Most people suffering from arthritis will tell you that the most bothersome symptom is joint pain. Some describe it as throbbing, dull, sharp, or pain so severe that it affects your daily activities. Are you one of the millions of Americans suffering from this condition and looking for joint pain treatment? Here are the top options you can choose from.

Home Remedies

Several causes of joint pain can be treated at home with lifestyle changes.

Hot and Cold Therapy

Alternating warm showers or heating pads with a gel ice pack reduces stiffness in the joints.  It also helps relieve inflammation.

Diet Modification

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps reduce arthritis symptoms. On the other hand, eating foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids helps prevent inflammation.

Exercise

Aside from reducing pain, physical activities like walking and swimming also boost your mood and quality of life. It’s recommended to engage in physical activity for at least 150 minutes every week.  Avoid high-impact activities that may cause joint injuries, such as running.

Weight Loss

Maintaining a healthy weight can also help reduce the symptoms of joint pain. Added weight increases the pressure on your joints, especially the feet, hips, and knees. If you find it difficult to lose weight, consult a dietitian to assist you on your weight loss journey.

Supportive Aids

There are a few products you can purchase online, at the drugstore, or the doctor’s office. These can support your joints and allow you to move more easily. These include braces, splints, cane, walker, or orthotic shoe inserts.

Nutritional Supplements

No supplement has shown definite benefits for joint pain. However, there’s some evidence that some of these might help. Some examples are:

  • Fish oil helps relieve morning stiffness and tender joints in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Ginger helps reduce pain and disability in people with osteoarthritis with its anti-inflammatory effect.
  • Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine can help people with moderate to severe knee pain.

Always remember that supplements shouldn’t replace medical treatment if your joint pain is caused by another condition such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Medications

Medications for joint pain treatment come in different forms. It may be oral, topical, or through injections.

Oral medications are formulated to relieve pain. Some were formulated for another indication but were also found to relieve pain.

  • Acetaminophen: An over-the-counter pain reliever for mild to moderate osteoarthritis pain.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Naproxen sodium and ibuprofen are available over the counter. They help reduce inflammation at higher doses.
  • Duloxetine: Its main indication is an antidepressant, but it was later approved for treating chronic pain due to osteoarthritis.

Joint injections are recommended for acutely painful and inflamed joints.

  • Hyaluronic acid injections: Usually given as a series of injections to relieve painful osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid helps in giving joint fluid its natural viscosity.
  • Corticosteroid injections: Potent anti-inflammatory drugs that mimic the cortisol produced in the body to quickly eliminate pain and inflammation.
  • Prolotherapy: Irritants like sugar solution are injected into joints, tendons, and ligaments to stimulate healing. Although known to provide short-term pain relief, there is not much information on its long-term effects.

Topical medications help by numbing the joint area. Your doctor may prescribe topical medications containing diclofenac sodium. Other creams, patches, or gels may also contain other ingredients, such as:

  • Capsaicin
  • Menthol
  • Lidocaine
  • Salicylate

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy helps strengthen the muscles around the joints and improves the range of motion. This in turn will reduce overall pain and stiffness.

You will do a series of customized stretching and strengthening exercises on a regular basis. Stretching also helps improve mobility. The physical therapist may also suggest wearing a brace to help with stability and function for knee pain.

Surgery

Surgery is the last resort in treating joint pain. It will only be recommended for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis that doesn’t respond to other treatments.

Severe cases may need total joint replacement. Osteotomy, which involves cutting and reshaping the bones to reduce pressure on the joints, is done in minor cases.  Osteotomy also delays the need for total joint replacement. However, not all patients can be candidates for this procedure.

Contact Your Doctor When Symptoms Get Worse

Contact your doctor if exercise, pain relievers, and other home treatments no longer help with your pain. Regardless of the type of joint pain treatment you’re on, seek medical help right away if:

  • The pain becomes severe
  • Your joint appears deformed or inflamed.
  • You can’t walk.
  • You lost at least 10 pounds or have a fever.

Consult the Pain Treatment Institute for the Best Joint Pain Treatment for You

Joint pain affects millions of Americans. Most of the time, you can manage this with home remedies. However, it may reach a point when it’s already time to call a professional. The Pain Treatment Institute can help you assess your case and determine the best approach. Book an appointment today!