An estimated 30 million adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of joint pain. This pain can severely impact daily life, making even the most basic tasks a challenge. The large, weight-bearing joints like the hips or knees may be most affected, making climbing stairs and going about daily life challenging. In these cases, a joint injection is one treatment option that can help you get your life back. Here’s what you should know about this pain management approach.

What is a joint injection?

Joint injections—also known as an intra-articular injection—use a local anesthetic and a medication injected directly into the joint to relieve pain and inflammation. There are three common types of joint injection:

• Corticosteroid injections
• Hyaluronic injections
• Nerve blocks

The one that works best for you depends on your condition and which is more closely matched to your therapeutic goals.

Benefits of joint injections

A single joint injection has the potential following benefits:

• Reduced inflammation: A 2019 review of studies found that joint injections of hyaluronic acid increased joint lubrication and reduced inflammation
• Pain relief: In one study of SI joint injections, nearly 67% of patients had a significant reduction in pain for at least six weeks
• Increased mobility: For frozen shoulder, a joint injection eased pain and increased shoulder mobility in participants for three to six months

The overall benefit of a joint injection will depend on the condition being treated, other concurrent treatments, and a patient’s overall health.

Common types of joint injections

There several different types of joint injections that are paired with the painful joint being treated. Let’s look at each of these in more detail.

Facet joint injections

Your facet joints connect and stabilize each individual spinal vertebra in relation to the one above and below it. These connections are strong but surrounded by sensitive nerves. Whenever injury or deterioration causes inflammation, pain can result.

Facet joint injections are a good option to treat pain that occurs in the back and neck. Common conditions that cause this type of pain include:

• Spinal stenosis
• Herniated disc
• Sciatica
• Spondylolysis

Research has shown that facet joint injections offer a significant decrease in pain and also work as a reliable diagnostic tool to determine if you are a candidate for radiofrequency ablation (RFA), another treatment. Further, patients who undergo facet joint injections are generally better able participate in rehabilitative therapies that compound their pain-relieving effects.

SI joint injections

Your sacroiliac joint connects the legs to the pelvis and is the center of some of the most difficult pain to treat. When injury to this joint occurs, pain can cross the lower back and shoot down the legs.

Trauma to the SI joint from injury, pregnancy and childbirth, or hip or spine surgery can cause painfully tight ligaments in this joint. Degenerative sacroiliitis can occur with autoimmune conditions, and pain may also be present with an uneven gait.

SI joint injections relieve pain in the majority of patients and are also used as a diagnostic tool.

Hip joint injections

Our hips are the largest weight-bearing joint in our bodies. As such, they are subject to a tremendous amount of stress with literally every step we take. Hip joint injections are used to help restore pain-free mobility.

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of hip pain, but other hip pain causes include:

• Bursitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Injury and prior trauma

When performed to excess, this type of injection may increase the rate of progression of osteoarthritis in a small minority—about 8% of patients. In the same study, however, researchers also found that many patients can benefit from exploring this treatment (and its risks) before trying more invasive and riskier procedures (e.g., surgery).

Knee joint injections

The knee is made up of a variety of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These intertwine and wrap around the knee to help provide stable, balanced movement in the lower body.

But this structure is remarkably vulnerable to injury, and pain in the knee makes simple daily tasks excruciating. Knee joint injections work to ease pain and decrease inflammation most commonly caused by injury and various forms of arthritis.

Knee joint injections are most successful when their placement is accurate. Fluoroscopically-guided injections are the best choice for this type of joint injection. Like other injections, they can also help you undergo rehabilitative therapies to correct an underlying issue.

Shoulder joint injections

Shoulder joint injections can address common causes of shoulder pain, including:

• Frozen shoulder
• Dislocation
• Bursitis
• Arthritis
• Injury

Ankle joint injections

Ankle joint injections can help relieve pain when over-the-counter medications have not been effective. They are also a great option to try before more interventional pain treatments and when the ankle injury is causing significant pain, swelling, or deformity.

Conditions that might cause ankle pain include:

• Injury
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Gout
• Synovitis

This type of injection for joint pain is also a great way to stabilize the joint so that physical therapy and other complementary treatments can begin. Ankle joint injections are a minimally-invasive treatment option that improve quality of life and reduces pain.

