Looking for Knee Pain Relief?
The knee joint consists of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid, and it moves with the help of supporting muscles and tendons. When any of these structures are damaged, you are likely to experience knee pain or dysfunction in the knee. This type of pain is typically the result of injuries, overuse and arthritis, and the likelihood of knee issues increases as we age due to degeneration of the knee joint. Here are a number of different knee pain relief strategies for you to try if you are seeking treatment for knee pain.
Resting to Prevent Knee Pain
The first step in treatment for knee pain – and in most joint, muscle or bone injuries – is to rest. Taking a break from your normal activities lessens the strain on your knee, helps prevent further damage and helps provide knee pain relief.
Ice & Heat
Applying ice for under 20 minutes at a time lessens pain and inflammation in the affected area. Heat packs or hot water bottles may help provide knee pain relief temporarily.
Medication
Over-the-counter medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are typically recommended to provide knee pain relief. A doctor may prescribe you stronger medication as treatment for knee pain if an underlying condition like rheumatoid arthritis or gout is responsible. Creams containing a numbing agent may help reduce pain when rubbed onto the affected area and offer a simple form of knee pain home treatment.
Supplementation
Certain dietary supplements offer health benefits to the knee when taken consistently. Glucosamine, chondroitin and type I and II collagen are all known to support joint, muscle and bone health and may therefore help with knee pain relief over time.
Physical Therapy & Exercise
In addition to knee pain home treatments, a physical therapist can help manipulate the tissue around painful areas, as well as recommend exercises to help support the knee joint. Certain exercises may be needed to correct unhealthy movement patterns during sport or activities, while strengthening exercises may be prescribed to those with arthritic knee pain. Even if such exercises induce pain, they do not make arthritis worse; over time, they will help to maintain healthy cartilage and provide knee pain relief long-term.
Supportive Devices
Certain supportive devices can be used as a form of knee pain relief. Compression bandages help prevent fluid build-up and maintain knee alignment. Knee braces provide external stability to the knee joint, helping to reduce pain and strengthen the knee muscles. Arch support placed into footwear can help shift pressure away from the painful side of the knee.
Injections
Injecting medications or other substances directly into the joint can help provide knee pain relief. These could include corticosteroids to reduce pain symptoms, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that can help lower inflammation and promote healing, or hyaluronic acid – a thick fluid that may help to lubricate joints, improve mobility and ease pain.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be required to provide knee pain relief. It is not typically necessary to have the operation immediately. Arthroscopic surgery may be used to remove loose cartilage or repair damaged cartilage, as well as to reconstruct torn ligaments. An osteotomy involves removing bone from the thighbone or shinbone to align the knee and help relieve arthritis pain. This surgery may also help to provide knee pain relief while delaying or avoiding total knee replacement surgery. A partial knee replacement is minimally invasive, where the most damaged parts of the knee are replaced with metal and plastic. A total knee replacement requires damaged bone and cartilage to be cut away from the kneecap, thighbone and shinbone and replaced with an artificial joint made from metal, plastic and polymers. Knee pain home treatments and physical therapy are usually effective enough to provide knee pain relief. However, further treatments and surgery may be considered for more serious issues. Don’t ignore or push through pain, and seek urgent care if you experience significant swelling, an inability to fully extend or flex the knee, feelings of instability in the knee joint, a fever in addition to knee swelling and pain, or an injury that induces instant pain.
Knee Pain Causes
The knee is the largest joint in the body, responsible for allowing us to stand and bearing our weight continuously. Knees are highly susceptible to wear and tear, and pain in knees is very common as a result – particularly as we age. Irritation to the tissue surrounding the kneecap is usually responsible, and while keeping fit and active is key to our health and longevity, it is usually active individuals who put repetitive stress on their knees and are therefore at a higher risk of injury and pain in knees. Here is a closer look at a number of potential knee pain causes.
Brief Anatomy of the Knee
The kneecap, also known as the patella, is a thick, round bone that covers the front part of the knee joint.
There are two types of cartilage in the knee.
Articular Cartilage: This covers the end of the thighbone, the shinbone and the back of the kneecap. It is a slippery substance that helps the knee bones glide smoothly when the leg bends or straightens.
Meniscal Cartilage: This consists of two wedge-shaped pieces of cartilage on the inner and outer side of the knee that act as shock absorbers between the thighbone and shinbone. This cartilage is most typically responsible for pain in knees when individuals have torn their meniscus.
Knee Pain Causes
Injuries and Overuse
Strains or Sprains: Minor injuries to the knee ligaments and/or muscles are extremely common knee pain causes and are typically the result of a blow to the knee or sudden twisting. Symptoms may include pain, swelling and difficulty walking.
Torn or Injured Ligaments/Tendons: Tendon injuries can range from inflammation to a tear, typically from sports or a fall. Injury to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is usually caused by a sudden twisting motion; injury to the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) is typically the result of a direct blow, and damage to the MCL (medial collateral ligament) is often caused by pressure to the outside of the knee. All three may cause swelling and sharp knee pain, bleeding into the knee, or an unstable knee.
Cartilage Issues: Cartilage in the kneecap may soften from injury, overuse, misalignment of the knee or muscle weakness. A meniscus tear refers to torn cartilage resulting in pain in knees felt inside or outside the knee joint. Cartilage tears are one of the more common knee pain causes and often occur with sprains.
Bursitis: Inflammation can result from repeated pressure on the knee, causing swollenness, tenderness, warmth and pain in knees.
Tendinitis: Overuse during certain activities or a change in activity may result in inflammation of the tendons. When this occurs in the patellar tendon – one of the more common knee pain causes in sports as a result of hitting the ground after a jump – it is referred to as “jumper’s knee”.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome: This involves injury to the thick band that runs from the hip to the outside of the knee. It may result in a clicking or rubbing feeling on the side of the knee, pain that increases with activity, and pain that spreads to the hip.
Patellofemoral Syndrome: This is one of the more frequent knee pain causes affecting children and young adults, involving pain behind or around the kneecap, particularly when flexing the knees.
Dislocation of the Kneecap: When the kneecap is dislocated as a result of direct trauma, it may slip sideways to the outside of the knee. It could appear deformed, the knee may stay bent and unable to straighten, there is likely to be sharp knee pain, tenderness and swelling, and the result may be a “sloppy” kneecap, where the kneecap can move too far to the left and right.
Broken Kneecap: The patella may fracture or break as a result of a fall or a direct blow to the knee, resulting in bruising, sharp knee pain, severe swelling and limited mobility.
Medical Conditions
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that can affect the knees. This degenerative condition results in cartilage wearing down over time, which may cause pain and stiffness in one or both knees. Pain may feel worse at the end of the day or during movement, or may improve with rest. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the joints that can destroy knee cartilage over time, resulting in swelling, pain and limited mobility.
Baker Cyst: This refers to a swelling behind the knee that is filled with fluid, and may be the result of other knee pain causes, such as arthritis.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease: This condition may affect children and younger individuals, causing a bony lump to form below the knee cap which becomes painful and swollen with exercise.
Chondromalacia: Also referred to as “runner’s knee”, this is one of the more degenerative knee pain causes that results from chronic wear on the kneecap or a traumatic injury. Chondromalacia causes articular cartilage to soften and fray over time. Pain in knees may be felt at the front of the knee, especially when walking up and downhill, and grinding or clicking may be experienced when the knee flexes or extends.
