6 Ways To Prevent and Alleviate Joint Pain

Your joints go through a huge amount of wear and tear. Although they were designed to cope and withstand the stress you place on them, over time, they will suffer from the constant stress and will ultimately result in killer pain.

Joint pain can be caused by various factors such as trauma, wounds, strains and sprains, disease, tendonitis, bursitis, or even osteoporosis.

There are warning signs you should look out for on when to see a doctor for joint pain, especially in the knees. However, if your joint pain isn’t severe and debilitating, there are home remedies you can try to alleviate and/or prevent joint pain from occurring:

1. Exercise

When choosing an exercise, pick one that allows you to move within the limits of your pain and does not cause further joint pain. Exercise can also increase your joints’ strength and flexibility, preventing potential joint pain.

2. Cryotherapy (Ice Therapy)

Cold temperatures decrease blood flow, in turn reducing swelling in the tissues. As soon as you experience joint pain, apply an ice pack on the area for 15 minutes every hour over the majority of the day. The following day, apply the ice pack four to five times for 15 minutes. To avoid ice burns, always wrap the ice with a washcloth so the ice does not directly touch your skin.

3. Massage

A good massage is a great way to alleviate joint pain. You can opt to have it done professionally or do it yourself in the comforts of your own home. Try massaging the affected joints with a topical menthol rub.

4. Hydrotherapy

Warm temperatures ease pressure on your muscles and joints, so a good warm bath can alleviate some joint pain in your hips and knees. Simply soak the affected area in warm water and massage it gently to stimulate blood flow.

5. Medications

Good old ibuprofen oral medications are trusty joint pain relievers. Its other over-the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) counterparts aid your body in reducing joint stiffness and swelling.

Read the full blog post on Gaiam here for more tips on how to relieve and prevent joint pains. If you suffer from joint pain due to arthritis, you may also want to check out the best foods to help manage your arthritis symptoms.