Elbow joint injections

Elbow joint injections are frequently recommended when rest and other comfort measures do not provide healing for elbow pain.

The most common causes of elbow pain are tennis and golf elbow. Both of these conditions place excessive strain on the tendons on either the outside or inside of the elbow. This strain can cause swelling and inflammation, which can lead to permanent damage if not treated.

Overview of a joint injection procedure

Before recommending a joint injection procedure, you and your doctor will discuss the potential side effects, risks, and indications for success. An educated patient is better able to make good decisions about their treatment. As noted below, there are a variety of complimentary treatments for joint pain, and it’s important to discuss all of your options first.

The joint injection procedure itself is an outpatient procedure that is generally the same regardless of the joint being treated. You can see an overview in the following knee joint video, or keep reading.

Step 1: Prepare the area around the affected joint

You will be positioned on the examination table to expose the affected joint. For many injections, it is not necessary to change out of your regular clothes. Wear loose, comfortable clothes to allow easy access to the joint.

Once you are settled on the table, your doctor will clean and sterilize the skin around the joint to minimize the potential for infection.

Step 2: Administer local anesthetic

A local anesthetic makes your joint injection more comfortable. This anesthetic is injected into the skin. You may first receive a topical anesthetic to make the local anesthetic injection less painful, as well.

Step 3: Use fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to guide the injection

Another way to minimize the chance of side effects (and to maximize pain and inflammation relief) is by using fluoroscopic guidance. This helps your doctor precisely administer the medications exactly where they are needed.

Fluoroscopy is not necessary for every injection, but in areas where the injection site is more precise (e.g., shoulders, hips, and the jaw) it is helpful for best results. The entire procedure usually takes between five and ten minutes.

Are joint injections painful?

In addition to reducing pain and inflammation, the goal is for this procedure to be safe and comfortable. Many patients avoid getting a joint injection because they are worried that it might be painful. Know that your doctor is committed to your comfort at every step of your joint injection.

To that end, a topical anesthetic and a local anesthetic will go a long way to minimize discomfort. You may feel a pinch when the topical anesthetic is injected, but in general, most patients report only mild discomfort.

If you are concerned about pain, or you feel nervous about needles in general, talk to your doctor. They may prescribe a mild sedative for you before the procedure to ease your worry and ensure your comfort.

Are there any side effects or risks?

Joint injections as a whole are generally recognized as safe, but as with any interventional procedure, there are potential side effects and risks to be aware of.

Potential side effects include:

• Allergic reaction to injected medication
• Allergic reaction to skin disinfectant or bandage tape adhesive
• Temporary increase in pain
• Bruising at the injection site
• Mild swelling at the injection site
• Thinning bone at the injection site
• Nerve damage
• Damage to or death of nearby tissue
• Corticosteroid side effects, such as headaches, facial flushing, hot flashes, anxiety, and insomnia

Very rare but potentially serious risks include infection in the injected joint and post-injection flare. Thinning and whitening of the skin around the injected joint is another potential risk, as is rupture of the tendon.

Avoid serious side effects and complications by limiting the number and frequency of injections in a joint, in consultation with your doctor. Joint injections should not be performed in a joint with active infections or if you have a known allergy to the medication being injected.

How often should you get joint injections?

A joint injection has great potential for pain relief and increased mobility, but as noted above, they do come with some risks. To avoid these risks, your doctor will limit the number of injections you receive in a year, carefully monitoring the joint (and the rest of your health) for potential side effects.

Generally, you should limit joint injections to no more than three or four in a year. Many people find that the first couple of joint injections, spaced at least six weeks apart, offer them enough pain relief and mobility to begin complementary therapies, like chiropractic care or physical therapy.

Joint pain conditions are also best treated with a comprehensive approach that includes proper sleep, diet, and lifestyle changes. In some cases, joint injections allow you to incorporate these other therapies into your treatment plan for the best chance of successful healing.