Cancer: Far less likely than other knee pain causes, cancers that either spread to or begin in the bones may induce pain in knees. Individuals usually respond well to treatments such as pain medicine, ice, rest and therapeutic exercises. However, surgery may be required when the knee has structural damage, or if it has not responded to other methods of pain relief.
Knee arthritis – Symptoms, types, and treatments
Knee arthritis is a common medical condition that can significantly impact your daily life.
From joint stiffness to reduced range of motion, the symptoms of knee arthritis can make even the simplest tasks, like walking, a painful experience.
While most forms of arthritis are incurable, there are ways to effectively manage the symptoms.
In this article, we will learn about different forms of knee arthritis, their symptoms, and available treatment options. Keep reading if you are ready to say goodbye to your knee pains!
What is knee arthritis?
Knee arthritis is not one disease but rather a term encompassing different forms of arthritis. What these diseases have in common is that they all affect the knee joints.
Knee arthritis symptoms
While arthritis in the knee can have different forms, each with its own progression curve, the symptoms of these diseases are usually similar.
One might experience the following:
- Joint pain that increases with movement or after longer periods of standing or sitting
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness around the joint area
- Decreased range of motion
- Unexpected locking of the knee
- Cracking or clicking sound when moving the joint
- Weakness in the knee
Certain forms of arthritis might also have some additional symptoms, like fever or fatigue, which might indicate inflammation.
Types of knee arthritis
While symptoms might be similar across most forms of knee arthritis, the underlying cause, the progression of the disease, and treatment options may vary, depending on the type of arthritis.
For this reason, it's crucial to get a proper diagnosis and determine the kind of knee arthritis we're dealing with.
Below, we will look at the most common forms of arthritis that might affect the knee joints.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It's a degenerative disease where the cartilage between bones starts to break down. The condition worsens over time, sever osteoarthritis might cause permanent damage to the bones as well.
It can affect any joint in the body, including the knees.
Old age, physical trauma, and genetic factors can all increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee.
As with many other forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis is incurable. The best course of action is to reduce the impact of symptoms through medications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgery.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body. Most of the time, it affects the joints - including the knees - but may also cause damage to the skin, organs, and other areas of the body.
The symptoms are similar to other forms of arthritis: pain, stiffness, and tenderness in the joints. Additionally, people with rheumatoid arthritis might experience fevers, weight loss, fatigue, and general weakness. A common sign of rheumatoid arthritis is when the symptoms appear symmetrically on both sides of the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, and the causes of the disease are not yet known. It appears more commonly in women or those with a family history of the disease. Smoking might also increase your risk of developing it.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but it's possible to lessen the effects of the symptoms with medications.
Post-traumatic knee arthritis
Post-traumatic knee arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis that develops after a trauma or an injury to the joint. It might appear shortly after the trauma, but even a previously healed injury can cause post-traumatic knee arthritis later. Usually, it has a faster progression than simple osteoarthritis.
Symptoms are similar to osteoarthritis. The only difference is the speed the disease develops, with post-traumatic arthritis being faster.
When treating post-traumatic knee arthritis, doctors usually focus on pain management and stabilizing the affected joint through low-impact exercise, physical therapy, or braces.
Gout
Gout is a kind of arthritis that might develop resulting from too much uric acid in the body. The urate buildup might form sharp little crystals in the joints, causing pain flare-ups, redness, tenderness, inflammation, and joint discomfort.
Gout most commonly develops in the big toe, but later stages of the disease can affect other joints too. While gout of the knee is rare, it's not unheard of.
During treatment, doctors usually focus on managing the pain attacks and lowering uric acid levels. They may also check for underlying kidney problems, which could cause the urate buildup.
Diagnosing knee arthritis
Doctors can diagnose arthritis in the knee with a combination of physical examination, X-ray or MRI imaging, and blood or joint-fluid tests.
When diagnosing arthritis, it's crucial to look for possible underlying causes and to find the exact form of arthritis, as treatment might be different for each.
Knee arthritis treatment
The course of treatment for knee arthritis depends on which type of arthritis you're dealing with. Non-inflammatory arthritides like osteoarthritis might call for simple painkillers, while autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis might get treated using immunosuppressants.
In severe cases of knee arthritis, doctors might suggest surgery. Surgical options are usually a last resort, and they might include joint replacement, joint fusing, or realignment of the joint.
If you’d like to know more about your treatment options, make sure you read our article on arthritis remedies.
The Dos and Don'ts of living with knee arthritis
In addition to seeing a doctor and getting treatment for your knee arthritis, there are a few things you can do for yourself to lessen the impact of your condition. And some other things you should avoid when you have arthritis.
The Dos
These small lifestyle changes and techniques might help you ease the pain and slow down the progression of the disease.
Stay active
When dealing with knee pain, it's easy to fall into a more sedentary lifestyle in hope of avoiding the pain. But that usually only makes arthritis worse. So make sure you get some exercise, even if it’s just a couple of minutes a day.
Choose low-impact activities that don't put too much stress on the joints. Swimming, rowing, tai chi, and yoga are all good options.
Try to maintain a healthy weight
Putting too much weight on your knees can stress the joints and speed up the progression of arthritis. So it's best to maintain a healthy weight as much as you can.
Following a balanced diet and doing low-impact cardio - like swimming - can help you achieve that.
Support your knees
You might want to use external support to reduce stress on your knees. Wrap bandages, braces, or even walking canes can help by stabilizing and supporting the joint.
The Don’ts
There are some other things that you might want to avoid if you are dealing with knee arthritis.
Don't put further stress on your joints
Try to reduce unnecessary load and stress on your knees. Avoid high-impact sports such as running, soccer, kickboxing, or basketball.
Only carry as much weight as your knees can safely support. If your knee joints are weak as a result of arthritis, it's best to avoid hauling heavy loads like furniture and so.
Always wear protective gear when doing activities with a risk of falling - like cycling. Knee protectors can reduce further joint damage.
Don't eat too many unhealthy foods
Following a healthy and balanced diet comes with many benefits, and it can also reduce the impact of arthritis in some cases.
It's best to avoid inflammatory foods like fried meals, red and processed meats, refined grains, and sodas. Doctors also advise cutting back on alcohol, as certain beverages amplify the inflammatory symptoms of arthritis. You might want to introduce some anti-inflammatory foods to your diet instead, like salmon, blueberries, tomatoes, and green leafy vegetables, to name a few.
Common Joint Pain Causes in Adults
Joint pain is a common challenge that might trouble us from time to time throughout our adult lives, especially as we get older and older. When we first experience it, our natural reaction is to look for the cause.
Causes of joint pain in adults
Joint pain in adults might result from a variety of diseases and conditions. In this article, we will explore these possible causes and their symptoms.
Sprain or strain
We might experience joint pain due to sprain or strain, especially after a fall or injury. A sprain is when the ligaments - the tissues connecting the bones - overstretch or tear. A strain is when the same thing happens to the muscles around the joint or the tissues that attach the muscles to the bones. Both conditions can cause intense joint pain, but they usually heal well without permanent damage.
