6 Ways to Ease Joint Pain

Joint problems can have a serious impact on your quality of life, so here are a few ways to help ease joint pain.

We’ve probably all experienced the odd aches and pains in our joints at some point, but if you live with joint pain it can seriously affect your quality of life. There are many causes of joint pain. Most joint problems are due to conditions like rheumatoid and osteoarthritis arthritis or an injury of some kind. However, many health conditions, including gout, lupus, fibromyalgia, bursitis and some viral infections can cause joint inflammation and discomfort.

Obviously, the underlying cause of your joint problems will determine the best way to treat it to a certain degree, but here are 6 things that can help ease joint pain.

1. Change your diet – OK, so changing your diet seems to be at the top of every list of cures, but the food you eat really does have a huge impact on your health. A diet that includes plenty of good fats, oily fish, fruits and vegetables, like the Mediterranean diet, can help some people to reduce their symptoms. Avoiding processed foods that contain refined carbohydrates and are high in bad fats and sugar can make inflammation worse, so are best avoided.
2. Lose weight – carrying around any extra weight puts more pressure on your joints, which can make pain worse, particularly if you have osteoarthritis where joints are rubbing together. So, keeping your weight down can help to reduce friction and pressure.
3. Get moving – the last thing you want to do when something hurts is move it but staying active can actually help reduce pain. That doesn’t mean you have to overdo it – find a moderate exercise that you enjoy like gentle walking or stretching. Swimming is a great way to help ease joint pain as it’s not weight-bearing - the water supports the weight of your body as you move. Swimming in cold or warm water (whichever suits your joint problem) can also help reduce discomfort.
4. Hot and cold therapy – it can get confusing when it comes to whether you should use heat or cold on your joints. Cold water, gel pads or ice packs are generally great for relieving swelling and inflammation. For stiff joints, many people find using heat therapy works well. Placing warm wheat bags or hot water bottles on the affected areas can give relief, as can sleeping with an electric blanket warming your bed.
5. Alternative therapies – from massage and acupuncture to meditation, there are lots of alternative therapies that people with joint pain use to relieve their symptoms. Some have more scientific evidence to support them, others don’t. It’s a very personal choice, so it’s really a question of doing a bit of research, trying different things and finding the therapy that works for you.
6. Dress for the weather - many people find that seasonal changes in temperature can make symptoms worse. Hot summer weather and cold, damp winters are often blamed for exacerbating joint pain. If you find that’s the case, making sure you keep your body nice and cool in the summer or wrapping up well in the winter can make a difference.

Whether you’re getting over a short-term injury or coping with a chronic joint condition, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before you try any pain easing treatments just to be on the safe side.

Supporting people living with joint pain

At Bluebird Care Wandsworth, we understand that everyday tasks are so much more complicated, tiring and uncomfortable when you have joint problems. From Customers who have recently had joint replacement surgery to those living with arthritis or other health conditions that affect the joints, we’re here to give you the support you need at home.

We know that everyone is unique in the pain they feel and the challenges they face, which is why we tailor our home care to meet each person’s specific needs. Whether you need daily help with things like getting up and preparing meals or 24 hour care at home, we can help, both in the short-term and long-term.

To have a chat about how we can help you live well at home, contact our friendly homecare team.