Some people may say that age brings wisdom but what those people tend to forget to mention is that such wisdom comes paired with increasing aches and pains in the joints. Recurring bouts of pain in the joints can discourage people from pursuing the activities that they love or even leave them physically unable to participate in those activities if they reach a significant severity. Provided below are five solid ways of mitigating pain and soreness in the knees and joints so that our audience can continue to Fenjoy physical activities.
R.I.C.E.
This is a well-known acronym in sports medicine that stands for “Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.” If you suffer an injury or a sprain to your knee or lower joints, the best practice is to:
- Rest the limb so it does not have to be put through more exertion.
- Apply ice to the problem area to numb the pain.
- Apply a compressive bandage or wrap to the problem area.
- Keep the limb elevated to optimize blood flow.
Medicinal Marijuana
While not yet approved for every type of medical condition by the FDA, studies have shown that the CBD and THC contained within marijuana can blunt sensations of pain. Any person interested in trying marijuana for medicinal purposes should look into the legality of the substance within their municipality and then consult with their doctor about pursuing a medicinal cannabis card. Buyers should beware that while a card is necessary to purchase and even possess marijuana, it is illegal in several states and is also illegal to transport across state lines; Canadians, on the other hand, are free to enjoy marijuana regardless of the province or territory they live in.
Exercise
Pain in the knees and joints might make exercise challenging, but the more that a person practices physical exercise, the easier those exercises will become and the less of a toll they will take upon a person. Physical exertion is one of the best ways to get your body to release endorphins, the painkiller hormones of the human body. Physical exertion can also bolster a person’s strength, endurance, flexibility, and range of motion. To minimize pain, focus on exercises that place little strain on the joints. Suitable exercises that go easy on joints include:
- Walking.
- Stationary cycling.
- Swimming.
- Aerobics while submerged in water.
- Yoga
Hot and Cold Therapy
While RISE is best used for fresh, isolated bits of pain in the knees and joints, this approach incorporates both extremes in temperature to heal and soothe the body. Begin by applying heat to the aching joints, via something as simple as a heating pad, warm compress, or even immersing oneself in a hot tub or bath. For narrow segments of joints that are sore and swollen, an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables can easily be shaped to rest around the joint and can safely be refrozen as needed. When dealing with smaller joints in the hands and feet, immersion in heated paraffin wax can do wonders for abating the pain.
Physical Therapy
For people who have tried the prior suggestions on this list and have found them to either under-perform or are not even an option, such as medicinal marijuana, one of the best, if most, costly solutions for knee pain relief would likely be to consult with a licensed professional. There are entire fields of medicine that are dedicated to the study of nerves and muscles and that sort of focus can give someone a greater level of insight into how pain can flare up and linger within the body. The physicians who specialize in such fields can apply their knowledge toward helping people with that sort of recurring pain and recommend exercises and treatments that will either eliminate or blunt the pain.
In Conclusion
Aches and pains around the joints and knees is unfortunate but they do not need to be a recurring issue for the rest of a person’s life. By using RICE with fresh aches, medicinal marijuana if the local area allows it, favoring exercises that minimally hurt those joints, considering hot-and-cold therapy, or even seeking out a physical therapist, joint pain can be left in the past.
