Joint pain, also known as arthralgia, can be caused by any number of ailments, ranging from the flu to bursitis to arthritis. Although joint pain is common, particularly in people ages 45 and older, an article in the March 2000 issue of the journal Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research describes the disproportionate impact this condition has on women in particular. While arthralgia can be severe, in some cases almost debilitating, there are a number of measures you can take to reduce joint pain and stiffness.
Step 1
Apply ice to your aching joints as soon as the pain begins. Continue to ice down the affected area for 24 hours, then switch to warm compresses until the pain starts to lessen.
Step 2
Soak your painful joints in a warm bath. The bath should help you to relax as well as easing the soreness.
Step 3
Massage the aching area gently. If self-massage does not work for you, you may wish to visit a professional massage therapist.
Step 4
Rest your sore joints when the pain begins, but gradually ease into some gentle stretching exercises. Joints will become stiff and sore from over-use, but inaction can also cause them to stiffen up and ache.
Step 5
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Aspirin and acetaminophen can be somewhat effective against joint swelling and pain, but the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ibuprofen and naproxen tend to be more effective against arthritis-type pain and swelling.
Step 6
Visit your doctor if your joint pain is sudden and acute, or if it persists for more than three days. Other indications that you ought to see a doctor in conjunction with joint pain are if you are running a high fever but do not have other symptoms indicating flu or you've lost 10 or more pounds without intending to. These symptoms, along with your joint pain, may indicate a more serious underlying condition, such as hepatitis, that may require immediate medical attention.
Tips and Warnings
- If treating your joint pain with ice doesn't provide any relief, switch to heat treatment before the 24 hours is up. If you visit a massage therapist, be sure to find one who is certified and is able to provide you with a treatment that can help, and not worsen, your condition.
- If your joint pain is chronic, you may run the risk of overmedication if you come to rely on over-the-counter medications in order to function.