How to manage joint injection recovery

Joint injection recovery is generally quick, but there are a few things to keep in mind on the days that follow your joint injection. Talk to your doctor for a specific list of joint injection recovery instructions, but here are a few general guidelines.

• Have a friend or family member drive you home after your joint injection
• Resume all regular activity the day after your joint injection, but take it easy on the procedure day itself
• Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling at the injection site as needed, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off
• Avoid saunas or other heat to the injection site for three days (regular hot showers are fine, but no baths until your doctor says it is okay)
• Consult with your doctor about your current medications and if you should take them before or after the procedure
• Remove the bandages if they get wet from bathing
• Corticosteroid side effects as noted above are common, so take comfort measures as needed (e.g., over-the-counter headache relief, cool washcloths for hot flashes, and herbal teas for sleep and calming anxiety)

It is also common to feel a slight increase in pain after your joint injection. This is nothing to be alarmed about and is entirely normal. If pain increases substantially, or you have signs of infection at the injection site (fever, redness, swelling, or discharge), contact your doctor.

How long do joint injections take to work?

Many patients expect instant pain relief and restored mobility from their joint injections. For some lucky patients, this does actually occur. They hop off the examination table and feel great.

More commonly, your joint injection may take up to ten days to take full effect. It may even feel discouraging when pain worsens slightly in the days following the injection. The local anesthetic numbs the painful area, and as that wears off, the pain returns.

Take heart: this is common and temporary. Expect to begin to feel gradually less pain and increased range of motion over a ten-day period. If you receive multiple joint injections (i.e., one on either side of your knee) you may feel relief on one side and pain on the other.

Of course, if you do not feel relief after ten days, it’s best to schedule a follow-up with your doctor to learn more.

Get joint injections in Arizona

At Arizona Pain, we take an integrated care approach with every one of our patients. We believe that pain is best treated with a comprehensive treatment strategy that is carefully tailored to each unique individual.

If you are looking for pain management in Arizona, get in touch to schedule your appointment today!

While many people with chronic pain find that it’s worse in the winter, it turns out that summer’s heat and humidity can also lead to joint pain. At Arizona Pain, we know extreme heat. With an average high of 104° and a low of 78° in June, the huge swings in Phoenix’s temperatures can wreak havoc on already-aching joints. Joint pain in summer is a thing we know how to treat. This is what you should know, how to prevent summer joint pain, and your treatment options.

Do I really have more joint pain in summer?

Maybe you think you are imagining things and that the swelling and ache in your joints is not real. Unfortunately, joint pain in summer is all-too common as the mercury soars.

Why does joint pain in summer increase?

Dehydration

One of the main culprits of joint pain in summer is dehydration. Especially in dry climates like Arizona, your sweat may evaporate before you notice it’s there. This means that you are losing more fluid than you realize, even when you are at rest (or asleep!).

This dehydration increases friction in the joints that rely on hydration to stay healthy. Ball-and-socket joints like the hips and shoulders suffer especially from a lack of proper hydration, but all joints are susceptible.

Less activity

Arizona’s climate is perfect for many year-round outdoor activities, but when the temperature rises, many of us head inside or reduce the length of our exercise outside.

Reduced activity levels for joints that relied on daily movement to stay healthy can be felt nearly immediately. In some cases, reducing your activity can cause worsening or referred pain (e.g., back pain) as the body compensates for the painful joint.

Temperature swings

The huge changes in temperature can make a person’s mind suffer, and the same holds true for that person’s body!

Tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue inside the joints expand and contract with each rise and fall of the thermometer. Over the course of the day, this can actually increase joint pain in summer.

Bad weather

While many people move to Arizona specifically for the dry climate, we can also get some gully washers that roll through in the summertime. When this happens, the pressure in the atmosphere drops—and so does the pressure in your body. You might think that this would be good for inflamed joints, but the joints respond differently to a dropping barometer.

In a quest to maintain stability and balance, the tissues in the joints swell to fill the joint capsule as the pressure drops. This can press on already-inflamed tissues or cause issues with mobility that lead to pain. Many people experience this as swelling in the joints or a decreased range of motion. If you’re experiencing summertime in dry climates like Arizona you may actually have more of this type of weather-related pain than in winter.

