Pain in your joints can be caused by many different things, so it’s important to have the cause diagnosed. Once your doctor knows what’s causing the pain, you can start on the right treatments to get relief.
Joint pain symptoms
Your doctor can help determine the cause of your joint pain by looking at a medical history, a physical exam, and blood tests. They may also order X-rays or imaging studies to check for arthritis-related damage to the joint. They can also look for signs of inflammation that could indicate another condition, such as gout or infection.
The causes of joint pain vary based on the location and severity of the pain, as well as whether the pain is localized or generalized. Common causes include arthritis, injuries, and other health conditions.
You may have joint pain if you have an illness that causes inflammation of the joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or if you have osteoarthritis. Other causes of joint pain are not related to inflammation but can still cause pain and stiffness.
Symptoms can last for short or long periods, and they may occur in several joints at once or just one. The pain is usually sharp or dull, and it can feel like a burning sensation or a throbbing ache that makes movement difficult.
It can be hard to know what’s causing your joint pain, and it might take time to find out. If your pain is new or you haven’t seen your doctor in a while, make an appointment with a doctor.
Joint pain can be treated by medication, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery. It can also be managed with lifestyle changes, self-care strategies, and other methods.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin, can reduce pain and inflammation in joints. They are safe and can be taken over the counter. However, if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or liver or kidney problems, these medicines are better taken with the advice of a doctor.
Your doctor can prescribe a stronger opioid drug to relieve severe pain that’s not relieved by NSAIDs or other painkillers. Opioids can cause drowsiness, so you should only use them under the supervision of your doctor.
Topical medicines can also be used to treat joint pain. Applying a cream that contains capsaicin or methyl salicylate to the affected joint can help relieve pain.
Massage of the affected muscles can also help alleviate pain. The massage increases blood flow to the area and brings warmth to the muscle.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can also help relieve pain by sending mild, electric pulses to nerve endings that are in the area of the joint. This can change the way the brain perceives pain.
Some people find that soaking their joints in warm water or an ice pack can reduce the pain and swelling. Cold water, such as a bowl of frozen peas or cut vegetables, is also useful in acutely inflamed or painful joints.
