Unlocking the Root Cause of Joint Concerns: Expert Tips to Alleviate Pain

Your joints connect your bones and do a tremendous amount of work daily. Because of this extraordinary amount of work, joint concerns are widespread, and easy to see why joint complaints increase with age.

 Understanding the root cause behind joint aches and stiffness is essential for understanding why you are experiencing joint discomfort and how you can alleviate it naturally without prescriptions.”
– Dr. Edward Group, DC

In this comprehensive article, we will explore the root cause behind joint pain and the symptoms it manifests. As a bonus, I’ll share invaluable tips and tricks to alleviate joint pain naturally, offering you a pathway to relief without relying on prescriptions. Let’s embark on this journey to reclaim optimal joint health together.

An Overview of Your Joints  

Your joints are responsible for ensuring the bones of your skeleton can move. They are located where the bones in your body connect. While there are between 250 and 350 joints in the human body, a few of the most well-known and those most likely to suffer from aches and other issues are the following:

• Hips

• Knees

• Shoulders

• Elbows

• Wrists

Discomfort in these joints results in aching, stiffness, and soreness that can make it hurtful to move or enjoy the things you love, such as playing tennis, going for a jog, doing yoga, knitting, and more.

What’s Behind Your Joint Discomfort?  

The real question we should always ask is, What is the root cause of the discomfort in your joints?

Let’s talk about the answer, which might be simpler than you think.

The number one cause of joint concerns is wear and tear, which simply means that joint discomfort is most often the result of long-term use that wears away the cartilage—or protective cushion—between your joints.

When this happens, the spacing between your bones shrinks, and more stress is placed on the rest of the soft tissues in your joints. Your joints then become stiff, and your discomfort can increase over time.

Previous joint injuries can also accelerate this process, making joint issues more likely. Overuse, whether through repetitive stress, such as typing or through physical activities, is also a factor in the process.

Joints can also suffer due to underlying conditions that continually irritate the joint structures.

Symptoms of Wear and Tear Joint Concerns  

Because wear and tear is the most common factor involved in joint issues, let’s pause and focus on the symptoms you may experience from this concern. Common symptoms involved in wear and tear joint concerns include:

• Discomfort – Discomfort of joints during or after movement can indicate wear and tear issues.

• Stiffness– Joint stiffness, especially when you first wake up in the morning or following a sedentary time period, is a sign of wear and tear of the joint.

• Tenderness – Joints that have experienced wear and tear may feel tender to the touch, either on the joint itself or around it.

• Loss of flexibility – You may experience decreased joint range of motion with wear and tear.

• Grating, popping, or crackling—When you move a worn-down joint, you can sometimes feel a grating sensation and/or hear popping or crackling sounds.

It’s important to note that these issues can simultaneously affect single or multiple joints.

Tips to Prevent and Soothe Joint Discomfort  

The good news is that while it’s not possible to reverse the wear and tear that could be causing your joint discomfort, you can find relief using some simple tips and tricks.

#1 – Non-Toxic Vitamins and Supplements

Specific vitamins and supplements have been shown to help reduce joint discomfort and may even prevent it from worsening. However, not all vitamins and supplements are the same, so be careful when choosing yours.

Ones to try include:

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids—Because omega-3s support balanced inflammation, they have been used in studies for joint health. In fact, these studies have shown that when people take fish oil supplements (rich in Omega-3s), they suffer from less joint discomfort and stiffness and less morning stiffness1.

• Turmeric/Curcumin—Turmeric and its main component, curcumin, also offer potent support for helping maintain inflammatory levels in the normal range.

• Vitamin D—Essential for bone health, adequate vitamin D levels are important for overall joint function. Additionally, vitamin D is mood-supportive and helps reduce the stress that often goes hand in hand with joint issues.

• Calcium—While primarily associated with bone health, calcium also plays an important role in muscle function and may contribute to overall musculoskeletal health. Just be sure to look for one that offers an optimal 2:1 calcium-to-magnesium balance.

