What Are Some Of The Things You Can Do If You Suffer From Joint Pain And Inflammation?
Many people suffer from joint pain and inflammation. If this is the case for you, then you might be wondering what — if anything — you can do about this pain. There are actually a few things you can try that might give you relief, and you can even mix and match some of these treatment options to try to get the best results. These are a few examples of different things you can try.
Change Your Lifestyle
First of all, in some cases, making lifestyle changes can help with joint pain and inflammation. If you suffer from joint pain in your knees and are overweight, for example, losing weight could help you get some relief. If you push yourself hard when working out or playing sports, you might need to make sure that you take enough rest breaks or take some time off for a little while. Your doctor can talk to you a little more about your specific situation and can help you determine what lifestyle changes you can make, if any, to help with relieving some of your joint pain.
Take Medication
There are a few different medications that you can try for joint pain and inflammation. Many people find that taking over-the-counter pain medication at the appropriate dose helps a lot. Your doctor can potentially prescribe you a stronger pain medication that will work for you, but make sure that you follow your doctor's instructions carefully when taking it, if applicable. There are also creams and gels that you can apply to the affected areas for relief; some of these are available over-the-counter, and others are prescribed. Just make sure that you talk to your doctor about taking medication for joint pain and inflammation, especially if you're going to be taking it in the long term.
Use Heat
Many people find that heat helps a lot with joint pain and inflammation. For example, soaking in a hot bathtub or using a heating pad might help you when you're dealing with a joint pain flare-up.
Seek Professional Treatment
For minor, occasional joint pain, there is nothing wrong with attempting to treat yourself at home with the methods listed above. However, if your joint pain is so severe that it interferes with your day-to-day life, or if you have been dealing with chronic joint pain for a while, you should definitely consider seeking the help of a professional. There are surgeries and other treatment options that can work well for people who suffer from serious joint pain and inflammation, and a specialist can talk to you about these options.
Contact a health clinic to learn more about joint inflammation treatment.