Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
It’s common for people to experience pain from time to time. However, it’s usually the direct result of an injury or overuse. With that said, one of the most common causes of pain in adults is joint pain. What causes joint pain, and how could it lead people down the path of addiction?
An Intro to Joint Pain
Joints form connections between most of the bones in the body. They not only help people move but also provide support for their bones. When damage occurs to the joints, it can interfere with movement and cause pain. However, what causes the pain?
What Causes Joint Pain?
Tons of problems can lead to joint pain. One of the most common is arthritis. However, there are also many different types of arthritis. The two most common that cause joint pain are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).
The pain that comes from OA occurs from a breakdown of the cartilage that absorbs shocks for the joints. Without functioning shock absorbers, people feel the impact of moving much more in their bones and joints.
RA, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease. In this case, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints. This causes inflammation, pain and fluid buildup. It affects nearly 1.5 million people in the United States but is more common in women than men.
Of course, other factors beyond arthritis can cause joint pain. Some of these include:
Lupus
Gout
Injury
Cancer
Osteoporosis
Tendinitis
Figuring out what causes joint pain isn’t easy. However, doctors can help people pinpoint it. Pinpointing the cause is the first step in helping them overcome the pain.
Treatment for Joint Pain
Unfortunately, treatment for joint pain is minimal. In most cases, doctors prescribe pain medication to reduce the severity. However, this doesn’t do anything to treat the actual problem. It also makes people dependent on the drugs to function normally.
If the joint damage is severe, the doctors may recommend surgery. The recovery time for joint surgery is long, but it can eliminate the problem altogether. For those with mild joint discomfort, exercise is a great option. Regular movement can eliminate joint pain over time.
We Can Help You Overcome Pain Pill Addiction
If you take pain pills to stem your joint pain and have developed addiction, Ardu Recovery Center can help. We know what causes joint pain and also how to handle it naturally. We can also help you overcome addiction in a safe and healthy way. Some of the programs that we offer include:
Finally, don’t let your joint pain lead you to abuse drugs. Learn more about what causes joint pain with our help. Contact Ardu Recovery Center today at 801-810-1234 to speak to one of our experts and find out more about how we can help.
Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
Joints form connections between most of the bones in the body. They not only help people move but also provide support for their bones. When damage occurs to the joints, it can interfere with movement and cause pain. However, what causes the pain?
