Abstract
Stiffness of the joint is the condition where the movement of joints is restricted. And the symptoms depend on the cause and this could lead to problems like redness, swelling, tenderness, and numbness of the joint causing more pain. The stiffness of the joint is very commonly seen in the injury or in the condition called arthritis. As you grow older the pain and stiffness in your joints start to experience more problems and some people don’t know about it. Here in this article, we are going to discuss it more in detail.
Introduction
Joint stiffness is exactly as it sounds and it’s the feeling of discomfort which is sometimes very severe. Some of the cases are not that serious and issues are very less while some of the joint problems go on for years. While this long-lasting stiffness is the result of serious problems decreasing mobility and making it difficult to walk or stand. Here are the few disorders that are responsible for causing the stiffness, hardness, and inflammation in the joint including
Getting Older
As the age increases the cartilage which is the spongy material helping the bones to be protected starts to dry making the movement stiff. Along with that the synovial fluid becomes less which acts as an oil and makes the movement smooth. As a result the movement of legs becomes restricted but it is important to exercise daily. It is a very important part in order to loosen up the synovial fluid which is important for the movement of joints.
Osteoarthritis
Joint is the point where two bones are meeting together and each layer of bone is covered with cartilage. This helps in the smooth movement as well as they rub easily together but the cartilage wears away as the time passes due to age or sometimes due to injury. This causes the bones to rub on one another which causes breaking and making small fragments. This then results in stiffness, and inflammation of joints and making it painful to move.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The immune system of our body helps us in protecting from any kind of germs from outside. But in some cases due to some kind of disease the body starts to attack its own joint and this is also known as autoimmune disease. One of the most common types of this problem are Rheumatoid Arthritis affecting the finger as well as the wrist joint. It can affect the other joints of the body as well and it can easily flare up.
Other types of Arthritis
There are also other types of immune disorders including:-
Ankylosing spondylitis
It is one of the rare types which results in the stiffness of joints and also pain as well. This condition is life long and commonly starts from the lower part of the back and spreads towards the neck. Ankylosis here means fusing of bones whereas Spondylitis means inflammation of the bones. This results in symptoms like pain in parts like lower back, buttocks, ribcage, hips, hands etc.
Gout
It is one of the complex types of arthritis which can be seen in any patient and it is characterized by the sudden pain in the joint along with redness as well as inflammation. Gout is mainly seen in middle aged patients with heating sensation. It is mainly seen in the big toe and on touch it is hot. This can lead to symptoms like intense joint pain around the knees, fingers, ankles with discomforting pain.
Infectious Arthritis
This results in pain as well as swelling which is caused due to bacterial, fungal as well as viral infection. This type of arthritis can result in symptoms like pain in joint, redness, inflammation sometimes along with fever. Infectious arthritis commonly affects the ankles, knees as well as toes.
Psoriatic Arthritis
It is the type which is commonly seen in patients who suffer from psoriasis. The skin is seen with red patches with silver scales. Most people are easily diagnosed with the pain at the very early stage. In this condition the swelling as well as stiffness is very commonly seen especially affecting the spine as well as tips of the finger. It can lead to pain in the foot, back along with inflammation in eyes.
Fibromyalgia
It is the chronic condition where the pain is commonly seen in muscles as well as joints. This is the condition which causes pain all over the body which causes stiffness in jaw, headaches, numbness in the feet as well as hands. Some of the other clinical features could be feeling nauseous, vision problems, dizziness, breathing problems and depression as well.
Ways to Reduces Pain in Joints naturally
It is normal that the stiffness could last for longer than 30 minutes making the symptoms worse and it is important to take proper care. Here are some ways to reduce it including:-
Cold and Hot Compress
It is very beneficial to apply extreme temperatures on the stiff joint. Applying a bag of ice on the stiff joint can help in reducing it and for about 15 to 20 minutes is enough. This will naturally help in reducing the swelling and easing the movement of joints. Another way is using a heating pad or maybe showering with hot water. This will naturally increase the circulation around the muscles as well as joints.
Exercise
Doing physical workouts can help in increasing the mobility in the joint which can help in reducing the stiffness. It is also one of the best ways to maintain the weight and this also naturally reduces the stress on joints. This then naturally helps in relieving the stiffness as well as pain in the joint but it is also important not to exercise too much.
Conclusion
As discussed above the article shows how different disorders can cause stiffness and pain in the joint. It is also important to note that it’s very uncommon if you suffer from the problem at a very young age. So, it becomes very necessary to keep your overall health good in order to avoid any disease that could be caused due to aging or any other disorders.
Dr. Vikram Chauhan (MD – Ayurveda) is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. He is Author of the Book “Ayurveda – God’s Manual For Healing”. He is an Ayurveda Expert Serving People worldwide through all the Possible Mediums, Operating from Main Branch in Mohali, India. With his Vast Experience in Herbs and their Applied Uses, he is successfully treating Numerous Patients suffering from Various Ailments. He is Serving the Society with Purest Herbal Supplements for One and only Purpose of Making People know and utilize the Wonderful Benefits of the Ayurvedic Diet, Lifestyle, and Natural Herbs. He Formulates Herbal Supplements himself and also Use Classical Ayurvedic Formulations for Helping People Get Rid of All Types of Health Issues, Restore their Health, Uses and Save themselves from the Worst Side-effects of Chemical Based Treatments. For More Details, visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com.