Symptoms:
- Pain, tenderness, and swelling in the joint area
- Weakness of the affected joint
- Reduced weight-bearing capacity
- Muscle spasms or cramping
- Visible bruises in the area
Arthritis
Arthritis is an umbrella term that describes many different joint diseases that cause inflammation in the joints. These conditions may vary in their symptoms, severity, and possible treatment options. Most forms of arthritis are chronic conditions with no cure, so often, the goal of treatment is reducing the symptoms.
Symptoms:
- Inflammation of joints
- Joint pain
- Joint stiffness
- Possible redness and swelling around the joint
Hemarthrosis
Hemarthrosis means internal bleeding that leaks into the joint cavity. It might result from a bleeding disorder, injury, infection, or an autoimmune disease. The condition might also occur after surgery. When treating hemarthrosis, doctors look for the underlying cause of the bleeding and focus on fixing that. If hemarthrosis comes from an injury, it might often heal with rest.
Symptoms:
- Joint pain
- Swelling of the joint
- Possible discoloration under the skin
- The joint might feel warm to the touch
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects the whole body, causing musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and other problems. While joint pain might be common with the disease, it's usually only a small fraction of the symptoms. Fibromyalgia has no cure yet, so the best course of treatment is to minimize the impact of these symptoms.
Symptoms:
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Digestive and bladder issues
- Mental symptoms like anxiety, depression, and insomnia
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones. It occurs when the bone tissues break down faster than they can be replaced. The condition causes the bones to become porous, brittle, weakened, and more prone to injuries. While osteoporosis doesn't directly cause joint pain, compression fractures can occur in weakened bones - especially in the vertebrae - which might feel like joint pain.
Symptoms:
- Your hair and nails might become brittle
- Weakened grip
- Receding gums
- Loss of height
- Bones break or fracture easily
Bursitis
The cushioning around the joints is called bursae. Bursitis is a condition when these little sacks of fluid become inflamed. The most commonly affected joints are the shoulders, elbows, and hips. But it can also occur in the knees, the heels, and the base of the big toe. Bursitis is often the result of repetitive stress on the joint.
Symptoms:
- Joint pain and stiffness
- The pain increases with movement or pressure
- Swelling
- Redness
Tendonitis
Tendons are strong, flexible tissues connecting the muscles to the bones and joints. Tendonitis is the inflammation of these tissues. The condition responds well to rest and medicine and usually heals on its own. However, long-term inflammation of these tissues can cause tearing, which might require other treatment methods as well, sometimes even surgery.
Symptoms:
- Dull pain in the area
- Possible swelling and tenderness
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect our jawbone to the skull. TJM dysfunction usually means pain and discomfort in the area or even reduced range of motion. The causes might be dental issues, different forms of arthritis, the physical stress of the joint, or many other medical conditions. TMJ treatment might include rest, medication, or managing the underlying condition that causes the dysfunction.
Symptoms:
- Discomfort or pain in the jaw
- Ear pain
- Locking of the jaw
- Clicking sound when chewing
- Uneven bite
- Headache
- Neck or shoulder pain
Adhesive capsulitis
Adhesive capsulitis - or more commonly known as frozen shoulder - is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the shoulders. The flexible tissues surrounding the shoulder become tighter and shrink, and the ability to move the shoulder decreases drastically over time. A frozen shoulder can develop due to trauma, the lack of movement after an injury, or inflammation. Treatment can include physical therapy, medications, or surgery. The shoulder usually heals on its own, even without treatment, but it will take much longer.
Symptoms:
- Stiffness in the shoulder
- Movement becomes painful
- Drastically decreased range of motion
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)
Patellofemoral pain syndrome - also known as PFPS - is a medical term that describes pain in - or around - the kneecap. The pain increases when walking up or down stairs, squatting, or flexing the knee. It can result from repeated stress or the misalignment of the kneecap. Treatment usually involves resting the joint, managing the pain, and avoiding further stress.
Symptoms:
- Knee pain that gets worse with repeated movements
- Pain after long periods of sitting
- Cracking sounds when bending the knee
What to do if you experience joint pain?
While every joint condition and disease is different, with different treatment options, these simple tactics can help you to ease the pain in most cases.
- Let the joint rest
- Avoid further stress and overuse
- Despite the pain, don't entirely stop moving the joint
- Avoid high-impact activities
- Apply an ice pack to the joint
- Explore pain management options
When to see a doctor?
Mild joint pains resulting from bruises or overuse may easily go away just by letting the joint rest and heal. In other cases, seeing a doctor might be crucial.
You should seek professional help if:
- The pain doesn't improve for more than two weeks
- The pain gets worse over time
- You can't perform everyday activities
- The pain affects your sleep
You should seek emergency assistance if you experience the following symptoms:
- Joint pain accompanied by fever
- The joint is red, swollen, and feels hot
- You are unable to walk or move the joint
- You experience severe pain after an accident or injury
- The joint moves out of place
- Tingling sensation or loss of feeling in the area
The above symptoms might signal severe trauma, nerve damage, or an infection, all of which should get immediate treatment to avoid permanent damage.
Joint pain relief
Pain management is an integral part of the treatment for any painful joint condition as it makes the healing process easier and less uncomfortable. If you'd like to know more about your options, check out our article on joint pain management.
Joint pain relief – What are your options?
Joint pain can significantly impact our quality of life, turning even simple everyday tasks into tough challenges. It might stem from overuse, stress, injury, or disease, but regardless of the root cause, finding the correct pain management options is crucial to restoring mobility and overall well-being.
We will explore various techniques and approaches for pain relief. By understanding the options and adopting a holistic approach, you will be able to manage joint pain and regain control of your life.
Understanding the causes of joint pain
Joint pain can be acute and chronic. The source of it can range from mild overuse to incurable diseases that affect the whole body. Arthritis, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune conditions, injuries, old age, wear and tear of the tissues; there are so many things that can cause joint pain.
So, to effectively manage joint pain, it's crucial to understand the cause. It will not only help you find the correct pain management options, but by identifying the source, you might be able to discover any dangerous underlying issues that might need additional attention.
If you want to learn more about diseases that might affect your joints, make sure you read our joint pain guide as well. And don't forget that it's always best to consult a doctor if you experience severe or long-standing joint pain.
Joint pain medications
One of the most reliable ways to manage joint pain is through drugs. These pills and injections can effectively treat even severe pains. There are three types of medication:
Over-the-counter pain medications for joint pain
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are those you can purchase in your supermarket or a grocery shop. There are generally two options when it comes to OTC pain relief medications:
- Acetaminophen, or paracetamol, is a drug that can reduce mild pains and fever. Tylenol and Panadol are the most common acetaminophen.
- Most NSAIDs are oral medications, but they also come in topical solutions like creams, gels, and pain patches, which might prove effective when dealing with joint pain.
Prescription pain medications for joint pain
In cases of severe pain, doctors might prescribe painkillers with more potent ingredients.
Higher prescription-strength NSAIDs and steroids are prescribed for severe or chronic joint pain. They help reduce inflammation, provide pain relief, and improve joint function.
Opioids which have potent analgesic effects, such as codeine or oxycodone, are also prescribed for severe joint pains when other medications have been ineffective. These medications tend to have a higher risk of serious side effects, and their continuous use can lead to addiction.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are sometimes used to treat inflammatory joint conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis.
