What causes joint pain?
Your joints are complex structures that include many bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues — like cartilage — to perform movements and cushion your body as you move. Any type of injury, trauma, or wear and tear can affect your joints and lead to dysfunction, inflammation, and pain.
Common areas to experience joint pain include:
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Wrist
- Ankle
- Hip
- Spine
While many people associate joint pain with arthritis, it’s also possible that joint pain can be caused by:
- Muscle strain
- Ligament sprain
- Tendinitis
- Inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis
- Bursitis
- Intersegmental joint dysfunction
- Muscular imbalance
The team evaluates all possible causes of joint pain in order to accurately determine your diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
What are the signs of a joint injury?
In most cases, joint injuries are mild and cause fewer major symptoms, however, trauma or long-term wear and tear can lead to more serious functional issues and pain. Possible signs of joint injuries include:
- Bruising and swelling around the affected joint
- Popping, clicking, or locking of the joint
- Stiffness or decreased range of motion
- Feeling that the joint is loose, could pop out of its socket, or give out
- Skin that is red or feels warm to the touch
- Tenderness at specific points near the joint
You could find that your joint pain flares up during certain activities or at certain times of the day. This information can help your providers determine the cause of your condition.
How is joint pain diagnosed?
The River Oaks Chiropractic Clinic team always performs thorough consultations and exams to evaluate your joint pain. Their exams involve specific orthopedic tests to assess the structures in and around your affected joint, like cartilage, muscles, and ligaments, and movement tests to understand how your joint is functioning.
In some cases, the team will refer you for X-rays or an MRI to confirm your diagnosis, especially in cases of severe arthritis or trauma.
How is joint pain treated?
Your joint pain treatment depends on the cause of your condition. The team provides a variety of pain relief options, including:
- Hot and cold therapy
- Electrical nerve stimulation
- Athletic taping
- Acupuncture
- Soft tissue therapy or massage
- Chiropractic adjustments
If you’re also experiencing functional issues with your joint, the team recommends appropriate stretches and strengthening exercises to help your joint return to normal.
To get your joint pain evaluated by the River Oaks Chiropractic Clinic team now, simply call or click to schedule an appointment online.