What about rheumatoid arthritis in hot weather?

Rheumatoid arthritis in hot weather can also be a perfect storm of swelling and inflammation caused by too little activity, dehydration, and barometric changes.

Complicating things even more, dealing with any kind of arthritis in summer can mean a tricky balance between too much water and not enough. Some people experience more water retention in their joints, which can be very painful, while others cannot get enough fluid into their body.

What’s the connection between humidity and inflammation?

Although cold and wet is the worst combination for joint pain, hot and humid is a close second. Joints have sensory nerves in them that respond to the conditions both inside and outside your body. When the humidity rises along with the temperature, a corresponding drop in pressure creates space in your joint. The body responds by expanding the ligaments and tendons to fill the joint. Humidity also affects the amount of fluid that is present in the joint. Less fluid means more friction and pain with each movement.

In a healthy joint, this expansion and slight decrease in joint lubrication may result in minor stiffness until the joint is warmed up. But humidity and inflammation can affect an already-compromised joint and potentially lead to further damage and pain.

How to manage arthritis in summer

The good news: you don’t have to suffer from joint pain in summer, and you can still do all of the things you love. In fact, keeping activity levels the same year-round can be one of the best things you do not only for your physical but also your mental health.

There are some precautions you can take to help prevent joint pain in summer (and manage if it occurs). Here’s our guide to getting started. If you’re ever unsure, we recommend reaching out to your doctor for guidance or contact the Arizona Pain team (if you’re in Arizona) for help.

Exercise, but with caution

As long as your doctor has approved it, continue to exercise even during the hottest times of the year. Do it by making summertime modifications.

For example, you can beat the heat by exercising very early in the morning or after the sun has set. Take many breaks and stay in the shade if you can even during the cooler parts of the day.

Or, modify how and where you exercise. If you are an avid tennis player, see if you can find an indoor tennis facility to make playing more comfortable. Consider switching to a “summer sport” to keep your whole body fit. Instead of jogging, why not try swimming instead? This low-impact, full-body exercise works every muscle that jogging does, safely and out of the heat.

Need something low intensity? Join friends to do laps around a large indoor mall. You can also invest in a treadmill and watch an episode of your favorite TV show while walking at a moderate pace. If you’re short on space, time, and money, check out free exercise videos online for a quick cardio boosting workout.

After your workout, ensure you rehydrate and cool the body down slowly.

Stay hydrated

The most important thing you can do for joint pain in summer is to stay hydrated. Sure, water is often the recommended beverage, but in very hot climates where sweat is nearly nonexistent because the heat is dry, it pays to mind your electrolytes, too.

Look for drinks that have the essential minerals of salt, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These minerals regulate many different functions in the body, from managing muscle contractions to regulating the nervous system.

Electrolytes can also be found in a variety of foods, including:

• Soy milk
• Pickles
• Coconut water
• Spinach
• Celery
• Lettuce

To get enough liquid, you can also eat foods that are “watery,” like greens, sweet peppers, melons, and berries.

During the summer months, also avoid drinks with excessive caffeine and sugar, as these can cause dehydration. Alcoholic beverages also increase urination, which can lead to dehydration. If you are consuming alcohol, make sure to have a glass of water for each drink you consume.

Finally, another good way to ingest electrolytes is through the largest organ in your body: your skin. A relaxing Epsom salts bath cools the body and delivers magnesium transdermally, good for hydration and a proper night’s sleep!

Sleep well

There is lots of research on how poor sleep affects chronic pain, and none of it is good. In the summer, sleep may be even more elusive. The longer days, coupled with hot nights, may make drifting off harder than normal.

Take the time to “summer proof” your sleep. Install blackout shades in your room if the early sunrise cuts your slumber short. Turn down the thermostat at night. Choose breathable cotton sheets and light (or no) sleeping clothes. Finally, consider bringing a cool washcloth to sleep if you are having a hard time bringing your body temperature down.

Focus on healthy food

A big bonus of summertime is the increased access to delicious, fresh food. Abundant summer vegetables at every farmer’s market means you can have a dinner that was standing fresh in the field that morning.

