How to Relieve Joint and Muscle Pain in 2023
As we enter the new year, many of us have a list of things that we want to accomplish and work on in 2023. We can all agree that improving our health and wellbeing is always a top priority. From going to the gym more consistently and eating healthier foods to sleeping earlier and meditating every morning, there are many ways to optimize your health. For people who suffer with joint pain and muscle pain, their goal isn’t just to improve their health and quality of life — they also strive for pain relief.
If you suffer from a medical condition like rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, any type of arthritis, or ailment that causes joint pain, then you’ve probably already tried various ways to find pain relief. Ultimately, taking care of yourself is an integral part of managing these conditions and keeping them at bay.
Many aspects about our health are not in our control, but when we come up with a treatment planor preventative plan to manage pain, we’ve set ourselves up in the best possible way for a successful recovery or preventative care.
Relieving joint and muscle pain may not have been your priority in 2022, but 2023 is your year to improve your quality of life and get back to doing the things you love. Ahead, learn about the best ways — new and old — to relieve joint pain.
How to Manage Joint Pain and Muscle Pain
Treatment options depend on what kind of medical condition or injury you’re experiencing. But here are general ways to relieve joint and muscle pain, especially when it comes to arthritis pain.
- Hot and cold therapy: Whether you’re dealing with arthritis or joint pain of any kind, applying a heating pad and cold packs can help alleviate pain. According to the American College of Rheumatology, you can apply ice packs on the affected joint for five to ten minutes at least twice a day. Ice numbs a painful area and also reduced swelling. Heat, on the other hand, soothes sore muscles and helps increase blood flow. If you have back pain or neck pain, try a heat pack to reduce those achy muscles. You can also take a hot bath and throw in therapeutic minerals like epsom salt. If you plan on exercising, try these methods about 15 minutes before and immediately after your workout.
- Vitamins and supplements: Those with arthritis pain can benefit from taking certain vitamins that relieve pain, stiffness, and other symptoms. According to Arthritis.org, researchers have found these supplements to help with arthritis symptoms: Glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, SAM-e and curcumin.
- Over-the-counter medications: From ibuprofen to acetaminophen, these pain relievers can help you relieve pain and aren’t addictive like strong pain killers. NSAIDs, which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are especially suggested for those with arthritis and pain from inflammation. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (like Advil and Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve), and Aspirin. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe you prescription medication.
- Creams: You can also use over-the-counter creams like Arnicare and Bengay for pain relief by massaging it on your affected joints. Creams are more geared toward minor pains and it’s more temporary than medication. Capsaicin is a popular cream used to ease pain that’s minor associated with rheumatoid arthritis, muscle sprains, and strains.
- Physical therapy: This method of pain relief may seem painful, but it can actually relieve pain. Sometimes, you need to go through pain By strengthening your bones and muscles through physical therapy, you can likely heal a broken bone or painful condition quicker. Muscles are meant to protect the joints. So when your muscles are stronger, it can help absorb impact on your joints. Additionally, physical therapists typically used hot and cold therapy for inflammation.
- Physical activity: With more physical activity, you are also increasing your stiff body parts’ range of motion. Not only can physical activity help with recovery, but it can help with pain prevention too. According to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, regular exercise promotes good muscle function and may, over time, prevent osteoarthritis. As you think about moving more consistently this year, try an exercise program that doesn’t just focus on weight loss but focuses on wellness and strength. From aerobics and weightlifting, there are many forms of exercise to choose from.
- Compression therapy: If you have painful joints, Copper Compression sleeves and braces can stabilize your muscles and relieve minor and severe joint pain. Whether you’re seeking pain management, recovery, or preventative care, our sleeves increase blood flow and reduce swelling so that you can get back to doing what you love. Copper Compression’s Loyalty and Rewards program can help you secure all the compression sleeves you need with exclusive discounts.
- Acupuncture: This type of pain relief method involves inserting fine needles into different acupoints on the skin. According to Hopkins Medicine, the needles help release chemicals into the muscles which can allow the body to heal and recover. Many people with musculoskeletal pain like back pain, neck pain, and arthritis, find acupuncture to be beneficial.
How do you get rid of muscle and joint pain naturally?
You can try creams, over-the-counter medicine, acupuncture, compression therapy, physical therapy, hot and cold packs, vitamins and supplements, and other natural remedies to relieve joint pain.
If you’re looking for more ways to relieve joint and muscle pain in 2023, join Copper Compression’s Loyalty and Rewards program for exclusive discounts on our products. Earn points when you shop, leave a review, like our page on Facebook, and more. There are many opportunities to earn points for exclusive discounts on our compression products like our arthritis gloves, wrist braces, compression socks, and much more.
