Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol or others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), or naproxen sodium (Aleve), can help relieve occasional pain caused by activities that muscles and joints aren't used to, such as working in the garden after a winter indoors. Muscles, bones, and joints form the musculoskeletal system that allows us to move and function normally. Musculoskeletal problems can cause pain and restrict or reduce movement. Simple muscle aches can be relieved with anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and diclofenac.
Diseases that affect the joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can be treated with medications that affect the immune system, such as methotrexate and leflunomide. Osteoporosis is the gradual thinning and weakening of bones, a process that can be prevented or delayed with medications such as alendronic acid or risedronate. In some cases, doctors may prescribe medications that don't primarily treat muscle pain, but can help relieve pain or spasms. Physical therapy is a great way to treat joint pain because it helps improve range of motion and strengthens the muscles surrounding the joint.
For less severe cases, your doctor may want to try osteotomy, a surgery that involves cutting and reshaping bones to relieve pressure on the joint. This medication is an anticonvulsant and doctors often prescribe it to treat seizures, relieve nerve pain, and treat restless leg syndrome. For many people, joint pain is caused by arthritis, a group of conditions characterized by joint inflammation. If you're overweight, you can reduce joint pain and arthritis symptoms by maintaining a healthy weight.
These medications work on muscle cells and the spinal cord to improve muscle tension and relieve spasms. Dr. Amy Shipley, a family medicine doctor at Duke Primary Care Croasdaile, offers her opinion on which over-the-counter pain relievers you should take when you have aches, fever and swelling. Your doctor may first suggest that you treat joint pain caused by arthritis with anti-inflammatory and pain medications.
Keep in mind that if joint pain is caused by another condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, home remedies, such as supplements, should never replace medical treatment. Muscle pain that doesn't go away or gets worse could indicate an underlying condition that requires medical treatment. Sometimes an osteotomy is used to delay the need for total joint arthroplasty for several years, but not everyone with joint pain is suitable for this procedure. For others, joint pain can be caused by joint injury or infection or another condition, such as fibromyalgia or even depression.
A person should not take painkillers for long periods of time and should seek medical attention if the pain is recurrent or severe.
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