What is joint pain and when should you see a doctor? Joint pain occurs when the soft tissue called cartilage, along with synovium and a lubricant called synovial fluid no longer cushion the joints, resulting in bones rubbing together. Soft tissue surrounding the joints can deteriorate due to injury, illness, or simply a maturing body.
Although it may be necessary to consult with a physician when joint pain is persistent, you can limit aches and pains by taking care of your joints, ligaments, and muscles while keeping your bones strong and steady. Here are some tips to keep your joints healthy and happy.
- Prevent Injuries – Avoid hurting yourself by wearing padding when playing contact sports. Also, try suiting up when you go skating, or wear knee pads when kneeling is required on the job.
- Stay Active – The more you move, the less stiffness you’ll have. Change positions often if you’re reading or watching TV. Consider taking shorter, more frequent breaks when sitting at your desk for long periods of time.
- Exercise – When dealing with joint pain, go easy in your exercise regimen. Try low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or bicycling.
- Reduce Inflammation – Because inflammation plays a significant role in joint pain, take omega-3 fatty acids, like fish or flaxseed oil to lubricate your joints.
- Watch Your Weight – Keeping your weight within a healthy range is one of the most important factors in reducing joint pain. Certain joints, such as your knees, back, and hips bear most of your body weight. So…go easy on yourself.
- Apply Ice for Joint Pain – Ice is a great pain reliever. It numbs the hurt and shortens recovery time, while reducing swelling. Typically, ice should be wrapped in cloth and applied directly to the affected area in 20 minutes increments. See your physician if the pain persists.
- Treat Joint Injuries – Injuries can breakdown the cartilage in your joints. If you get hurt, see your doctor right away, while avoiding activities that put stress on your injury. Use a brace if necessary to prevent further injury.
If you have mild to moderate pain that keeps coming back and you are unable to manage it at home, you may need to see a healthcare physician. Here are a few more indicators warranting a doctor’s attention.
- Your pain has lasted more than 3 months without a clear reason.
- You can’t sleep because of the pain.
- You had an illness or injury that healed, but you still have pain.
If you are suffering from chronic joint pain, consider a newer alternative therapy for treating your achy joints. Regenerative therapy is a growing area of medicine that has shown remarkable results with a number of patients who suffer from joint pain, arthritis, and other related conditions. Although there are several traditional therapies available, Dr. Kamson highly regards regenerative therapy because it aids the natural healing process in a less invasive manner.
For more help with joint pain, call one of our friendly patient advocates at (206) 496-0630 to see if regenerative therapy is right for you.