These drugs relieve pain by altering the disease's progression and reducing symptoms. They work by suppressing the immune system and reducing the autoimmune reaction of these joint diseases, which comes with the downside of a weakened immune function.
Non-medicine-based joint pain relief options
In addition to drugs, doctors sometimes recommend alternative pain management methods or treatments that provide relief for joint pains. These techniques can often be used alongside traditional medications and provide additional pain relief.
Pain relief therapies
Different therapies exist that target painful areas and relieve the pain through specific activities:
- Physical therapies focus on targeted exercises, stretches, and techniques to improve joint function, enhance mobility, and reduce pain. By using personalized rehabilitation strategies, physical therapy can promote long-term joint health.
- Temperature therapies involve the application of heat or cold to the affected joint. While heat therapy through warm compressions or heating pads can help relax muscles, increase blood flow, and alleviate stiffness, Cold therapy through ice packs can reduce inflammation, numb the area, and provide temporary pain relief for inflamed joints.
- Massage therapy can provide pain relief through the manipulation of soft tissues. It reduces muscle tension, enhances flexibility, and improves circulation.
It is important to note that while such therapies undoubtedly help in relieving pain, they have to be done or recommended by professionals.
Assistive devices
Most joint issues make movement difficult and painful. Assistive devices such as canes, braces, and orthotics can provide external support to joints, redistributing weight and reducing stress on painful areas. These devices can reduce strain on the joints and allow individuals with joint pain to engage in daily activities with greater comfort.
Meditation
Meditation is a proven way to increase your overall well-being and relieve pain at the same time. It triggers the release of endorphins, a hormone that acts as a natural painkiller. Furthermore, it reduces stress, improves emotional health, and increases focus.
Lifestyle changes
Minor lifestyle changes can also help reduce stress on the joints and promote overall joint health. Below are a few changes you can incorporate in your daily life which can prevent long-term pain problems:
- Rest your painful joints at the end of the day.
- Maintain a proper posture to distribute weight when lifting heavy objects.
- Follow a healthy and balanced diet to provide the essential nutrients for the tissues.
- Regularly exercising and maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the load on the painful joints especially, your knees and foot.
Regular check-ups and screenings with your healthcare provider
Natural remedies for joint pain relief
Several natural ingredients can also be used to treat pain and provide relief. However, not all natural remedies are scientifically proven and sometimes have only anecdotal evidence supporting their use. Make sure that you always check the official medical opinion or consult with your doctor before trying something new.
Herbal remedies for joint pain
People who'd like to avoid the side effects of traditional drugs might turn to herbal remedies in supplement forms or herbal pain patches to alleviate mild joint pains and symptoms.
Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and proved to be effective in treating osteoarthritis patients. Chamomile and boswellia have also shown good results in treating joint pains.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Research on Omega-3 fatty acids has shown that they may support the cardiovascular system, boost immunity, and support brain health with some evidence suggesting that they may protect against cartilage loss and reduce joint inflammation.
These essential fatty acids naturally occur in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and chia seeds, but they are also available as dietary supplements, containing a higher dosage.
Topical essential oils
Research suggests that topically used essential oils, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender, may reduce joint pain and stiffness. These oils possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can provide a soothing effect.
Innovations in drug-free joint pain relief options
While traditional painkillers are usually reliable and some of them can alleviate even severe pains, their side effects can't be ignored, especially in the long run. Alternative or natural pain relief options come with less serious side effects, but often they are not as potent and/or consistent as traditional drugs.
New technologies and solutions arise from time to time. These solutions often come in the form of pain patches due to their ease of application and contour-binding properties that allow the users to apply them anywhere on their body. Besides the few types of patches mentioned earlier, some patches use weak electrical currents to relieve pain, and there is the Freedom Patch that is apart and ahead of others. Freedom Patch from Super Patch is a pain relief patch backed by strong scientific research and the principle of providing a drug-free solution. The Freedom Patch uses vibrotactile technology which communicates directly with the nerve pathways to disrupt pain signals and alleviate pain. Our Freedom Patch along with other patches is FDA-registered, non-invasive and 100% drug-free making it an effective solution for pain relief without any side effects.
Joint Pain in Foot: Causes and Treatment Options
Foot joints play a vital role in our everyday lives, allowing us to stand, walk, and engage in various physical activities. However, when joint pain strikes, it can significantly hinder our mobility and quality of life.
Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for foot joint pain is crucial for effective pain management and treatment.
In this article, we will explore the most prevalent causes, common prevention strategies, and pain management techniques.
Understanding foot joints and their functions
The foot consists of numerous joints, including the ankle, the heel, the toes, and various joints within the midfoot and forefoot. And they all play a vital role in providing stability, flexibility, and support to the entire body.
When we experience joint pain in the feet, these vital functions might suffer, leading to reduced mobility, loss of stability, and a decreased ability to perform everyday activities like walking.
What causes joint pain in the foot?
Joint pain might stem from many different sources. Overuse, injuries, joint diseases, and other medical conditions could all cause pain in the foot.
Below, we'll look at the most common causes.
Sprain and strain
Strains and sprains are common injuries that can result in joint pain in the feet. A strain is the overstretching or tearing of the muscles or tendons, often caused by repetitive or forceful movements. And a sprain is when the same happens to the ligaments that connect the bones, typically caused by sudden twists or impacts.
Both conditions can lead to inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and joint pain.
Injury
Falls, accidents, or sport-related impacts can all cause trauma to the joints and result in damage. This can range from mild to severe injuries, causing pain, discomfort, swelling, and instability in the joint.
Infection
Infections can cause trouble in any part of the body, including the joints. The infection could be isolated in the joint space, but it might also be part of a bigger, systemic issue.
Bacteria, fungi, and viruses can all infect the joint tissues or fluids. These might result in symptoms like high fever, inflammation, swelling, redness, and pain.
An infection left untreated might cause severe damage. So, it's best to get medical assistance as soon as possible.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a term that refers to a variety of joint conditions. Most of these diseases cause inflammation and potentially foot and ankle pain.
Arthritis has many different forms, each with its unique symptoms and progression curves. Most of them are incurable chronic conditions. The ones most commonly affecting the joints of the feet are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Gout is also a worthy mention here, as its most common first symptom is big toe pain.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation in the plantar fascia, the soft tissue at the base of your feet, connecting the heel to the toes.
When this tissue suffers from overuse, overstretching, or other trauma, it might swell, become inflamed, and cause severe pain in the heels and the bottom of the foot.
Bunion
Hallux valgus is when the bones in your forefoot misalign, which might result in bony lumps - called bunions - forming on the side of the feet. These bumps might cause toe joint pain, reduced range of motion in the toes, and visible bulge or swelling.
Bursitis
Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae. These are little, delicate fluid-filled cushions around the joints. This inflammation leads to joint pain that gets worse with movement. Other symptoms might include swelling, redness, and stiffness of the foot joint.
Capsulitis
Capsulitis is an inflammation in the ligament of the joint. When it occurs in the foot, it almost always affects the second toe or rarely the third toe. It causes joint pain in the ball of the foot under the affected toe. Capsulitis often gets worse over time, sometimes even leading to joint dislocation.
Tendinitis
Tendons are thick and tough tissues that connect the bones and the muscles. They might get inflamed due to overuse, repetitive movement, or trauma. When this happens, we call the condition tendinitis or tendonitis.
