Basic Information About Joint Pain

Our joints are the parts of our bodies that connect the bones together and allow for the range of movement that we have. They are crucial to your body’s functionality by allowing your bones to move freely. Some joints have limited movements like the fingers, jaw, and knees while others allow for a much wider range of motion like what is seen in the shoulder, hip, and neck. Many people suffer from joint pain, which can be caused by a variety of things and can affect small joints like fingers and toes and large joints like the hips and shoulders. Joint pain can vary from mild to severe and can come and go and vary in intensity and duration but almost always worsens with time if not properly treated. The primary four causes of joint pain we see at the Pain Relief Institute are:

Joint Pain from Arthritis

There are two primary types of arthritis that are dealt with on a regular basis in the medical field today: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Approximately one-third of adults have osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease that wears down the protective cartridge and wears out the bones of the joints. This type usually occurs in the knees, hips, fingers, hands, and spine.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune disorder where the body attacks itself and damages tissue. It is more common in women and is caused by chronic inflammation that affects the joints of the hands and feet.

Joint Pain from Diseases

A surprising number of illnesses and diseases can cause joint discomfort and lead to damaged joints. Mumps, influenza, and hepatitis, for example, all accuse swelling and inflammation that can damage and weaken joints and cause joint pain or make existing pain much worse. Diseases like gout, hyperthyroidism, and lupus also can damage the tendons, cartilage, and bones of the joint as well. There are also medications that are often used to treat common illnesses and diseases that can cause joint damage as a side effect. Many patients are surprised to find that the causes of joint pain may very well be other health problems they are dealing with.

Joint Pain from Overuse Injuries

One of the common causes of joint pain is overusing a particular joint and hurting it somehow. While it is important to be active, it is just as important to not overdo it and to not do things that can hurt our bodies. Overuse injuries develop over time and are caused by the repeated use and/or strain of a part of the body. This can occur from doing too much exercises at one time or doing something too strenuous. Damage to the joints occurs, and when we keep using those joints, the damage cannot be repaired. Over time, this accumulates to the point that the joints become severely damaged. and joint pain reaches debilitating levels.

Joint Pain from Changes in Barometric Pressure

It may seem like an old wives’ tale, but there was some truth to those times when Grandma and Grandpa said they could feel a storm coming or could feel the weather in their bones. We now have some scientific evidence for the so-called myth of feeling weather changes in the bones and joints of the body. Pain can increase and worsen with changes in the barometric pressure, which most often happens before a severe storm. We still do not fully understand how changes in barometric pressure impact the body, but we do know it can cause joint pain to worsen and is one of the causes of joint pain for many older individuals who come to our pain management clinic seeking help for their joint pain.

Joint Pain: Final Thoughts

If you or a loved one are suffering from joint pain and you do not know why, our team of friendly and knowledgeable experts at the Pain Relief Institute can help you find the answers you seek. Or, if you already know you have arthritis or are having joint pain due to an injury or illness, our pain management  centers in Chicago can help you with our state-of-the-art joint pain therapies and treatment options. No matter what your needs are, our pain center is here to help!  We will help pinpoint the causes of joint pain and find the solution you want and need to live pain-free once again! Call the Pain Relief Institute today and let us help you find the relief you need an help you get back to living your life on your terms, free from pain!