Many people avoid taking painkillers for joint pain because of their side effects. NSAIDs that relieve pain, if taken for a long time can cause gastrointestinal side effects. Therefore do not take them on an empty stomach. Otherwise, they can lead to increased side effects.
You can relieve joint pain with home remedies. In this article, we will tell the ways to relieve joint pain naturally. If you have a complaint of joint pain, you can visit an Orthopedic Surgeon.
Get Moving
Many people think that moving and exercise can trigger joint pain. But it is not the case. When you keep yourself moving, your joints do not get stiff, and it strengthens your muscles that also help in preventing joint pain.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins- chemicals that have pain-relieving effects. Moreover, they also boost your mood. Therefore, if you have joint pain, keep yourself moving, do some light exercises too. However, make sure you do not end up over-exerting yourself.
Warm Up Therapy
Applying heat therapy can help reduce inflammation and pain of the joints. It helps increase blood circulation to the affected area. Moreover, it also distracts your brain. You can use heat therapy in various forms, such as:
- Using a hot water bottle
- Using a gel-filled pouch that can be heated in the microwave
- Taking a bath with hot water
- Using an electric heating pad
Cool Down Joints
Arthritis causes pain and swelling joints that can be lowered by applying cold. You can use ice or an iced pack for that. Cold therapy helps in reducing inflammation. Moreover, it slows down nerve impulses that interrupt pain signaling.
Lose Weight
Being overweight or obese can be bad for your joints. According to the experts, every one pound of your weight exerts three pounds of added pressure on your knees. Therefore you should lose weight if you are overweight or obese. You must maintain a healthy weight according to your body mass index. If you find it difficult to lose weight, you can seek professional help. Visit a trainer and a nutritionist as they can help you in this journey.
Massage
Massage can help relieve joint pain. Doing a regular massage can help relieve joint and muscle pain. According to the experts, massage can help in lowering the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol and it also lowers the quantity of substance P- a neurotransmitter that mediates pain.
Vitamin D
To keep your bones and joints healthy, you need to have an adequate quantity of vitamin D in your body. For that, you must spend time in the sunlight or take a vitamin D supplement.
Stretch
Stretching is always a good idea to relieve pain. Do not sit for a long time or remain in the same position for long hours. Keep stretching as it can help relax your muscles and maintain mobility.
The Bottom Line
Joint pain can be too painful at times. You can keep them controlled with remedies, but sometimes you may need to take pain-relieving medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen. If you have a complaint of joint pain, you should visit the Best Orthopedic Surgeon in Multan.
