What is joint pain?
Joint pain, or arthralgia, is a non-inflammatory stiffness of the joint that causes mild to extreme pain in the knee, elbow, back and other parts of the body where the bones connect.
Is joint pain the same as arthritis?
Joint pain refers to non-inflammatory conditions, whereas arthritis refers to inflammatory conditions (swollen).
What causes joint pain?
Common causes of joint pain include sports injuries, osteoarthritis and inflammation of the tissues surrounding the joints, such as bursitis. These symptoms might be triggered by other things, such as infections or vaccinations.
How to relieve joint pain
When looking for joint pain relief, there are many options one can choose from. However, different symptoms have different remedies.
The first step is to assess the location of the pain and the possible underlying causes. A healthcare provider may ask several questions to determine and evaluate your medical history, after which possible relief options may be established.
Provide details of your joint pain
Before the healthcare provider can establish relief options for your joint pain, you should provide the following details:
- which joint hurts
- if the pain is concentrated on one side only or both
- how long you have experienced the pain
- if you have injured any joint
- any illness or fever
The health care provider may check whether resting or movement of the joint reduces or worsens the pain.
Undergo the necessary tests
Based on the data collected by the healthcare provider, tests may be performed for further assessment. These tests may include CBC, X-ray and other blood tests.
Take medication to relieve the symptoms
Several medicines are available to alleviate the symptoms instantly. However, take caution in taking medication.
Undergo physical therapy
For long-term joint pain relief, you might need to undergo physical therapy.
Keep fit
Natural joint pain relief and prevention have become increasingly popular. Maintain an active lifestyle and keep moving regularly.
- Regular exercise is always recommended. If you’re not the type who likes to burn calories at the gym, you can engage in recreational activities to help keep those joints oiled and running smoothly.
- Find a sport you enjoy. Join a club—fitness, tennis, dance, swimming or golf. Any type of recreation is good, as long as you are physically qualified it.
- Take long walks; if you need to run errands in town, leave the car. You will not only save on gas money, but also keep yourself healthy and promote a greener environment.
Maintain a balanced diet
As with any health issue, diet is an important aspect in maintaining a sound physical and mental state.
- Omega-3 fish oil can provide relief from joint and muscle pain. It can also help you feel stronger and less fatigued.
- Olive oil also lessens or prevents joint stiffness or arthritis-related symptoms. Use it to dress salads, fry food, and add texture to any dish. Better yet, use extra-virgin olive oil. This sweet-smelling oil has natural organic compounds that could lower cholesterol and blood levels, providing joint pain relief.
- Foods rich in vitamin C are highly recommended for any diet. A natural antioxidant, vitamin C protects the body from harmful toxins. People who have a lower amount of Vitamin C in their diets may be at risk for developing arthritis.
- Another health food to consider for joint pain relief is ginger. This pungent root has many health benefits. Both a delicacy and spice with medicinal values, ginger is known for its calming effect on the nervous and digestive systems. In addition to preventing colds and allergies, ginger also helps to ease arthritis and muscle aches.
Adopt a healthy lifestye
Joint pain can come in many forms, and may have several symptoms and causes. However, the right lifestyle and proper diet can provide joint pain relief, and maybe even its prevention.
Astrid Abella 