Have you ever felt a sharp pain run through your shoulder? What did you do about the pain? Chances are that you decided to play doctor. You moved it around and decided it wasn’t too serious. Some feel that any sign of pain is a signal to see a doctor. Let’s find out when to see the doc about joint pain.
The pain is there and you need to decide what to do. Here is a step-by-step checklist. This will help determine the cause of the problem. It will also help determine if seeing a doctor necessary. If the pain is severe, it is recommended that you seek immediate medical attention.
1. Note when the pain occurred.
- What were you doing that caused the pain? Exercising, just stood up, etc.
- Has this happened before? If so, what did you do to ease the pain?
- Were you overworking yourself when the pain occurred? Lifting too heavy, moving too quickly, etc.
2. Try some home remedies to ease the pain.
- Ice the area for 20 to 30 minutes with an ice pack. Wrap an ice pack with a cloth to help limit frostbite.
- Try soaking in a warm bath. You can add epsom salt to the bath for additional pain relief. The magnesium content is great for reducing muscle cramping and repair.
- Get a massage. (Note: a full-body massage is not recommended immediately after exercise due to the release of toxins. Though, a massage of only the sore area may help loosen a tightened muscle.).
- Rest the injured area. Using the remedies above would be better options, but rest is still a useful tool. Repetitive motion tends to create wear and tear.
- Stretch the area. The combination of lactic acid (via exercise) along with joint pain leads to additional pain. Stretching can help loosen the area and relieve DOMS (delayed on-set muscle soreness).
3. Try an NSAID.
- Studies have shown that a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or aspirin work to alleviate inflammation.
- NSAIDs could be considered a home remedy, however these need special attention. Overuse of these pain remedies can lead to addiction. At Athletic Xtreme, we encourage a smart and safe use of supplements and pain remedies. Follow all label instructions. More pills does not mean better results!
4. See a doctor.
If the steps above do not help, it is best to see a doctor. Some pains may seem minor, however they could be a serious injury. People handle pain in different ways. Decide for yourself whether or not the pain is serious enough to see a doctor. Friends want to be helpful and assume the “walk it off” approach is best. This is not the best choice, especially when it comes to your body. Be your own decision maker.
Pain is can happen in an instant. Sometimes pain can be recurring. Recurring pain may require supplementation to aid in easing the pain. If you are experiencing recurring joint pain, check out Athletes Joint Restore. It has been helping numerous people with joint pain!
