Stiff Joints Don't Have
to Slow You Down
The pain from stiff joints is one of the early signs that maybe arthritis is developing. You try to get up out of a chair and it's difficult, or you start dropping things you thought you had a grip on. Maybe your knees ache in the morning, or you find yourself walking oddly as the day goes on because your hip gets stiff and sore.Stiff joints can take many different forms, but it should never be ignored. For instance, if you begin to feel pain in your basal joints at the base of your thumbs, your body is trying to tell you that something is changing in those joints. You need to learn what that change is and about the causes of joint pain in general. Arthritis is a disease that can be managed and the sooner you address the symptoms, the better you'll be able to prevent long term permanent damage.
Though there are two very different types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid, they're both characterized by some sort of joint swelling. When joint swelling occurs, it's almost always accompanied by pain. At that point life can become difficult and people find themselves giving up many of their favorite activities.
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Managing the StiffnessThe reason you get stiff joints is because of joint inflammation. When you have rheumatoid arthritis the joint lining swells. The swelling affects the surrounding joint tissue causing pain and tenderness. Eventually there can be damage in the bone or cartilage of the affected joint. It's the swelling that creates the stiffness.Swelling also causes stiffness in the various joints when you have osteoarthritis. With this form of arthritis, the cartilage wears away and the joint no longer has cushioning tissue between the bones. The bones rub together and irritate the surrounding tissue causing swelling.
In both types of arthritis, fluid can accumulate in the joint making the swelling and stiffness even worse. Unfortunately Any joint in the body can get stiff, like:
These are all joints that just seem to refuse to work properly when you have arthritis.
"Help Un-Stiffen" Joints with ExerciseWhat is interesting about stiff joints is that movement can actually help. It may be difficult to exercise when joints are stiff, tender, swollen, or painful. But exercise is one of the main self-management treatments, and you can start right away. Exercise reduces inflammation or swelling and increase joint flexibility.Exercise keeps the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that surround and support joints healthy. This in turn can help the joint dissipate fluid in many cases, and it certainly will help provide additional support for joints where the cartilage is deteriorating. Prolonged inactivity increases weakness and causes loss of muscle mass and strength. Because exercise raises the bodys level of endorphins (natural pain killers produced by the brain) it may somewhat relieve the pain. A regular exercise program helps you:- Regain strength and energy
- Help to relieve tension
- Increase flexibility
- Strengthen your muscles
- Help reduces fatigue
When you have stiff joints, staying active and building strong bones can help maintain joint flexibility. It's one of the keys to managing arthritis so that you can continue to enjoy a high quality of life while staving off the long term effects.
Coping Strategies: Pain ManagementHeat / Ice Heat in the form of warm showers or hot packs, can relieve chronic pain or stiff joints. Cold packs or ice packs provide pain relief by numbing the pain-sensing nerves in the affected area. Cold also helps reduce swelling and inflammation.Depending on which feels better, apply heat or cold for 15 to 20 minutes at a time to the area where you feel the pain. To protect your skin, place a towel between your skin and the source of the cold or heat.Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)TENS units are small devices that send electrical impulses to certain parts of the body to block pain signals. Two electrodes are placed on the body where you are experiencing pain. The electrical current that is produced is very mild, but it can prevent pain messages from being transmitted to the brain.Pain relief can last for several hours. Some people may use a small, portable TENS unit that hooks onto a belt for more continuous relief. TENS units should only be used under the supervision of a physician or physical therapist. They can be purchased or rented from hospital supply or surgical supply houses; however, a prescription is necessary for insurance reimbursement.Braces / SupportsSpinal supports or braces can help reduce pain and inflammation by restricting movement. Following a vertebral fracture, a back brace or support will relieve pain and allow you to resume normal activities while the fracture heals.However, please remember continuous use of a back support can weaken your back muscles. For this reason, exercises to strengthen the muscles in the back should be started as soon as you possibly can.
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