A joint is an area between two bones. Joints provide flexibility thus easing our mobility. Without them, even the simplest of tasks can’t be performed. As life would have it, sometimes bad things happen. You wake up with this shrieking pain in the joints and you wonder what may have caused it. A visit to the doctor confirms your worst fears- your joint(s) is damaged. Could life get any worse? You wonder. There, there. Don’t worry too much. Not everything you have heard about joint pain is true. So they told you that joint pain is will cause paralysis, don’t believe them.
Below we look at some joint pain facts that you may not have been aware of.
1. Joint Pain Is Not Arthritis
Since time immemorial, most people have lived under the lie that joint pain fact is arthritis. While a painful joint is one of the symptoms of arthritis, the fact that you have joint pain doesn’t mean you have arthritis. There are other conditions that may trigger painful joints such as bursitis, gout, sprains etc. The next time you have a painful joint, don’t be quick to say you have arthritis. Has it checked by a doctor to determine the cause?
2. There Are Different Types of Joint Pain
The different joints in your body may ache and not necessarily together. It might be just hip pain or knee pain. It is only in conditions such as arthritis that you will find that most of the joints are inflamed and painful. In most cases, it will only be one joint that is painful.
3. Exercise Relieves Joint Pain
Most times when you have a joint ache, you will find that exercise is the last thing in your mind. However, important to note is that exercise will improve your range of motion and relieve pain. You only need to work with your doctor so that he/ she may recommend the safest exercise for you. If the pain is severe, forego the intense workouts and go for the simple ones.
4. Excess weight May Trigger Joint Pain
Certain types of arthritis are triggered by excess weight. That’s why you find most obese people developing arthritis later on in life. Easting healthy and exercising will keep excess weight at bay. Also, reducing weight when you have a joint pain may help relieve pain by reducing pressure on the joint. However, the fact that you have a normal weight doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you will never suffer from joint pain, far from it.
5. Join Pain Can Be A Sign of Aging
As we age, the diminishing cartilage makes our joints ache more and reduce our flexibility. There is little we can do about this. However, if we keep a healthy lifestyle as we age, then we will be sure of an easier time during old age.
6. If You Are Prone To Joint Pain Then You Can Forecast Thunderstorms
I know this sound crazy if you are hearing it for the first time. Now before you declare yourself a rain man, note that this is pure science. How? Well, in our joints, there are sensor nerves called baroreceptors. When the barometric pressure starts dropping, then these nerves react. This pressure drop signifies the rains are on the way. Can we now stop concentrating too much on the negative and look at the positive side of things?
7. The Funny Bone Is Actually a Nerve
Often, you will hear someone say “I have hit my funny bone.” In essence, what they hit is the ulnar nerve which is located right above the hard elbow. Pressure on this nerve causes a tingling/ numbness in the fore arm onto the fingers. Apparently that is a funny feeling to some people.
8. Diabetes Drugs may Cause Joint Pain
Now, before you throw your diabetes medication through the window, note that it’s not all drugs that are responsible. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, medicines in the drug class of dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DPP-4) inhibitors are responsible for this. You are recommended to seek medical attention from your health provider if you experience joint pain after the commencement of diabetes medication.
9. Acupuncture Eases Joint Pain
Acupuncture is a technique that involves inserting fine stainless steel needles into trigger points to reduce pain in the body. Over the years, it has been used to relive pain from various conditions, arthritis included. However, it should be performed with the help of an acupuncturist to avoid injuries.
Conclusion
Above are some hidden facts about joint pain that you may not have known. Some are for general knowledge while others will help you deal with joint pain if you are a victim. Now that you are enlightened, you can deal with the condition better.
References
https://www.glozine.com/lifestyle/health/natural-joint-pain-relief-supplements.html
http://www.examiner.com/article/twenty-proven-vitamins-and-minerals-that-are-effective-for-joint-pain