Not all joint pain requires medical attention, and some pain can be successfully relieved with at-home treatments.
Joint pain is defined as discomfort arising from the tissues involved in connecting two or more bones in the human body.
Joint pain is incredibly common: In one study of people over the age of 40, more than 70 percent of women and 65 percent of men reported having some type of joint pain within the last 12 months, with hip and knee being the most commonly affected joints.
Goals for At-Home Treatment
If you have joint pain from a serious injury or major traumatic event, you need to see a doctor right away, especially if you are unable to walk.
If the above doesn’t apply to you, goals for at-home treatment should be to decrease swelling and reduce pain.
Treatments for Non-Emergency Pain
The most recommended self-care treatments for non-emergency joint pain are:
- A short course of anti-inflammatory medications, particularly for joint pain related to osteoarthritis
- Elevation and cooling, for joint pain related to a minor injury
- Simple range of motion exercises
- In certain situations, an off-the-shelf brace may be helpful
Approaches to Avoid
Those are the dos for at-home joint pain relief. The don’ts are:
- Don’t take prescription medications without consulting with a physician.
- Don’t go on complete bed rest and hope the pain will go away.
A Path to Recovery
Diagnosing the causes of joint pain and working with patients on comprehensive treatment plans are what orthopedic specialists have been trained to do. Before giving up or resigning themselves to surgery, patients should seek an expert opinion. Together, orthopedic specialists and patients can develop a path to recovery.
For immediate treatment of joint pain, visit an ortho urgent care clinic.
