The management of chronic joint pain can be approached from many approaches and ideally a combination of what you have found to provide relief. Due to the particularities of each condition and the circumstances of each individual, not all remedies yield the same results. This article is a guide to offer you the most effective ones.

Long-term effects of pain

Musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis and osteoarthritis are among the leading causes of disability worldwide. Chronic pain limits you in performing daily activities and leads to states of sadness, anxiety, anger or depression. Moreover, this symptom generates other consequences:

• Isolation, by not participating in social activities, for fear of being a burden or not being understood.
• Avoidance of physical activity for fear of triggering pain.
• Sleep disorders caused by anxiety or by the discomfort itself.
• Dependence on medication, which is sometimes increasing.

Recommendations for coping with long-term joint pain

One of the goals of learning to manage this symptom is to prevent its harmful social, physical and emotional effects. This depends not only on managing its intensity or duration, but also on staying active as much as possible. It is therefore important to set realistic goals:

• Soothe the pain of everyday life.
• Identify triggers to avoid flare-ups.
• Recovering functions.
• Manage the social and emotional impact.
• Adopt strategies to cope with pain.

1. Improve quality of life

There is much you can do to improve your well-being despite the disease. An essential first step is to have a clear understanding of what is going on with your joints. Talk to your doctor about the disease and learn as much as you can.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps control negative thoughts, and relaxation techniques are also helpful in counteracting anger and depression.

2. Eating better

Overweight and obesity are factors that greatly influence the onset of joint pain. This is particularly true in those that receive the weight of the body, such as the hips, knees, ankles and lower back.

However, in addition to maintaining an ideal weight, it is important to modify the diet. Including oily fish, nuts and olive oil, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables in daily menus provides nutrients that help control inflammation. These include antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids.

3. Maintain physical activity

Leading a sedentary life so that pain does not appear is not the best option. The activities you give up now will be more difficult to resume later, in addition to how harmful inactivity is for the whole organism.

Continue with hobbies such as gardening, hiking or playing a musical instrument. All will provide social, emotional and cognitive benefits.

Low-impact exercise, such as swimming or walking, has several effects. On the one hand, it counteracts the atrophy that accompanies many joint injuries and improves muscle tone, range of motion and endurance.

In addition, repetitive movements activate the nutrition of the cartilage. The reason is that the synovial fluid that nourishes it diffuses to its interior more easily.

4. Soothe the pain

You should avoid activities that trigger pain, such as jumping, running, high-impact exercises, carrying heavy objects or using stairs. It is advisable to talk to your doctor so that he/she can offer you the best treatment scheme in order to soothe the discomfort, or include some drugs that slow down the progression of the disease.

Viscosupplementation therapy with intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid are an alternative to improve function and alleviate pain. The aim is to reduce inflammation and optimize the lubrication provided by the synovial fluid.

5. Physical therapies

Alternating the use of hot and cold compresses is a way to soothe pain quickly. The heat relaxes sore muscles and the cold reduces inflammation and discomfort. You may want to use them shortly before bedtime to help you sleep better.

Physiotherapy also offers you the resource of massages, which increase mobility, relax the musculature and reduce the symptom. In addition, electrical stimulation through the skin or ultrasound have positive effects on deep tissues. Finally, occupational therapy helps you to perform daily tasks in a way that requires less effort.

Joint pain is a symptom that affects millions of people and there are countless resources to control it. The years of youth cannot be regained, but you can achieve more vitality, enthusiasm and fulfillment for the present. Phytogen Medical Foods products help you preserve your quality of life. Visit us!