According to the CDC, more than 54 million Americans suffer from arthritis, and that includes what it’s ultimately known for – the sometimes-unbearable joint pain that comes along with it. Dealing with joint pain is anything but fun – ask any of the many unfortunate sufferers. It can impact parts of your every day-to-day life and it can be incredibly debilitating, especially when left unaddressed. While there are quite a few so-called miracle cures, and plenty of medications available to treat the symptoms of arthritis and joint pain, one of the most effective treatments is all-natural, inexpensive, and it actually works.

Yoga, typically entails mindful poses, breathing exercises, and meditative techniques, has been used to treat joint pain (among many other ailments) for a very long time. As it is said, Yoga is the first line of treatment for all chronic ailments.

Today we discuss how you too can accomplish joint pain relief through the practice of performing daily yoga. (or Medical Yoga)

What is Joint Pain?

Joint pain is a common problem which is faced by almost every individual at some point in their life. Joint pain refers to any discomfort, aches, or inflammation occurring in any part of the joint which includes bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Joint pain is the most easily identifiable symptom that shows up as the process of degeneration continues and sometimes this process gets accelerated due to the activities and daily routine you engage in. This can also be a result of some physical injury or illness or due to excessive wear & tear of the joint. In general, knee, lower back, neck, and shoulders are some of the most commonly affected joints and on the other side hip joint, ankle, middle back, or elbows are least affected joints.

There are many causes of joint pain, therefore proper diagnosis is required by a professional to identify the area of pain because different causes result in different treatment and outcomes.

At What Age Does Joint Pain Start

While many people avoid suffering from joint pain until they start to get older, alas there is no age limit for pain starting in the joints, and there are plenty of things that can cause it – even at a younger age. Genetics can up the chances of developing joint pain, as can too much or too little exercise – and the reality is, although more common with the older crowd, that it can happen at any age. Those who are on the less than healthy side are more likely to have joint issues than those who maintain or are in good health. The bottom line – the better you care for yourself, the better chance you have at not suffering from joint pain, or at least not making it any worse than it already is.

Common Causes of Joint Pain

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain, but there are other causes, as well as many additional factors that can induce, or aggravate, it. Over-use of the joint, Ageing, lack of a nutritionally sufficient diet, and inadequate daily physical activity are all-too-often the culprit behind the initial onset or inevitable worsening of joint pain.

When it truly comes down to it, the best solution is prevention – taking care of yourself, such as eating healthy, joint-friendly foods is imperative when trying to combat any type of joint problems (or any health issues at all, really).

The Severity of Joint Pain

The severity of joint pain can vary significantly from person to person, however, as a general rule, due to the process behind joint degeneration, high impact exercises will only exacerbate the issue. Depending on the source or cause of the joint pain, it can very much affect someone’s quality of life, but so can a lack of mobility. Some exercise is great for fighting joint pain, and heavy physical activity is not, in fact, it will only make things worse.

Incorporating the daily practice of yoga is a good remedy for joint pain – a fantastic low impact exercise that can be done on a regular basis – and it can improve even the most severe of joint pains. It is also a wonderful exercise for improving your mental health which is another great way to fight severe pain.

Common Treatment for Joint Pain

Thankfully, with the advent of medical knowledge and technology, we can understand, and treat, ailments, illnesses, and conditions much better – and that includes the absolute misery we call joint pain. When combined with regular yoga practice, the following treatments usually prove successful in the relief of joint pain:

• Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy or physical therapy can make a world of difference to joint pain sufferers. This particular therapy focuses less on the mind and more on the body. It can help with pain management, prevention of further damage, and aid in improving overall flexibility.
• Medications: In more severe cases, medication might end up being necessary. Anti-inflammatories, in particular, have been proven to reduce the symptoms of arthritis and joint pain – especially when used in conjunction with regular low-impact exercise, you know, like, for instance, yoga.

The way that the human body functions, means that most things related to it correlate to one another. It is not enough to just do yoga or just participate in physiotherapy. If you truly want relief from your joint pain, you are going to have to commit to a complete life change, with even your diet needing to be appropriately adjusted.

Preventative Measures You Can Take

There are a considerable amount of alternatives to pills and medication. And, joint pain, unlike some of the other debilitating forms of chronic pain, typically responds fairly well to more natural remedies.

• Regular Exercise: Regular, low-impact, exercise, or physical activity can greatly improve and strengthen the joints by building up the muscles surrounding them. It can also promote an increase in flexibility. Yoga is an excellent option for daily exercise.
• Balanced Diet: Being that food is technically the body’s fuel, what you eat plays a massive role in your overall health, that’s kind of a given. Eating a diet that is complete and balanced, and packed with full of anti-inflammatory foods (leafy greens and vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc.) is super important for joint pain and stiffness. Try to avoid foods that are associated with inflammation like sugar and gluten.
• Weight Management: Staying at, or getting to, a healthy weight can provide much-needed relief to painful joints. The more pressure that is applied to the joints, the more the cartilage wears down. This allows them to rub together causing damage. This damage is at least partially responsible for the pain. Losing weight can help to alleviate some of the pressure put on the joints.

How Yoga Can Help with Joint Pain

Our bodies, not unlike cars, need to keep up with the maintenance to ensure everything runs properly. Our muscles support the bones and joints needed for movement. Yoga, as a practice, works to build up body strength as a whole. Stronger muscles, better balance, and increased flexibility will all help to reduce the pressure, and therefore the pain, that your joints are under. And, that is just the physical benefits. Yoga teaches mindfulness and focus, both of which can come in handy when attempting to overcome pain.

Sometimes, the most simple answer is the correct one. Yoga has been around for many centuries – so, the practice is quite obviously doing something right. Living with joint pain is more than likely influencing even the smallest aspects of your life. And, the most tragic part is that it doesn’t have to! Yoga, as simple as it sounds, could be the joint pain relief that you have been looking for. Make yoga part of your daily life. Treat it like a food and not a medicine, only then you will see what Yoga is capable of doing. Yoga is beneficial in several ways. Give it a shot – your joints will end up thanking you.

How Medical Yoga helps in we help in Joint Pain relief.

Medical Yoga is a form of Yoga which specifically focus on pain management. It is never too late to start the Medical Yoga. You can start even if you do not have any, medical yoga will help you to strengthen and condition your muscles and joints which will help to prevent injury in future. And if you are already experiencing pain, then medical yoga can help you to reduce the pain over time with a combination of various yoga and medical yoga practices.  

One of our segment is Rope & Belt therapy. Focus on stretching and strengthening of joints.