What To Do About Your Chronic Joint Pain

Joint pain develops from numerous conditions, such as osteoarthritis, sprains, and gout. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that it’s the number one cause of disability in American adults.

As you know, chronic joint pain can keep you from doing the things you enjoy, so you may wonder what you can do to reduce your discomfort and improve your quality of life. Here at Vitality Health & Aesthetics in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, Solomon Behar, MD, specializes in identifying and treating the source of joint pain so you can get the relief you need.

Why do my joints hurt?

To find the most effective treatment for your joint pain, you need to know what’s causing it.

You may simply be experiencing joint pain from a strain or sprain you sustained during an intense workout, or it could be because the cushion between your joints has slowly disintegrated.

You could also be experiencing osteoarthritis (OA) since it’s the most common cause of chronic joint pain. OA is often referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis because it develops from the wearing away of the cartilage in between your bones.

Other common causes of joint pain include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis

While most chronic joint pain comes with age, you can predispose yourself to this condition if you’ve suffered a previous sports-related joint injury.

Can I care for my joint pain at home?

Taking good care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do to gain control of your chronic joint pain. To care for your condition at home, it’s best to rest and put ice on your joints to reduce pain and inflammation. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can also help.

During your daily routine, use a brace to give your joint a little extra support. We provide recommendations for the best type of brace support for your joints depending on the underlying cause and your activity.

If you’re carrying too much weight on your body, it adds stress to your joints and increases your pain. Losing weight can make a significant difference in your joint health and pain.

Can exercising my joints help?

When pressure and movement increase your joint pain, you might think the best thing for you to do is just rest. But that’s not always true. Immobility can actually lead to stiffness, a decrease in range of motion, and make your chronic joint pain worse.

We recommend exercises for your joints to strengthen the supporting muscles and improve your range of motion. This not only helps your pain but also gets you back to doing the things you enjoy. If you need help with an exercise program, we offer wellness and fitness programs geared for your specific needs and goals.

Your exercise program may also help you with your weight-loss efforts.

What therapies can help my joint pain?

Here at Vitality Health & Aesthetics, we offer several alternative therapies to help your body heal and relieve pain. Determining the underlying cause of your chronic joint pain leads to the right recommendation that might include:

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

PRP is an excellent treatment for healing injuries faster without the need for more invasive treatments, such as surgery. That’s why it’s popular with athletes. It’s created from a sample of your own blood that’s rich in specialized growth factors that promote healing. We may use PRP to heal:

• Chronic tendinitis
• Torn ligaments
• Arthritis
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

When it’s injected directly into your injured tissue, the growth factors speed up your body’s natural healing process so you can get back to your favorite activities faster.

Shockwave therapy

Shockwave therapy sends shockwaves to the targeted area of your pain. The energy that comes from the treatment stimulates healing. Your blood flow increases, which helps circulation in the area to eliminate waste and breakdown damaged tissue.

Medical-grade dietary supplements

Dietary supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, may offer support for your joints and reduce chronic pain. Both of these substances are naturally found in your cartilage. Supplementing your diet may restore your joint cushion to reduce your pain.

If you’re experiencing chronic joint pain, Dr. Behar can properly diagnose you and give you a customized treatment plan. Call Vitality Health & Aesthetics today at 786-220-6786 or request an appointment online.