But summer also brings barbecues, ice cream socials, and pitchers of beer and sangria. Eating healthy food year-round is a great way to reduce joint pain in the summer by maintaining a healthy BMI and decreasing food-related inflammation. It can be challenging in the wintertime to find inflammation-reducing cherries in the grocery store, but in summer, they are literally falling off the trees.

The best diet for arthritis in summer is one that is easy, delicious, and anti-inflammatory. Reach for abundant fruits and vegetables, lean proteins on the grill, and healthy whole grains like quinoa and brown rice.

Stick with your medical routine

We know how it goes: all you want to do in the summertime is take off work, laze in the midday sun, and run away to the beach. But if you have an established treatment protocol for your joint pain, in summer it’s crucial to stick with it.

This includes things like sticking to physical therapy schedules and taking medications as directed. Seems like common sense, but it can be challenging to stick to a schedule when it feels like the days are endless and no one else has a schedule. Use your phone to set alarms and reminders to stay on track!

Don’t forget to relax

And speaking of endless days with no schedules, one of the ironic things about summer is that it can be really hard to just relax. With vacations to plan, kids to manage, and the go-go-go vibe of the season, we can get wrapped up and stressed out by something that’s supposed to be fun and relaxing.

Take a break every day to simply sit somewhere quiet and breathe. There is a Zen proverb: if you don’t have time to meditate for an hour, then you should meditate for two hours. You don’t need to go to those extremes, but there is plenty of research that shows that mindfulness meditation for just 20 minutes a day can go a long way to reducing your chronic pain (and the stress it comes with).

Does summer make other pain conditions worse?

Summer’s high temperatures and humidity can make other pain conditions worse, too. Be aware of any other conditions you may experiencing beyond joint pain, like:

• Headaches and migraines can be explosive in the summer, prompted by shifts in the barometer, air pollution, and dehydration
• Summer’s hot, humid air can increase the pain and frequency of fibromyalgia flare-ups
• Heat can also worsen the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including back pain, muscle spasms, and trigeminal neuralgia

As with joint pain in summer, many of these conditions can be eased by bringing the body temperature down and taking proper precautions. Continue getting moderate exercise, prioritize sleep, and stay hydrated.

Get help for your joint pain in summer

At Arizona Pain, we’re out there in the heat right alongside you. We know how to treat joint pain in the summer because so many of our patients experience it firsthand. Along with these preventative measures, there are pain management approaches that can help if you’re experiencing severe pain that’s impacting your overall quality of life.

If you’re in Arizona, get in touch today to see how we can help.

Joint pain can range from a mild ache to severe, life-altering pain. And because your joints are so crucial to everyday activities, any level of joint pain can have a significant impact on your health, mood, and quality of life. Read on to learn more about common joint pain causes and what you can do to relieve your pain.

Where do most people experience joint pain?

You have joints all over your body. Any place where one bone connects with another, a joint is there bringing them together. This includes everything from the ball-and-socket joints connecting your legs to your hips, to the hinge joints in your knees and fingers.

Where you experience joint pain will depend on what’s causing it, but some joints are more susceptible to certain conditions than others. Osteoarthritis affects 27 million people in the United States, making it the most common chronic joint condition. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint but is most common in the knees, hands, back, and hips.

Other conditions tend to target other joints. Tendonitis, for example, generally occurs in the legs, arms, and feet, and bursitis often affects the hips, knees, elbows, and shoulders. We’ll discuss each of these in more detail below.

Bilateral vs. unilateral pain

Many of your joints are part of a “set,” so to speak. In other words, you generally have two of each, and it is possible to experience pain in the matching joints on both sides of your body. This is called bilateral joint pain. Other people experience unilateral joint pain, or joint pain that only happens on one side of your body.

Whether your pain is unilateral or bilateral may change over time, and for a variety of reasons. Sometimes this happens as you attempt to compensate for the painful joint. If your left foot hurts, you are likely to move differently, putting more pressure on your right foot while walking or standing. This additional pressure can eventually result in pain in both of your feet.

Other times, the shift from unilateral to bilateral pain is part of the disease’s progression. According to a study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders in 2012, 80% of people with osteoarthritis in one knee (unilateral) will develop it in both knees (bilateral) within twelve years.

