Causes of Joint Pain

Joints are the connections between the bones. Aside from providing support, they also help a person move. Any damage to the joints from injury or disease can get in the way of movement and results in pain. There are many possible causes of joint pain. One of the most common causes is injury like a sprain or strain. Diseases can also cause pain in the joint. Some examples are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, bursitis, etc. Joint pain is a very common occurrence that happens to everyone. In a recent national survey in the United States, the most common complaint is knee pain followed by shoulder pain and hip pain. As a person gets older, joint pain becomes more and more common because of the deterioration of joints.

It can range from mild to severe and in sometime can be debilitating. To find the most effective treatment, consulting a specialist is the best option. The first step is finding the specific cause of the joint pain. This will enable the specialist to recommend the best options for treatment. There are many joint pain treatments - from topical, oral and injectable medication to alternative medicine like acupuncture and herbal formulas. However, if the joint pain is just very mild, a range of home remedies like hot/cold compress treatment may be able to get rid of the problem.