Joint pain is a common problem that can interfere with your life. It's unclear what causes it, but inflammation in the joints is likely the reason. Most joint pain is mild and causes only minor problems. If you have moderate to severe pain, though, it can affect your sleep, mood and ability to function in daily life. Here is what you need to know about joint pain.
Causes of joint pain
Joint pain is a common symptom of arthritis. It is often the result of damage to the joint. The causes of joint pain are varied, but the most common causes include:
- Mild Trauma: Mild trauma to a joint may lead to joint pain without further injury. For example, a fall or minor twisting may cause ligament tears or arthritis-related joint swelling.
- Arthritis: An autoimmune disorder that affects 300 million people worldwide, arthritis can cause inflammation and damage to cartilage and bone in joints. The condition is chronic and progressive, with symptoms including stiffness and swelling in affected joints.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies attack healthy tissue in the body by mistake. The condition is rare but was once thought to be more prevalent than it is.
- Injuries: Injuries to joints can lead to pain, stiffness and swelling. The most common types of injuries are related to sports and falling. Most injuries heal on their own, but it may take months or years before the pain subsides. For example, many people sustain serious joint injuries during a car accident, but the pain and stiffness may not subside for weeks or months afterward.
Joint pain treatments
Joint pain can be very debilitating and is often the result of an underlying condition. The most common types of joint pain include arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis. The severity of the problem will dictate which treatment you choose, but there are a number of options available to help relieve your symptoms. Joint pain treatment in Jeffersonville can involve:
1. Rest: Avoiding activities that increase pain in a joint can help relieve symptoms. For example, if you have knee pain, no endurance activity will make the pain worse.
2. Ice & heat therapy: Both ice and heat therapy can help relieve joint pain. Ice therapy helps reduce swelling and inflammation, while heat therapy helps relax muscles. If your pain is severe, it may be more effective to alternate heat and ice rather than using both at once.
3. Exercise: Moderate exercise can help strengthen and support the joints, which may help reduce your joint pain. But that doesn't mean you want to increase your activity level if it causes pain in the joints.
4. Massage: Massage is an excellent way to relieve pain and decrease stiffness. A massage therapist can help determine which areas of your body need the most attention, and you will receive a customized treatment plan to help reduce pain and improve mobility.
It is clear that joint pain will be a common problem for many people. It can be difficult to understand what causes the problem and what treatments are best for you. Treatments are available to help relieve symptoms, but the best solution is prevention. If you know the causes of joint pain, take measures to prevent it. If you discover that your body has been injured and it's not too late, seek treatment right away.
QC Kinetix (Quartermaster Court)
7 Quartermaster Ct, Suite 703, Jeffersonville, IN, 47130
(502) 219-4636
