Overcoming Joint Pain Can Lead to a Healthier Life

By Dr. Aaranson –

For some, living with joint pain can be an annoyance – something that can be an inconvenience to them as they go about their everyday tasks. For others, it can be debilitating, leading to extreme discomfort and that can make it almost impossible for them to lead their daily lives. Whether caused by arthritis or by other issues, such as strains or sprains, other injuries, or bursitis, to name a few of the causes, finding relief for joint pain is one of the most common reasons that many individuals seek the help of orthopedic doctors such as the team at Orthopedic Associates.

However, finding true relief for joint pain is understandably difficult for many. Not without reason, most people would rather forego more invasive treatments for their pain if possible, seeking natural treatment options before taking more extensive measures to treat arthritis and osteoarthritis. Fortunately, there are things that people can do to attempt to lessen their joint pain, especially if they are younger or if the pain has not progressed to a point where it has begun to severely impact their life.

One of the simplest natural ways to treat joint pain for many individuals, especially those who are overweight, is to simply lose a few pounds. Those who are overweight are putting unnecessary pressure on their joints, which – as one might expect – can cause problems over time. Simply losing ten to twenty pounds can have a significant impact when it comes to lessening joint pain. While this is of course not an option for every individual, it can be a great first step for those who want to ease joint pain without undertaking more extensive measures, such as orthopedic surgery.

Those who experience joint pain regularly may also attempt to use over the counter medications to treat their joint pain. Those who have the ability to do so can use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium to treat their joint pain. In some instances, a doctor may prescribe variants of these medications to treat more severe joint pain. However, if you find yourself needing medication on an extended basis, it may be a good idea to consider a long-term solution for joint pain.

In that case, many people may begin to consider a very important question – when should you begin to consider whether or not surgery might be the right option for you? While most of us would prefer to avoid surgery, it’s important to remember that orthopedic surgery is a safe, long-term solution that can vastly improve one’s quality of life when it comes to joint pain. Do your research and feel free to ask the surgeon all the questions you can think of, including how long the recovery period will be and how experienced they are. Getting a second and third opinion cannot do harm either.

Many people who opt for orthopedic surgery for joint pain in their hip or knee are able to regain much of their mobility. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Those who can regain their mobility often gain their vitality and, even more importantly for many, are able to exercise where they could not before. Exercise routines can be incredibly important when it comes to quality of life issues as well as weight management issues, to name just a few of the concerns that many people may have as they grow older.

The important thing to remember is that there is no single solution to joint pain that will work for every individual. For some people, working with natural remedies and attempting to manage their weight will be the best solution. However, for others a more intensive solution to chronic pain may be a more viable option.

Regardless, speaking to an orthopedic doctor can help you come up with a plan for managing your joint pain that will allow you to tackle the issue without delay. Nobody should feel as if they have to deal with joint pain on their own, especially when we live in a modern day and age that offers us so many solutions to such issues. Speaking to experts such as those at Oastl.com can be a first step towards gaining much-needed perspective and pain relief

Dr. Aaranson is a board-certified podiatrist / foot and ankle surgeon specializing in comprehensive care of the foot and ankle with particular interests in diabetic foot and wound care and in pediatric foot care.