We’re lucky in California to have great weather for staying active year-round, but there’s still something about summer that creates an irresistible lure toward the outdoors.
No matter how you build motion into your days — whether in the garden, on a playing field, or simply enjoying nature — joint pain can block your pleasure.
It’s our business to keep you going at Westside Pain Specialists, with locations in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, and Rancho Cucamonga, California. There’s way more to pain management than simply reaching for an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication.
Today, we’ll take a look at a range of nonsurgical fixes for active adults to add to their joint pain relief efforts.
For many, the journey between the onset of joint pain and the need for surgical solutions can take years or even decades. Relying on conservative treatments can delay the need for surgery even longer.
The drawback, if you can consider it as one, is that conservative methods tend to produce conservative results. That is, unless you use several strategies together. Then, conservative care can become a powerful force.
It’s also easy to turn to these nonsurgical fixes promptly. Treating a minor ache with a cold pack is easy to do, and it can keep a simple ache from developing into a major condition.
Or you can pop into our office for a simple, single appointment for medical care that keeps you ahead of the pain progression. Dr. James Nassiri may also help with additional home care options.
Here, we examine some nonsurgical pain management strategies you can proactively build into your summer routine.
If you’re big into a single activity — say golf, running, or tennis — you may be at risk of repetitive strain on joints from the movements you make frequently. Adding low-impact activities like cycling, swimming, or walking adds a level of cross-training that gives your joints a break.
Targeting even modest weight loss can often relieve huge forces off load-bearing joints. Your body has a cantilevered design, so five pounds of weight loss can reduce the equivalent of four or five times the force on your hips, knees, or ankles.
Simply addressing rest and recovery can pay dividends too. Sore joints are asking for rest and repair. Learn to listen to your body.
OTC anti-inflammatories, used strategically, can help manage episodic inflammation and pain without increasing your risk of side effects dramatically. These can be a good place to start with new or recurring pain.
Cold and hot therapy is a simple, yet powerful, approach to helping your body. Cold therapy works best when there’s swelling, while heat helps tight muscle tissue.
Complementary therapies like chiropractic, massage, physical therapy, and more can boost the effectiveness of all your efforts. See our blog on hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a modality you may not yet know.
Corticosteroids, amniotic allografts, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapies each have the ability to reduce inflammation and pain. Some injectables focus on symptom relief, while others may assist your body in repairing injuries.
Conservative care is best when designed around you. Contact us at the nearest of our three Westside Pain Specialists locations to learn more and schedule a consultation.
