The Causes of Stiff Joints
With age, stiff joints are part of the program. However, they don’t have to be. You can enjoy more relaxed, pain-free joints at any age. You just need the right expert guidance to know what causes joint pain and stiffness.
So in this article we will explore what causes stiffness in the joints — and share various remedies to relieve joint pain and stiffness that you should know about:
Read More: How Long Does a Joint Replacement Last?
What causes stiff joints?
When you experience discomfort in your joints, it can impact your mobility. Common daily tasks may become difficult. Inflammation and pain often go hand in hand with joint stiffness.
There are a number of factors that can cause joint stiffness, aging pain and so on. But there could be other conditions you’re not aware of.
You may have gout, bursitis, bone cancer or arthritis. It’s always best to consult with an orthopedic expert when determining joint stiffness remedies. It could be something simple like diet and exercise, but oftentimes there’s something more urgent that needs to be addressed.
That being said, no matter what the source of your joint stiffness is, there are some common joint stiffness treatments.
How to get rid of joint stiffness
Again, consulting a doctor is the best choice when experiencing any kind of pain in your body. However, there are some things you can do at home to begin the process of reducing stiffness.
Hot and cold compress
Heat will relax your muscles and joints. Cold will reduce the swell. When you alternate these two in combination, it creates a great natural remedy for helping with joint stiffness.
Medication
Without a prescription, you can still take certain medicines like naproxen sodium, ibuprofen or aspirin. These will help relieve pain and inflammation.
Again, what causes stiffness in the joints? Inflammation. That’s why medication is appropriate if used in moderation.
Physical therapy
Moving your body increases blood flow. It also helps improve flexibility and mobility. A body in motion tends to heal itself faster.
Body weight
If you feel like your weight may be contributing to extra pressure on your joints, then consider changing your nutrition. Consuming fewer calories and higher levels of protein, fruits and vegetables is a great start.
Supplements
Supplements like multivitamins and fish oil can help your body function better. At the end of the day, the healthier your body is, the healthier your joints will be as well.
Certain supplements can help address the causes of joint pain and stiffness at their roots.
When you should consult a doctor for your joint pain
If some simple at home remedies are not enough to relieve your joint pain, then it probably means you need more help.
An orthopedic surgeon can help you diagnose the main cause of your joint pain instead. It may be as simple as changing some lifestyle habits. In other cases, you may require extensive therapy or even surgery.
But either way, knowing the cause is half the battle, so it is always worth it to talk with the experts. That way, you can stop wondering why you’re stiff and start working towards your solution.
Relieve joint stiffness today
There are various remedies you can use to relieve joint stiffness, like a joint replacement in Baltimore.
No matter what the cause of your joint stiffness, there is likely a remedy to help you. Consulting with St. Agnes Orthopedics can help you determine what your options are.
Whether you need surgery, therapy, or another remedy, let the experts help you enjoy the best quality of life possible.