Causes of Joint Pain, Stiffness and Arthritis
Your joints are a complex system of parts. They are covered by a layer of cartilage that serves two main purposes. One is to provide a surface on the bone that protects two bones from rubbing together. Along with the synovial fluid that surrounds the joint, the cartilage provides an almost frictionless surface that ensures smooth movement of the joints. The cartilage is also a very strong and elastic surface. It can displace weight across the bone, making it easier to sustain impact or a heavy load. It is also resilient in that it can return to its original form after displacing the weight of a load.
A Never-Ending Cycle
Cartilage is in constant turnover. The old, worn-out cartilage is being broken down to make way for newer cartilage. Many things can interfere with this process including: injury, joint deformity, infection, crystalline irritants in the joint, chronic inflammation, and a lack of proper nutritional factors. If the body can not keep up the rebuilding process, the integrity of the cartilage is compromised. If the cause of this interference is not resolved, the joint function can continue in a downward spiral that is difficult to recover from.
Breakdown Begins
As the cartilage begins to lose integrity and wears away, we begin to experience the sensation of joint pain and stiffness. As friction increases in the joint the body sends messages to the brain to let it know that there is an issue. The experience of chronic pain has an array of causes that include joint irritation, joint damage, inflammation, and changes in the brain interprets and receives the pain signal. Perception of pain and emotional and stress factors can also play a role.
Approaches to Pain
Since pain has many possible causes and factors that influence it, there are also many possible approaches to dealing with pain. Some approaches that have been used are: medications, exercise, massage, acupuncture, joint and soft tissue manipulation, relaxation and meditation, topical creams, and dietary supplements. Some of these methods can carry negative side effects while others carry beneficial side effects. Some have been used for many years for joint pain and others have been used more recently with research to support their efficacy.
Know the Facts First
When joint complications hit, they can be debilitating. It is important to get to the source of any causes of joint deterioration. Be sure that you have all the information on your problem before you try to fix it. Improper treatment could lead to larger problems. For this reason, it's important to work with qualified health care professionals. Once you understand the source of imbalance that may be causing your joint pain and stiffness, then you can develop a plan that will get you on the road to recovery.
Arthritis: A Common Problem
Two of the main causes of chronic joint pain and stiffness are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that can cause deformation in the joint, pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is one of the main causes of disability. It is generally caused by wear and tear in the joints over time. While there is no way to avoid osteoarthritis 100%, there are ways to slow the process and relieve some pain. Restorative measures can even be taken! Most of it has to do with lifestyle choices like nutrition and activity.
