An estimated 54 million Americans suffer from arthritis and even more from undiagnosed joint pain. Include more than 80% of adults who experience some form of back pain and you have hundreds of millions of people suffering. A large percentage of these people experiencing joint pain have lifestyle-related factors that can be altered to reduce their pain and degeneration.
Tackling a proactive approach to issues such as obesity and lack of exercise, in addition to diet changes and other supplemental activities can help decrease your joint pain.
As recently as 2017, the American College of Physicians released new guidelines for the treatment of low back joint pain supporting the use of nonpharmacologic therapies as the first line of treatment. Treatments such as chiropractic care and acupuncture have been shown to reduce back pain and may help with hip and knee pain as well.
While there are hundreds of different types of arthritis, chiropractic treatment has had positive results in those suffering from osteoarthritis and other inflammatory arthritides. Research involving acupuncture has also shown positive results in the treatment of joint pain related to arthritic conditions.
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Joint pain in the back and lower body, hips, and knees, in particular, can often be attributed to overweight or obese body types. The excess weight combined with gravity creates an increase in pressure on joints, accelerating degenerative processes.
Establishing a regular and consistent exercise routine can help you lose excess weight that may be adding to your joint pain. For individuals with severe hip and knee pain, exercises with lower impact or water aerobics may be an easier adjustment.
Dietary changes can also help manage your joint pain by decreasing inflammatory chemicals and increasing healthy herbs and supplements that promote joint rejuvenation. Fish oils, turmeric, and foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids can naturally act as an anti-inflammatory agent for painful joints.
Avoiding refined carbohydrates, sugar, trans, and saturated fats, and aspartame can also help reduce flare-ups of inflammation and joint pain. Supplementation with herbal remedies has also been known to help with joint pain. Common herbs used to treat joint pain include Boswellia, aloe vera, cat’s claw, eucalyptus, and ginger.
Arthritic symptoms, specifically joint pain, can be treated using heat and ice therapies. Ice is generally
the right choice when faced between icing and applying heat. Ice helps to reduce swelling and inflammation that is commonly related to joint pain.
Ice helps to reduce pain as well by numbing the area, allowing for increased motion, which will assist in pumping out remaining inflammatory byproducts. Heat can be used to reduce muscle pain and joint stiffness. Heat can be applied, if there is no swelling, to warm up stiff joints before an activity. Soaking in Epsom salt is another popular home remedy for joint pain. The warm water combined with the absorption of the salt ions makes Epsom salt baths a popular relief option.
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In recent years, people have turned to the medicinal effects associated with cannabis, more specifically the CBD component of the plant, which does not cause intoxication but has therapeutic benefits. Research has shown that the active components in CBD oils and other products have benefits in the reduction of pain and improving immune function.
Essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, and spearmint to name a few have also been known to provide pain relief when applied directly to sore and inflamed joints.
No matter the approach you take to managing your back or joint pain, consult with a doctor to make sure you are making the best choice for your condition.
Dr. Kevin Kinney, board certified and licensed Chiropractic Physician featured on INSIDER.com, TheTodayShow.com & BlackDoctorsMatter.org. Connect with Dr. Kev at drkevinkinney.com or @DrDuval904
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