A joint is a connection between two bones. Joints are essential since they help parts of the body move. Any damage to the movement of the joints from disease or injury can lead to pain when one attempts to move. Joint pain is common and can be caused by different conditions such as bursitis, arthritis, sprains, and strains. If you experience any joint pain, you can consider Clifton regenerative medicine. There are several treatments that you can explore if you experience joint pain. The tricks include the following.
Heat and Cold Therapy
Heat therapy, also known as thermotherapy, involves the use of heat and cold just as the name suggests to help relieve joint and muscle pain. Heat therapy consists of the use of a hot water bottle, a warm bath, and pads that can be heated in the microwave. It is worth mentioning that extreme heat should be avoided. For cold therapy, the pad is placed in the freezer, or a water bottle is filled with cold water. Cold therapy reduces inflammation, while heat therapy promotes blood flow to the muscles, which helps them relax. In some cases, it is advised to alternate between heat and cold therapy.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is increasingly being accepted as a credible treatment for pain, such as back pain. According to research, massaging has several potential health benefits for people suffering from back pain, including increased blood flow and circulation to the focused area, which gives muscles the nutrition they need to heal. Massaging muscles helps decrease tension in the muscles, hence increasing flexibility and reducing pain attributed to tight muscles. Massaging increases endorphin levels. Endorphins are chemicals produced by the body that promote happiness and can reduce pain and anxiety. Endorphins are also known to promote healing within the body.
Braces and Corsets
Corsets and braces are close-fitting undergarments that support the lower back, hips, and abdomen. While these garments might help manage pain, they do not cure the underlying condition. However, they offer compression and support to the lower back allowing for the back to heal, especially for a patient who has recently undergone surgery.
Belts and flexible corsets help ease the pain by applying light pressure to the abdomen and shifting weight off the spinal column. If the patient suffers from weakened muscles, it provides spinal support and bears the brunt of some of the pressure.
Weight Loss
Body joints have a big job to do. They support your weight to help you move around all day long. Being overweight affects how the body feels and functions. With time, the excess strain placed on the joints can lead to arthritis and joint pains. Losing even a small amount of weight can mainly improve the functioning of the joints. Although losing weight does not repair damage already caused, it can alleviate pain, which allows for better joint function.
Losing weight does not just ease the pain, but it also reduces inflammation. Fat is an active tissue that releases pro-inflammatory chemicals. By reducing the amount of fat around the joints or in the body, the overall body inflammation will go down.
The above is just an example to show that there are some lifestyle changes you can make to ease your joint pain. While some may offer instant relief, others such as weight loss might take some time and discipline before the effects are felt.