Millions of people live with joint pain every single day. This type of pain can stem from a wide variety of ailments and conditions, some of which are genetic and others that are environmental. For many, chronic joint pain can have a dramatic impact on happiness and overall well-being. Others are able to manage their pain through various treatments, such as medications and rehabilitation. Joint pain is typically characterized by an aching or pins and needles feeling deep in the joints. Unfortunately, joint pain can turn into a more serious problem, even cancer. That being said, this is not the case with the majority of patients. Joint pain is very common and usually can be treated with rest and other alternative therapies.
The joints are very important to our mobility, stability, and flexibility. They also help us maintain good range of motion during certain activities and everyday actions, such as walking and running. Over time, the joints will become susceptible to pain and stiffness, similar to what happens when arthritis occurs. Certain bones are more likely to develop joint pain or stiffness, such as the bones of the shoulders, hips, knees, neck, and lower back. All of these bones are made up on very flexible joints that are responsible for regular movements, including sitting, standing, walking, running, and generally moving around. Here at Texas Partners Healthcare Group, we treat patients suffering from a wide range of joint pain, typically of the aforementioned bones.
As mentioned, there are certain joints that are at a higher risk than others of developing problems and pain. For example, joints that bear more bodyweight have a greater chance of developing osteoarthritis. The hips and knees are two of the most common joints that people experience pain and discomfort. This is because they are responsible for carrying a lot of the body’s weight, and they are very flexible. Some of the most common causes of joint pain in these body parts include:
To keep your joints healthy and free of pain, it is important you avoid any unnecessary stress or pressure being put on the joints. Performing strengthening exercises is a good place to start for those living with mild discomfort. Depending on the root cause of your joint pain, simply strengthening the muscles, ligaments, and tendons around the joint may provide you with relief. We also recommend our patients use an ice pack to take down the swelling and take an over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, should the pain persist. At Texas Partners Healthcare Group, we have a team of multi-specialists on staff to address your concerns. As a general rule, we try to help our patients find solutions and treatments that are not medications, as these drugs only mask the symptoms, but don’t fix the root of the problem. To learn more about how we evaluate and treat joint pain, please contact one of our locations in Allen, Anna, Dallas, Frisco, or McKinney.