Could your joint pain be osteoarthritis?
In the busyness of day-to-day life, we can forget to check in with ourselves.
But when it’s pain we’re ignoring, the knock-on effects can be unpleasant. If you experience joint pain, it can pay to discuss your symptoms with your GP, to rule out joint problems or start treatment as soon as possible.
Ask yourself, does this sound like me?
I experience some/all of these issues:
Joint stiffness
Joint swelling (inflammation)
Pain at the joints
Muscle weakness
Less flexibility and range of motion that before
Discomfort or tenderness when I press on a joint
A clicking sound when my joint moves
A grinding or grating sensation when my joint moves
I identify with one or more of these factors:
I am over 45
I am overweight or obese
I have a family history of arthritis
I do activities which strain my joints
I have had a joint injury
I think I have osteoarthritis. What should I do now?
If you are experiencing pain and inflammation around the joints, you are not expected to simply solider on. Leaving pain unchecked can lead to chronic issues over time. Talk to your Pharmacist about treating your pain holistically. They may recommend incorporating some of these techniques into your plan:
Over-the-counter medications to target and reduce pain
Topical and oral anti-inflammatories to help with swelling
Topical gels and creams for direct-to-site application for pain relief
Braces, straps and tape to help stabilise and support the joint
TENS or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, which may result in a pain-relieving response.1
Hot and cold packs to help reduce pain and swelling
Regular exercise improves joint mobility, move synovial fluid, strengthen muscles, boost sleep, mood, lower stress and more
Tell me more about joint pain
In Australia, 20% of Australians over 45 and 40% over 75 who have osteoarthritis.2 The knees, hips, big toe and fingers are often affected, and while receiving a diagnosis may make you nervous, don’t worry: An MRI or other medical imaging is not usually necessary to diagnose OA. Discussing symptoms, history and lifestyle is usually enough for your healthcare provider to start making a pain management plan.
How can I protect my bones before middle age?
It’s a great idea to get ahead of your bone health before any challenges develop. Give your bones a boost with this terrific trifecta:
Calcium helps gives bones their strength and structure. Get yours primarily through plenty of dairy, oily fish, leafy greens, nuts, seeds and plant/animal protein.
Vitamin D helps the body effectively absorb calcium and regulate its blood levels. In Australia, a few minutes of protected sun exposure helps the body create vitamin D.
Exercise helps bones maintain their health and strength. Turn to weight bearing (e.g., skipping, stair climbing, dancing, ball sports) and resistance (e.g., hand weights, bands, squats) first.