint. This is possible for hip, shoulder and knee joints. An artificial joint composed of plastic or metal is implanted after a surgeon removes portions of the patient’s bone.

Common Causes for Joint Pain

Different structures in or near the joint may also contribute to joint pain. An issue with the joint’s lining, the bones near the joint, the tendons, ligaments, or muscles around the joint could lead to chronic joint pain. One is more likely to suffer from joint pain if they have had previous injuries, they’re overweight, they’re suffering from mental health issues, they’re old, or have a genetic history of arthritis. 

Pain experienced along a nerve’s route may also contribute to joint pain and is known as “referred pain”. For instance, you can experience discomfort in your knee in addition to a hip issue. When a “slipped disc” in your back creates discomfort in your leg, nerve pain also happens. This condition is known as sciatica as the sciatic nerve is often squashed by the out-of-place disc.

There could be a number of causes for joint pain ranging from natural aging to underlying illnesses that may cause the joint to deteriorate. The most common causes of chronic pain in joints are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: This is a chronic disease that results in pain and swelling in the joints. These joints that are affected by Rheumatoid arthritis tend to become deformed especially in the fingers and wrists. 
• Viral infections: Viral outbreaks such as rash, or fever may make joint movement painful.
• Bursitis: This is caused by the overuse or bruising of joints present in the knee, hip, shoulder, or elbow. 
• Tendinitis: The tendons, or the stretchy bands that connect bone and muscle, are inflamed in this case. It usually results from overuse and might manifest in the elbow, heel, or shoulder.
• Gout: This is a painful condition that occurs in the big toe, where crystals from the body collect in the joint, causing severe pain and swelling. 
• Injuries: Physical harm like fractured bones or sprains, as well as the trauma brought on by those harms, can exacerbate joint pain already present.
• Osteoarthritis: A common type of arthritis that happens over time when the cartilage (the protective cushion in between the bones) wears away. The joints become painful and stiff. 

Symptoms Associated With Joint Pain

In the absence of adequate cartilage, bones in these vulnerable joints can rub against each other and cause wear and tear. Symptoms of joint pain include the following: 

1. Numbness
2. Loss of motion
3. Painful movement
4. Joints that make unusual noises and sounds when moved. 
5. Stiff or enlarged joint
6. A swollen joint that has red inflammation around it. 
7. Difficulty bending or straightening the joint
8. Swelling

When Should You Visit a Doctor

It’s essential to see a doctor if discomfort is preventing you from going about your normal everyday activities. To relieve pain and maintain healthy, functional joints, it’s crucial to identify the source of the pain as soon as possible and to start treating it.

You should see a doctor if joint pain is accompanied by a fever, your pain isn’t allowing you to walk normally, or if there is unexplained weight loss (10 pounds or more). In order to determine what might be causing the discomfort, the doctor will ask numerous questions throughout the visit. Inquiries about prior joint injuries, the onset of the pain, a family history of joint discomfort, and the nature of the pain should be anticipated from the patient.

The injured joint will then be examined to determine whether there is pain or restricted motion. Additionally, the physician will search for indications of injury to the nearby muscles, tendons, and ligaments. 

The doctor may also request blood tests or X-rays if they’re required. X-rays can reveal the presence of bone spurs, joint fluid, joint degeneration, or other conditions that may be causing the discomfort. Blood testing will assist in confirming a diagnosis or excluding other illnesses that could be the source of the discomfort.

The general prognosis for joint pain is good but depends on age factors, cause of joint pain and the time taken to reach out for treatment. It’s best to consult your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from joint pain. 

Get Access to Effective Joint Pain Treatment Solutions at Anu Aesthetics

Joint pain can affect one’s overall physical and mental wellness. Chronic joint pain can lead to loss of sleep, irritation, agitation, loss of mental peace and even depression. Thankfully, when identified and treated ahead of time, joint pain doesn’t need to be a permanent problem. Our team of physicians and wellness specialists at aNu Aesthetics and Optimal Wellness will conduct a physical examination to identify the exact cause of your joint pain. 

Our goal is to help patients embrace self-care, achieve optimal health, and move toward achieving overall well-being by using our services to aid them. We provide our patients treatments including IM and IV therapy, nutritional supplements, and medical spa treatment for body discomfort, among others. Start living healthier by booking an appointment with us today.