5 ways how to fight Joint Pain

Joint pain is an inevitable occurrence for many of us. Whether you have a chronic injury, are recovering from surgery, or are just getting old and frail, joint pain will likely come up sooner or later. And while it can be managed using the proper medications and ice packs, it might not be something that can be fixed entirely.

Signs and Symptoms of joint pain

1.         No pain but the person experiences some joint movement. This is due to a lax symphysis pubis muscle or a faulty symphysis pubis joint.

2.         Pain with specific and non-specific movements and general pain.

3.         Smooth and hard bones simultaneously make it hard to move certain joints, such as the elbow, knee, and finger joints (inclined plane).

4.         Degeneration of cartilage or bone, causing difficulty in joint mechanics, may be painful and create additional problems with other joints (appears like patella tendonitis or iritis).

5.         Damage caused by mechanical trauma, either once or over a long period, and damage caused by metabolic abnormalities such as rheumatism.

6.         Carrying or using heavy objects or when not using them.

7.         Weakness in any joints or muscles.

8.         Intense pain at night and early dawn, when waking up, and during the walking period (painful to the touch, especially of the back and buttocks).

9.         Pains that strike randomly, in specific locations, and when moving specific joints, muscles, or body parts (e.g., shoulder pain after diarrhea).

10.       Pain that comes with rest periods of one day or more between physical activity periods (e.g., leg pain after playing a game of soccer).

The reasons why joint pain occurs could be due to the following:   

1.         Arthritis is a leading cause of joint pain, especially for the aging population.

2.         Osteoporosis is a bone condition hinged on losing bone tissue, decreasing bone mass. This can happen due to conditions that affect hormones and metabolic disease.

3.         Degenerative changes in joints of the body causes stiffness, tenderness, and pain when it moves. This condition is called osteoarthritis (OA).

4.         Osteopetrotic disorders are metabolic abnormalities that affect bones, causing problems in joint movement and can cause pain too.

5.         Drug ailments like heavy metal poisoning, infection with mycobacteria and fungi, excessive intake of lead and aluminum, phenol poisoning, and alcoholism can cause joint problems.

6.         Joint issues are related to the musculature supporting a joint that causes some pain when moving or in a specific way.

7.         Tumors could be another reason why your joints are painful. Tumors can be located directly in the joint or near it. The most common locations for a tumor include lung tumors which may metastasize to the bone causing bone pain, and breast tumors, which metastasize to the bone as well, causing bone pain, among others (breast cancer is cancer originating from milk glands).

8.         Trauma due to car accidents, falls, or other events that cause trauma to your joints and bones can also cause pain.

9.         Poor posture and typical desk job work may lead to muscle strain which can result in joint pain (e.g., shoulder strain, shoulder bursitis)

10.       Joint pain can also be caused by improper muscle function, such as hyperextension of the elbow joint (tennis elbow) or over-pronation of the foot, which places pressure against the arch, causing bunions and overuse injuries (e.g., plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis).

How to fight joint pain

1.         Know your symptoms and their causes.

2.         Reduce stress and practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises.

3.         Work with a therapist on improving your posture, balance, flexibility, and muscle strength to decrease joint pains caused by improper muscle mechanics.

4.         Use proper shoes for running or other exercise activities; using the wrong shoes for running or other aerobic activities can cause injuries such as shin splints that may lead to knee pain or exacerbate existing knee pain (e.g., previous injury or arthritis).

5.         Maintain high protein intake to optimize the healing of injured tissues and prevent muscle soreness.

6.         Consume proper nutrients to promote joint health and maximize joint function (e.g., B-complex vitamins, fish oil; omega-three fatty acids; garlic, silymarin, glucosamine, and chondroitin, which are all anti-inflammatory).

7.         Avoid tobacco habit and heavy consumption of alcohol because it causes increased swelling around joints, which can lead to pain later in life (e.g., inflammation) or arthritis.

8.         Use proper steroids with controlled dosages (e.g., prednisone or corticosteroids).

9.         Apply appropriate medications and ice packs when indicated to alleviate pain.

10.       Elevate the joint above the waist to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow and promote healing of tissues such as elbows, knees, and back that are commonly used joints for activities such as playing sports.

11.       Exercise regularly with an appropriate level of intensity for an individual’s condition. This will also increase blood flow to the area causing pain and improve joint movement, which is crucial for preventing joint pain after an injury or degenerative changes (e.g., arthritis).

12.       Use anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs when necessary to lessen the pain.

13.       Use prescription medications such as Naproxen, celecoxib, or glucosamine sulfate when necessary (e.g., Naproxen for osteoarthritis). These can be used only after discussion with a physician.

14. Use HGH Products (Epi-HGH). WHich can be prescribed only with a licensed endocrinologyst. These can stimulate the healing of damaged tissues, reducing joint pain.

15. Use proper fitness activities to improve muscle strength and flexibility to keep joints in proper alignment while moving (e.g., yoga, Pilates, tai chi, swimming, and walking).

Joint pain affects our everyday lifestyle. It appears to be a common problem in today’s society, just as the problem of back pain, neck pain, and knee pain. We should know about this problem and do something to prevent it or treat it appropriately. We should stretch, maintain a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. The most important is to keep ourselves healthy.