While arthritis is often blamed for joint pain, a London Bridge Hospital doctor named Dr. Norman Kufakwaro explained that joint discomfort could also be caused by nerve damage.
Arthritis can cause discomfort, soreness, and aches, but nerve pain “can feel like a deep ache, burning pain, shooting pain [that] sometimes feels sharp.”
Doctor Kufakwaro said that one sign of nerve pain is that the skin can sometimes feel so sensitive that it is hard for the person to wear heavy clothes.
The key to more effective treatment is determining if your pain is coming from your joints or your nerves.
Take nerve pain, for example, which could actually be a sign of a more serious health problem.
Diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, gout, and sarcoidosis are a few examples.
Doctor Kufakwaro continued, “[Nerve pain] can also occur post-surgery or can be a side effect of certain medications”.
Nerve pain can occur anywhere in the body, but a TENS machine can help (at least somewhat) with it.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a way to relieve pain by sending a small amount of electricity through the skin.
The leads are attached to sticky pads called electrodes, and the device is powered by a battery.
When the machine is turned on, tiny electrical impulses are sent via the sticky pads and provide a tingling sensation on the skin.
The electrical impulses may help relieve pain and relax the muscles by reducing the pain signals that reach the brain and spinal cord.
They could also increase the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins, by stimulating their production.
Doctor Kufakwaro explained that nerve pain is treated using the biopsychosocial model.
This multidisciplinary treatment paradigm includes straightforward methods like physical therapy massage, acupuncture, and psychological-based therapies.
For instance, commitment therapy and cognitive behavior therapy may be used to treat nerve pain.
Simple analgesics, antidepressants, and anti-epileptic drugs that soothe nerves are examples of possible medications.
Adopting an anti-inflammatory, balanced diet is one of the home cures.
In addition to omega-3-rich foods, healthy lifestyle behaviors such as drinking lots of water and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes are encouraged.
Some of the things listed above can also help with joint pain.
Stretching before light exercise, taking warm baths, and getting enough sleep can also help with joint pain.
Is it joint pain?
Arthritis signs and symptoms include:
- Joint pain, tenderness and stiffness
- Inflammation in and around the joints
- Restricted movement of the joints
- Warm red skin over the affected joint
- Weakness and muscle wasting.
If you are suffering persistent pain and are uncertain whether it is arthritis or nerve damage, make an appointment with your doctor.
Image Credit: Getty
You were reading: An Expert Helps Us To Understand The Pain You’re In Is Caused By Joint Or Nerve Issues