How to Naturally Relieve Joint Pain Without Surgery
Though most people know how to handle a minor bruise or sprain, lingering pain in the joints can be a much more frustrating issue. Worse, there are good chances that you’ll experience joint pain at least once in life, especially if you’re one of the 15 million people with arthritic joint pain.
Like the common injuries listed above, joint pain is often something you can address on your own, as pain from repetitive stress injuries tends to fade over time with minimal intervention. However, if you’re struggling to find options for self-treatment, we’re here to help! Whether you work with a specialist in pain care or you treat yourself from the comfort of your sofa, here are a few simple ways you can relieve your pain naturally.
Rest Your Joint
Whenever possible, your first plan of action should be to rest the affected area.
Avoid “working through” the pain, as pushing yourself can sometimes worsen your inflammation or injury. Resting, of course, can be tricky—especially when it impacts your ability to work or carry out your daily activities. However, rest is also the first step in jump-starting your body’s healing response.
Wrap Your Affected Joint
Depending on the affected joint, wrapping the area may be a good way to dial back your inflammation, tenderness, and discomfort. In addition, the right brace can help provide support and enhance your joint’s alignment as you move throughout the day and as you rest at night.
In general, all you’ll need is a flexible sleeve, though firmer braces may be better for severe joint swelling or pain. You can often find over-the-counter braces and sleeves at drugstores or online. Alternatively, you can talk to your Utah pain specialists about finding the right supportive product for your injury.
Try Hot and Cold Therapy
For immediate pain relief, hot and cold therapy can work wonders.
Most people find that ice works better on swollen and painful joints, as cooling the inflamed area can provide faster relief. If you apply ice to your joint, be sure to wrap it in a towel as a buffer before placing it against the skin, and limit your treatment to 15 minutes or fewer.
Heating inflammation may not always provide as much relief as ice therapy. However, heat can be the better option if you’re experiencing muscle spasms in connection with your joint pain. Use a heating pad or a microwavable heat pack, wrap it in a towel, and treat the area for no more than 30 minutes at a time.
Get More Exercise
If you’re dealing with joint inflammation and pain, the last thing on your mind might be moving your tender joints around. However, the right exercises can help add flexibility and strength that can improve your overall joint function.
Our anti-inflammatory guide will tell you that low-impact activities like swimming and water aerobics are great ways to reduce pain. Yoga and tai chi are also good options that increase your range of motion, which can minimize stiffness and improve joint function. If you visit a Utah pain clinic, your medical team can help you find safe exercises for your specific pain or injury.
Lose Some Weight
Though this won’t help you treat joint pain right away, losing weight can be a great way to reduce the strain on your joints in the long term. Even a few extra pounds can put more pressure on your joints, especially in weight-bearing areas like your knees and ankles.
If you’re overweight and struggle with chronic joint pain, losing weight can decrease your current pain and strengthen your muscles for greater mobility. It can also minimize your risk of future joint pain.
Supplement Your Diet
In general, eating a healthy diet can be a great way to protect your joints.
However, even if you’re getting nutrient-rich meals onto your plate, additional supplements can help as well. There are a number of supplements that can help treat and prevent both chronic joint pain and arthritis pain. Research has shown that glucosamine and chondroitin, in particular, can be helpful in treating pain from arthritic joint pain.
In addition, you might get joint relief from a few common supplements you may already be taking. The anti-inflammatory effects of fish oil supplements, for example, can help with joint pain. Thanks to the chemical curcumin, turmeric pills can also minimize inflammation and reduce arthritic pain.
Get Professional Therapy
If you’re hoping to relieve joint pain without surgery, working with the right Utah pain relief clinic can help.
Acousana therapy is a safe and natural method of addressing both acute and chronic joint pain without going under the knife. The patented SoftWaves technology can reduce inflammation around your joints while increasing your blood flow and circulation. This in turn prompts rapid healing of your soft tissues.
In addition, as you begin to recover from your pain, physical therapy can be a good way to begin strengthening the joint once more. A physical therapist can also help you improve your range of motion and flexibility, enhancing your joint’s functionality bit by bit.
Talk to a Specialist in Pain Care
Whether chronic or acute, joint pain can feel like a frustrating and even debilitating condition. Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with it alone! Reaching out to a local specialist in pain care can help you find the natural pain relief you need fast, without resorting to invasive options like surgery.
When dealing with any chronic pain, Utah patients should turn to an expert team with experience with joint pain relief. At our Orem pain clinic, we treat patients for mild to acute joint pain, and we’d love to help you experience some much-needed relief. To learn more about our treatment, contact us today or schedule an appointment.
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