What causes joint pain?

The causes of this type of pain are as numerous and complicated as the joints themselves. Here are a few of the most common ones.

Arthritis

Arthritis is perhaps the most well-known cause of joint pain. There are many different kinds of arthritis. What they all have in common is that they cause your joints to become swollen, causing pain and a variety of other symptoms. Older people are more likely to develop arthritis, but it can affect people of all ages.

Among the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are many other varieties. Ankylosing spondylitis usually, but not always, affects the spine. Gout is another form of arthritis that, rather than causing constant pain, flares up for days or weeks at a time before subsiding. It most often affects your big toe, though occasionally symptoms manifest elsewhere in the foot and even in other joints.

Injury

This can refer to unpredictable, one-time injuries, such as a fall or an accident. But more often, joint injuries come about from gradual wear and tear rather than a single event.

If you engage in a lot of physical activity, especially activity that involves repetitive movements, you are at increased risk of hurting your joints. A sport like gymnastics or a job that involves a lot of lifting or bending are examples of activities that may result in joint injuries.

Bursitis

The bursa are fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints. When they become inflamed, they cause joint pain.

Bursitis is often the result of many small injuries brought about by repetitive movements. For example, if your job or hobby requires you to reach over your head a lot, you are more likely to develop shoulder bursitis.

Tendonitis

Your tendons connect your bones to your muscles. Sometimes, a tendon becomes inflamed, and this condition is called tendonitis (also spelled tendinitis).

Tendonitis can be caused by overuse, injury, or another condition, such as arthritis.

Fibromyalgia

This potentially devastating condition affects women more than men. It may be caused by another medical event, such as an illness or infection, although this isn’t always the case.

One of its most distinguishing traits is chronic pain throughout the body, especially in the joints. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and memory problems.

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects everyone differently.

For many people, lupus means joint pain and stiffness, especially in the hands and knees.

Previous surgeries

Surgery can be an effective method of treating conditions too serious for more common treatments. But it is also very traumatic for your body.

Symptoms like pain can linger for a while after the operation. And if you’ve had an operation on your joints, such as a knee replacement, you will likely suffer from joint pain for a while afterward.

Depression

Not all joint pain causes are physical. It is an established fact that mental illnesses, such as depression, also lead to physical symptoms.

Depression can cause a variety of physical symptoms in addition to joint pain, including insomnia and changes in appetite.

4 common joint pain symptoms

As if joint pain on its own isn’t bad enough, it is often accompanied by a host of other, equally troublesome symptoms. Here are four of the most common.

• Stiffness is a very common complaint among joint pain sufferers. You might have trouble bending the affected joint, especially when you first wake up in the morning.
• Swelling is the result of too much interstitial fluid, or the fluid in the tissue, building up in one area. It usually happens when an area has been irritated or injured, such as by an injury or a chronic disease like arthritis. If you have swelling, your joint(s) will appear larger than normal.
• Warmth often occurs in tandem with swelling. An excess of interstitial fluid causes them both. Your joint may appear red and feel warm to the touch.
• Finally, weakness may accompany your joint pain. You may find it difficult to perform even simple tasks, such as lifting a gallon of milk or buttoning a shirt, that you once performed with ease.

Is joint pain serious?

The severity of joint pain will depend on a variety of factors, including the cause of pain, how long you’ve had the condition, and how long you’ve gone without treatment.

Some joint pain causes will resolve over time with proper treatment. Others will never go away completely and may even get worse. Arthritis, for example, is a degenerative condition; the symptoms will continue to worsen over time.

If you are experiencing fever, prolonged or extreme swelling, and/or joint pain severe enough to prevent you from performing your regular activities, see your doctor right away. This is true regardless of what’s causing your pain: if you have these symptoms, it’s time to go to the doctor.

How do I get a joint pain diagnosis?

Only a doctor can officially diagnose the cause of your symptoms. At your appointment, your doctor will go over your medical history with you. They might also recommend running diagnostic tests to figure out the cause of your joint pain. The exact nature of the tests will depend upon your other symptoms.

