4 Treatments for Joint Inflammation and Pain

Joint issues can be painful and frustrating. Chronic joint pain can make it hard to clean your house, perform your work, and participate in physical activities. Fortunately, you don't need to resign yourself to a life of chronic pain. Joint inflammation treatment can relieve your pain and help you regain your mobility.

Some people are hesitant to seek treatment for chronic joint pain because they don't know what to expect. However, you can rest assured that your doctor will treat your condition with the utmost care. Here are four treatments that your doctor can offer to improve your symptoms of joint inflammation and pain:

1. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications

NSAIDs are an effective treatment for joint pain. These drugs reduce inflammation throughout the body. Some types of NSAIDs are available over the counter, but your doctor can prescribe stronger prescription NSAIDs as well. Some patients have positive experiences with topical NSAIDs, which can be applied directly to inflamed joints for fast relief.

2. Corticosteroid Shots

Corticosteroid shots are sometimes given to people who suffer from debilitating joint pain. These shots are administered directly into the painful, inflamed joint. The steroids reduce inflammation and pain inside the joint, allowing the patient to regain lost mobility. However, corticosteroid shots are not a permanent solution. They can offer some temporary relief, but joint pain may come back if its root cause is not treated.

3. Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs

Arthritis is a progressive disease that attacks a person's joints. Over time, arthritis can erode the cartilage lining the inside of your joints, which can lead to permanent damage and increased pain. DMARDs are prescribed to alter your body's immune system response, which can halt the progression of arthritis. If your joint pain is caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriatic arthritis, your doctor may start you on a course of DMARDs.

4. Physical Therapy

NSAIDs, steroids, and DMARDs can relieve many of your symptoms, making it possible for you to use your affected joints again. However, medication alone is rarely sufficient to cure joint inflammation. Physical therapy is an important tool in your arsenal against inflammation and pain.

In physical therapy, you will be given personalized exercises designed to help you strengthen the muscles surrounding your joints. When properly developed, these muscles can stabilize delicate joints, protecting your body from future pain and injury. Physical therapists have experience treating people with joint conditions, so you can rest assured that your therapist will not push your body to the point of injury.


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