Joint pain is one of the most distressing problems faced by the middle-aged and old people. The major cause of this pain is attributed to Osteoarthritis, Rheumatic arthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. The patient approaches with Pain, Stiffness in the movement of joints and inability to perform daily work without pain. In severe cases it can also lead to disability. Howsoever this pain is aggravated by trauma, exertion and also during the winter months. Many arthritis sufferers claim that their joint pain worsens in the colder months. Pain due arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis etc. gets worsen in these days. The people indulged in tough physical activities also experience an increase in joint pain during winter.

The reasoning behind this is yet to be confirmed, however some doctors claim that this change is related to the pressure changes in environment. According to Randall Braddom, M.D.,physiatrist (specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation) "It is proposed that as air pressure is reduced, any existing inflamed tissue in and around joints will expand and cause increased pain." This may be how a number of arthritis sufferers can sense changes in air pressure and, therefore, the onset of rain and snow. He explains, "During the wintertime, it is not uncommon for the skin of someone's hands to be approximately 70 to 80°F, when it is normally 90+°F the rest of the year." When the skin is colder, pain sensors work more, which is why more things hurt. For example, think about catching a ball on a cold day as opposed to catching it on a warm day. Doesn't it hurt more on a cold day?

While joint pain is inevitable during the winter months, it is possible to combat the pain. Some of things to remember this winters for those suffering from joints pain are:

NO TO ANALGESICS: The first thing to understand is that these pains are body's way of alarming us to the problems within. Pain is a way in which the body warns you that something has gone wrong and you should pay attention these signals, and you must try and stop the activity before it further tires the joints and causes excess pain. Instead of taking an Analgesic to reduce the pain we should try and plan our activities in a way that they do not end up causing us more pain.

STAY WARM: The winter months come with an extra baggage of pain with discomfort for all those suffering from joint pains. But, these pains are ameliorated to a great deal once you keep yourself warm. So don't over-expose to the chilling breeze, wear fully covered dresses with socks and scarf.

KEEP MOVING: Another thing to be remembered is that though rest is the best way to deal with acute spurts of pain and however tempting it may seem one should not stick to complete bed-rest. It requires regular movements of joints, it is important to maintain movement. Two types of exercise commonly require prescription:

• Aerobic fitness training can produce long term reduction in pain and disability. It improves well-being and encourages restorative sleep.
• Local strengthening exercise for muscles that act over compromised joints also reduces pain and disability, with accompanying improvements in the reduced muscle strength. 'Small amounts, often' of strengthening exercise are better than protracted episodes performed infrequently.

Another arthritis treatment you can use to get relief is to make sure that you only use your strongest muscles and joints. An example of this would be to use thigh muscles instead of the back muscles when lifting a heavy object, or using forearm muscles instead of the wrists to carry or lift or hold objects.
A mild and sensible exercise is also very effective in reducing pain. However, rigorous exercises should be completely avoided if you have a problem of joint pain because it can make the situation more difficult and pain can become intolerable. Activities which make the blood circulation of the body easy and consistent are helpful in reducing pain during winter.

REDUCE YOUR WEIGHT: Obesity aggravates pain at most sites of the body through increased mechanical strain, and is a risk factor for more rapid progression of joint damage in patients with arthritis.

TAKE PLENTY OF SUN-EXPOSURE: Get plenty of natural sunlight, and stay fit to keep your metabolism perking.

APPROACH YOUR PHYSICIAN: If your pains do not subside and your joints feel red, swollen it is better to approach a physician for consultation.

TREATING THE JOINT PAIN

Home Remedies for joint pain

-Consumption chapatti made of roasted grams flour with clarified butter provides relief from joint pains.

-Among fruits bananas are measured as the most excellent for the joints as they give strength and grease to the joints.

-Massage the aching joints with hot vinegar earlier than going to bed at nighttime.

-Lukewarm bath is the highly useful water cure for joint pains.

-Massaging the affected region with any oil will give relief from joint pain.

-Take a cup of papaya seed tea 6 or 7 times every day for 2 or 3 weeks it provides relief from joint pain.

-Consume garlic cloves fried in butter for cure of joint pains.

-2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar and three teaspoons of honey dissolved in a small glass of lukewarm water brings break from joint pains.

- Combine eucalyptus oil, menthol, camphor and methyl salicylate to make a massaging mixture for aches and joint pains.

-Gomukhasana is extremely helpful yogic asana for the treatment of joint pains.

-Interchange hot and cold compresses on the painful region gives relief from joint pains.

-Take 1 to 2 teaspoonful of turmeric in hot milk to treatment all types of body pains.

-Carrot juice is extremely helpful as it strengthens the ligaments.

-Apple cider vinegar is extremely helpful for joint pains cures.

-Take equal parts of fresh carrot juice and lemon juice and mix them after that take one large teaspoonful on a daily basis for cure of joint pains.

- Daily exercise increases your joint flexibility and also makes strong your bones. Exercise in water can decrease pain and get better flexibility.

Oils and Massages for cure of joint pains

Olive Oil:

A calm massage with lukewarm olive oil is cheap and also successful.

Camphor Massage:

Combine in the proportions of one teaspoon of camphor oil to one teaspoonful of sunflower oil and massage the affected regions. This provides you great relief from joint pains.

HOMEOPATHIC THERAPEUTICS

Homeopathic medicines are HIGHLY effective in these joint pains. They provide Rapid, Gentle and permanent cure to your disease/discomfort. Homeopathic medicines not only remove your pain, swelling but also protect the flaring up of your complaints. Some of the homeopathic medicines which are frequently used in these conditions are:

Aconite: Sensitive, red shining swelling, < at night. From dry,cold winds.

Rhus tox: Pains tearing with stiffness. The cold air is not tolerated; it makes the skin painful. <cold, wet, rainy weather, during rest. >warm, dry weather, motion, warm applications.

Bryonia: Joints red, swollen, hot with stitching pain < least movement, warmth. >pressure.

Calcarea phos: Stiif, cold, numb feeling. <any change of weather, exposure to damp, cold weather, melting snow. > in warm, dry atmosphere.

Dulcamara: Rheumatic symptoms after acute skin eruptions. Rheumatism alternates with diarrhoea. <damp, rainy weather. >moving about, external warmth.

Gettysburg water (for fibrous tissue): Pain in ligaments relieved by rest. Not perceived when quiet. Stiffness of muscles on moving. Joints weak, cannot lift things.

Guaicum: Joints swollen, painful and intolerant of pressure; can bear no heat. < motion, cold, wet weather, touch. >external pressure.

Rhododendron: Pain in all joints, rheumatic tearing. < at rest and in stormy weather. >after the storm breaks, warmth and eating.