Joint pain is a common problem for many people. Though it can be difficult to diagnose, there are some things you can do to help with the pain.
Here are seven effective tips to try:
1. Drink Plenty of Water
Do not allow your body to become dehydrated. Drink water on a regular basis, or more often if you are exercising. Without proper hydration, the joints in your body will stiffen up quickly and you will lose flexibility. Plenty of fluid is necessary for healthy joint function.
To make sure you don’t miss out on water, carry a water bottle with you wherever you go. Fill up your water container before bed so you have it handy when you wake up. Drink a large glass of water with each meal. Lastly, sip on water throughout the day instead of drinking sugary drinks or caffeinated beverages.
2. See a Doctor
If you experience joint pain, see a doctor. It could be that your joints are sore due to an injury or arthritis. A doctor will be able to tell you if there is anything you can do to remedy the discomfort and also provide advice on how you can aid in the recovery process.
Many types of doctors can help you. For example, a podiatrist can provide advice and options for people with foot pain. Meanwhile, a knee specialist can help those with knee injuries or arthritic pain.
You may need to see an orthopedic doctor if you have a disease like gout. If you suffer from chronic joint pain, you may need to see a rheumatologist.
3. Exercise Regularly
Exercise strengthens the body while stretching out the joints. This can be anything from walking to dancing and pushups. Make sure you are actively working out your joints while engaging in physical activities.
Joint pain is often caused by being seated for long periods of time. Even if you have an active job, sitting for too long may cause pain due to the lack of use and pressure.
Therefore, even though it may be difficult at first, working the joints in your legs is necessary to keep you from experiencing uncomfortable inflammation as a result of poor circulation.
You can get up and walk around every 30 minutes or stretch your body every day. You can also buy a standing desk.
4. Eat a Diet That’s Low in Sodium and Sugar
Sodium causes fluid retention and swelling in the joints. Reducing your sodium intake will help to prevent this from happening.
The same goes for sugar. Sugary foods cause inflammation, which may lead to arthritis symptoms. Therefore, a low-sugar diet is beneficial for those with arthritis as well as those who want to avoid it.
Eat fruits and vegetables instead. Foods high in antioxidants, like fruits and vegetables, help to reduce inflammation. Make sure you are incorporating plenty of these into your diet.
Avoid processed foods. Processed foods contain unhealthy ingredients like sodium and sugar that can aggravate joint pain. Stick to whole foods as much as possible.
Consider supplements. Some people find relief from joint pain by taking supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Speak to your doctor before starting any supplement regimen, especially if you are on other medications.
You can also drink tea. Tea is a soothing drink that can help ease inflammation throughout the body, including in the joints. Green tea is a particularly good choice because it contains anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight can put added strain on your joints. Keep this in mind when you are trying to maintain a healthy weight.
People who are over their ideal body weight will experience discomfort sooner than people of the same age and size with normal or below average body fat percentages. Therefore, keeping your weight down is an important component of maintaining good joint health.
6. Try Massage
While a massage can be expensive, it is worth the cost for some people. It may help to relieve pain in the joints and increase blood flow to problem areas, which could speed up healing processes.
There are other benefits as well. For example, massage can lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that causes inflammation and pain all over the body, including in the joints. Lowering these levels may reduce your risk of developing arthritis as well as your experience with any current symptoms from getting worse over time.
7. Reduce Stress
When your body and mind are under stress, you experience an increase in cortisol levels. The same goes for anxiety, which can trigger cortisol production too. Therefore, it is important to reduce the amount of stress in your life.
There are many ways to do this, such as through meditation or other relaxing activities like listening to music or taking a warm bath.
Joint pain can definitely be debilitating and even frustrating. However, there are ways to take care of your joints and decrease the risk of experiencing pain from arthritis or other diseases associated with joint health.
