Joint Pain

Many people in the United States suffer from joint pain. Whether it is from repetitive work situations, a sports injury, the onset of arthritis, or some other issue, joint pain can be debilitating. It can decrease range of motion, affect emotional and mental health, and inhibit a person’s ability to carry out their job or exercise and participate in activities they enjoy. It can also inhibit basic activities such bathing, brushing teeth or hair, walking, and preparing food.

In addition, joint pain diseases such as arthritis are on the rise. In 2015 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported the following facts:

• By 2015 there were 54.4 million adults who have been diagnosed with arthritis by a doctor.
• 15 million Americans reported severe joint pain due to arthritis.
• By 2040, 78 million adults are expected to have arthritis that is diagnosed by a doctor.
• Almost half of people aged 65 or older have been diagnosed with arthritis.

Considering these statistics about arthritis, and the increase of other chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and degenerative conditions, it is important to find out more and what can be done naturally to combat such pain.

What Is Joint Pain?

Joint pain is the sensation of discomfort or soreness in a joint or joints of the body. Joints are the spaces or areas where two or more bones meet, such as the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle. Joint pain can occur with or without movement and can be severe enough to limit movement. People may describe joint pain as discomfort, inflammation, increased warmth or burning, soreness, stiffness, or pain.

The joints allow our bones to move. They are made up of cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bursas (fluid-filled sacs that help cushion the joint), and the synovial membrane (lining of the joint capsule that secretes synovial fluid to lubricate the joint). Any of the structures in a joint can become irritated or inflamed in response to a variety of mild to serious diseases, disorders or conditions.

Joint pain may last briefly or it may be chronic, which is defined as lasting more than three months.

Symptoms of Joint Pain

Joint pain may present as the following:

• Low back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Knee pain
• Wrist/Hand pain
• Hip pain
• Limited range of motion
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Sharp stabbing pains
• Dull aches
• Throbbing pain

What Causes Joint Pain?

Joint pain has many causes. Sudden joint pain can be due to a mild muscle or ligament sprain, bursitis, or a dislocation. Chronic joint pain can be a symptom of serious and even life-threatening conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, leukemia, or bone cancer.

Many people don’t know that inflammation causes joint pain and can be caused by food allergies, sugar and processed foods, sensitivity to grains and other foods, and nutritional deficiencies. This is one of the first things we look at when assessing a person’s chronic joint pain.

In addition, joint pain can be caused by Lyme disease, heavy metal toxicity, or other factors.

How We Treat Joint Pain at LifeWorks

Prolozone Therapy is one of the treatments for chronic pain offered at our Clearwater clinic. It is used to treat degenerative arthritis, low back pain, torn ligaments, cartilage, carpal tunnel syndrome and other conditions.

Prolozone is a technique which requires no surgery and has no long term negative side-effect. As many as 85% to 90% of people with low back pain can get complete relief with Prolozone treatment. In most cases, between 1-6 treatments are required, separated by approximately 3-4 weeks. Over the course of treatment, people feel gradually decreasing pain and improvement of function.

In addition we look at lifestyle factors such as diet and toxic exposure, and make sure there aren’t more serious underlying conditions causing the joint pain.

Many Tampa Bay residents are now living pain-free because of Prolozone and our other natural treatments at LifeWorks. You can too.

Doctor’s Videos on Joint Pain