Injured joints may hurt directly after an accident or in periodic bouts. Whether your joint pain stems from overuse, degeneration or a traumatic injury, you don’t have to take it lying down. Quick pain relief and long-range exercise plans can help to remedy discomfort and weakness in your joints, and prevent recurrent joint pain flare-ups.
Relieve Stress
Whatever the cause, inflammation and swelling are the agents of joint pain. Putting weight on the area increases pressure and irritation. Cease any repetitive movements. University of Maryland (UM) Medical Center physicians also advise getting off your feet and propping up an ankle or an arm. If a joint area is throbbing, elevating it above your heart will encourage blood flow away from it.
If you have gout or another condition of the joint itself, improving circulation will create pain relief. Home treatments include losing excess weight, eating a healthy diet and performing strengthening exercises in the affected area.
Relieve Inflammation
Doctors recommend combining home treatments of rest and oral pain relief medication. Joint pain responds well to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. These drugs tame the swelling that causes pain, when taken as directed.
Some patients in an American Pain Society study reported better results with nonmedicinal therapies aimed at treating inflammation. Hot/cold therapy is one such gentle, inexpensive and effective way to reduce pain from swelling. Ice should be used alone after a severe muscle strain in the joint area. Heat should be followed by ice for those with aching joints from arthritis and other chronic causes. According to manufacturers, you should limit gel pack therapy sessions to 20 minutes at each temperature, repeating as needed throughout the day.
Support Joints
If you’ve rested your hurt arm or leg, it may be debilitated when you return to activity. Supporting the limb with a crutch, a cane or a brace will protect it from a rapid relapse. You can use an elastic compression bandage to encourage pain relief by restricting movements that irritate the joint. This home treatment may be used while at rest or mobile.
Additional support for joints can come through strengthening exercises, daily stretching and dietary supplementation. The UM Medical Center reports that taking glucosamine or chondroitin tablets helps some people reduce chronic pain in the joints.
