Pain is our body telling us there is something not quite right. In our joints, pain can be caused by inflammation of the muscles and surrounding tissues or injury affecting the ligaments, tendons, or bursae around the joint. Mild joint pain can feel like soreness following certain activities. If left untreated or if caused by certain conditions such as gout or arthritis, joint pain can be debilitating.
Regardless of the cause of joint pain, several steps can be taken at home to reduce the pain and, if mild enough, eliminate it. After exercise, even if there is no pain, the use of an ice pack or heating pad will help the tissues surrounding the joints recover and reduce inflammation.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain-relief medications may help reduce inflammation or pain the ice or heat did not relieve. Many of these are tablets or capsules taken internally. However, some topical treatments can provide relief. Check with your doctor before starting this kind of treatment if you have a history of liver or kidney disease.
Prevention is one of the best ways to help your body have healthy and pain-free joints. Eating a healthy diet and keeping a healthy weight will help reduce pain in your legs and back. Depending on which joint is in pain, a supportive brace or wrap may also help. Low-impact exercise will also help strengthen the smaller supporting muscles around your joints.
Despite the numerous ways to safely treat joint pain at home, if it is too severe, medical intervention may be necessary. Some causes can only be diagnosed in a doctor’s office.
If you are suffering from joint pain, contact Dr. Chenthitta and the team at Nova Interventional Pain and Spine in Landsdowne, VA, at 571-510-3815, or visit www.novainterventionalpain.com. Even if you are getting relief from home treatments, Dr. Chenthitta can help create a physical therapy plan to prevent the pain from occurring.
