The Real Causes of Joint Pain

One of my least favorite sayings is "it's just a part of getting older." Most of the time, people use it to ignore real health problems seniors have.

So when I hear people say "joint pain is just a part of getting older," it irks me. Because the truth is — you don't have to have joint pain because you're over 50.

So today, I'm going to take this myth head-on. I've found some real causes of joint pain in folks over 50. I've also found a couple of tips on how to manage it. Take a look — because these could be the real culprit behind your aches.

Over-stressing your joints

This is especially common if you're living an active life. The more you move, the more pressure you place on your joints. For example, if you're a runner, you may experience some knee pain earlier than others.

Carrying extra weight

Another problem could be a few extra pounds. The more weight you carry on your body, the more stress you put on your joints. That's not me trying to shame anyone's weight. It's just the truth.

Previous injuries

I don't mean any time you've scraped your knee. But if you've had a serious injury to a joint, it could be permanently weakened. And over time, it could lead to more joint pain.

For example, let's say you broke your wrist back in your 20s and didn't let it heal the right way. Over time, that weakness will start to catch up with you.

Of course, there are other factors such as genetics and gender. But you don't have as much control over those.

 

So what do I do?

There are a couple ways to manage it. If you're in a pinch, things like ibuprofen can help. It's not a permanent solution, but it can help soothe the pain for a few hours.

Your best bet is physical therapy. It can not only help with current joint pain, but it can also help slow down further deterioration. The only downside is this often comes with a hefty price tag.

Another option is exercise. Of course, you don't want to over-stress your joints like above. But if you can work through some gentle, daily motions, your joints will thank you for it.

You can also try herbal medicines. Things like silymarin are great for increasing flexibility in your joints. And these medicines are usually pretty easy to get.

Joint pain isn't simply a part of getting older. And please don't let anyone tell you otherwise.