What does it mean when your joints hurt?
There are several reasons that joints hurt. In some people, it is a combination of issues. It could be due to the repetitive motion from work or a hobby, a sudden injury or the weather.
In rare situations, it could be due to cancer.
Reasons for joints hurting
Some reasons for your joints hurting can include the following:
- Arthritis
- Weather
- Infection
- Injury
- Repetitive motions
- Autoimmune diseases
- Lyme disease from a tick bite
- Sarcoidosis
- Sprains, strains, or fractures/breaks
Those are just a few reasons for joints hurting. There are many others as well.
You may already have an idea of the cause of your pain if you hurt yourself playing sports, fell at work or home, or have been in an auto or bike accident, but this does not mean that you do not need to see a doctor. For example, if you twisted your ankle playing sports, chances are good that it is a sprain especially if you can bear some weight on it; however, it could also be a fracture and the only way to know is to have an x-ray taken.
In order to know the reason for your joints hurting, you need to see your doctor. He or she will run diagnostics that include blood work and/or x-rays, and do a physical exam to determine exactly what the problem is depending on if the pain was a sudden onset or if it came on gradually.
Once they make a diagnosis, they will discuss the treatment options with you. When treatment options are discussed, you should ask questions concerning the side effects of the treatments and if you can combine those treatments with homeopathic remedies.
What to do if your joints are hurting
If you fell, twisted, hit or dropped something on one of your joints, put ice on it immediately to keep the swelling down, elevate it if possible, and stay off of it as much as possible until you see a doctor.
If you have been involved in an auto or bike accident, immediately seek medical attention, not only for the joint that hurts, but for the rest of your body as well. A sports or play injury also requires medical attention to ensure that there are no fractures. Wearing safety equipment, supportive shoes and clothes that fit properly can help prevent injury.
If the pain has come on gradually from repetitive movement from your job or hobby, you should also see a doctor; in the meantime, use a cold pack to keep the swelling down.
If the pain began suddenly, again, make sure to see your doctor, and reduce activities that aggravate the pain.
Once the diagnosis has been made, the doctor will inform you of it and of the treatments that are available.
Treatments for hurting joints
When it comes to joints hurting, there are several treatments available since there are many different reasons for the pain. Each reason may have a different treatment, but some treatments may be used for several types of joint issues.
Arthritis may be treated with hot or cold therapy, anti-inflammatories, pain medication (both over-the-counter or prescription), exercise that is low impact, stretches, or surgery if needed depending on the type of arthritis.
Sprains, strains, or fractures/breaks may require ace wraps, braces, splints, or a cast. Of course, it will depend on what the x-ray shows when it comes to fractures or breaks. If it is a sprain or strain, you should consult with a physical therapist as they may recommend a walking device to reduce the stress of weight on the joint.
Autoimmune diseases require treatments that block the immune system from attacking healthy tissue. These treatments can put you at risk for catching anything that is contagious like the cold or flu virus and other infections.
Lyme disease iscaused by tick bites and will require prescription medication from your doctor. To reduce the chance of contracting Lyme disease, treat your lawn with an insecticide that kills ticks. If you hike in the woods, make sure that your skin is covered so that ticks cannot get to your skin and wear insect repellent. If you have pets, be sure to treat them for fleas and ticks to keep them from bringing them into your house.
Weather can cause joints to hurt from changes in pressure or if it is damp and wet. This can usually be treated using hot or cold therapy, by massaging essential oils like MegRelief into the area, and by dressing in layers when there is cold, damp weather.
Diet and exercise can impact joint pain. Pay attention to the foods you eat and beverages you consume as certain foods and beverages can aggravate inflammation from arthritis and other conditions like Fibromyalgia. Exercise should be low impact and, if possible, done in water. Swimming, walking, stretching and yoga are all good options. They should result in improved flexibility and mobility which will help reduce pain and stiffness.
What does it mean when your joints hurt?
There can be a number of reasons that your joints hurt so do not jump to conclusions; instead, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
When discussing treatment, ask if you can combine traditional treatments with homeopathic treatments if you wish to use those.
Many homeopathic treatments will not have serious side effects like prescription medications do. You should ask if the homeopathic treatment you choose will interfere with or cause side effects when combined with prescription medications.
Essential oils like MegRelief massaged into the joint that hurts usually has no side effects, but you should always test a couple of drops on the forearm first. These essential oils can usually be used with prescriptions without harm, but talk with your doctor before using them to be sure. There are several essential oils that work for decreasing joint pain and inflammation such as peppermint, nutmeg and ginger.
Prevention is always the best medicine so if you play sports, ride a bike, or engage in other hobbies, make sure to wear clothes that fit properly and shoes that are supportive, and use safety equipment. This will keep you from becoming injured and reduce the onset of illnesses like arthritis.
