Aging well without complications is challenging for many seniors, especially on moving joints. That’s why almost every senior you meet has some kind of joint-related pain or problems. Your joints have been a solid foundation for your mobility. Because we are slowly deteriorating, our bodies can only take so much until we feel the adverse effects of aging.
That said, there is hope in smoothing out these problems and still managing a good quality of life. In this article, we will talk about the best ways to mitigate joint pain and get yourself the much-needed relief to enjoy the best years of your life.
OTC or Prescribed Medications
Right off the bat, medications are an excellent way to handle joint pain, especially if you are trying to tackle physically demanding activities. From moderate to severe joint conditions, these medications can help with the swelling and constant pain it brings to your life.
Also, it is essential to remind you that a doctor’s visit is a must-do before purchasing OTC medications, especially for those who suffer from chronic joint pain. For example, your lifestyle is heavily considered when it comes to prescribed drugs between diclofenac vs meloxicam. To give you an idea, meloxicam stays and activates far longer in your body, while diclofenac acts as a quick-release medication.
Overall, it’s all about understanding your body first to determine the best treatment plan. Seeing what is allowed, or not, in different instances helps us look for alternatives and possibly try other suggestions listed below.
Keep Your Joints Moving
When you’re in pain, instead of sitting down and feeling it all over, it might be best to go against the pain and start moving. This may sound contradictory, so allow us to explain.
What makes your joints even more painful is the gradual inactivity and stiffness. Because we are not moving as much as before, our muscles become stiff and limit our range of motion. Thus leading to more pain even with the slightest movement.
So instead of this, consider light exercises and daily walks around your home to keep your joints active and stimulated. This can be difficult if you haven’t done it before, but keeping your joints moving and interacting makes your body stronger, thus allowing you to resist the pain better and take on more activities.
Keep A Healthy Weight
Another decisive factor of joint pain is weight. Your joints also carry a lot of weight, especially on your legs. If you’re overweight and particularly suffering significant pain in your legs, it might be best to start losing those extra pounds bit by bit.
There are a lot of weight loss exercises available on the internet and through your doctor. That said, get a dietician or local doctor to prepare a good meal plan and follow through with a low-impact exercise routine.
Understand that sometimes, as our bodies power down, the weight we have accumulated throughout the years will soon wear us down. So, as early as possible and if your doctor allows it, start removing some of your weight through healthy diet and exercise.
Collaborate With A Physical Therapist
A physical therapist is a trained medical professional who supports your body with an effective therapy plan. Like your local doctor, these therapists use several techniques to stabilize your joints and improve your overall health.
If your pain persists and most medications are not practical for you, or you have been in a recent accident, then most likely you’ll be paired with a physical therapist.
Mind Therapies: CBT
CBT, also known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is a therapy that focuses on several stress or pain-related problems. Under CBT, you will undergo different test activities and establish a relationship with a psychotherapist to manage your pain mentally.
What this means is that CBT helps you create positive coping mechanisms to manage your throbbing pain, especially that which flares up from time to time and causes you anxiety. Understand that sometimes, what can make your joints feel even more painful is how you think about it mentally and emotionally. So, it makes sense that a good CBT session works wonders.
Undergo Medical Surgery
Suppose all else fails, or the pain persists and significantly affects your daily life. In that case, it might be best to consider surgery to help get rid of the problem, especially joint replacement surgeries.
Opting for surgery should be considered when you’re experiencing severe pain and have exhausted all non-invasive options. It can be expensive and take some time to fully recover from surgeries. Still, when it comes to your joints, a complete medical intervention should always be considered to fix the problem permanently.
Final Thoughts
Moving around in pain is a stressful thing to experience for everyone. And unfortunately, most of us will face it at some point. As we grow older, our bones start to soften and our muscles stiffen, but the good thing is that we have a lot of ways to address it effectively.
The tips above summarize what you can do to improve your health and quality of life. Remember, regularly check in with a doctor, monitor your weight, and always strive for good health while tackling the challenges of life.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