Tendinitis in the foot often affects the Achilles tendon, which results in tenderness and pain in the ankle and the heel.
How to manage joint pain in the foot?
Whatever the cause, foot pain can be a hindering experience that might restrict your movement and everyday activities. So, pain management is a crucial part of any treatment plan.
Let's take a look at your options when it comes to foot pain relief.
Painkillers and traditional drugs
OTC or prescription painkillers are one of the most reliable methods of pain management available.
Standard analgesics like paracetamol can ease pain, while nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce inflammation in addition to pain relief.
When the pain is caused by some chronic condition, doctors might recommend additional medicines. For example, an autoimmune disease might call for DMARDs, and corticosteroids can relieve chronic joint pains like arthritis.
While traditional drugs are effective and proven pain management methods, their downside lies in their side effects, which might be more apparent when we take them for long periods.
Physical therapy and movement modifications
In addition to drugs, mechanical methods could also help relieve joint pain in the foot.
Physical therapy is a good example, where a certified professional can teach us exercises and gentle stretches. These could help by reducing stiffness, improving circulation, and strengthening the joints.
Another mechanical way to relieve foot pain is through movement modifications. This can be as simple as changing the way you sit at work or spending less time in positions that put stress on the painful foot joints. Some equipment, like shoe inserts, braces, bandages, and walking canes could offer additional support to the foot joints. These might reduce the weight and stress on the painful joint, or restrict movement to some degree, stabilizing the joint to let it heal faster.
Good posture and ergonomics might also be crucial to avoid joint pains in the feet. Consider investing in quality shoes and shoe inserts, especially if your work requires walking or standing on your feet for extended periods.
Drug-free pain remedies
Whether you have allergies, want to avoid the side effects of traditional drugs, or you're looking for supplemental pain relief, drug-free pain remedies might be the answer.
Heat and cold therapy, for example, is an effective and science-backed way to relieve pain. It's entirely drug-free and doesn't interfere with traditional medicines.
Another option might be drug-free pain patches. Our Freedom pain patches, for example, use innovative vibrotactile technology, which communicates directly with the nervous system to reduce pain, and does this in an entirely non-invasive way without any drugs.
How does joint arthritis affect different joints?
Joint arthritis is a painful condition that affects a surprisingly big part of our adult population.
It comes with symptoms that can severely hinder our everyday lives, like joint pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
Stay with us to learn more about how arthritis can affect different joints and what you can do about it.
Different forms of arthritis and our joints
The term arthritis itself refers to a group of diseases that causes joint inflammation and pain.
So, technically, every form of arthritis is joint arthritis. But there are differences in the underlying causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
If you'd like to learn more about the most common types of the disease, you can do so in our overview article about arthritis. In this article, we will talk about how arthritis can affect different joints.
How arthritis affects different joints?
Most forms of joint arthritis can occur in any joint of the body. However, they usually affect only a few at a time, especially in their early stages.
Arthritis in the foot
Painful, swollen or red joints in the feet might be a sign of arthritis.
Gout is one of the most notable examples of foot arthritis, as it often starts in the big toe. Other forms of arthritis which might affect the feet are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis.
If you experience foot arthritis, the following things can help ease the symptoms:
- Wear special shoe inserts that decrease the stress on the joints
- Avoid high-impact exercises like running and soccer
- Use temperature therapy to reduce pain and stiffness, but avoid heat therapy if you have inflammatory arthritis
Knee arthritis
The knees are one of the joints most commonly affected by arthritis.
Osteoarthritis might often be the cause behind this. It's a degenerative joint disease that causes the joint tissues to break down over time. Post-traumatic arthritis might also be at play, as it is a form of osteoarthritis triggered by joint trauma.
Here are a few tips on how to make life with knee arthritis easier:
- Avoid further stress and trauma to the joint
- Reduce the load on the damaged joints by maintaining a healthy weight
- Stabilize the joint with wrap bandages, braces, or walking canes
Hip arthritis
If you experience pain, weakness, and cracking sounds in your hip area, these might be the signs of hip arthritis.
Because the hips are weight-bearing joints, they have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and avascular necrosis can also affect the hip area.
When dealing with hip arthritis, you might want to pay attention to these things:
- Avoid overuse and high-impact stress on the joints
- Try to change your office chair to an ergonomic one
- Stay physically active with low-impact sports like swimming
Spinal arthritis
Arthritis in the spine can cause back pain, inflammation, and stiffness. In severe cases, it might even limit your range of motion.
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are common forms of the disease that might affect the spine and the sacrum area. The symptoms usually appear in the neck or the lower back. If you experience back pain, it's crucial to see a doctor, because some conditions have a better prognosis with early treatment.
Try to apply the following everyday changes to reduce your back pain:
- Use an ergonomic mattress and office chair that offers better support for your spine
- Remain physically active
- Avoid sitting in one position for too long, and take small breaks when working in front of a computer
- Make sure your core muscles can support your spine by keeping them in good shape with low-impact exercises like tai chi or swimming
Arthritis in the shoulders and elbows
Arthritis in the elbows or shoulders is less common than in other joints, but it can still occur.
Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis could affect these joints, but psoriatic arthritis and gout are also possible causes, especially in the elbow. While they are not categorized as arthritides, frozen shoulder and bursitis could also cause similar symptoms in the shoulder area.
If you experience pain, stiffness, and swelling, following these simple steps might help ease your symptoms:
- Avoid repetitive movements, high-impact stress, and overuse of the joint
- If you are doing office work, try to find a more comfortable position for your arms or use an ergonomic mouse
- Braces and wrap bandages can help stabilize the joint and reduce further stress
- Avoid lifting heavy weights
Arthritis in hands and fingers
The fingers and the wrist are often affected by arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, and gout are different forms of arthritis that might appear in the joints of the hand. They might cause pain, swelling, stiffness, or in more severe cases, even bone deformities.
This form of arthritis can be especially uncomfortable because we use our hands for so many things. When dealing with arthritis of the hands, even simple everyday tasks can turn into painful challenges.
There are a few things that might make it easier to manage your symptoms:
- Try to avoid strong gripping movements and overuse of the joints
- If you work in an office setting, try to use an ergonomic mouse
- Try to utilize technologies like voice commands and speech-to-text tools to minimize the stress on your hands
Polyarthritis
Sometimes arthritis only affects one single joint, but more often than not, it appears in multiple joints simultaneously. Rheumatoid arthritis is well known for this because it's a systematic autoimmune disease that affects the whole immune system, and the symptoms often appear symmetrically on both sides of the body.
When some form of arthritis affects more than five joints, we call it polyarthritis.
It's important to note that it's also possible to have multiple different kinds of arthritis in parallel.
Treatment options for joint arthritis
Regardless of which joints arthritis appears in, it's best to look for treatment options as soon as possible. For many forms of arthritis, an early diagnosis can make treatment more effective.
Different types of arthritis have different underlying causes and symptoms. Because of this, treatment options may also vary. Most kinds of joint arthritis are incurable, so usually, the goal is to minimize the impact of symptoms and slow down further progression of the disease.
Medications, physical therapy, alternative pain management methods, and surgery can all be part of the treatment plan. If you'd like to know more about your treatment options, see our article about remedies for arthritis.
