Relieve Joint Pain Now: 3 Steps You Can Take

Almost everyone will feel it at some point in their life: that dull ache in their back as they get up in the morning, or stiff knuckles as they hold onto their steering wheel. With more than 300 of them in your body, joints are a common source of aches and pains.

Whether subtle or severe, achy joints are an inconvenience—but you don’t have to let them keep you from living your life. Check out these three steps you can take now to relieve joint pain.

1. Define Your Pain

Before trying to treat anything, think about what you’re feeling and where. The more specifically you can define your pain, the better answers and treatment you’ll find.

For example, is it a pain that aches deep into the joints or is it more spread out? Do your joints ache less in the morning and more throughout the day? What types of activity trigger the pain? These questions can help you determine what your joints are telling you.

2. Try This at Home

Sometimes, subtle joint pain is telling you it’s time to take a break. If that’s the case, then there are a few things you can try at home to relieve achy joints. (Added bonus: you can remember them as the PRICE acronym.)

• Protect the joint (using a brace or wrap)
• Rest and avoid using the joint
• Ice the joint for 15 minutes at a time
• Compress the joint with an elastic bandage. This will reduce swelling.
• Elevate the joint to reduce the pooling of fluid at the pain site.

Joint pain that doesn’t improve in one or two days may require additional treatment.

3. Talk to Your Doctor

No matter how common, achy joints are an inconvenience. Your quality of life depends in part on your ability to move, so if something is slowing you down, then it’s time to seek help. Whether it’s medication or surgery, Schneck’s orthopedic surgeons have you covered. We offer everything from joint replacement to rehabilitation, as well as a caring team who’s with you from start to finish.

Talk to a doctor today about your next steps to relieve joint pain.