Joint pain can be debilitating. When your joints hurt, you may find it hard to work, exercise, or even sit comfortably. Joint pain can be difficult to treat, but specialists can help. A joint pain treatment clinic can provide the care you need to live a happier, more pain-free life. Here are a few treatments available for people who suffer from chronic joint pain.

1. Careful Evaluation

Before a doctor can effectively treat your joint pain, they must understand the cause. Joint pain can be caused by a number of things, from overuse to arthritis. When you arrive at a joint pain clinic, you will be carefully evaluated. A doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms. They will also ask you to perform various motions to determine which, if any, causes you pain. You may be given x-rays and blood tests to rule out injuries and arthritis. These tests will give your doctor the information they need to help you feel better.

2. Therapeutic Massage

Joint pain can sometimes be alleviated by therapeutic massage. Body parts suffering from an acute injury should not be massaged, but tense muscles can sometimes contribute to joint pain. At a joint pain treatment clinic, a licensed massage therapist can help you manage your pain by massaging the muscles around your sore joints. During your treatment, your massage therapist may also lead you in guided stretches to loosen stiff, tight tendons.

3. Cold Therapy

Cold therapy can be very effective at relieving pain and swelling. A joint pain treatment center can provide cold therapy using a machine that circulates cold water around your affected body part. Your body will stay dry during this treatment, but you will be able to take advantage of the healing properties of cold temperatures. If cold therapy is effective for you, your doctor may recommend that you continue it at home using ice packs.

4. Medication Management

Medication can be used to treat joint pain to great effect. However, medication should always be prescribed with potential side effects in mind. A doctor at a joint pain treatment clinic will help you find the drugs that allow you to feel better with a minimum of side effects. You will likely be prescribed a combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and supplements. People with severe pain may be prescribed narcotic pain medication, and those with arthritis can benefit from disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

For more information, contact a joint pain treatment center in your area.