How to Focus Better: 19 Activities for Improved Concentration
One of the most prevalent complaints of modern lifestyles is a lack of concentration and focus in adults. As the world we live in grows more complex, so do our work and home life demands, and it has arguably never been more important to boost mind power. Yet, ironically, levels of concentration are at an all-time low. Individuals are concerned more than ever with how to focus better.
Concentration refers to the control of attention: the mental effort directed towards a certain task or activity. In addition to this, it refers to the exclusion of attention to any other subject matter apart from the task at hand.
One’s ability to concentrate may vary person to person for a number of reasons, such as age, lack of sleep or stress levels, or simply the ability to tune out distractions. Cognitive issues such as head injuries or concussions, as well as a handful of mental health conditions can also affect mind power and contribute to impaired concentration.
If you are wondering how to focus better, here are a number of strategies to consider.
Follow Your Focus Better
We all have a time of day where productivity is at its highest – and that time is different for everyone. You may find yourself reading the same passage of a book a few times over, or battling to concentrate during a morning meeting. If you want to understand how to focus better, start by making a mental note of concentration peaks and dips during the day, then try to structure tasks or activities that require focus around them.
Create a Focus-Friendly Environment
The ability to focus for extended lengths of time requires a supportive environment. While not all work environments are within our control, make adjustments where possible when addressing how to improve concentration and focus. Make sure your seat is comfortable, your back has ergonomic support to avoid slouching, your desk is at the right height and the lighting is appropriate to keep your eyes from straining. If possible, control the temperature to be moderately cool, and have water nearby so you don’t need to get up often. Continually working from the same spot can also be an effective strategy on how to focus better – conditioning your brain to switch into concentration gear whenever you return to that space.
Be Sensitive to Sound
Reduce distracting or particularly loud noises as best you can. Consider playing muted instrumental music or even ambient nature sounds (there is an abundance of playlists on platforms such as YouTube) to drown out background noise and help create a consistent environment that your mind associates with concentration. When considering how to improve concentration and focus, the general rule of thumb is to not play music that you particularly like or dislike, as you may find yourself tuning into the song rather than the task at hand.
Take a Tech Break
Notifications on our many electronic devices contribute to a lack of concentration and focus in adults, thanks to the sporadic and ongoing distractions they create. Consider putting your smartphone into airplane mode, or turning off email and app notifications while you are attempting to focus on a particular task. The same goes for your laptop or monitor: if you are implementing strategies on how to focus better, work offline to prevent on-screen notifications from pulling your attention. To better improve these effects, consider placing devices such as your smartphone out of eyesight while they are not needed.
Set a Social Media Limit
Along with tech restrictions, limiting your social media use can go a long way when addressing how to improve concentration and focus. The reward mechanism in the brain is activated when we engage with social media, which encourages us to use it more often. Smart phones allow you to set limits on your social media interaction, which can be helpful in restricting your use, particularly in the work day. Designating time to look through social media versus having access to it at any time can also help you to stay on task if you are exploring how to focus better.
Make a To-Do List
Not having a clear idea on what needs to be done next can contribute to a lack of concentration and focus in adults. Write down a to-do list of what you would like to achieve in the day, preferably the night before. Creating a reasonable to-do list not only helps you to prioritize what tasks need to be completed first, it can also help you keep track of incomplete errands that are weighing on your mind. Prioritizing helps relieve the mind of distracting anxiety, while accomplishing small tasks daily can wire the brain for success.
Feed Your Brain
It comes as no surprise that the fuel you put into your body influences the output. If you are exploring how to improve concentration and focus through diet, boost mind power by including more of the following foods into your daily nutrition: fatty fish (such as salmon and trout), eggs, berries and dark leafy greens, along with plenty of water – even mild dehydration can make it harder to focus or remember information. Breakfast meals that are low in sugar and high in protein and fiber will also sustain your energy levels throughout the day: examples include oats, yoghurt and fruit or whole-grain toast with eggs.
Supplement with Micronutrients
Micronutrients – vitamins, minerals and antioxidants – are an essential component of wellbeing and cognitive function, yet even the healthiest of diets don’t always manage to include the diversity of nutrients needed for excellent health. Supplementation helps us to pick up the nutritional slack by supplying essential micronutrients that we would battle to take in through food alone. Specific micronutrients thought to support cognitive function include omega-3s, resveratrol, ginkgo biloba and B vitamins.
Get Moving
Physical activity should form part of any strategy on how to focus better. Improved concentration is among the extensive benefits of exercising regularly. Exercise can enhance both attention and concentration within as little as four weeks, thanks to its ability to boost the brain’s dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin levels. Memory loss that occurs with age-related brain atrophy may also be stopped or even reversed after a year of moderate physical activity. In particular, exercising before or between periods of focus has proven to be the most beneficial for concentration.
Train Your Brain
Playing certain games can support better concentration by sharpening your focus. These could include Sudokus, crossword puzzles, chess, word searches, jigsaw puzzles and memory games. These will also not only improve concentration, but working and short-term memory as well, along with processing and problem-solving skills. These types of games have a positive effect on children who are struggling with concentration, and are particularly important for older adults, since concentration and memory tend to decline with age.
Play Video Games
While children and adults are discouraged from overuse of video games, a limited time spent playing digital action games may prove helpful in certain levels of concentration. Individuals may be able to track multiple objects at the same time, switch tasks more effectively and even improve reading speeds.
Try a Concentration Workout
In line with using games to increase concentration, there are specific activities you can undertake if you want to learn how to focus better. The idea is to fully immerse yourself in a specific activity for a set period of time to encourage the ability to concentrate. Relevant activities could include spending a few minutes throwing a ball back and forth between you and another person, drawing or doodling for a few minutes, or reading a short story. Afterwards, reflect on how often you lost focus and needed to reassign your attention to the task at hand.
Get Quality Sleep
If you find yourself choosing between extra time focusing on a task or activity and a good night’s sleep, go with the latter. It may seem counterproductive, but when you’re well rested your performance improves. The occasional late night won’t have any major effects on your concentration, but regularly falling short on sleep will negatively affect your concentration (as well as your mood, emotions and general cognitive abilities).
Quality of sleep is as important as quantity when considering how to focus better; try stick to a sleep routine to cue your body for bed, keep the room cool and aim for a consistent bedtime.
Our electronic devices are amongst the biggest culprits when it comes to disrupting sleep. They usually emit blue light that stimulates the eyes much like daylight, preventing the secretion of the sleep hormone, melatonin. Use a filter or glasses that block blue light to minimize exposure, or try avoid electronic devices at least an hour before bed. Also avoid exercising too late in the day, which can keep the metabolism fired up and resistant to sleep.
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness and meditation helps us rewire the brain to find better, more efficient ways to handle tasks – and therefore improve concentration. Practicing mindfulness includes deep breathing, meditation to improve focus, doing yoga or taking time to fully concentrate your attention on one item as you observe and savor it – this could be an object, a piece of music or art or even your next meal.
Meditating in particular helps the whole body to relax and the brain to become calmer; the focus on breath encourages resistance to mental distractions. With practice, it is possible to use the breath to bring the attention back to the task at hand, encouraging concentration even when interrupted.
