CONDITION: Joint Pain

 

OVERVIEW: Over 30% of adults living in the US report experiencing some type of joint pain within the last 30 days. Joint pain can be caused from many conditions and can arise from issues relating to the cartilage, tendons, ligaments, bone, and muscle around a joint. The joints that are often affected by joint pain include the shoulders, knees, elbows, and hips, but it can affect any joint in the body. The pain can range from mild to severe, and movement can be slightly limiting to completely debilitating.

 

SYMPTOMS:

• Pain
• Decreased range of motion
• Swelling and redness
• Tenderness
• Stiffness
• Limping
• Warmth at joint location

 

CAUSES: There are hundreds of conditions that could lead to joint pain, but here are some of the most common causes:

Ankylosing spondylitis

Bursitis

Connective tissue diseases

Dislocation

Fibromyalgia

Fracture

Gout

Infections

Injury

Lupus

Lyme disease

Osteoarthritis

Psoriatic arthritis

Rheumatic arthritis

Sprains & strains

Tendinitis

 

WHAT MAKES IT WORSE:

• Weather changes
• Not stretching before exercise
• Processed foods
• Smoking
• Stress

 

COMMON THERAPIES: Pain relief often come from oral medications like codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine, many of which can cause serious side effects including addiction, drug tolerance, depression, and impaired judgment. Other medications include anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

 

NATURAL INGREDIENTS WE USE:

Chamomile Flower Extract: Calms and reduces inflammation

Lavender Essential Oil: Reduces pain sensitivity

Lemongrass Essential Oil: Reduces inflammation & eases anxiety

Menthol: Reduces pain sensation & counters irritation

Plant-based MSM: Deeply penetrates to reduce inflammation

Vitamin A: Has restorative properties

Vitamin C: Supports cartilage production

Vitamin E: Works as a potent antioxidant

 

LIFESTYLE GUIDE:

• Try the RICE method—rest, ice, compression, and elevation—on the affected area.
• Do qigong exercises to promote wellness and improve joint range of motion.
• Embrace a positive mindset. Studies show that pain and depression are related.
• Use swimming as a low-impact form of exercise.
• Apply our Ultra Relief Cream at the first sign of pain to ease discomfort.

 

Resources 

“Joint Pain.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 11 Jan. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/joint-pain/basics/definition/sym-20050668.

Schaible, H G, et al. “Joint Pain.” Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports., U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19363606.

Quick, D C. “Joint Pain and Weather. A Critical Review of the Literature.” Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 1997, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9090247.

“RICE Method for Injuries (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/first-aid/rice-method-injuries#1. 

“QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Reporting Joint Pain or Stiffness, --- National Health Interview Survey,§ United States, 2006.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5717a9.htm.

Sheng, Jiyao, et al. “The Link between Depression and Chronic Pain: Neural Mechanisms in the Brain.” Neural Plasticity, vol. 2017, 2017, pp. 1–10., doi:10.1155/2017/9724371.