#2 – Incorporate Small Lifestyle Changes

In addition to vitamins and supplements, small lifestyle changes can significantly reduce joint irritation and discomfort.

Exercise—Regular, low-impact exercise is essential. Whether you’re an aging athlete, trying to stay in shape, or simply want to avoid joint and muscle pain, yoga, walking, rebounding, and hiking are excellent for supporting joint and muscle recovery. These activities increase flexibility and mobility while promoting blood flow and circulation, which can accelerate healing.

Weight loss: One out of every three U.S. adults is considered obese (Harvard, 2020). Losing weight can tremendously help your joints. For every extra pound you carry, your joints experience an added strain. This is especially true of the weight-bearing joints of your hips and knees.

Keep Your Body Hydrated – When you don’t supply your body with enough clean water for hydration, the thickness of your synovial fluid declines. Your joints are then likely to grind against each other and pain and discomfort. That’s why when people with arthritis become dehydrated, their joint conditions, like arthritis, often worsen. And, hydration is vital for flushing toxins out of your body, which can help fight inflammation. I suggest drinking 80% distilled water and 20% Spring water.

Beyond water, incorporate nourishing hydration options like organic smoothies and healthy beverages infused with lemon or apple cider vinegar to effectively hydrate your body. Embracing low-glycemic organic vegetables further enhances hydration levels. In particular, organic Lemon or lime juice serves as a potent hydrating agent, boasting a rich array of vitamin C, citrus bioflavonoids, and essential electrolytes like potassium and magnesium.

Other lifestyle choices that support healthy joints include:

• Maintaining a very healthy plant-based diet and weight.
• Practicing good posture—especially if you spend a lot of time in front of a computer.
• Stretching before and after exercise.

When combined, all of the above lifestyle changes can provide very positive results for your joints.

#3 – Put Topical Preparations to Work for Your Joints  

Finally, a highly effective way to relieve the aches and stiffness plaguing your joints is to apply potent topical oils. While not all topicals are created equal, a number are known for their ability to provide targeted relief for joint discomfort. When possible, purchase the purest organic and unrefined oils.

Coconut oil, for instance, offers an excellent natural solution for joint issues. Like the omega-3s from fish oil that we talked about above, coconut oil is packed with healthy fats that help support normal inflammatory levels.

Similarly, jojoba oil provides a natural source of moisture and nourishes joint tissue with its rich vitamins and minerals, which can help relieve joint discomfort. Another potent joint reliever, arnica oil, is known to be rich in sesquiterpene lactone, which like coconut oil, can help maintain inflammatory levels in the normal range from reduced discomfort.

Camphor can also be used to reduce discomfort due to joint wear and tear. Its dual cooling and warming sensation eases joint issues on contact. The oil is easy to apply, readily absorbed into the skin, and doesn’t leave any greasy residue on clothes.

Other oils that can be applied topically for joint ache and stiffness relief include:

Eucalyptus oil—This oil not only offers a relaxing effect to combat the stress and tension of joint concerns, but it also supports healthy, happy joints.

Juniper oil – Powerful against soreness, juniper helps support healthy joint tissues and relieves irritation.

Peppermint oil—With its cooling sensation, peppermint oil provides relief for sore muscles and joints on contact, as its aromatherapy benefits go to work to ease tension and calm stress.

Wintergreen oil—Rich in methyl salicylate, this oil is a key ingredient in supporting healthy inflammation levels in the normal range and easing irritation and tension.

The best thing about these oils is since they are applied topically, you can get right to the source of your hurt and discomfort, so that you can start feeling better faster.

In Closing  

While joint discomfort can stem from various factors, wear and tear stand out as the primary root cause of joint pain. The good news? By implementing simple yet effective strategies at home, such as committing to regular exercise, adopting lifestyle modifications, and harnessing the potential of topical solutions, you can experience tangible and enduring relief from joint issues. What’s more, these proactive measures hold the promise of averting future concerns, paving the way for sustained joint health and vitality.