Why Do We Experience Joint Pain?

Beyond the natural aging of our joints, joint pain can have multiple causes:

• Repetitive Movements: Performing the same actions daily, especially at work, can wear down the stressed joints more quickly.

• Trauma: Accidents, falls, impacts, or severe stretching can damage a joint.

• Malformation: Skeletal deformities or alignment issues (like knock knees) can lead to cartilage or ligament wear.

• Inflammation: Conditions like arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other inflammatory rheumatism can cause inflammation in specific areas of a joint, often affecting tendons and triggering pain.

• Crystal Deposits: Crystals, such as sodium urate in cases of gout, can also lead to joint inflammation.

• Nutritional Deficiency: A lack of vitamin B12 (found in fish, meat, eggs, and cheese) can increase homocysteine levels, an amino acid sometimes associated with joint pain.

• Infection: Rarely, certain viruses or bacteria (like Chikungunya or Lyme disease) can target the joints and cause pain.

Relieving Joint Pain:

Joint pain can be relieved with analgesic medications like aspirin, paracetamol, or more commonly, anti-inflammatories (like ibuprofen or ketoprofen). In cases of infectious arthritis, antibiotics may be prescribed. To avoid frequent use of anti-inflammatories, which can have long-term adverse effects on the heart or stomach, there are natural remedies available.

• Sea Water Treatments: Particularly effective for relief.

• Clay Compresses: Applied to the painful area can help.

• Self-Massage: Using arnica creams can provide relief.

• Herbal Remedies: Drinking decoctions of devil's claw and consuming turmeric, both of which have strong anti-inflammatory properties, can be beneficial.

• Heat and Cold Therapy: Alternating between hot and cold applications (like heating pads or ice packs) can alleviate pain.

It's important to note that joint pain and muscle pain may present similar symptoms but have different causes, requiring different treatments. If in doubt, consult a physiotherapist!

Preventing Joint Pain:

To prevent or delay the onset of joint pain, consider adopting daily habits:

• Gentle Exercise: Activities like walking or swimming can engage the joints without causing strain.

• Warm-Up: Always warm up before exercising to stimulate the production of synovial fluid, the natural lubricant produced by the cells surrounding the joint. This fluid enhances mobility and reduces pressure during physical activity.

• Strengthening Exercises: Regularly practice exercises that strengthen joints, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid poor posture.

• Proper Footwear: Wear shoes that fit your foot shape.

• Antioxidant-Rich Diet: Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help reduce the risk of joint pain.

MPD MÉDICALE