Tips on Treating Joint Swelling at Home

Swollen joints can be a deal breaker when it comes to having fun. They are painful, uncomfortable and can put a damper on anything from the wildest of dance parties to the simple daily walk up and down the stairs. The cause of swollen joints is inflammation due to a variety of reasons ranging from injury to disease. Check out these tips on treating joint swelling at home.

Massage

Treat yourself. Treat your joints. A massage will help relax your muscles, in turn easing your joint pain. This may not be a long-term cure; however, few will complain about having multiple spa days in their future.

Stretching

Go ahead and sign up for that yoga class you’ve wanted to try.   Over time, stretching increases flexibility and the ability to move. Yoga is a great low resistance way of practicing this. Plus, it has the added benefit of calming your mind. Something you may need when dealing with the frustration of painful joints.

Take a Warm Shower

Similar to the above-mentioned massage, taking a warm shower or bath can be simply relaxing. It also helps promote blood circulation, releases muscle tension and ultimately eases joint pain.

Exercise

It is important to find a daily exercise routine that works for your schedule. It will help improve strength and stamina. There are also the added benefits of releasing feel-good endorphins and clearing bad toxins from your body.

Eat More Fish 

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids help reduce swelling and inflammation. This healthy fat is found in salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout, flaxseeds and walnuts. Try eating 3 to 4 ounces of fish, twice a week. If you don’t like fish, try a fish oil supplement.

These tips will help you manage your joint pain and swelling. However, at what point should you decide to go in to the doctor for a more in-depth treatment? If you are having any of the following symptoms associated with your joint pain, consider seeking medical attention.

• Rapid swelling
• Immobility of joint
• Loss of function
• Unable to exercise without pain
• Severe pain
• If you are frequently taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications for joint pain

Are you suffering from joint pain? At Progressive Rehabilitation Medicine, we thoroughly assess your condition, needs, and expectations and rule out any serious medical illnesses before developing an effective treatment plan.  Schedule your appointment with us today.  Call 319-774-8143