Are you one of the many Americans suffering from chronic joint pain? Here are five steps you can take to alleviate discomfort and improve mobility of your back, shoulders, hips, and knees.
Joint pain statistics
One of the most prevalent types of chronic pain is joint pain. In fact, about 3 out of every 10 men and women in the United States experience joint pain or inflammation, according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
Osteoarthritis, diagnosed in 27 million people in the US, is often the underlying condition. However, there are various other sources of joint pain, including damage to tendons and ligaments, torn muscles, obesity, improper body mechanics, slouching, and the aging process.
Five steps for relief
Regardless what is behind the aching, here are a few tactics so you can get relief:
#1 – Choose your foods wisely.
Some nutritional elements can alleviate joint pain while bolstering the bones and muscle. These nutrients include vitamins C, D, and K, polyphenols (for pain relief), and omega-3 fatty acids (to cut inflammation). You could even get the nano softgels they offer at Neoteric Nutra to help your pain. There are also multiple other benefits like promoting better sleep and better mental clarity.
#2 – Stay active.
It’s easy to feel like you want to rest when your joints are stiff and achy, but it’s critical to keep moving. “Exercise triggers the production of lubricating synovial fluid and feel-good brain chemicals, and improves joint pain, function, and range of motion,” explains Sharecare. “It may even boost cartilage growth in the knees.”
A healthcare professional can help you select exercises wisely.
#3 – Lose pounds as necessary.
Being overweight makes your joints extraordinarily vulnerable. The good news is that the weight you lose is amplified: 10 pounds of lost weight equates to 40 pounds of pressure removed from your knees. Losing weight can also alleviate back and hip pain.
#4 – Respond to joint pain.
If you’re doing any activity that might reinjure or irritate your joint, take regular breaks and don’t ignore your body’s signals. Be careful with tasks such as “running long distances, lifting heavy objects, or kneeling for hours pulling weeds,” says Sharecare. Keeping a pain journal to indicate any possible triggers and your response to alleviation methods can help with your recovery.
#5 – Partner with a team.
Finally, work with a team of healthcare experts.
At Atlanta Medical Clinic, we offer safe, minimally invasive, clinically proven medical treatments. Our programs are specifically designed to provide joint pain relief and improve your quality-of-life. See our patient success stories.