Joint Pain Relief

Pain is something that cannot be avoided in one’s life, and we encounter one or the other types of pain.

Of which, joint pain, is more of a symptom for many of the diseases like viral fever, wear and tear of muscles, arthritis, infections and injuries.

Some of the main symptoms of joint pains to be differentiated from other types of pains are pain, swelling, warmth in the joints, inflammation and stiffness resulting in toughness and difficulty to cause movements. These regions tend to get swollen, red and painful to touch and affect joint restricting movements of joints or increases the friction in the movements, which is a resultant of reduction of synovial fluids resulting in damage to the bones.

The various therapeutic options for joint pain relief are as follows

Drug Treatment For Joint Pain

There are currently no direct treatment methods for curing joint pain conditions. This will involve treating the symptoms of joint pain or treating the causes for join, for example, by giving antibiotics if there is an infection by bacteria. One such infection is the streptococcal bacteremia that usually causes sore throat, which can lead to rheumatoid arthritis.

The main drug treatment that is usually given for joint pain relief are

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which are drugs with no side effects and can provide prompt relief for associated pain and inflammation. Examples will include aspirin, indomethacin, ibuprofen, naproxen and others.

• COX 2 inhibitors will include a new class of NSAIDS that selectively blocks the COX-2 enzyme, which is responsible for the production of secondary messengers like prostaglandins that is responsible for causing pain and swelling of arthritis.

In addition, as mentioned above, drugs like antibiotics, pain relievers and antihistamines are given for relieving other symptoms and cure the main causes for the joint pain, for example, a bacterial infection.

• Steroids are given in very low dosages when the pain is unbearable and the side effects and resultant complications are quite high.

Dietary Supplements for Joint Pain

Some of the recommended dietary supplements will vary with the various reasons causing and are responsible for the occurrence of joint pains. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are included in patients with osteoarthritis for replenishing the connective tissue, while niacinamide, supplied as vitamin B3, S-adenoslymethionine (SAMe), ginger and turmeric have also been observed to aid as dietary supplements.

Physical Therapy

In spite of giving medicines, the best prescribed alternative and supporting treatment is a visit to the referred physiotherapist who can help you by providing you with advice and teaching you various exercises like limited walking, stretching exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, massage and manipulation of joints.

Surgery

When all these fail, the final resort is to go for an arthroscopy or surgery in the joints by performing various tinkering to the joint conjunctive tissues, ligaments and damaged bones by replacement of bone fusion.

Lifestyle Changes

This will involve avoiding rigorous activities, and alternating exercise with rest, and ample pain management techniques. Refraining from some of bad habits like alcohol and smoking is encouraged. Reducing weight is yet another way to curb joint pain. Other treatments will include heat therapy, cold therapy, hydrotherapy, supportive devices and other coping strategies.

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