HomeHealthPain Relief:  Treatment Options for Joint Stiffness and Pain

Joint Conditions and Pain: How to Treat It

The exact method of joint pain treatment ultimately depends on the reason for or cause of the joint pain. There are many potential causes for joint pain, and joint pain is actually a broad classification that can refer to muscle pain, joint stiffness, and other related pain. In some cases, the pain is due to injuries or overuse, while in other cases, the pain is a result of a long-term condition, such as arthritis that either continues or progressively worsens over time. Because there are many options for joint pain treatment, choosing the best one depends on knowing the cause of the pain and treating it accordingly.

Joint Pain Treatment Possibilities

Joint pain treatment can be accomplished many different ways. Common causes for joint pain include, in addition to injury and overuse, conditions like arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and bursitis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition related to the auto-immune system and its malfunction. Osteoarthritis is characterized by bone spurs that cause intense pain in the joints and the gradual degeneration of cartilage. Bursitis is not really a form of arthritis but more an inflammatory condition where the fluid-filled bursae (tiny sacs) swell and cause joint pain.

Joint pain caused by injury and overuse is the simplest kind of joint pain to treat because it is generally only a temporary condition that will not progressively worsen. For this type of pain, the most commonly recommended joint pain treatment is anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen and Aleve. These medicines have little risk of side effects and are generally safe to use for a period of time, but users should caution against using these medicines for an extended period of time without a physician’s guidance because they do have the potential to cause stomach problems, like ulcers. Rest and gentle exercise are also extremely important for joint pain not caused by arthritic conditions. The rest gives the injured or overworked area time to heal, and gentle exercise can gradually work out the pain and increase flexibility. Heat can also work wonders to help alleviate joint pain. Popular options for this therapy include hot baths, heat packs, and pain relief creams, such as Icy Hot or Blue Emu Cream that produce a heating effect to help soothe away pain.

For arthritic joint pain treatment, especially when dealing with cartilage deterioration, combinations of the supplements glucosamin and chondroitin help to encourage growth of new cartilage and lessen pain. Calcium supplements can help prevent pain caused by conditions like osteoarthritis and may even be able to alleviate pain once the condition is already present.

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