As you age, injuries, aches, and pains become more and more common. It’s just a fact of life that our joints and muscles age, leaving the body more susceptible to little niggles and pains. Joints are the most common areas of pain, with many people experiencing lower back, hip, knee, or elbow pain in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.
If you’re suffering from joint pain, it can be a frustrating and upsetting time. It can leave you struggling to sleep, exercise, or even go for long walks. Don’t worry, there are some great remedies that can help you relieve your joint pain in the short and longer-term. Read on for some great joint pain tips.
What Causes Joint Pain?
Sadly, around 23% of all adults in the US suffer from some form of arthritis, which is the most common cause of joint pain. Of these arthritis sufferers, 1 in 4 are limited in their motion or activity due to their intense joint pain. There is no cure for arthritis, but there are many ways to ease the symptoms.
Other causes of joint pain include injuries throughout life, repetitive strain, or more serious issues like cancer. If you have any kind of long-term joint pain, you should seek medical attention immediately, in case there is anything a medical professional can do to help you. On top of this, try out some of these ideas to help alleviate your pain.
CBD
In recent years, the medicinal properties of CBD have become more widely known and accepted. CBD is a cannabinoid, a compound found in marijuana, though it has no psychoactive properties like the other main component, THC. CBD has been shown in various studies to help reduce inflammation and pain in joints, as well as in other parts of the body.
One of the top supplements for joint pain is topical CBD ointments. Products like Vitamin Shoppe CBD salve combine CBD with other herbal remedies like lavender and eucalyptus, creating a nice smelling product that acts fast on joining pain. These ointments have been shown to work even on people with severe joint pain, so are worth trying. Simply apply to the area and feel the relief.
CBD supplements work, too. CBD oils can be added to food or drinks, or simply taken under the tongue. Other CBD supplements are available too, all of which have similar properties and actions. CBD may also help you relieve stress and sleep better with your pain.
NSAIDs
In a way, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the complete opposite of CBD. Drugs like ibuprofen are not made from plants but instead created in labs. However, these anti-inflammatories can be great for quick relief of joint pain. They work by reducing inflammation and targeting pain neurons at the same time, creating a great pain-relieving cocktail. It’s worth noting that long-term use of NSAIDs is linked with various issues, so you shouldn’t take them regularly for more than 10 days at a time unless instructed to do so by your doctor.
The Right Exercise
Yes, exercise – even when you’re in pain! Obviously, it’s not ideal to go out for long runs or go play football when you have severe knee or hip pain. But, the right exercise can do your joints the world of good. A physiotherapist or doctor will be able to offer you a training regimen, likely consisting of low-intensity weight training, gentle cardio, and stretching.
These exercises can be targeted at different joints to help strengthen the bone, muscle, and ligaments altogether. Following one of these programs for the long-term will help your joints feel stronger and less painful. Make sure that you follow a regimen as set by a medical professional and report any further issues with your joints so that your plan can be amended and tweaked to help you further.
Curcumin
Curcumin, a substance that you may never have heard of. It’s the active ingredient in turmeric, giving it its orange color. Studies have shown that curcumin may be as effective as ibuprofen at curing joint pain, though other medical journals disagree. However, millions of users report improved joints after taking curcumin supplements.
Turmeric is often sold in juices and shots. These are nice and can certainly help a little bit with your joints. But, the amount of curcumin in the 2-3g of turmeric in your shot will be minimal. Instead of sticking with juices, it’s recommended to try concentrated curcumin tablets. These provide a much higher – and still safe – dose of curcumin.
Omega 3s
Omega 3s are essential fats that are not created by the body. We need them, but unfortunately don’t produce them in our bodies. For years, people have taken fish oil as a supplement for joints, and it has been proven to be a good choice. Omega 3s have anti-inflammatory properties, meaning that if your joints are inflamed, they can help ease the pain.
If you are vegetarian, there are plenty of vegan alternatives to fish oil. Algae and Krill oils, for example, are plant-based. They are what fish themselves eat and where they get their omegas from. So go right to the source and try algae oil for your omega 3s.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a natural part of the body’s cartilage, which stops joints from rubbing together when they move. If your joints are sore with sharp pains, it could be down to a lack of cartilage. The joints rubbing together can also cause even more inflammation and, therefore, even more pain. Glucosamine tablets can help slow down further degradation of your cartilage, which may help reduce arthritis symptoms. It is thought that glucosamine sulfate is the better option for this sort of treatment, as opposed to glucosamine hydrochloride, though studies are still comparing the two.ƒli
After seeing your medical professional, you can start to try these methods to help relieve your pain yourself. Remember, it’s always worth getting the opinion of a doctor, as they may be able to spot something you have missed. Hopefully, a combination of the above, as well as some medical help, can help you get through your pain.