5 Smart Ways to Manage a Joint Pain Flare-Up

Joints are areas of the body where two or more bones come together, held in place by a network of ligaments, tendons, muscles, and other connective tissue. There are several reasons these areas may become painful, but the key is knowing what to do when you experience a flare.

At Interventional Pain Center in Legacy Office Park, Norman, Oklahoma, Dr. James Stephens offers comprehensive pain management services, including treatments for joint pain. Being smart about managing a flare-up can help cut down the severity and frequency of these painful episodes. Here’s what you can do.

What causes joint pain?

Both injuries and disease can lead to joint pain. Some of the major causes include:

• Autoimmune conditions: i.e., rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
• Bursitis (inflammation of the fluid sac)
• Gout (a form of arthritis) and CPPD arthritis (pseudogout)
• Injury, such as a fracture
• Osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear)
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Septic arthritis (joint infection)
• Viral infections

The pain may also not be coming from the joint itself but from the supporting tissues, such as tendonitis.

What causes flare-ups?

Some people experience joint pain all the time, but for others, it comes and goes. When you get symptoms in this second type, it’s called a flare.

Some people’s flares are triggered by foods that cause inflammation, such as red meat, processed meat, sweets (especially those with added sugar), and foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Alcohol is another notorious trigger.

While stress is an unavoidable part of life, the constant release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline can trigger inflammation that worsens arthritis symptoms. Register for a stress-management class or try meditation; both protect your joints and your overall health.

Injury or trauma, such as a bone fracture or ligament sprain, can lead to flares in joint pain. Sometimes symptoms start swiftly, and other times they can develop months or years after the inciting event.

Cold weather can also be a trigger for joint pain flare-ups, either from the restriction of the tissues, the drop in barometric pressure, or the thickening of the lubricating synovial fluid.

5 smart ways to manage a joint pain flare-up

Here are five ways you can manage a flare of your joint pain:

1. Rest

Rest the affected joint to allow it to recover. Avoid performing motions that aggravate the symptoms.

2. Hot and cold

Alternate moist heat and cold packs to reduce inflammation.

3. Physical therapy

Try physical therapy to tackle the underlying joint problem.

4. Alternative therapies

Consider alternative treatments like acupuncture or massage for symptom relief.

5. Medications

Use over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen for pain and/or ibuprofen or naproxen for inflammation.

If you’re struggling with joint pain flare-ups, come into the Interventional Pain Center for an evaluation and personalized treatment recommendations. Call our office at 405-759-8407, or use our online booking tool to schedule a consultation with Dr. Stephens today.