Joint pain and stiffness look closely associated with each other in the case of joint discomfort but sometimes one is a symptom of another and sometimes both of these conditions occur almost simultaneously. Joint pain occurring either due to relatively moderate reasons like muscles sprains or due to serious medical conditions like arthritis is accompanied by stiffness immediately or later.

Join pain signifies malfunctioning of the joint due to muscle sprains, injury to ligaments, infections, inflammation and cartilage damage. These conditions promote stiffness while moving the joint as the smooth and friction free movements of bones, muscles, tendons and ligament get obstructed. In the case of osteoarthritis stiffness has been noted to appear prior to the pain, particularly in the morning when person is getting out of bed or after a period of inactivity, which goes away after sometime and with the movement. Later mild to severe pain is experienced while moving the joint. In case of rheumatic arthritis, pain is experienced prior to stiffness and stiffness signifies the progression of the disease.

Stiffness either due to arthritic conditions or due to infections and injury suggest the damage caused to the normal functioning of the joint. Ligaments hold two bones of joint at a proper place and if any trauma has caused some swelling to ligaments the position of bones may get disturbed to cause pain and stiffness. Muscles move the joints and if not contracting or expanding properly may cause pain while moving the joint. Person suffering from osteoarthritis have brittle cartilages, this condition disallow the smooth movement of bones and severe pain is caused when the joint is moved along with stiffness. Rheumatic conditions can infect the tissues of the joint, synovial fluid present between the bones and other parts of joint to cause stiffness and joint pain. With the progression of rheumatic conditions the stiffness also progresses and can lead to complete immovability of the joint.

Massages, herbs, dietary supplements and exercises can treat and cure stiffness of the joints. Though if stiffness is due to any underlying medical condition use of all of these methods or anyone shall be in accordance with the main treatment of the medical condition but in case of benign conditions any of these methods can surely alleviate the problem. Massages can improve blood flow to the affected area which oxygenates the tissues and muscles improving them in strength and endurance. Exercises keep all the related parts and the joint itself in proper shape. While herbs and dietary supplements can help the body in withering infections and controlling the damages caused to the joints, causing stiffness and pain.

Besides all of these condition old age, obesity and lethargic life style also contribute in causing and promoting joint pain and stiffness. Extra pressure exerted on the bones due to excess fat is transferred to joints which increases wear and tear of cartilage promoting pain and stiffness. Degradation of joints due to age is a natural process and cause stiffness which can be delayed or slowed down with proper and light joint exercises.