Spend Time in Nature
If you are exploring how to improve concentration and focus naturally, consider spending more time outdoors. Getting outside each day, even for a brief amount of time, is thought to supply focus-boosting benefits, as well as generally support your physical and mental wellbeing. This could include a short walk through a park, sitting in your garden, or spending a few minutes in the sunshine with your eyes closed.
If you are unable to get outside, including plants in your working spaces may help boost mind power and productivity too. This also contributes to air quality and workplace satisfaction, which may indirectly improve your focus.
Don’t Multitask
While you may feel productive bouncing between tasks, the opposite is usually true. The brain is not designed to cope with doing more than one thing at a time, and trying to juggle activities simultaneously may mean you perform worse on each task overall.
Multitasking is not the same, however, as task switching, which may prove to be helpful when considering how to focus better. If you are stuck on a particular activity and your brain needs something fresh to focus on, switching tasks may help revive your mind power and promote you staying productive for longer.
Time blocking may also help you achieve working on a single task before moving on to the next one. Assigning time to certain activities allows you the mental space to ignore distractions, knowing that time has been allotted to address those at a later stage. Making a rule to complete any task that comes to mind immediately, provided it takes less than five minutes, is another simple strategy for how to focus better and help stop small distractions piling up.
Take a Time Out
If you are considering how to focus better on a lengthier task, you may benefit from taking breaks more often. This has less to do with improving your concentration and more to do with the renewal of focus. Given that concentration spans are short, it may serve you better to take short breaks between 15-minute slots of intense focus than to push through for a consecutive 30 minutes.
Address Your Mental Health
While there are a wealth of external stimuli that may disrupt concentration, there may be internal factors affecting your mind power too. If you are exploring how to increase concentration and focus but finding little success, you may need to turn inwards.
Underlying mental or physical health conditions can contribute to a lack of focus, such as ADHD, which is characterized by a persistent pattern of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. Untreated mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety typically present with emotional symptoms, but can indirectly affect concentration and memory as well. Certain medications and their side-effects may contribute to impaired cognitive function, and alcohol consumption can influence your ability to think clearly.
Support Your Eyes
Sometimes farsightedness or other vision problems may contribute to concentration issues. Notice if you are struggling to focus when using certain visual stimuli and consider having your eyes checked if you recognize ongoing issues. Resting your eyes during periods of intense concentration is a helpful strategy when considering how to focus better. Just as other muscles in the body can become achy and stiff, your eyes can become tired when only focusing on one object. Give them a break by using the popular 20-20-20 rule: staring at an object 20 feet away for a total of 20 seconds, every 20 minutes. If you are looking for a 100% natural and drug-free strategy to enhance concentration and focus, explore Super Patch’s Flow Patch. The Flow Patch recruits vibrotactile technology, sending a unique neural signal to the brain to help improve your concentration, memory and endurance.
Hand joint pains – Causes, diagnosis, and treatments
There are very few things in our everyday lives that don't require the use of our hands. No wonder hand joint pains are among the most disrupting experiences.
Understanding the symptoms, underlying causes, and treatment options can help you manage your hand pain and return to your pain-free life.
Understanding joints of the hand and their functions
The human hand is a complex structure of bones, joints, and tissues allowing us to make delicate movements, act with incredible precision, and perform various tasks. Some scientists even believe that our opposable thumbs made it possible for humans to evolve such complex brains and develop what we know as culture.
There are a total of 27 bones in the wrist and hand, connected by numerous joints, and more than 30 muscles to control it.
As such a delicate structure, used for everyday tasks, hands are especially prone to injury and damage from overuse, and many joint diseases might affect them.
Joint pain in the hands can disrupt this well-oiled operation, cause discomfort and make our life significantly harder.
Causes of hand joint pain
With so many moving parts, pain in the wrist and hand might stem from many different conditions. Below, we'll discuss some of the most common ones and their symptoms.
Injury
We use our hands for many daily tasks, which puts them at a higher risk of injury. Accidents and falls can damage the joints or structure of our hands, but even simple things such as overuse can lead to hand injuries.
Depending on the severity of the injury, it might simply heal with rest, or we'll need to see a doctor for treatment. In some severe cases, surgery might be necessary.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a term that refers to many different joint conditions, all of which might cause joint pain and inflammation. Most of these conditions are incurable, chronic diseases, so the focus of treatment is usually reducing the everyday impact of symptoms. Arthritis in the hands is a common form of the disease.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types, both of which might affect the joints of the hand.
Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sharp pain attacks and might appear in the hand joints.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage at the base of our hand and forearm. Its function is to protect the median nerve and tendons of the forearm.
Due to overuse, inflammation, or other underlying issues, the carpal tunnel might get too narrow, which might apply pressure to the median nerve. This can lead to numbness, pain, and tingling in the hands or the forearm.
Tendinitis
Tendons are tissues that attach our muscles to the bones. Tendinitis occurs when these tissues get inflamed, often due to overuse, repetitive movements, or overstretching.
Tendinitis is a common underlying cause of hand pain because of how much use they see.
De Quervain's tenosynovitis
De Quervain's tenosynovitis (also referred to as tendinitis or tendinosis) is a condition that affects the tendons alongside the wrist and thumb.
These tendons get swollen due to irritation or the narrowing of the tendon sheath, leading to
stiffness and joint pain in the thumb and the side of the wrist and sometimes affecting the forearm too.
De Quervain's tendinosis is more common among women, and pregnancy is a risk factor in developing the condition.
Trigger finger
Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a condition affecting the tendons in the hand responsible for flexing the fingers.
When these tendons or their tendon sheaths get swollen or irritated, leading to pain and stiffness. The typical symptom of trigger finger is the locking or catching of the tendon, causing a popping sound when flexing the fingers.
Systemic conditions
In some cases, joint pain is not a standalone condition but only the symptom of an underlying issue. Some chronic diseases might affect the entire body, leading to various symptoms, including hand joint pains.
Fibromyalgia or the autoimmune disease lupus, for example.
Diagnosing hand joint pains
Hand and wrist pains are often the result of simple overuse. In these cases, resting the hand might solve the problem. But if the pain doesn't go away with rest, you'll need to consult a health care professional for diagnosis.
Doctors might use a combination of physical examination methods, imaging techniques, and body fluid tests to determine the source of pain and to identify possible underlying conditions.
Treatment options for hand joint pains
When it comes to joint pain in the wrist or hand, pain management is crucial. Not only it helps us keep performing everyday tasks, but in some cases hastens or makes the healing process more comfortable.
Below, we'll explore various pain management methods and techniques that could help you relieve hand and wrist pains.
Pain medications for hand joint pain
Traditional analgesics, like paracetamol, can ease acute hand pains from an injury or overuse. If the source of pain is inflammatory, then nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could provide effective relief.
For chronic conditions such as autoimmune conditions and arthritis, doctors might prescribe more potent drugs like disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or steroid injections.
Mechanical pain relief options
Besides traditional drugs, there are also some mechanical ways that might help relieve joint pain.
A physical therapist could teach you stretching exercises to loosen stiff joints, make your joints stronger and stabilize them. They can also help you with advice on modifying your everyday activities in a way that puts less stress on the painful joint.
Braces and bandages are simple but effective solutions to stabilize the joint and reduce stress and pain. Using ergonomic tools for everyday tasks, like typing, could not only help alleviate your existing joint problems but could also reduce the risk of future issues.
