Joint Pain Relief – How to Find Relief For Your Joint Pain

Joint pain can make it hard to move. It can be caused by an injury, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or the normal wear and tear of aging. The good news is that there are many treatment options to help relieve your pain and improve your mobility.

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask you a series of questions about your symptoms. Then they may order X-rays or blood tests. X-rays can show whether there is a lot of fluid in the joints or signs of bone spurs or other damage. Blood tests can check for certain inflammatory disorders such as lupus or to rule out infections like the flu.

Medications can also help ease your pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs are available over the counter or by prescription. NSAIDs can cause stomach upset in some people, so talk to your health care provider before taking them. For more serious problems, your health care provider might prescribe stronger medications such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid injections. Hyaluronic acid injections replace the natural substance that lubricates joints, so they can ease pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis. They are given a week apart in a series of three or four injections.

Heat and cold treatments can also reduce pain and swelling. Applying a heating pad or a hot water bottle to the affected area can raise your body temperature and reduce swelling. Soaking smaller joints, such as hands and feet, in warm water or paraffin wax can also soothe them.

In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and medications to treat your joint pain relief. For example, your provider might suggest wearing a knee brace to support your joints. Or your provider might recommend an exercise program to strengthen the muscles around your joints and improve your range of motion. Your provider might also recommend supportive aids such as canes or braces to help with stability and movement.

Alternative treatments such as yoga, meditation, massage and acupuncture can help ease joint pain by distracting your mind from the pain and reducing stress. You can also try mind-body therapies such as hypnosis to relax and take your attention away from the pain.