For example, different blood tests are commonly used to diagnose arthritis. To diagnose lupus, on the other hand, your doctor will likely run several tests designed to diagnose other conditions with similar symptoms. Once all other possibilities have been eliminated, a lupus diagnosis can be made.

X-rays or CT scans are also used in cases of joint pain. These tests provide a clear picture of your bones and can show if there is any deterioration or damage.

In general, the earlier you get a diagnosis and begin treatment, the better chance you have of preventing permanent damage and ensuring the maximum possible recovery for your joints.

How do you treat joint pain?

There are many ways to relieve joint pain. You may have already tried some of them. If your current treatment plan is working for you, there’s no reason to change it. If not, one or more of the joint pain remedies listed below may be worth a try.

Before experimenting with new treatments, always talk to your doctor to ensure that each treatment is safe for you. Some could actually worsen symptoms or lead to more damage.

Medication

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can help in many cases of joint pain. But when these medications aren’t enough to relieve joint pain, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. This is especially true in cases of depression or lupus, when more specialized medication may be required to keep symptoms under control.

Regardless of whether the medicine you take is prescription or over-the-counter, take care to read all instructions and to never take more than the recommended dose.

Heat/cold therapy

Heat/cold therapy is a simple treatment that has the potential to work wonders on your joint pain. Whether you use heat, cold, or both will depend on what’s causing your pain.

The Cleveland Clinic recommends heat therapy for arthritis, since heat generally works better in cases of chronic pain. Do some research and talk to your doctor about which treatment is best for you.

Rest and exercise

Exercise and rest can both be very effective joint pain treatments. Of course, if you’re experiencing chronic joint pain, the prospect of resting is probably much more tempting than exercising. And in some cases, that instinct is exactly right!

If your joint pain is caused by an injury or a condition brought about by an injury (e.g. bursitis), resting and giving your joint the chance to properly heal is usually more important than exercising it—at first.

Once the affected area starts to feel better, you can generally begin physical activity again. Exercise is also important in cases of chronic joint pain; it strengthens your joints so they feel better longer. There are numerous gentle exercises designed for people with chronic joint pain. Always talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise or stretching program.

Lifestyle changes

Maintaining a healthy weight may also improve joint pain. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your joints, while being at a healthy weight can improve both your joint health and your overall health.

In cases of gout, avoid seafood, red meat, and alcohol. These increase the amount of uric acid in the blood, which in turn can lead to a flare-up of gout.

Physical therapy

A physical therapist is someone specially trained to help people whose injury or illness has reduced the range of motion in a joint or limb. They will examine the affected area and guide you through a treatment regimen.

A physical therapy regimen will likely include several of the treatments mentioned above, including exercises and lifestyle changes. Physical therapy can help reduce pain and increase your range of motion.

Injections and surgery

In the more extreme cases, when none of the treatments listed above are working, you may consider injections or surgery. Neither injections nor surgeries are first-line joint pain remedies. The overwhelming majority of joint pain causes do not require such drastic measures.

However if you’re still suffering in pain, cortisone shots are often used when pain is caused by inflammation, such as arthritis. This treatment can help ease your pain and allow you to undergo physical therapy or another program to correct the underlying cause of your pain. However, long-term use of this treatment has potential side effects. It’s important to go over the pros and cons with your doctor before making a decision.

Surgery may be necessary in, for example, especially tough cases of bursitis, tendonitis, or arthritis. Which surgery your doctor chooses for you–and whether you are a candidate for surgery at all–will depend on the cause and severity of your joint pain.

If you are in Arizona and suffer from joint pain, the team at Arizona Pain can help. Contact us today to learn more about that potential causes of your joint pain and how to treat it.

Living with lupus can be a tedious ordeal. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be a scary diagnosis as it can wreak havoc on all parts of your body, such as the skin, heart, joints, and kidneys. There are estimated to be over 1.5 million people in the U.S. who suffer from this chronic illness. There is currently no cure for lupus, but there is still hope. Here are 21 ways to make it easier to overcome the challenge of living with lupus to help you live a full and happy life.

