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Joints, Aches & Pains

Joint pain: causes, symptoms and treatments

16/06/20243 min read

Written byLaura Harcourt

Reviewed byProfessor Sanjiv Jari

Joint pain can stop you in your tracks but understanding its causes can help you find the right treatment. Find out how to manage aches and strains with our top tips.

Summary

1What is joint pain?

A joint is where two or more bones meet each other in your body. For example, if you look down at your thigh bone, this meets your pelvis at the hip..

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2What are the symptoms of joint pain?

The intensity of this feeling can come and go and may feel different from person to person. For example, some people say their joint pain can feel...

Jump to details below

3What are the causes of joint pain?

There are a wide variety of reasons why your joints might be giving you a hard time. Whether it be an injury, condition or certain medication...

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What is joint pain?
What are the symptoms of joint pain?
What are the causes of joint pain?
Joint pain risk factors
Joint pain remedies and relief
When to see your doctor
The final say
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Joints, Aches & Pains

Joint pain can put a real dampener on things. The pain you might feel can be niggling, irritating or persistent, and it can have a big impact on your everyday life.

But don’t worry. In this article, you’ll find plenty of helpful advice and information to help you not only work out the cause of your joint pain but also find some much-needed relief.

What is joint pain?

A joint is where two or more bones meet each other in your body. For example, if you look down at your thigh bone, this meets your pelvis at the hip joint. Joint pain refers to a discomfort in one or more of these areas.^1,2

You can have pain in any joint in your body and it can be in just one, or several at any given time. However, the areas most commonly affected are the knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, toe, wrist, finger, elbow and neck joints.²

What are the symptoms of joint pain?

As you might expect, the main symptom of joint pain is pain!³

The intensity of this feeling can come and go and may feel different from person to person. For example, some people say their joint pain can feel like a throbbing sensation (more specifically in those with rheumatoid arthritis), whereas for others, it's more of a ‘grating’ feeling.^4,5

As well as the joint feeling sore, you might notice certain other symptoms, such as:^2-4

swelling and inflammation
warm and/or red skin over and around the joint
tenderness
painful movement
stiffness during or after activity

What are the causes of joint pain?

There are a wide variety of reasons why your joints might be giving you a hard time. Whether it be an injury, condition or certain medication, we’ve listed some of the most common causes below.

Medical conditions that can cause joint pain

osteoarthritis – this is the most common cause of joint pain, affecting over 10 million people in the UK – the vast majority of which are aged over 45 years old.^6,7Over time, gradual wear and tear can affect the smooth cartilage that lines your joint, making movement more difficult and causing pain and stiffness⁷
rheumatoid arthritis – this is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing pain, stiffness and swelling.⁸ The pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis is also often said to be worse in the mornings⁹
gout – most likely to affect your big toe, this condition occurs when acidic crystals (uric acid) in the blood collect in your joint, causing pain and swelling¹⁰
bursitis – most commonly affecting the hip, knee, elbow or shoulder joints, this condition causes the fluid-filled sac that cushions your joint to become inflamed, resulting in swelling and pain in the joint, which in most cases is more painful when you move it or press on it ¹¹
lupus – this autoimmune condition causes inflammation throughout the body which can lead to joint pain, skin rashes and tiredness¹²
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – according to research, up to 46% of people with Crohn’s disease or colitis experience joint inflammation as a complication of their condition¹³
fibromyalgia – this long-term condition causes widespread pain, including in the joints, as well as muscle stiffness and fatigue¹⁴
thyroid conditions – painful joints can sometimes be a symptom of an underactive thyroid, also called hypothyroidism¹⁵
psoriasis – psoriatic arthritis is when the symptoms of the skin condition known as psoriasis also affect the joints, leading to pain and inflammation¹⁶

Other causes of joint pain

As well as the conditions above, joint pain can also be caused by other factors. These might include:

injuries – resulting in broken bones, sprains, or damage to cartilage¹⁷
infections – having an infection in another region of your body can cause germs to enter the joint, potentially resulting in septic arthritis. This is a serious type of joint infection that causes pain, inflammation and swelling, and can lead to fever and fatigue.¹⁸ It’s important to seek immediate medical attention if you think you might have septic arthritis¹⁸

Joint pain risk factors

Now that we’ve run through some of the main causes of joint pain, it’s important to note that there are a few risk factors that may increase your chance of developing it.

These include:^6,19-21

ageing – joint pain tends to affect us more as we get older
sex – women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, for example
having injured a joint in the past
repeated use or overuse of a muscle
mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and stress
being overweight or obese – this can put extra pressure and strain on your joints
genetics – a family history of health conditions associated with joint pain

Joint pain remedies and relief

Thankfully, there are lots of simple things you can do at home to relieve your joint pain and feel much better day-to-day.

Here are some of our top tips to help you tackle your joint pain:

regular, gentle exercise – low-impact exercise like walking or swimming and gentle stretching exercises can help. Regular exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight, reducing the pressure put on certain joints^2,3,22
hot and cold packs – applying heat (like a hot water bottle or heat pack) or something cold (like an ice pack) to your affected joint for a few minutes can help bring down swelling and reduce pain^2,3
health supplements – some studies show that omega-3 fatty acids could reduce joint pain, swelling and stiffness (however, research is limited in this area and further studies are needed).^23-25A sugar called glucosamine sulphate may also have joint-soothing properties, especially for people with osteoarthritis, though research on this is also limited^26-28
over-the-counter medications – painkillers and anti-inflammatories like paracetamol and ibuprofen can help ease joint pain symptoms²

For more information on the best supplements to take, take a look at our guide to joint pain remedies and relief

When to see your doctor

You should consult your doctor if your joint pain:²

stops you from performing your normal activities
affects your sleep
feels severe or is getting worse
hasn’t improved with self-care after two weeks
is associated with a fever

They’ll be able to identify the source of your joint pain and find the right treatment solution for you.

The final say

Whatever the cause of your joint pain may be, we hope our self-care tips and advice help provide a sense of relief – in more ways than one.

The important thing is to listen to your body and treat it with the care and attention it deserves. Whether it’s inflammation-fighting supplements you need or some further H&B advice, we’re always here to help.

However, if your joint pain starts to impact your day-to-day life, consult your doctor for tailored advice.

Disclaimer

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle.

Sources

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2NHS. Joint Pain [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 March 11]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/joint-pain/.
3Villa-Forte A. Joint Pain: Many Joints [Internet]. MSD Manual Consumer Version. MSD Manuals; 2023 [cited 2024 Jun 4]. Available from: https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/home/bone,-joint,-and-muscle-disorders/symptoms-of-musculoskeletal-disorders/joint-pain-many-joints
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Level 1 - Early arthritis - Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust [Internet]. Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust; 2018 [cited 2024 Jun 4]. Available from: https://www.hdft.nhs.uk/osteo/level1/
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