Finding joint pain relief for your elbow does not have to be tough.
The cause of the pain in your elbow is the first thing you need to know.
Determining what is causing the pain will help determine what treatment will be used to help reduce the pain and swelling if there is any.
If you have pain in the elbow when straightening your arm or when you lift something, you should visit your doctor so that you can figure out what is causing the pain, this will be done by lab work and imagining.
Causes for elbow pain
Causes for pain in the elbow vary. Some possible causes are listed below:
- Arthritis
- Tennis elbow (a form of tendonitis) is generally caused by overuse
- Auto-immune diseases
- Lyme disease is carried by ticks and can cause serious health issues if not treated early
- A sprain or strain normally happens when you overdo something
- Bursitis is often caused by repetitive motion
- Pinched nerves
- Osteochondritis dissecans happens mostly in children and teenagers where a piece of bone dies near the elbow
- Fracture
- Dislocation
Typically, the elbow is not bothered by arthritis since it does not bear weight like the knee, hip, or ankle joints do.
Fractures and dislocation can happen while playing sports, after sustaining a fall, or other accidents.
Symptoms of elbow joint problems
There are several symptoms that can accompany elbow joint problems:
- Sudden, severe pain in the elbow and forearm
- Swelling
- Numbness and tingling in the hand
- Inability to straighten the arm
- Stiffness
- Instability
- Locking
- Lack of range of motion
What you can do to find joint pain relief for your elbow?
If you are looking for joint pain relief for your elbow, there are a few things you can do.
Rest the elbow for a few days alternating between ice and heat; if the pain does not go away, you should see your doctor who will run some labs and imagining tests to establish the cause of the pain.
Other things you can do are
- Stretches that are gently performed three to five times a day; these stretches should not cause pain, but you should feel a minor stretch
- Counterforce brace
- Wrist immobilization brace
Finding out the cause of the pain is necessary before application of a brace.
Treatments
Treatment can be broken down into two types-traditional and natural; each can provide relief for your elbow pain.
Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatories and pain relievers as well as physical therapy. He or she may also prescribe that you use a brace for a while.
The anti-inflammatories and pain relievers could be over the counter or prescription strength. The problem with prescription and even some over-the-counter drugs is that they can have side effects.
Side effects can range from mild to severe and include
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Vision problems
- Heart issues
- Breathing issues
- Liver issues
- Allergic reactions
Those are a few of the side effects that you could experience while using anti-inflammatories and pain relievers.
Combining these with physical therapy often solves the issue, however, there are rare times when surgery may be necessary to repair a damaged joint or release a pinched nerve.
Natural treatments consist of hot and cold therapies, soaking in Epsom salt, supplements, braces, herbs, and spices. If you wish to try natural remedies, you should speak to your doctor as he or she may be able to recommend a good herbalist or apothecary.
If you do not have a hot/cold pack, you can easily make one using a sock and rice. Fill the sock to the desired amount and then sew it or tie it shut. You can then heat it in the microwave to apply heat to your elbow. Be sure to place a pillow case between the hot pack and your elbow to prevent burning.
Heat helps promote better circulation, reduces stiffness, and relaxes muscles which help reduce the amount of pain you feel.
Supplements in tablet or capsule form
There are several supplements you can take to reduce inflammation and that act as an analgesic for pain. Check with your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- MSM
- Ginger Extract
- Turmeric
- Omega-3
- Green tea
- Boswellia
- Essential oils
Essential oils for tennis elbow
Essential oils can provide pain relief and alleviate inflammation. The combination of essentials oils and massage improves blood flow, reduces pain and inflammation, and relaxes the muscle around the elbow.
Some essential oils to try
- Nutmeg essential oil
- Peppermint
- Clove
- Eucalyptus
- Rosemary
- Frankincense
- Cayenne pepper
- Wintergreen
Nutmeg tea benefits include
- Using it as a medicinal skin wash
- Fights athletes foot
- Fights skin infection
Fresh nutmeg or the ground spice can be used to make nutmeg tea
Benefits of nutmeg
- Relieves pain
- Helps with indigestion
- Strengthens mental function
- Removes toxins from the body
- Improves skin health
- Eases oral conditions
- Reduces sleeplessness
- Increases immune system function
- Improves blood circulation
You should be aware however, that you should not use large doses (6 tablespoons) in a day as it can be toxic. Toxicity can cause disorientation, double vision, and convulsions, but these side effects will not be produced even with generous amounts in culinary usage.
Cooking with nutmeg
Foods that you can add nutmeg to are
- Baked goods such as pie, cake, cookies, and others
- Breakfast foods such as pancakes, waffles, and cereals like oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Fruit such as baked apples
- Vegetables
- Poultry
- Drinks like tea, coffee, milk, shakes, and eggnog
Putting nutmeg in foods does not have the nutmeg lethal dose or toxicity that medicinal nutmeg does.
Combination therapy for joint pain relief of elbow
Many people have good results combining traditional and natural remedies. The natural remedies can reduce the number of traditional drugs you have to take to achieve reduction of pain and inflammation of the elbow joint.
By reducing the number of pain pills you need to take, you greatly reduce the chances of being addicted to the pain medication. Be sure that you discuss combining the two methods with your doctor to make sure there will not be any side effects from doing so. Natural remedies have fewer side effects.
