Soothe Those Aching Joints

There’s more than a grain of truth in the saying that we realize the value of something only when we no longer have it, a truth that hits home hard when the flexibility and agility of youth slowly but steadily gives way to the creaks and groans associated with the onset of age and the passing of years. Arthritis and other related joint pains are a scourge for people who have reached a certain age or who are unlucky enough to be beset by geriatric problems even in the throes of youth.

The knees, shoulders, wrists, fingers, and elbows are the most susceptible to attacks of rheumatism and arthritis, both diseases which make movement intensely painful and also cause stiffness. Some people are plagued by osteoporosis, a disease which weakens the bones and causes cartilage damage as we grow older. Joint injuries also take longer to heal under such conditions.

While a healthy diet filled with nutrition and regular exercise help keep joint pains at bay, sometimes even the best of prevention methods fails, and nature takes its course. Under such circumstances, there are ways to help alleviate the pain, both with and without medication.

• Exercise helps relieve joint pains and prevents them from reoccurring. Consult your physician to see if strengthening or stretching exercises will help your situation best. Start slowly and get into your routine gradually. While you may feel pain initially, if you stay the course, you will realize the benefits in the form of painless joints. Warming up before and down after your exercise routine is extremely important to avoid injuries and strain to your joints. Take care not to overdo any activity.


• Drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen do help in short term pain relief, but consult your doctor before taking any medication to avoid side effects.


• Baths and soaks in warm water help soothe aching joints as do warm compresses.


• Avoid alcohol, foods with additives and preservatives like monosodium glutamate, dairy products, vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes, red meat like beef, pork and lamb, foods high in sugar content and vegetable oils.


• Acupuncture or other alternative treatments do help for some people.


• Swimming in warm water is an effective exercise to keep away the pains.


• Herbal teas, concoctions and brews have a soothing effect and act as pain relievers.


• Take care not to keep your joints in one position for long periods of time. If you’re taking a long road trip, stop often and get out and walk. Do not sit for prolonged periods of time in front of the television. Walk from time to time to the kitchen to get a drink of water.


• Do not work continuously; give yourself adequate rest periods in between bouts of activity.

Always consult your doctor before you undertake any exercise routine or take any medication.

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This post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who writes on the subject of online nursing degree. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com