1. Do research if you’re living with lupus and teach others

Learning about your disease can take away a lot of the mystery and fear that lies behind it. Sharing that information with close family and friends will give guidance and understanding to those you care about.

2. Eat a healthy diet

While there is no special diet for lupus, a healthy diet is best for the body to be in peak condition to fight off any illness. Try to make sure you are eating a balanced diet and talk to your doctor about any changes you feel could help.

3. Exercise

Exercise is always an important staple for a healthy body and mind. Walking a couple of blocks, swimming a few laps, or doing some yoga can be just what you need to get your blood pumping and to reduce joint pain.

4. But don’t overdo the exercise

While light aerobic exercise will help a lot, try to avoid high-intensity workouts. Specifically, don’t do them when you have joint pain or you could exacerbate an already painful experience.

5. Ice, ice, baby

Cold therapy can be a good choice when joint pain first rears its ugly head. Ice slows the pain response to the brain and reduces swelling by reducing the blood flow to an area.

6. Hot! Hot! Hot!

A helpful tip to kick joint pain in the long term is to try a warm bath, shower, or a heating pad. This will loosen up your tight muscles and reduce the soreness by increasing blood flow and circulation. Heat also has a pleasant reassuring quality that can help you relax a little mentally.

7. Avoid alcohol

Some alcohol use won’t generally be bad for people with lupus, as long as their doctor has approved it. Alcohol can have some other side effects, like reducing medication effectiveness or create new medical issues. Those with depression should also be extra cautious when imbibing, as alcohol is a natural depressant and can make depressive thoughts worse.

8. Track your flare-ups

Knowing early warning signs or what causes flare-ups can greatly increase the chances of mitigating or even preventing them.

9. Minimize stress

Find ways to avoid stress as stressing the body only makes living with lupus worse. Strategize with a doctor or find ways for friends and family to really help out.

10. Make time to destress

It might be difficult to pursue some hobbies because of lupus, but finding time to destress is of vital importance. Find something you enjoy and take time to do it, whether it be listening to music, reading, or cooking.

11. Practice good sleeping habits

Sleep deprivation has also been linked to increase pain sensitivity. If you’re living with lupus, you know it can wipe you out like nobody’s business. Fatigue is definitely something to be aware of, so making sure you get a healthy amount of rest each day is a smart move.

12. Watch out for the sun

Sensitivity to ultra-violet light is very common in those who suffer from lupus. It can trigger flare-ups, which can really ruin your day. Make sure if you go out in the sun that you use at least SPF 30 sunscreen, which provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

13. Artificial light can be a problem

Indoor fluorescent light gives off UV rays just like the sun. You might want to try covering your lights with light shields.

14. Just don’t smoke

Smoking has been linked to all kinds of negative health effects, like cancer and heart disease. But for those living with lupus it increases inflammation, can cause flare-ups, and worsens other symptoms.

15. Prevent infections

Patients with lupus are more susceptible to infections so try to avoid those who are already sick and contagious. Always make sure to wash your hands and ask your doctor about keeping up on vaccines.

16. Beware of lupus fog

This mental impairment can confuse you, mess with your memory, and be very frustrating. Make sure to keep a journal of your activities and write down important information for safe-keeping to help counteract these issues.

17. Get a massage

Massages increase energy levels, reduce stress, and can help with muscle soreness. Try a local licensed massage therapist and see if it works for you.

18. Know your limits

Don’t push yourself too hard. If you are tired or in pain, know when you have to cut back hours at work or take time away from others to rest and recuperate.

19. Ask for help

It might be hard to admit at first, but everyone needs help sometimes. Those with chronic pain conditions are already highly-susceptible to anxiety and depression, so it is always good to have an emotional support structure to make sure you are well taken care of.

20. Record new symptoms

Keep a list of your symptoms and questions you want to ask your doctor. It is always a smart idea to inform your doctor immediately of any new symptoms that arise.

21. Acknowledge yourself

You are not your disease. Just remember that you have lots to offer the world and you have friends and family that want to see you happy. Focus on what makes life great rather than the battle you have with lupus.

Living with lupus is a challenge that can be overcome with resilience and dedication. Do you have any tips or tricks you use to manage your condition?