And let's not forget that resting the painful joint is oftentimes crucial for proper healing. Try to avoid repetitive movements and overuse as much as you can.
Alternative pain relief options
You might also want to look into other drug-free pain management methods. These can help you avoid the side effects of traditional medicines or even supplement them in your routine.
Heat and cold therapy is one effective and science-backed way to relieve pain without drugs.
Meditation can also help you reduce your body's reaction and sensitivity to pain signals while providing other benefits as well.
You could also try drug-free pain patches like our FDA-approved Freedom patch. With innovative vibrotactile technology, these patches reduce the pain signals right at the nerve level, providing non-invasive, safe, and drug-free pain relief.
Understanding Gout: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Gout is a form of arthritis that causes pain and inflammation in the joints.
While there is no cure for gout, you can manage symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease to regain your normal life. To do this, you will need to understand the symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Today we will talk about these and more!
What is gout?
Arthritis has many different forms, and gout is one of them. It’s an inflammatory disease caused by uric acid buildup in the body. This urate can form sharp little crystals in the joints resulting in pain flare-ups. At the same time, white blood cells will try to break down these crystals, producing toxic chemicals in the process, leading to inflammation and further discomfort.
While gout is incurable, it is possible to manage the progression and symptoms with certain medications and lifestyle changes.
Types and stages of gout
With gout, we can differentiate between primary and secondary gout. Primary gout is when the disease appears without any other underlying cause. Secondary gout, on the other hand, is usually either caused by some chronic kidney condition or might be a side effect of long-term medications.
Gout usually goes through different stages, progressively getting worse.
The first one is called asymptomatic hyperuricemia. As the name suggests, uric acid is already building up in the body, but the characteristic symptoms of gout are not apparent yet. At this stage, one has to focus on slowing down the further progression of the disease, usually by making some lifestyle changes.
The second stage of gout is called acute intermittent gout, where uric acid starts to form crystals in the joint, causing pain flare-ups. These attacks usually last for a few days at a time. During this stage, you may experience pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness around the joint.
The disease then progresses to an advanced stage called chronic tophaceous gout. By this time, the urate crystals might have already damaged the cartilage and bones in the joint. The pain might get worse and more frequent.
While it’s not a form of gout, we should also mention pseudogout. It has similar symptoms to gout, hence the name. The difference lies in the underlying issue, as the cause of gout is uric acid buildup, while pseudogout results from abnormal calcium pyrophosphate deposition.
Gout symptoms
Similar to most other types of arthritis, the main symptom of gout is joint pain. This pain usually comes in the form of sudden flare-ups that might last for days at a time.
Patients with gout might experience the following symptoms in the joint area:
- Intense pain
- Sensitivity to touch
- Red, shiny skin
- Swelling
- The joint feels hot
- Tenderness
- Occasionally fever
The pain flare-ups or gout attacks follow an unpredictable but very characteristic pattern. They often start at night and can get worse over the course of several hours. Depending on the stage and severity of the disease, attacks might last from a few days to a few weeks.
The frequency of the attacks is usually unpredictable, but they will occur more often and with stronger symptoms as the disease progresses to later stages.
Gout usually affects only one joint at first, often the big toe. But over time, you might experience similar symptoms in other joints too.
It’s crucial to keep an eye on your gout symptoms, as it is possible to have multiple forms of arthritis at the same time. For example, a high fever alongside the above symptoms might indicate septic arthritis resulting from an infection that needs immediate treatment.
Diagnosing gout
Gout’s telltale symptoms usually make it easier to diagnose.
However, it is paramount to rule out other forms of arthritis, as they can occur simultaneously. And we should not forget about pseudogout either, a similar disease but with a different underlying cause.
X-ray and ultrasound imaging tests can help visualize the uric acid crystals and rule out other possible causes of joint inflammation. While blood tests can reliably display high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream, this doesn’t necessarily lead to gout in every case. For this reason, joint fluid might be drawn and examined for urate crystals.
Doctors will also try to rule out kidney problems, as some of these can be an underlying cause of gout and lead to further problems.
An early diagnosis can help slow down the progression of the disease and better manage the symptoms. This can be achieved by lifestyle changes and often medication.
Gout causes
Purine is a substance that occurs in the body and different foods, such as certain kinds of seafood, some meats and organs, and some forms of alcohol. When the body breaks down purine, it produces uric acid, a natural waste product. Then the kidneys filter it from the bloodstream, and it leaves the body through the urine.
The problem arises when either there’s too much uric acid in the body, or the kidneys fail to get rid of it properly. These may cause high levels of urate in the bloodstream, called hyperuricemia.
In some cases, this urate buildup accumulates around the joints, forming sharp little crystals. That is what we call gout.
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing gout.
Purine, and therefore uric acid levels can be affected by our diet choices. Foods that cause gout are red meats, some kinds of seafood, fructose, and some alcoholic beverages like beer. Avoiding these can reduce risks and slow down the progression of already-developed gout.
Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising are very important with all sorts of arthritis as these will reduce the stress on the joints by putting less weight on them and strengthening the muscles in the surrounding areas.
Some medical conditions may also increase the risk of gout. Kidney conditions can affect the breakdown of uric acid in the body. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and some heart diseases may also increase the risk.
Other risk factors are beyond our control, like family history, age, and sex. Gout is more common and usually develops sooner in men. Gout in the family also increases your risk.
Gout treatment
When deciding on treatment options, it’s crucial to differentiate between primary and secondary gout. Secondary gout is caused by an underlying health issue, a kidney disease, for example. In this case, treating the underlying problem should be prioritized.
Regardless of the cause, slowing the progression and treating the symptoms are equally important. An early diagnosis can increase your chances of delaying the more severe stages of the disease.
The goal of gout treatment is usually twofold. We need to relieve the pain. And we need to lower uric acid levels in the body to slow down the progression of the disease.
Let’s look at the possible treatment options for gout.
Medication
For pain relief, doctors may prescribe different types of medicines, depending on the severity of the pain. In mild cases, analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used. In more severe cases, corticosteroid or colchicine treatments might be recommended.
To lower uric acid levels, doctors can choose from a range of available medications, such as Allopurinol, Febuxostat, Pegloticase, Anakinra, or Canakinumab.
Lifestyle changes and diet
As with other forms of arthritis, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight can help slow down the progression of the disease.
One should follow a gout diet that reduces purine intake. It’s recommended to avoid the following foods as much as possible: high-fructose corn syrup, fatty meats, dairy products, organ meats, shellfish, anchovies, sardines, and alcoholic beverages.
Surgery
In severe cases, gout might cause irreversible damage to the joints. While surgery is a more drastic measure, doctors might advise it if a later stage of gout impacts the quality of your life severely.
It’s possible to surgically remove the uric acid crystals from around the joint. In cases of permanent damage, joint fusion or replacement surgery might be necessary.
Pain relief without the side effects
Pain is one of the major symptoms of gout. It affects your movement, your mood, and your everyday life.
Managing the pain flare-ups is not always easy. Painkillers and other medicines often come with undesired side effects, and alternative pain relief options are not always as effective.
Let me introduce to you our one and only Freedom SuperPatch! An effective pain management solution designed to be entirely drug-free, with no side effects. On its own or combined with other treatments, the Freedom pain patch will provide immediate gout pain relief during flare-ups.