Joint pain is rated as one of the top types of pain that people experience. The sensation of pain experienced in the joints through the body can vary from mild to very severe. When joint pain is severe, it can lead to disability, which may inhibit a person’s ability to perform tasks they are usually able to perform – such as typing on a computer, washing their dishes, cooking up a nice meal for the family or driving a car.
The Arthritis Foundation report that joint pain can be experienced in various parts of the body, including the wrist, hands and fingers, the shoulders, the back and hips, the knees, the foot, heel, ankle, and toes, as well as the neck. This type of pain can occur in one particular area or affect multiple joints simultaneously. Since joint pain can have such a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and lead to a reduced productivity, it is important not to ignore these symptoms and to seek medical attention when the problem arises.
In this post, we would like to focus on the best joint pain reliever by discussing different ingredients that have been scientifically-proven to reduce joint inflammation and pain symptoms without causing side-effects that may cause further disability.
What May Be Causing Your Joint Pain?
Since pain is considered a sign that something might be wrong in the body, it is very important not to ignore joint pain. While injury and the overuse of joints can result in inflammation and pain in affected areas, joint pain is also the most common symptoms of arthritis. NHS Choices reports that joint pain that tends to get worse instead of better could be a sign of osteoarthritis, a joint deteriorative disease that can cause severe disability. A number of risk factors have also been identified that may cause joint pain to develop or may cause the severity of existing joint pain to increase, especially amongst patients with a type of arthritis.
eHealth Forum reports that age, muscle weakness, and joint stress all contribute towards a higher risk of both joint pain and arthritis. In addition to these, being overweight can also cause more pressure to be placed on joints, which can result in pain, inflammation and a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis. Furthermore, it is important to note that, in some cases, genetics may also play a part in joint pain and joint diseases.
Best Joint Pain Reliever
Certain types of arthritis are incurable, but the symptoms can be well-managed, especially if the disease is detected at an early stage. Experiencing joint pain does not, however, necessarily mean that you have arthritis or that you will develop a type of arthritis at some point. Knowing the treatment options can be a valuable asset when a flare up of joint pain occurs as this can help you better manage the symptoms and also alleviate the accompanying inflammation.
The most common form of treatment is over-the-counter and prescription medication. There are different types of medication that can be used to alleviate pain and inflammation in the joints. WeMD explains that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often referred to as NSAIDs, are the most common type of medication provided to patients with joint pain. These may include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. Some people find that using a muscle relaxant with a NSAID increases the effectiveness of the treatment.
In some cases, a doctor may also prescribe certain antiepileptic or antidepressant drugs to a patient as these drugs are known to interfere with the body’s pain signals. The problem with medication that is used for the treatment of joint is the fact that they often lead to side-effects, such as heartburn, stomach pain, headaches, dizziness, liver problems, high blood pressure and, in some cases, even allergic reactions.
Fortunately, medical scientists have discovered that certain natural ingredients found in some supplements are also able to assist with the alleviation of both inflammation and pain experienced within the joints. These ingredients work in various ways to reduce the pain person experiences and can sometimes be just as effective as over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
The major benefit when it comes to a natural joint pain reliever is, of course, the fact that they do not tend to cause the same side-effects as the drugs that people can use to reduce joint pain. In fact, a lot of people find that natural treatment options do not cause any side-effects, but do offer them benefits when it comes to alleviating their symptoms.
If you are looking for a natural joint pain reliever, then you should look for a supplement that contains at least one of the following ingredients:
- Chondroitin – Also known as Chondroitin Sulfate, this natural ingredient is often extracted from the cartilage of animals. The Arthritis Foundation reports that this ingredient can effectively enhance the collagen’s shock-absorbing abilities. It is also able to block particular enzymes that cause cartilage to break down. When this ingredient is combined with Glucosamine, it may also reverse the damage that has already been done to cartilage.
- Glucosamine – This is quite a popular ingredient that can be found in many joint support supplements. The ingredient is classified as an amino sugar. It can be made in a laboratory or extracted from shellfish. There are two different types of this ingredient, glucosamine hydrochloride, and glucosamine sulfate. Note that glucosamine sulfate is more effective in reducing joint damage and repairing cartilage than glucosamine hydrochloride.
- Methylsulfonylmethane – Methylsulfonylmethane is often simply referred to as MSM. This ingredient has been proven as an effective joint pain reliever and it can also assist with reducing physical disability caused by joint-related problems.
In addition to the above-mentioned ingredients, scientific studies have also fond ginger extract, polyunsaturated fatty acids and avocado soybean unsaponifiable to be effective in reducing joint pain, reducing joint inflammation and slowing down the progression of arthritis.
Conclusion
With joint pain being one of the most common ailments in patients that seek medical attention for pain, it is vital to understand what joint pain means and how to effectively alleviate the symptoms. Unfortunately, many controversial treatment methods, such as over-the-counter and prescription drugs, can cause unwanted side-effects. To find relief of joint pain symptoms without becoming a victim to these side-effects, follow the guidance we have shared here to identify the best joint pain reliever on the market for your particular condition.
References:
- http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/joint-pain/Pages/Introduction.aspx
- http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/where-it-hurts/
- http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/supplements-herbs/guide/chondroitin-sulfate.php
- http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/complementary-and-alternative-medicines/cam-report/complementary-medicines-for-osteoarthritis/glucosamine.aspx
