Have you ever had knee pain? Maybe you've experienced pain in your back or elbows? It is common to think that conditions like these are just normal joint pain. But several issues could be causing it. When left unchecked over a long time, joint pain has the potential to affect the proper functioning of your cartilage and joints.
This condition does not only affect the elderly. People below the age of 50 can also experience it. So, if you are young and think that you do not need to care about your joints, you might be putting your health at risk.
According to experts, the most common causes of joint pain are age-related bone diseases such as arthritis. It may, however, develop as a result of other underlying health issues.
In this article, you'll learn all about joint pains, their causes, and how to properly treat this condition.
What is Joint Pain?
To understand joint pain, you must first understand what a joint is.
Have you ever thought about how our bones move? One bone fits into the other to form a gear. To put it simply, the joint is the connection between two or more bones. Some joints, such as those in the skull, are fixed. Others are flexible and are referred to as articulation.
In addition to the joints, there are also ligaments, which are similar to elastic fibers and are attached to the membrane that covers each bone. This attachment helps keep the bones in their proper positions. Without it, the skeleton would simply fall apart when we moved.
Joint pain occurs when you experience aching, discomfort, or stiffness in any of the body's joints. It can be disabling and cause distress. The elderly are the most vulnerable to these symptoms. And they may develop mood disorders and depression as a result of persistent pain in the injured areas.
What are the most common causes of joint pain?
Joint pain can be caused by a variety of health issues. For instance, a sprained knee may lead to significant pain in the joint. These can be accompanied by joint swelling, limited joint movement, and other symptoms.
The following are some of the most likely reasons for pain in the joints:
Injuries
Most people will experience joint injury once or more times in their lives which makes it the most common cause of joint paint.
Joint injuries can occur while participating in sports, falling, or even in everyday situations. For instance, if you twist your ankle.
Ligaments are the most commonly affected areas during injuries. The severity of the injury determines how many ligaments will be affected. The most typical injury is a sprained ankle, which commonly leads to knee ligament damage as a secondary complication.
Arthrosis
Osteoarthritis, commonly known as "wear-and-tear arthritis," is the second most prevalent cause of joint pain. It is also the most common kind of arthritis. It is an illness that arises with getting older. And the large joints (usually the hip or knee because they support the body's weight) are often the first to develop this condition.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This illness is a joint disorder that can cause joint pain in both young and ole people. Because it is an autoimmune illness, rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by the body's immune system wrongly targeting and killing its cells. This condition manifests itself first in the smaller joints, particularly those found in the hands and feet.
The symptoms can be unpredictable. A series of pain attacks may occur, followed by periods of calm. Because of the severity of the problem, prompt medical attention from a doctor is necessary for diagnosis and treatment.
Gout
This is a metabolic condition that is defined by the buildup of crystals of uric acid in the blood. Afterward, the crystals will get embedded in the joints as well as the other tissues. When uric acid builds up in the joints, it may cause inflammation, which can manifest as joint swelling and is often accompanied by discomfort.
In most situations, gout affects the big toe joint first. Additional joints, including the knees, elbows, and fingers, may also be impacted by the condition.
Does exercise help with joint pain?
Joint pain sufferers usually find it difficult to participate in any kind of physical activity because of their condition. On the other hand, data shows that exercise is an effective weapon in the fight against the diseases that are responsible for joint pains, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and others.
Staying active has many health benefits for people who suffer from joint pain. Those who have this condition and choose to exercise will experience less pain and stiffness, improved mobility, better mood, and weight loss which aids in the reduction of pressure on joints. They will also strengthen their muscles, gain better posture, sleep better, become more flexible, and feel better about their overall health.
What can I do to relieve joint pain?
If your pain is mild, you do not have to go to the hospital. You can take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or paracetamol to reduce your joint pains.
You can also apply cold (an ice pack) or heat (a hot water bottle) to the joint for about fifteen minutes to make you feel better. Just make sure you put on adequate skin protection before using the cold or heat method.
Other natural remedies that can help alleviate minor joint pain are acupuncture, meditation, and deep tissue massage.
One good option is trigger point massage balls deep tissue massage. It works well because the ball targets your trigger points. By massaging with balls, you are focusing on the origin of the pain and building muscle flexibility.
If your joint pain persists, you should book an appointment with your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
The condition known as joint pain is extremely common. Although it is not typically a cause for concern, it can occasionally be the result of serious issues. While some joint pains are unpredictable (particularly those caused by a traumatic injury, accident, or illness), others can be reduced or delayed (those related mainly to chronic arthritis). It is recommended that you live a healthy lifestyle and do some stretching exercises regularly to avoid joint pain.
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