What Causes Joint Pain and How to Manage It

The body is a very resilient piece of machinery, but with normal wear and tear it can start to show signs of overuse. Joint pain is a common symptom that appears when joints throughout the body start to wear out.

There are many things you can do to get joint pain relief such as gentle exercise, home remedies, and OTC medications.

Let’s look a bit deeper into what causes joint pain and how to manage it.

What is Joint Pain?

Joint pain is very common in the elderly or those with certain illnesses and is typically felt in the knees, hips, feet, fingers, or spine and can cause temporary or chronic pain.
For some people, it can be debilitating and affect a person’s ability to do basic tasks and, in serious cases, affect the quality of life.

Causes of Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis

.  Rheumatoid arthritis

• Gout

• Bursitis

• Viral infections, fever, or rash

• Injuries such as sprains or broken bones

• Tendinitis

Treatment

Depending on what’s causing your joint pain, there may not be a cure for the pain, but it can be managed with home remedies to reduce soreness in the joints. Over-the-counter drugs like pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, as well as gentle daily exercises can also provide pain relief.

How to treat it at home

·Applying a heating pad where it hurts.

·Applying a cold compress.

·Taking a hot bath or shower to soothe the joints.

Exercise

·Walking

·Swimming

·Low-impact aerobic exercise

·Gentle stretching exercises will also help.

Weight loss

Losing weight can reduce the pressure that’s put on the joints.

OTC TREATMENTS – MEDICATION AND OINTMENTS

If home remedies don’t provide enough pain relief, try using over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and topical ointments or sprays to soothe sore joints.

OTC Pain Relievers: Tablets, Capsules, and Pills

·Anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen)

·Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen)

Topical treatments

·Voltarol 12 Hour Joint Pain Relief Gel 30G

·Deep Heat Cream Medium 67GM

·Ibuleve Maximum Strength Gel 30G

·Anaesthetic (numbing) ointments, gels, sprays, or creams

With 21 locations in South London, Pearl Chemist Group of pharmacies can provide convenient services such a prescription allocation, consultations on pain management, and more.

Click here to make an appointment online or speak with one of our trusted pharmacists when you visit us in person.